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- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
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Highlights
- 3 Days Celebration of Mani Rimdu festival at Tengboche Monastery (with various cultural dances and performances)
- Thrilling 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Explore the unique and vibrant Sherpa tradition and culture
- Trek inside the Sagarmatha National Park, full of exotic animals like Musk deer, Himalayan giant Thar, and Snow Leopard
- Stand at the foot of the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest
- Witness the best sunrise view of Mount Everest from Kala Patthar
- Enjoy the panoramic view of mountains like Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Lobuche, and more along the way
Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek
No doubt you want to experience the beauty of the Everest Base Camp this upcoming autumn season. Why not make it extra special by adding a spiritual element to it? If you plan your trek properly, you can witness the sacred Mani Rimdu Festival this coming November 2020 during your Everest Base Camp Trek.
Autumn is the best time to visit the Everest region. The months of October and November are especially more beautiful in terms of mountain viewing. Not only is the weather ideal, but also Mani Rimdu, the biggest festival in the Everest region, falls during this month. This festival is celebrated in a grand fashion in Tengboche Monastery, the biggest one in the region.
Tengboche Monastery lies in Tengboche, a charming hillside village. The monastery lies at an altitude of 3867 meters and has a mother monastery in Tibet known as Rongbuk Monastery. Built in 1923, the monastery is surrounded by the towering peaks of Tawache, Nuptse, Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam.
This monastery holds some of the most wonderful ceremonies related to the Mani Rimdu festival each year. It also serves as one of the biggest attractions of the Everest Base Camp Trek, especially in the winter season.
Sublime Trails is an elite trekking company that has organized a memorable trek to Everest Base Camp this year with a chance to observe the Mani Rimdu festival in full flow. You will also learn the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism as you get to be a part of this fantastic celebration.
When to trek to Everest Base Camp to witness the Mani Rimdu festival?
The public celebration of Mani Rimdu takes place on the full-moon day of the tenth month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar. This festival usually starts on 12th November and ends on 14th November. The celebration lasts 3 days. By focusing on the festival, we have designed an 18-day itinerary, in which we spend 3 nights at Tengboche Monastery to celebrate the Mani Rimdu Festival.
The itinerary for the Mani-Rimdu festival and Everest Base Camp starts on 6th November and ends on 23rd November.
What does the schedule of Everest Base Camp Trek with the Mani Rimdu festival look like?
The Everest Base Camp Trek with the Mani Rimdu festival begins with a flight to Lukla after you arrive in Kathmandu and spend a day sightseeing. Then, you will trek for three days before reaching Tengboche, where the Mani Rimdu festival begins the next day. By spending three days in Tengboche, you are also better acclimatized for the rest of your journey. After you have witnessed the festival for 3 days, you will head out to Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep before finally making final push to Everest Base Camp. Then, you reach Kala Patthar for the most beautiful sunrise imaginable amidst the mountains of the Everest region including a splendid view of Mt. Everest itself. The returning route of this trek is similar to the regular Everest Base Camp Trek.
How is the Mani Rimdu festival celebrated?
3 monasteries in Nepal - Tengboche, Thame, and Chiwong Monastery- celebrate the Mani Rimdu festival. You will get to witness sacred ceremonies, dances, chants, and rituals that make up this festival. The whole celebration lasts nineteen days, though only the final three days are allowed for the public to experience.
Six Preparations of Mani Rimdu Festival
- Construction of Sand Mandala
There are various steps that make up the Sand Mandala. The complex, yet artistic symbolic design is made up of various colors. The Sand Mandala is a reference to the palace of Garwang Those Chenpo (Lord of the Dance).
- Wong (The Empowerment)
Wong is celebrated on the opening day of the public celebration. It falls on the full moon day of the tenth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. Everyone who attends the ceremony today is given blessed pills (which are known as Mani Rilwu) and pills for long life (Tshereel).
- Cham (The Mask Dances)
The Cham dance symbolizes conquering or chasing away demons. They are also thought to be transformed into Protectors of Dharma. The theme of the dance is a fight between the forces of evil and omen. This helps to convey the philosophical teachings of Buddhism.
- Ser-Kyem
Ser-Kyem is a part of the Mani Rimdu festival where the monks that conduct the rituals make tea offerings to Dharma guards such as Mahakala. Alcohol is the main form of offering. Such an offering is made in silver vessels and small tormas. It is presented to the Lama, Yidam, Khandro, and Shi-Dak (the Earth deities).
- Jinsak (The Fire- Puja)
This ceremony is performed in an open yard. This ceremony is about paying homage to the fire god - Agni. It also is a devotion to the Gods of the mandala. All the evil spirits in the world are thought of as dissolving into the grain. During this puja, butter is burned.
- Chhingpa
The final dance of the ceremony has Four Protecting things on a display. They are depicted as defenders of Buddhism against evil spirits. The dancers hide their faces with masks. Different dancers wear different colored masks. They also feint a run towards the children to frighten them for fun.
Itineraries
First Day
Day 1:Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to a hotel
• Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel
• Altitude: 1345 m
The lowest point on the entirety of your trek which is 1350 meters in Kathmandu. Respective personnel from Sublime Trails will greet you at the airport. They will escort you to your preferred Hotel. If you are traveling in a package or with a group, you will be invited to a short briefing program. This short briefing includes the discussion about the necessary trekking permits and equipment for the trek.
Second Day
Day 2:Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek preparation
• Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel
• Altitude: 1345 m
After you freshen up, you will head out for a short tour. This includes sightseeing and trek preparation for the next day. You will have an excellent breakfast in the morning. Then, you will head out for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu.
You can visit Pilgrimage like Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath the same day and witness the true diversity Nepal holds in the spectrum of culture and tradition. Both of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The ancient structures will unravel your mind to the ancient times where fine arts prevailed the capital.
The peace you’ll obtain from Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath is second to none. Likewise, Patan the city of the Gods and Durbar square riddles with Hindu Temples and monuments. After you enjoy your dinner that evening, you can casually take a stroll in the local gullies and witness the lifestyle firsthand in small towns of Kathmandu like Thamel and Durbarmarg.
Third Day
Day 3:Kathmandu to Lukla by flight then trek to Phakding
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Trek Hours: 3-4 hours
• Altitude: 2610 m
• Domestic Flight
Clear skies and a spectacular mountain flight awaits you this day. The flight takes 40 minutes from Kathmandu to reach Lukla (2,651m/8,700ft). The flight will be your first chance to catch the great views of the Himalayas above. You begin your trekking journey at Lukla to Phakding (2652m). This trek has a walking distance of 2-3 hours. The trail blesses you with the view of Mt. Nupla and Kusum Kanguru (5885m) and (6367m) respectively. After a short hike, you will rest overnight at Phakding village.
Fourth Day
Day 4:Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Trek Hours: 6-7 hours
• Altitude: 3440 m
The trail ahead follows through the pine forest and Dudh Koshi valley. In this 3rd day’s trek, you will trek a total distance of 11 km. The trail passes through scenic natural beauty like waterfalls and glimpses of Kusum Kanguru, Nuptse, and Thamserku. The path ahead is steep but it will reward you with the beautiful Namche Bazaar (3440m). Here you will comfort yourself and spend the second night of your trek. Today’s trek is 5-6 hours long.
Fifth Day
Day 5:Acclimatization Day
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Altitude: 3440 m
Everest trek is considered as one of the moderately difficult trekking to accomplish. This is due to the altitude sickness that can affect you if you are not careful enough to avoid it. On the 4th day, you acclimate your body to the altitude and go take a short hike.
Namche Bazar is a major attraction point for the Everest trek. The jagged ridge of Kongde Ri provides a perfect cover up the view for the village. You can enjoy your day in wanderlust with splendid views of Mt. Everest and Nuptse among many others. In addition, you will also have the delight of Sherpa Hospitality but after a short hike to Khumjung village.
Sixth Day
Day 6:Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Trek Hours: 5-6 hours
• Altitude: 3860 m
The inspiring views of the Himalayas will stand most of the part of the trip as you start making your way through the forest and hillside above the Dudh Koshi river. You will ascend 750 meters and walk the distance of 5 km on this specific day. An hour's worth of hike will reward you with Phungithanga. Here, the mature blossoms of rhododendron along the tree lines greet you to the village surrounded by pines and fir. After trekking for 5 hours from Namche Bazaar, you will reach Tengboche(3876 meters). The village provides an astounding viewpoint for Lhotse and Amadblam. During your stay at the village, it is a must to visit the Buddhist monastery at Tengboche.
Seventh Day
Day 7:Mani Rimdu festival at Tengboche Monastery (Wang - blessing ceremony)
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Altitude: 3860 m
Tengboche is one of the most wonderfully located monasteries in the world. It is blessed with some staggering backdrop of mountains. You can see mountains like Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, etc. surrounding this awesome monastery.
In addition, you will also get to observe the beautiful festival of Mani Rimdu today. Today is the opening day of this festival. This day is referred to as Wang. Today is also the full moon day of the tenth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. Everyone who attends the ceremony today is given blessed pills (which are known as Mani Rilwu) and pills for long life (Tshereel).
Eighth Day
Day 8:Second day at the festival (Witness the Cham - mask dance)
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Altitude: 3860 m
Today, you will get to witness a mask dance that is known as Cham. The cham dance symbolizes the conquering or chasing away demons. They are also thought to be transformed into Protectors of Dharma. The theme of the dance is a fight between the forces of evil and omen. This helps to convey the philosophical teachings of Buddhism.
Buddhists also believe that the monks who dance transform into divine entities. The dances are not supposed to be performed for entertainment but for a special religious purpose.
Ninth Day
Day 9:Third day at the festival (Witness the Jinsak - closing ceremony)
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Altitude: 3860 m
After the mask dance, you will get to see an amazing Fire Puja the next day. This ceremony is performed in a yard. This ceremony is about paying homage to the fire god- Agni. It also is a devotion to the Gods of the mandala. All the evil spirits in the world are thought of as dissolving into the grain. During this puja, butter is burned. Around the completion of the dance, the sand mandala in the temple is torn to various small pieces. Finally, some sand is offered to serpent gods (Nagas). This marks the end of this beautiful festival.
Tenth Day
Day 10:Tengboche to Dingboche
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Trek Hours: 5-6 hours
• Altitude: 4410 m
The sun greets you kissing the spectacular monasteries the next day. You start heading north across the Dudh Koshi river and greet farewell to Tengboche village. Our trek will start through the rhododendron forest to Deboche. Then, you will get to a bridge over the raging ‘Imja Khola’ River. We’ll pass the valley and cross last suspension bridge for Everest Base Camp Trek.
Then, you will reach Pangboche village. It is also the biggest settlement of Sherpas in the region. You also have the chance to visit Pangboche Monastery. From there, you will head out to Dingboche. You can enjoy the views of Kongma-Tse and Pokalde as you stroll across stone walls. After trekking for 5-6 hours from Tengboche, you will reach your overnight stay at Dingboche (4410 meters).
Eleventh Day
Day 11:Rest day at Dingboche
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Altitude: 4410 m
The next morning you will have your breakfast and spend the entire day at Dingboche for acclimatization. You can enjoy views of Lhotse’s South face or take a day walk to Chukkung or a hike to the Nangkartshang Gompa to exercise your body.
Twelfth Day
Day 12:Trek to Lobuche
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Trek Hours: 4-5 hours
• Altitude: 4910 m
This day’s trail will take you alongside the moraine of the Khumbu glacier. You will first trek uphill and downhill to reach the village of Thugla. This village is located at an altitude of 4600 meters. From Thugla, you will trek past pasture lands and reach Trekker’s aid post in Pheriche at 4210 meters. This is an excellent location for admiring the beauty of Khumbu icefall and Pumori against the background of other beautiful Himalayan mountains.
From here, you will trek through a steep uphill to reach Lobuche(4900 meters). Lobuche is a quaint village that is located at the base of the giant peak of Lobuche. It is 2-4 hours of a trek away from Dingboche.
Thirteenth Day
Day 13:Trek to Gorak Shep and Hike to Everest Base Camp
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Trek Hours: 7-8 hours
• Altitude: 5140 m
The trek of this day might turn out to be a tad strenuous. This is because of the fact that you will ascend to an altitude of more than 5000 meters. Furthermore, the trekking trail is an uphill trail. But if you go slowly and munching dry food along the way, you will reach to the Everest Base Camp with little difficulty.
You will trek alongside the Khumbu glacier for 3 hours and reach Gorakshep (5164 meters). Gorak Shep is a frozen lakebed that provides spectacular views of the Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and other peaks of the Everest region. Every second you spend here will be worth the time.
A 4-hour trek from Gorak Shep will take you to the most awaited part of your trek- the Everest Base Camp (5380 meters). From here, the views of the Khumbu icefall are great. During the months of April and May, you might also come across mountaineers.
Fourteenth Day
Day 14:Hike to Kala Patthar (5550 m) and trek down to Pheriche
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Trek Hours: 5-6 hours
• Altitude: 4210 m
This day will also be a challenging trekking day as you will go to the highest point along the trek- Kala Patthar (5545 meters). It will take you about 2-3 hours to get to Kala Pathar from Gorak Shep. Most trekkers take off early in the morning to catch a glimpse of sunrise from Kala Pathar. The fresh morning rays of the Sun hitting the mountains will be a sight to behold.
After spending time in Kala Patthar, you will descend to Gorak Shep and have your lunch. After lunch, you will further descend to Pheriche(4300 meters).
Fifteenth Day
Day 15:Trek to Namche
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Trek Hours: 7-8 hours
• Altitude: 3440 m
From this day, you will drop a lot of altitude during your trek. You will need to go slow today as you will mostly descend. This might put some strain on your knees. So don’t rush while trekking down. After walking downhill through rocky mountains for around 7-8 hours, you will reach Namche Bazaar (3440 meters).
Sixteenth Day
Day 16:Trek to Lukla
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Trek Hours: 5-6 hours
• Altitude: 2860 m
This will be the last day of your trek. You will descend from the capital of Sherpas- Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2800 meters). During the latter parts of the trek, you will be able to see mountains of the Everest region in a distance.
Seventeenth Day
Day 17:Fly to Kathmandu and Farewell Dinner
• Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel
• Travel Hours: 35 mins.
• Altitude: 1345 m
• Domestic Flight
Today, you will fly back to Kathmandu. If the flight is an early morning one, you need to reward yourself with a day full of relaxation after the intense trekking you went through the past week or more. This will help you keep the journey you made is a reminder to yourself. You can always wander around Basantapur or the Kathmandu valley top buy some souvenirs. You can enjoy a Nepali authentic dinner in the evening with the representatives of Sublime Trails. You will also get to see an excellent cultural and traditional show today.
Eighteenth Day
Day 18:Departure
Today is your final day in Nepal. We will help you transfer to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. Sublime Trails wishes you have a fantastic flight home. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you are looking for other trips in Nepal.
- Meals:
17 Breakfasts, 14 Lunches, 14 Dinner - Accommodation:
3-Star accommodation in Kathmandu for 3 days
Tea house accommodation along the way for 14 days - Transportation:
All land transportation with pickups and drops
Domestic Flight to Lukla and back - Guides and Porters:
One guide and assistant guide between 6 people
1 porter for two people (A porter can carry up to 30 kg) - Entry Fees and Permits:
Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Fee
TIMS Card
Monument Entrance Fee - Miscellaneous:
Down jacket, a Sleeping bag which should be refunded to the company after the trip
Necessary paperwork with the government of Nepal and Tax department
All the necessary insurance for the guides and porters
First Aid service in case of minor injuries
Salary, food, and accommodation for guides and porters - One Day Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu
- Any meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu
- Rescue & travel insurance, trip cancellation costs, accident or health emergency, evacuation, loss, theft or damage to baggage and personal effects (We strongly advise you to take out personal travel insurance.)
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu due to any reason
- Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, cold drinks, bottled or boiled water, hot shower, etc.)
- All the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including mineral water
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Tipping for the Sublime crew
If you just want to celebrate the festival and return to Kathmandu from Tengboche, of course, it is possible. You can return to Lukla in 2 days, reaching Kathmandu in 3 days from Tengboche. This route is similar to Everest Panorama Trek with the Mani Rimdu festival.
You can couple this festival with any treks in the Everest region, like Gokyo Valley Trek, Everest Three Passes Trek, Short Everest Base Camp Trek. You can also schedule your helicopter tour during the festival time. Please contact us to arrange the helicopter for this beautiful event.
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