The Sherpa community in Nepal’s Everest region celebrates the Mani Rimdu Festival every year, a vibrant and colorful Buddhist festival. The Tengboche Monastery, which is situated at a height of 3,867 meters, is the site of the customary religious ceremony. The festival usually falls in October or November, according to the Tibetan lunar calendar.
During the festival, monks portray a variety of Buddhist deities and legends in elaborate masked dances, rituals, and prayers. The festival is thought to bring good fortune, ward off evil spirits, and bless the neighborhood. For the Sherpas living in the Everest region, it is a significant occasion.
The Mani Rimdu Festival Trek is hence a trek that lies en route the Everest Base Camp trek, but in this trek, we will go only up to Tengboche, where we will witness the festival take place. This year, the festival lies on 29th October 2023, so this trip is best booked for the date of 24th October 2023.
Trek Highlights
- Stunning Scenery of the surrounding landscapes
- Cultural Immersion with diverse ethnic groups, such as Sherpas and Tamang
- A chance to witness the vibrant Mani Rimdu Festival in Tengboche
Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal. Our representatives will be waiting for you at the arrival section of Tribhuvan
International Airport. You will be greeted and taken to the hotel. Enjoy your evening resting or strolling
Around the nearest markets. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, we drive to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport for our flight to
Lukla. The flight is of 40 minutes from which magnificent lush hills and snowcapped peaks can be seen.
We arrive at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla. This is one of the most dangerous airports in the world. In
Lukla, we will meet the rest of our staff members and start the amazing trek to Phakding. Just to
Acclimatize, we do a short walk today. Overnight at a lodge in Phakding.
We start walking through the thick forest of pine and oak alongside Dudh Koshi River. After moving Further, we start to get the glimpses of Mt Thamserku (6623m) on our right side. Continue through the Pine, fir and juniper forests, cross suspension bridges, and finally reach Namche Bazaar, a commercial Center of the Everest region. Also known as the Gateway to Everest, Namche Bazaar hosts a stunning Panorama of Mt Everest (8848m). Overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.
Today, we ascend to Everest View Hotel for an amazing 360-degree view of the snowy peaks. Then, we Descend to Khumjung village to visit the monastery and Khumjung (Hillary) School. Inside Khumjung Monastery, you can have a look at the Skull of the Yeti. Khumjung is also one of the larger SherpaVillages in this region. We continue to walk to Khunde village and visit the old monastery and Khunde Hospital there. We return to our lodge in Namche via Syangboche village. Overnight at a lodge in
Namche Bazaar.
The trail ascends till Kyangjuma village and then it descends to the suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi
River. We can see a chain of attractive water driven prayer wheels. Then, we will stop to have lunch in
Phunke Tenga. The ascending trail alongside Imja Khola leads us to Tengboche village. We can visit the ancient monastery of Tengboche in the evening. Witness the amazing views of the snowy peaks, sunrise/sunset in the morning and evening is a surreal view. Overnight at a lodge in Tengboche.
The first day of Mani Rimdu Festival is marked by the construction of Sand Mandala and Wong. Colored
sand is used to build complex and representative design. The sharp defensive weapons referring to the
divinities are kept surrounding the Mandala. The container of Mani Rilwu pills which is regarded as
spiritual medicine is placed in the center. The Mandala symbolizes the palace of the lord of dance,
Chenpo. The statue of the Buddha of Kindness is the most important for Mani Rimdu. The mantras are
chanted, and during meditation, they believe kindness flows in the form of the mantra, into the Mandala and the Mani Rilwu pills. Kindness is released out from the Mandala, blessing those who attend the Mani Rimdu festival. Overnight at a lodge in Tengboche.
The dances are shown on the 2nd day of Mani Rimdu. Triumph over the symbolic demons is shown in The dance. As the theme of the dance, positive energies fight with the demons through the dances. The Dances carry Buddhist teaching on many levels from the simplest to the most metaphysical state. During The dance, the monks are believed to enter a state of trance and become a godlike being. The dancesare only performed during Mani Rimdu because they are considered to be very sacred hence cannot be Performed for ordinary entertainment purposes. Overnight at a lodge in Tengboche.
The last day of the festival is the Fire Puja. The Fire Puja is done in the yard the day after the dances. The Fire Puja is a gift to Agni (the god of fire), and to the Gods of the Mandala to dispel all harm in the world.The harm is envisioned as dissolving into the grain and butter being burned. Afterward, the sand Mandala in the temple is dismantled to pieces, and the sand is given as an offering to the Snake Gods(Nagas). With this, the exciting festival of Mani Rimdu comes to an end. Overnight at a lodge in
Tengboche.
The trail from Tengboche is downward with a few sharp climbs uphill for an hour from the bridge at Phunke Tenga, near to Sanasha. The walk to Namche is very charming on a long windy track. Passing Through the traditional villages of Khumjung and Khunde, an attractive and pleasant walk leads us to Namche. Overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.
Leave Namche Bazaar and descend through pine trees. We arrive at the confluence of Bhote Koshi River And Imja River at Larja Dobhan. Then, following Bhote Koshi River downstream we reach Jorsalle to exit Sagarmatha National Park. Still walking by Bhote Koshi River past several Sherpa villages and through Rhododendron and magnolia forest, we arrive in Lukla. Overnight at a lodge in Lukla.
On the picturesque 40 minutes flight back to Kathmandu, you’ll relive a last sight of the snowy peaks.Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred back to the hotel. Overnight at a 3-star hotel in
Kathmandu.
You are free from our program. If you have additional days in Nepal you may plan more activities. Please do let us know. If not then we transfer you to Airport
Services
Services Included in the Package
- Accommodation: Three Stars Hotel In Kathmandu and lodges or teahouses along the trekking route.
- Meals: Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
- Trekking Permits: Necessary permits for the Mani Rimdu trek.
- Experienced Guide: Professional trekking guide to lead the way and provide information about the region.
- Porter Service: Porters to carry your trekking gear and belongings.
- Airport Transfers: Pick-up and drop-off services between the airport and your hotel.
- Round Trip Flight to and from Lukla
- Sightseeing: Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Transportation: Ground transportation between Kathmandu and the trek starting point.
- Safety Measures: First aid kit, emergency oxygen, and communication devices for safety.
- Welcome and Farewell Dinner: Traditional Nepali dinner to welcome and bid farewell to trekkers.
Services Excluded in the Package
- All drinks ( Hot/cold) during trek
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Tips
- Hot Shower and heater charge
More Info
Food and Accommodations
Tea houses or lodges are the most common and popular accommodations option along the trekking routes in the Everest region, including the Tengboche trek for the Mani Rimdu. These accommodations are basic but comfortable guesthouses that provide rooms with beds, blankets, and shared bathrooms. Tea houses also have dining areas where you can enjoy meals and socialize with fellow trekkers and locals. They serve a variety of meals, including local and international dishes.
Most commonly served food in these areas are:
- Nepali Dal Bhat
- Momos
- Pasta and Noodles
- Soups
- Pancakes and Toast
- Tibetan Bread
- Snacks and Energy Bars
- Hot Drinks (Milk tea (Chai), Black tea, Green tea, Herbal teas, Hot chocolate, and Coffee)
- Soft Drinks and Bottled Water
Trekking Permits
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: The Sagarmatha National Park is a protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage site. To enter the park, you must obtain the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.
Entry Permit: This permit is necessary for all trekkers heading to Tengboche and other destinations in the Everest region.
TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) Card: The TIMS card is a registration card that contains important information about trekkers and their itineraries. It helps in ensuring the safety and security of trekkers.
The TIMS card has two categories: TIMS Card (for independent trekkers) and TIMS Card (for trekkers with a guide). You can obtain the TIMS card from the Nepal Tourism Board or authorized trekking agencies in Kathmandu. (We will provide it for you.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The flight is safe and pleasant and takes about 30 minutes from Kathmandu. The weather conditions are properly monitored before every flight, so you don’t have to worry. You can even enjoy the beautiful mountains from a bird’s eye view.
The festival happens every year between October and November. It is a three-day festival in Tengboche Monastery which shows the unique Sherpa culture in the mountains. This year, the festival is happening from 29th October, so our packages are managed accordingly.
