| Group size: | Any | Max-Altitude: | 3860 |
| Destination: | Nepal | ||
| Arrival on: | Kathmandu | Departure from: | Kathmandu |
| Meals: | All meals during trek | ||
| Accommodation: | Hotels/Mountain Lodges | ||
| Fitness level: | Moderate | ||
Mani Rimdu Festival 2023 is celebrated at Tengboche, Thame, and Chiwong Monasteries of Solukhumbu Nepal, is a sacred ceremony and series of events of empowerment. It is a sequence of nineteen days of celebrations, which concludes with the three-day public festival. Sherpa gets time to gather and celebrate this festival with the monastic community. Lamas and Sherpa gather at the monastery for five days for the welfare of the world. Demons are quelled and the virtuous are rewarded. The monks wear elaborate masks, and costumes and through a series of ritualistic Lama Dances, dramatize the triumph of Buddhism over Bon. The events involve prayers from the first day, and the second day for colorful lama dancing when they wear beautiful brocade gowns and wonderfully painted paper-mâché masks. The last day is for some humorous dances and chanting prayers. Hundreds of local people and foreign tourists attend the performance.
24 OCT 2023 | Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel
25 OCT 2023 | Day 02: Fly to Lukla - (Altitude: 2840m) by Flight | Trek to Phakding - Altitude: 2610m | Trek: 3/4 hours | Meal: BLD
26 OCT 2023 | Day 03: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar - Altitude: 3440m | Trek: 5/6 hours | Meal: BLD
27 OCT 2023 | Day 04: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche - Altitude: 3860m | Trek: 4/5 hours | Meal: BLD
28 OCT 2023 | Day 05: Mani Rimdu festival at Tengboche Monastery. Wang - blessing ceremony | Meal: BLD
29 OCT 2023 | Day 06: Second day at the festival. Witness the Cham - mask dance | Meal: BLD
30 OCT 2023 | Day 07: Third day at the festival. Witness the Jinsak - closing ceremony | Meal: BLD
31 OCT 2023 | Day 08: Trek to Namche - Altitude: 3440m | 5/6 hours | Meal: BLD
01 Nov 2023 | Day 09: Trek to Lukla - Altitude: 2840/ 9372 ft | Trek: 4/5 hrs | Meal: BLD
02 Nov 2023 | Day 10: Fly Back to Kathmandu | Meal: B
03 Nov 2023 | Day 11: Spare Day in Kathmandu | Meal: B
04 Nov 2023 | Day 12: Departure Transfer | Meal: B
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel (Altitude: 1350/4428 ft. Meal: Dinner)
The first view of Nepal from the window of your plane could be a lifetime memorable view as the clear wide and white range of Himalayas shine straight in-front of your eyes. The ecstatic beauty is so rare that you won’t be able to blink your eyes. Welcome to Nepal; a large heaven within this small planet Earth. As you step out of the airport our representative and a driver will receive you with a pleasant smiling welcome on their faces. You will be escorted to your hotel in the city in a car. Our representative will take complete care in processing your check-in into the hotel. After your refreshment, you will be briefed about the next day trip. In the evening, we, the Hiking Nepal will offer you a welcome dinner introducing Nepalese cuisine and culture.
Day 02: Cultural Tour in Kathmandu and Preparation day (Altitude: 1350/4428 ft. Meal: Breakfast)
After having delightful breakfast, you will be introduced with a Tour guide and takes you to UNESCO Heritage sites of the valley where you will observe living heritage of Medieval Nepal - Witness the biggest Hindu temple of Nepal, Pashupatinath and capture the sacred moments of Hindu death ritual at Aryaghat in Pashupatinath. Stroll the lively streets of Kathmandu Old Market Asan to Kathmandu Durbar Square and visit the home of The Living Goddess Kumari, Nepalese style of Architecture as well as astonishing wooden carving. A short drive from Kathmandu Durbar Square will take you to a hilltop stupa called as “Swyambhu” meaning “self -emerge” and belief that the hill emerged impulsively from the great lake that once covered Kathmandu valley.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla, Trek to Phakding (Altitude: Lukla: 2840/ 9372 ft. Phakding: 2610 m/8613 ft. Flight: 30 minutes Trek: 3/4 hrs. Meal: BLD)
On a clear bright morning, you will fly over the snowcapped mountains to one of the most electrifying high altitude airports, Lukla at an altitude 2900 m. Your guides and porters will accompany you here for the trek. Hence, the trekking adventure kicks off. Beginning the trek, you will slide down almost 500 meters to Dudh Koshi River. Then, the trek winds along the trail beside the River towards Phakding. Passing several mani-walls and boulders engraved with Buddhist prayers, you will arrive at Phakding where you will spend the first night of your trek.
Day 04: Trek to Namche (Altitude; 3440 m/11352 ft. Trek: 5/6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
The trek chases the northern trial up the Dudh Kosi valley to Monjo. At Monjo, the trek officially enters Sagarmatha National Park where you have to issue Sagarmatha National Park Permit Card. Continuing the trail along the steep uphill climb while savoring the first glimpse of Everest, you will arrive at the hub of Sherpa- Namche Bazaar. Spend your overnight at local lodge.
Day 05: Trek to Tengboche, Explore monastery and surrounding (Altitude: 3860 m/ 12738 ft. Trek: 5/6 hrs. Meal: BLD)
With a delightful breakfast in Namche, you will walk on the side of the valley above the Dudh Koshi River. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, you will descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga; you can see water-driven prayer wheel. Also, it is an ideal stopover for lunch where you will take rest for a while before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Along the trail, you can enjoy the beautiful rhododendron bushes, birds and superb mountains that let you forget about the tiring zigzag trail. You will get the first view of spectacular mountains including Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse Shar, Tawache, Kangtega, Thamserku, Nuptse. Once you reach Tengboche, you can explore the Khumbu largest monastery- the Tengboche Monastery.
Day 06: First Day of Public Visit- The Empowerment (WONG)
A celebration of 19 days sequence followed by different sacred activities, Mani Rimdhu Festival concludes with three days public visit at the monastery. This is a time when Sherpas gather and take blessing from the Guru Rinpoche in a monastic community. This festival is also a symbolic representation of the welfare of the world.
Wong is the opening of the public ceremony. It is performed on the full moon day, of the tenth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. His Holiness Trulshig Rinpoche gives the empowerment on this auspicious occasion; for long life, happiness and prosperity. The sacred Mani Rilwu (sacred pills) and Tshereel (pills for long life), are given to everyone attending the ceremony.
Day 07: Second Day of Public Visit- The Dances (CHHAM)
The second day of the public visit includes the display of important story about the suppression of demons and virtuous in the ritualistic dances. Today, the monks as deities wearing an elaborate mask, costumes’ and through a series ritualistic Lama dances, dramatize the triumph of Buddhism over Bon.
Day 08: Third Day of Public Visit- The Fire Worship (JINSAK)
The sacred sequential ceremony ends with the Fire Puja. It is performed in the yard the day after the dances. The Fire Puja is an offering to Agni (the god of fire), and to the Gods of the mandala - to allay all harm in the world. The harm is visualized as dissolving into the grain and butter is burned. Subsequently, the sand mandala in the temple is pulled to pieces, and the sand is given as an offering to the serpent gods (Nagas).
Day 09: Trek to Namche
After Observation of 3 days Mani Rimdhu Festival, today you will be heading towards the Namche. On the way back you can catch few Himalayan giants including Everest, Kwangde, Tawache, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku. Overnight will be refreshing at Namche.
Day 10: Trek to Lukla
Today is the final day of the trip. You will walk following Dudh Koshi River down to Lukla. You will have a celebration with the involvement of the Guide, Sherpa and Porters as well. They will serve some local’s beer called “CHANG” and enjoy party learning some dance step from traditional Sherpas.
Day 11: Fly Back to Kathmandu
You will board a plane back to Kathmandu. Arriving at Kathmandu you will be transferred to your hotel and rest of the day will be your leisure time. You can go for shopping, message, or rest at the Hotel. Evening time, we invite you for a farewell dinner at an authentic restaurant. You can share your experience, feedback us and give us a chance to make your evening a wonderful time. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 12: Departure Transfer
You will depart Kathmandu carrying lots of adventurous memories of the Everest Life. If you have any plan to extend the trip, grab the optional activities including rafting, paragliding, bungee or refreshment trip to Pokhara and Chitwan as well.
Cost Include
Cost Exclude
Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes, however, if we are in excellent health with average physical fitness, have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination, we can accomplish the trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance our strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. It is important that we consult with our doctor before we decide and set up for the Everest Base camp trek. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases should inform Treks Planner Nepal before booking the trek.