Mani Rimdu Festival Trek - 13 Days
Travel to Nepal, trek in the Everest Region and discover the iconic Sherpa Festival 'Mani Rimdu'
Brace yourself for a journey off-the-beaten-track into the heart of the Himalayas. This exotic holiday offers an unforgettable trek in the Everest Region and gives you the unique opportunity to get fully immersed in the Sherpa culture and to witness one of the most popular and iconic Buddhist festivals in the country – the Mani Rimdu Festival.
The Mani Rimdu Festival is mainly celebrated at the Tengboche Monastery* in the Khumbu Region of Nepal. All the Sherpas celebrate this festival every year. Lamas and Sherpas gather at the monastery for five days for the welfare of the world. Demons are quelled and the virtuous are rewarded. The monks wear masks and costumes, and through ritualistic dances, emphasize the triumph of Buddhism over Bon.
Note: Our expert local guides are professional license holder Trekking Guides and have years of trekking experience. They are highly trained, uphold the highest safety standards and have an excellent knowledge of the Himalayan mountains. You can rest assured that you will be in safe hands.
Day 01. WELCOME TO NEPAL
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our friendly representative will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign displaying your name. He will then drive you to your hotel.
Depending on your time of arrival, you are free to relax or explore the city.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel.
Day 02. KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING AND TREK BRIEFING
After breakfast, we will take you on a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley with a private tour guide - by a private car or van. We will visit:
After the sightseeing tour, we will conduct a pre-departure briefing.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel.
Day 03. SCENIC FLIGHT TO LUKLA (2860m) | ≈ 30 min* / TREK TO MONJO (2835m) | ≈ 5 hours
Day 04. TREK FROM MONJO TO NAMCHE BAZAAR (3440m) | ≈ 3-4 hours trek
After breakfast, we will start our trek while enjoying an excellent panorama of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kantega and Kusum Khangaru. After few hours, we will go down to the river and arrive at Phunki Tenga. Then, we will climb through the rhododendron forest to Tengboche.
Day 07. MANI RIMDU FESTIVAL: THE WONG
You will spend three full days in Tengboche and enjoy the iconic Mani Rimdu Festival. The festival will be celebrated at the Tengboche Monastery, also known as “Dawa Choling Gompa”. Tengboche Monastery is the largest gompa in the Khumbu region and was built in 1916 by Lama Gulu.
The Wong is the opening day of the ceremony and is performed on the full moon day of the 10th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. The sacred Mani Rilwu (sacred pills) and Tshereel (pills for long life) are given to all the guests attending the ceremony.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house or camping.
Day 08. MANI RIMDU FESTIVAL: MASK DANCES
The mask dances take place on the 2nd day of Mani Rimdu. Symbolic demons are conquered, chase away, or transformed into Protectors of Dharma. Positive forces fight against disorder forces through the dances.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house or camping.
Day 09. MANI RIMDU FESTIVAL: FIRE PUJA
Final day of the Mani Rimdu Festival. The Fire Puja is performed in the courtyard. 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 Sand Mandala in the temple is dismantled, and the sand is given as an offering to the serpent Gods (Nagas).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house or camping.
Day 10. TREK FROM TENGBOCHE TO NAMCHE BAZAAR
Morning sunrise view over the Himalayas. After breakfast, we will start our trek from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house or camping.
Day 11. TREK FROM NAMCHE BAZAAR TO LUKLA
We will trek to Lukla. Today is the last day of our Everest Mani Rimdu Trek.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Tea house or camping.
Day 12. FLIGHT FROM LUKLA TO KATHMANDU*
Meals: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel.
*The mountain weather in Nepal is always unpredictable and the flights from/to Lukla may be delayed or canceled due to the bad weather. We advise allowing 2 to 3 extra days should our flights from/to Lukla be cancelled or delayed due to bad weather.
Day 13. DEPARTURE
After a fun-filled festival trek, our journey ends. We hope you thoroughly enjoyed your trip. We will take you to the Tribhuvan International Airport. If you have time and would like to extend your stay in Nepal, we would be happy to offer our recommendations.
Meals: Breakfast.
- Rucksack or duffle bag.
- Daypack.
- Outdoor clothing: Outdoor clothing should be tough and comfortable. Wearing several thin layers is better than a few thick layers.
- Trekking boots, trainers & sport sandals. Lightweight socks & med-heavy wool socks.
- Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder. We recommend LifeStraw.
- Trekking Pants & Shorts.
- Trekking shirts.
- Breathable underwear.
- Lightweight thermal pants.
- Fleece jacket.
- Down jacket.
- 1 waterproof jacket.
- Gloves.
- Scarf.
- Sun hat and knit cap.
- Balaclava.
- Trekking poles.
- Sunglasses.
- Sunscreen.
- Flashlight.
- Sleeping bag.
- Wash kit & Travel towel.
- Medicine (in particular, diarrhea medication): Water Purification Tablets/ Isotonic Powder/ Basic First Aid Kit/ Diamox/ Oximeter / Ibuprofen for general aches and pains/ Imodium or Pepto Bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Copies of important documents (passport, vaccination certificates, travel insurance), air tickets & extra passport photos.
- Power adapters.
- Padlocks.
- Camera with extra cards and extra batteries.
- Little trash bags to carry your waste during your trek.
*THIS LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE.
What’s included
- Pre-departure support.
- Airport pick-up & drop-off (private vehicle).
- Experienced and government licensed English-speaking trekking guide.
- Porter service (2 members : 1 porter).
- All ground transportation (private vehicle).
- 2 Flight tickets: Kathmandu to Lukla & Lukla to Kathmandu.
- Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel on twin sharing basis in Kathmandu, and tea houses during the trek.
- Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan).
- Trekking permits.
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu.
- Entrance fees.
- First aid kit/s including a pulse oximeter to monitor your oxygen during your trek.
- Trekking map for the group.
- Little trash bags to carry your waste during your trek.
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- All government taxes, VAT and service charges.
What’s NOT included
- International flights.
- Excess baggage fees (domestic flights).
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu (except farewell dinner).
- Tips for porters, guides & others.
- Personal climbing boots, clothing & equipment.
- Personal expenditures, all bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, nutri-bars, etc.
- Medical examination (if required) & vaccination costs.
- Visa fees.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Anything else not specified in the ‘what’s included’ section above.
Accommodation:
Kathmandu: 3-Star Hotel.
During trek and festival: Tea houses.
Meals:
Kathmandu: Breakfasts & Farewell Dinner.
During the trek: Breakfasts, Lunches & Dinners.
Health:
Excellent level of fitness.
Very active walker in good health.
Experience:
You should be able to walk for 3 to 6 hours in a day.
You are required as a condition of booking to have an adequate travel insurance.
Please note: Before your arrival, we will send you a complete detailed brochure regarding Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and how to prevent it. Please read this brochure carefully.
Our local trekking guides are highly experienced in preventing, recognizing and treating altitude sickness. They will monitor your health closely during your trek. A proper acclimatization is not only essential but also a necessary life-saving measure.
Due to the popularity of this festival, advance reservations (at least 3-4 months ahead) are strongly encouraged.
