Mani Rimdu Festival

Mani Rimdu Festival

Activity
Trekking
Trip Grade
Moderate
Max. Altitude
3860m

Overview

This fascinating 3 days Mani Rimdu Festival held at Tyangboche Monastery during the 10th lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. This is a greatest festival among Sherpa people in Everest Region during the months of October, November. The Monks from Tyangboche Monastery involve in performing various activities.  Lamas and priests will show a famous Mask Dance to wade bad and evil spirit for the goodwill and peace on earth. The ‘Mani’ means “part of the chant of Chenrezig” and ‘Rimdu’ means small red pills that are blessed in the festival. The pilgrimage goes to take those red pills from monks at the end of the festival. 
 

Mani Rimdu Festival trip starts with scenic flight to Lukla. Follow the Dudh Kosi River valley and sherpa villages of Choplung, Ghat, Phakding and Namche Bazaar to reach Tyangboche Monastery. The beauties of nature are making amaze to the visitors. Hiking to the huge settlement Namche bazaar enjoy the lovely atmosphere and stunning view of highlander. The couple of nights in Namche Bazaar is giving well acclimatize. We walk higher to Syangboche for acclimatize. The spectacular snow-capped mountains including Mount Everest and magnificent views are making blessing.  This lovely place got various outlets to get refreshment.

The trail goes gently through the stunning view of nature and lovely river valley to reach Tyangboche Monastery for Mani Rimdu Festival. Meet thousands of local worshipers who are coming to join the festival. The Tyangboche is situated at mini hill under the shadow of Majestic Mount Everest and Beautiful Ama Dablam. We will enjoy the festival with amazing view of mountains and surroundings. Trexmount Ventures has set the itinerary to visit glacial valley. The biggest village Khumjung and Khunde are situated in this valley beneath holy Khumbi-la 5,761 m-19,012 ft mountain. We do explore the village, Monastery and rural life of highlander before making returns journey to Lukla.   

Itinerary

01Day

Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Our representative will come to the airport for transfer to the Hotel. After some refreshment in the hotel, Our Tour leader will conduct a pre- departure meeting in the Hotel or at our office. The meeting will cover trip related information & the collection your Documents (passport copy, 2 passport size photos, Travel insurance).

02Day

Kathmandu: Free day or City Sightseeing (pay Locally for sightseeing).

After morning breakfast, free day for trek preparation. OR, do a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley  visiting  fascinating heritage and cultural sites. There are few places that are worth to visit such as holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Durbar Square ( One is in Kathmandu, in Patan and also in Bhaktapur), Museum,  monasteries, old historical Palaces and Gardens. Note:  this tour is optional so you can visit with place of your interest & pay locally. ( Meals: B)

03Day

Fly to Lukla (2,886 m-9,468 ft) & trek to Phakding (2,640 m-8,661 ft )- 04 hrs.

Early morning depart from the hotel fr the flight to Lukla. Upon reaching Kathmandu domestic airport board in a small plane Dornier or Twin Otter. Flight offers great views array of snow capped peaks with Mt. Everest. The plane touches down after 30 minutes of scenic flight at Lukla, a unique airstrip with a runway with uphill slope. Lukla airport at present is named after legendry climber Tenzing & Hillary Airport.

After a time here, start the walk to Phakding for overnight stop. The trek passes several villages and farm lands with great scenery of hills and valleys then finally reaches at Phakding village located by the Dudh Kosi (river). (Meals: B,L,D)

04Day

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m-11,286 ft) - 06 hrs.

After the first day walk, today the trek is long as it heads uphill above 3,440 meters high at Namche Bazaar. Starting the morning walk and cross few times over the Dudh Koshi. Reach the entrance gate of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. After checking the Park & Trekking tickets and permits, further walk leads on the bank of the river. Then after the last high bridge  walk uphill for few hours to Namche Bazaar. Here we spend two nights in this large prosperous trading town – village , which is the main center and capital of Khumbu area with facilities of ATMs, Cyber cafes, stores, shops, restaurants, banks and fresh bakery with busy colorful interesting Saturday market. (Meals: B,L,D)

05Day

Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization.

Namche is an ideal and perfect place for rest day for acclimatization. Take a short hike up to park museum which houses great range of information from mountaineering, flora – fauna and Sherpa culture and religions. This scenic spot offers a grand panorama of high snow capped mountains including Mt. Everest and stunning Ama Dablam. Another option is to hike to Everest View Hotel for beautiful views of the surrounding mountains above old Syangboche air strip. For energetic people can take a walk of few hours visiting the sleepy Khumjung and Khunde located on a glacial valley beneath the majestic holy peak of Khumbila the patron god of Khumbu. (Meals: B,L,D)

06Day

Trek to Tengboche (3,867 m-12,687 ft) - 05 hrs.

After a good rest and acclimatization, walking along a gradual winding wider nice path, maintained by old Sherpa man for 2 decades who does this voluntarily for goodwill to mankind with small funds and donation from the trekkers passing on this route. Walk gets better through conifer and rhododendron woodland, with the striking views of Ama Dablam The walk further offers striking views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Thamserku and Kwangde peak. Then the path descends towards Imjatse river at Phunge Tenga. After a rest here walk on the uphill path through a nice serene forest to reach at Tengboche Monastery. A scenic spot with awesome views of Ama Dablam, Kangtenga, Thamserku, Kwangde and Mt. Everest, this place is also a holy spot as the head lama (Rinpoche) of the monastery resides here.
In this monastery, mountaineers take blessing from the high lama priest for better success and safe climb. (Meals: B,L,D)

07Day

Observe and join in the Mani Rimdu Festival.

We have allowed three days free day at Tengboche to observe and take part in this great Mani Rimdu festival, a tradition passed on from its mother monastery, the Rongbuk. It begins with an elaborate depiction of the Mandala diagram made with colored sand. This sand is extracted from a specified location in the hills. The Mandala takes four days to draw; it is then covered and is central to the religious festival that lasts for the next 10 days. The program includes 16 dance numbers with interludes for comical effect. Finally, after all the devotees have left, the monks perform a fire rite to dispel all harm to the world. The sand Mandala specially created for the festival is then formally removed with prayers for the benefit of all sentient beings. At the end of the festivities the resident Tengboche Rinpoche of the monastery blesses the general public after which the ‘Mask Dances’ are performed by the monks.
The monks perform the masked dance to usher some of the protective deities as manifestation of the legendary saint Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism; the dance numbers also display the defeat of demons and the initiation of Buddhism to Tibet.
Thus, Tengboche Monastery and Mani Rimdu are major attractions for tourists in Nepal. The number of tourists visiting the monastery is said to be about 15,000 per year and during peak tourist season the number is said to be 600 per week. (Meals: B,L,D)

08Day

Trek to Khumjung village (3,680 m-12,073 ft) - 05 hrs.

In the morning wake up to a stupendous panorama of great surrounding peaks. After breakfast head downhill and with a climb towards Sanasa village where the trail of Gokyo, Namche and to Khumjung meet. From this spot our route heads to nice traditional large Sherpa villages at Khumjung and Khunde, an area located on a glacial valley beneath the majestic and holy Mt. Khumbila at 5,761 m-19,012 ft high the patron god of Khumbu area. Here with time in the afternoon visit the old monastery the only place that treasures scalp of a Yeti. Khumjung has the one and only high school around Khumbu area.  This high school is funded by Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation. Nearby is the Khunde hospital in the adjoining village of Khumjung which is just an hour walk. (Meals: B,L,D)

09Day

Trek to Monjo (2,880 m-9,448 ft) through Namche Bazaar (3,440 m-11,286 ft) - 06 hrs.

After Khumjung morning walk begins with a long descent to Namche Bazaar through Syangboche with an old small airstrip. Walk with an aerial view of Namce Bazaar. Walking for few hours to reach at Namche. After  a refreshing break head down to Dudh Kosi River valley. Make a  short walk up to reach Sagarmatha National Park entrance and proceeed to Monjo village for overnight stop in this lovely small village. (Meals: B,L,D)

10Day

Trek to Lukla (2,886 m-9,468 ft) - 05 hrs.

Today the last walk of this enjoyable, cultural and scenic journey ends at Lukla.  The morning walk proceeds up a gradual winding path to Lukla after a last climb of 45 minutes. In Lukla have lunch, with free afternoon and to organize gratitude and farewell dinner with fellow staff and porters. Overnight in Lukla. (Meals: B,L,D)

11Day

Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

From Lukla the flight operates from early morning to Kathmandu,. Sometimes the flight time can get delayed due to unfavorable and bad weather. As per the flight time board in a small Dornier or Twin Otter plane for the scenic flight back to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Katmandu domestic terminal Trexmount Ventures staff will transfer you back to respective hotels in the heart of Kathmandu around Thamel area. (Meals: B)

12Day

Kathmandu.

Free day in Kathmandu. (Meals: B)

13Day

Departure for home ward bound.

Today your last day in Nepal with great memories, amazing experience transfer to Tribhuvan International airport for final departure towards homeward bound or to next port of call.

Includes/Excludes

What is Included?

  • Airport Pick up and drops Transfer.
  • Private Ground transportation as per itinerary.
  • Return Flight Kathmandu|Lukla|Kathmandu.
  • All accommodations (Twin Share)
  • Meals: 12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 11 Dinners with cup of Tea, coffee in each meals
  • National Park entry permits.
  • TIMS Permit.
  • An experience guide and required porters to carry your belongings (one porter in between two pax), their food, accommodation, transportation, salary, insurance, and equipments.
  • Warm sleeping bag, warm down jacket and walking stick, if necessary.
  • Trek bag.
  • Award Certificate of Trip Completion

Whats not Included

  • Meals as Mention in the inclusive list.
  • Single Supplement for single using rooms
  • Tips to staff or any donations.
  • Temple and monastery entry fee, & entry fees if sightseeing in kathmandu.
  • Your travel insurance, Medical and emergency evacuation (Just in case).
  • All types of drinks (such as Hot & cold drinks, Mineral water and alcoholic drinks).
  • All personal expenses which is not mention into the price inclusion.

Clients Review

Everest Base Camp & Muktinath Trail Helen & Mark Dwyer Australia

We had a dream to reach Mt Everest Base Camp since we heard about this. One of my friends recommended Trexmount so we have decided to use them for arranging our trek to Everest Base Camp. The treks were very well organized and the guides were extremely knowledgeable, and friendly and looked after us at all times.

Nothing was too much trouble for them and there was always a smile on their faces. We stayed...

Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking Bridget and Ron New Zealand

Namaste Hari and all at Trexmount Ventures, We have just completed our third visit and a Fantastic trek in Nepal with a four-day trek in the Annapurna area and an 18-day trek to Everest base camp and Gokyo. Noelene joined us for the Everest trek and it was her 9th visit! We can highly recommend Trexmount Ventures as a great company. The guides we had, Ram and Tilak were very well informed and also both able to pace the trek to ensure we all reached our...

Trip Info

“full of culture and scenic walk throughout this trip, from traditional villages, green hills, pristine forest, amazing landscapes and high mountains,
outstanding views of world’s highest Mt. Everest at 8,848 m, visiting villages and monasteries enrich with old culture, customs and witnessing the colorful Mani Rimdu festival are the main attraction and highlights of this trek and the warm hospitality of the highlanders The Sherpa of Himalaya”

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