Mani Rimdu Festival Trek
18
Days
Mani Rimdu Festival Trek is an annual trek to the serene and scenic Tengboche Monastery during the auspicious festival of Mani Rimdu. The most important festival in Tengboche is called Mani Rimdu Festival and it celebrated in the 9th Tibetan month which usually falls in late October and November, right after the full moon of autumn. The prayers will be said over many days but for the villager’s most important part is when they receive the blessings from Rinpoche (a highly ranked monk), and when the monks perform the masked Dance see Mani Rimdu. Mani Rimdu Festival Trek provides an unique opportunity to celebrate and to be part of this auspicious event in the Himalayas of Nepal.
Mani Rimdu name comes from “Mani”, a part of the chant of Chenrezig, and “Rilbu” which are the small red pills, which are blessed throughout the ceremony and distributions to everyone at the end. The Mani Rimdu in Tyangboche is performed according to the tradition of Mindroling that came from Rongbuk Monastery north of Tengboche in Tibet. At the beginning the beautiful intricate Mandala or sacred diagram is drawn in fine colored sand. The sand is collected from a special place high in the mountains. It takes four days to complete the Mandala then it is covered and used as a focus for the next ten days meditation. Throughout the dances, symbolic demons are conquered, dispelled or subdued. The symbolism can be interpreted on many levels; the inner “demons” of hatred, greed and ignorance overcome through meditation on compassion and wisdom. At the end of the ceremonies the monks perform the sacred mask dances known as “Cham”. There are sixteen dances with some comic interludes that delight the crowds. These dances are a recreation of the establishment of Buddhism in the Himalayas by the legendary Padma Sambhava, known as Guru Rimpoche. The dances convey Buddhist teachings on many levels from the simplest truth to the most profound realization.
Among the important days, the first day of festival, Lamas of the monastery pray in the courtyard. The second day, you can see the Lamas dancing with brocade gowns and wonderful painted paper-mouth masks. Hundreds of Sherpas from all over Khumbu attend the performance, as it is an important social occasion as well as an entertaining spectacle. Along with the serious and intricate dances the Lamas also dramatize two absurd comic sequences that make the entire performance a grand and amusing event. On the final evening of Mani Rimdu the villagers join in an all-night Sherpa dance.
Detail Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1335 meters) .
A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. (Overnight at Hotel)
- Day 02: Fly to Lukla (2810 meters) and trek to Phakding (2610 meters) .
An early morning scenic flight to Lukla (35 minutes) is followed by a leisurely breakfast at Lukla. We meet up with our crew and after a brief introduction and a quick sorting of our daypack and the main bags, our adventure starts. The trail gradually drops into the Dudh Koshi Valley and passes through the lovely Sherpa villages of Chauri Kharka, Cheplung, then undulates through villages of Thado Koshi, Ghat, and finally arrives at Phakding. First views of Kusum Kanguru (6367 meters) can be viewed at Thado Koshi just before a small climb at Thado Koshi. During the day and in most of the other days on the trek, we follow the Dudh Koshi river and pass through couple of suspension bridges and several mani walls, mani stone, chorten, stupas and prayer flags with snow capped mountains in the background. (3 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 03: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440 meters) .
During the day, we follow the Dudh Koshi River and cross the river several times on the suspension bridges. Views of Thamserku (6623 meters) and the holy mountain Khumbila or Khumbu Yül-Lha (5761 meters) shows themselves for the first time as we trek through small villages of Tok Tok, Ghat, Benkar and Monjo. The trail keeps undulating for the whole morning and enters into the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. The path drops down to Jorsalle and steadily follows the river for a while until the start of steep climb with a dramatic suspension bridge (situated at more than 50 meters above the river) joining the two different valley. First glimpse of Everest (8848 meters) with the Lohtse face infront of it can be enjoyed on the midway of the climb through the pine forests, on the way to Namche Bazaar. This famous town in the lap of the Himalayas also offers the best views of the Kongde Range. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 04: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar .
A walk to the twin village of Khunde (3840 meters) and Khumjung (3780 meters) through the Syangboche Airport (3720 meters) is considered as one of the interesting days of the trek. With the benefit of gain in altitude, this day trip also offers a chance to visit a hospital and school started by Sir Edmund Hillary himself. Breathtaking views of Mount Everest (8848 meters), Lohtse (8516 meters) and Ama Dablam (6812 meters) are also an added incentive for the day hike. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 05: Trek to Thyangboche (3860 meters) .
The trek continues on a well maintained path in the morning with towering mountains on almost every direction. After passing a couple of teahouses at Kyangjuma, the path starts to drop down to the river passing small teashops at the villages of Sanasa, Lausasa and finally reaches Phunki Tenga at the bottom of the valley. Yet another suspension bridge helps us to cross the river at Phunki Tenga and then an identical climb to Namche waits. The climb through a thin Rhododenron forests finally ends at Thyanboche. Thyangboche is famous for the Thyangboche Monastery, the biggest and the most important monastery of the region. Thyangboche also offers stunning panoramic views of Everest with the Lohtse face, Ama Dablam (6812 meters), Kangtega (6782 meters) and the Kongde Range. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 06: Thyangboche Mani Rimdu Festival 1st Day .
The day is spent in and around the monastery enjoying Mani Rimdu Festival. (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 07: Thyangboche Mani Rimdu Festival 2nd Day .
The day is spent in and around the monastery enjoying Mani Rimdu Festival. (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 08: Thyangboche Mani Rimdu Festival 3rd Day .
The day is spent in and around the monastery enjoying Mani Rimdu Festival. (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 09: Trek to Dingboche (4220 meters) .
The path drops down passing through some teahouses at Deboche and after a brief period on easy terrain, crosses the Dudh Koshi once again. A small ascend leads to Pangboche, the village with the oldest monastery of the region. The trek continues in the valley and passes small villages of Somare and Hortse. After Hortse, the path drops in and out of a valley and then a steady walk finally ends the day at Dingboche. At Dingboche, views of another snowcapped pinnacle adds to the already impressive list of mountains, as view of Island Peak (6189 meters), one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal, appears in the North. (5-6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 10: Trek to Lobuche (4910 meters) .
After a short climb, the tail continues to gradually ascend for the most part of the morning. After crossing a small river, the trail climbs to Thukla, followed by a steep climb that ends at the top of Thukla Pass (4830 meters). The pass is filled with memorials dedicated to the mountaineers perished in the mountains of Khumbu region and also provides serene views of the mountains responsible for those memorials. An easier walk in the afternoon ends the day at Lobuche. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 11: Trek to Gorakshep (5180 meters) .
An early start leads us into the undulating trail and into the Khumbu Glacier for a while. After getting out of the glacier, the path leads to Gorakhshep (5180 meters). After a brief stop and lunch, the trail again enters the Khumbu Glacier and undulates all the way up to Everest Base Camp. At Base Camp, one can enjoy the close up views of Nuptse (7861 meters), Pumori (7161 meters), Lingtren (6713 meters), Khumbutse (6636 meters), Changtse (7543 meters) and Lho La (6026 meters). We return to Gorakhshep through the same route on the glacier. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 12:Climb Kala Patter (5545 meters) and Trek to Lobuche .
A steep climb to Kala Pattar (2 hours) is rewarded with the proper view of the southwest face of Everest. Kala Pattar is also the highest point of the trek. After returning to Gorakhshep, we return to Lobuche via same route. (3 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 13: Trek to Thyangboche (3860 meters) .
The trail consistently keeps losing height with every hour and enters into the different valley of Pheriche in the morning. The valley is left behind after a brief climb and once again, the trail descends and passes the villages of Hortse, Somare and Pangboche. After Hortse, the trek continues on the same path taken during the way up. The days trek ends at Thyangboche. (7-8 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 14: Trek to Monjo (2835 meters) .
The return trek towards Lukla continues on the previously travelled route taken during the way up. On the way down from Namche, we take a last look at the Everest and merrily continue the trek down to river. The exit from the Sagarmatha National Park and a brief drop leads to the village of Monju and ends the days trek. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 15: Trek to Lukla (2810 meters) .
We trek back to Lukla via same route taken before and end the trek at Lukla. We also bid farewell to our support crew and formally end their trek for them as well. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
- Day 16: Fly back to Kathmandu .
A 35 minute flight to Kathmandu and a whole day to explore the capital. Further adventure activities like rock climbing, hiking, biking around the Kathmandu valley with bungee jumping, rafting near the valleys can be done on this free day. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)
- Day 17: Free day at Kathmandu .
A leisure day in Kathmandu which can used for an early morning mountain flights to Everest or can extended into further more tours to Chitwan, Lumbini etc. (This is also spare day in case of cancellation of flights) (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)
- Day 18: Departure .
A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future. (Breakfast included)
- NOTE: ITINERARY CAN BE CUSTOMIZED AT YOUR REQUESTS ACCORDING TO YOUR CONVENIENCE .
Bad weather has been a recurring problem at Lukla in the last few years and caused a lot of trouble with flight cancellations. We would like to strongly suggest you to have some spare days at the end of the trek and also a travel insurance that partially or fully covers the sum of emergency evacuation to catch up the international flights. The problems of bad weather at Lukla and people missing their international flights have been well documented in the last few years.
Includes
- Arrivals and departure transport by car (We will collect you from the Kathmandu international airport) and transfer to Hotel.
- Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu (Boudhanath and Pasupatinath) with city guide and necessary transport.
- 3 nights accommodation (2 persons per room) in Kathmandu in a 3* standard Hotel with breakfast.
- Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu airfare including airport taxes.
- Accommodation and all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) while on trek in normal teahouses.
- Salary, insurance, food, accommodation for guides and porters.
- A porter to carry your luggage on treks (Per person 15 kilogram luggage).
- National Park entry fee and Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS).
- First Aid Kit.
- Government taxes and service charge.
Excludes
- Nepal entry Visa Fee.
- Personal Travel Insurance (Compulsory).
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
- Entry fee at the sightseeing sites.
- Personal expenses like beverages (mineral water, alcohol, soft drinks), telephone bills, laundry, bar bills, personal tips etc.
Gear List
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG.
Hiking boots
Socks
Trekking trousers / pants
Waterproof overtrousers / rainpants
Baselayer shirts
Casual shirt and/or T-shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jumper/sweater
Waterproof jacket
Sunhat
Warm hat
Sunglasses
Thermal gloves
Warm and waterproof over gloves or mittens
Headtorch/Headlamp with spare bulb and batteries
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 L.
Antibacterial handwash
Small towel
Daypack, 25/30Litres
Trekking poles
Sleeping bag 4 or 5 season * (rated down to – 20ºC)
Warm jacket (down)*
Medical
Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
1 skin-blister repair kit
Anti-diarrhea pills
Anti-headache pills
Cough and/or cold medicine
Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
Water purification tablets or water filter
1 set of earplugs
Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies.
Note: Walking pole, down jacket, sleeping bag, etc available on hire in Kathmandu or request we will provide it.
Faqs
Notes
Trip cost will vary depending on numbers of travelers, duration/days of trek, standard of hotel in Kathmandu before & after the trip. Please contact us to GET a Custom Quote.
Trip Facts
- 18 Days Trip Duration
- 14 Days Of Trekking
- Everest Region
- Moderate
- Tea House Trek
- 5545 meters from sea level
- 2 minimum group size