Lumbini

The birthplace of the Buddha, in southern Nepal near the Indian border, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997: the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar and monasteries built by many countries.

Getting there

About 10 hours by road from Kathmandu. Or fly to Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa, 22 km away, about a 30-minute drive.

Sites and entry fees

Fees are per person, in Nepali rupees, as published by the bodies that collect them.

• Sacred Garden and Maya Devi Temple (per day): NPR 1,000 (SAARC nationals: NPR 700). The conservation fee, per person per day, covers the Sacred Garden and the Maya Devi Temple. It rose in April 2026. Indian nationals pay NPR 80; monks, nuns and people with disabilities enter free.

Fees change; check the official source before you go. Fees and rules checked on 2026-11-02.

Know before you go

Take off your shoes at the temple, dress modestly and leave food and drink outside. Walk clockwise around stupas. Cameras cost extra: US$3 a day for a still camera, US$25 for video.

Sources disagree

• Conservation fee: NPR 1,000 / 700, since April 2026 (Lumbini Development Trust); NPR 700 / 400 (Nepal Tourism Board (out of date))

Sources

• Wikipedia — Lumbini
• Wikivoyage — Lumbini
• Ekantipur — Locals protest Maya Devi Temple fee rise (17 May 2026)
• Lumbini Development Trust — Conservation fee

Trekking and sightseeing in Nepal

General guidance from the sources listed, not a guarantee. Rules, fees and trail conditions change; confirm with the official source or a registered trekking agency before you go.