Trekking in Nepal: Mani Rimdu Festival at Everest

Mani Rimdu festival

Mani Rimdu festival in Everest
Carnival in the heart of Mt. Everest !!

This is the great chance to observe and experience real Sherpa culture of Khumbu valley in the Nevember. The most famous festival in Tengboche monastery is called the Mani Rimdu. It consists of a nine day meditation cycle and ends with a public blessing ceremony and the world renowned Mask Dances at Tengboche Monastery. The mask dance entertains and messages to people significant meaning of real spiritual wheel of life. It also signifies the whole universe is attached with both good and bad so respecting these 5 universal matters – wind, water, fire, sky and land spiritually is perfect way of Nirvana on Earth. From all over Everest region people gather for their holy festive ceremony which is very important for Buddhists religious society to receive holy blessing from the meditated monks for ever for good life. For your participant and visit there is ideal for combining with any Everest region trekking program accordingly.

Mani Rimdu events summary for this year based on the Tibetan lunar calendar

Approximate dates of Mani Rimdu events this year based on the Tibetan lunar calendar. The dates can differ from monastery to monastery. But the dates below are according to Tengboche Monastery.

23. Oct. 2009: Preparations which include making the sand Mandala and Tormas (symbolic offerings made of coloured butter and barley flour)

26. Oct. 2009: Drupchen ceremonies start and continue uninterrupted for 8 days.

02 Nov. 2009: Monks practice dancing without masks.

03 Nov. 2009: Giving the blessing to the general public (Wang)

04 Nov. 2009: Famous Mask Dances preformed by the monks in a special day long ceremony. Afterwards the Sherpa community sing and dance the whole night long.

05 Nov. 2009: Concluding Fire Puja.

Mani Rimdu Festival Package
15– day with Everest Base camp/ Kalapathar Trek

Click here for optional package

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel, rest and refresh for couple of hour and complete the official formalities.

Day 02: Fly to Lukla (2840m) and trek to Phakding 2610m). The trail is gentle descends first up to Thado Koshi then gradual climb up to the first camp site via Dudh koshi river bank.

Day 03: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m), Namche Bazar is main commercial town of Khumbu region as well as gate way to Mt. Everest. Before head to further your journey you will have chance to experience about real Sherpa culture.

Day 04: Acclimatize in Namche Bazar, morning visit Everest view point form there you will have first glimpse of Mt. Everest and stunning views of other mountains- Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Khantenga, Thamserku and more.

Everest

Day 05: Trek to Tengboche (3860m), after breakfast at Namche Bazar your trek start via gentle ridge walk of the town and descent to the Dhudh Koshi River at Phunkithanka, after crossing the bridge from there the trail goes climb up to the Tengboche.The Monastery of there is the main attraction during the Mani Rimdu festival in November most of the locals and travelers gather for the celebration. Besides the place offers you panoramic views second glimpse of Mt. Everest.

Day 06: Observing and participant for Mani Rimdu festival at Monatery ground. You may enjoy with this colorful reflection of this occasion and you will have great photographic opportunities.

Day 07: The main day observing famous mask dance of Mani Rimdu festival at Monatery ground. You may enjoy with this colorful reflection of this occasion and you will have great photographic opportunities.

Day 08: Trek to Dingboche(4410m), Just descending from the Tengboche Monastery the trail follow through Rhododendron forest with sloppy steps to Deboche. Further ahead from there you will be crossing Imja Khola Bridge and trail goes gradual climb up to next Sherpa village Pangboche (3930m). This village has Oldest Monastery of the Khumbu region may you can have short drinking break before the lunch break of the day at Somare and late afternoon you will be at Dingboche Village for the over night camp.

Day 09: Trek to Lobuche(4910m), after a day rest your journey will continue towards the Lobuche via grand barrier with many splendid vies of the peaks .Now you are almost close to khumbu glacier just crossing the river near by Dugla the trail goes again climb up from there to top of the ridge and the trail drops again to moraine of the Khumbu glacier and continue to the Lobuche.

Day 10: Trek to Gorakhshep(5140m), about 3 hours gradual walk from the Lobuche camp site you will be at your final destination of Mt. Everest, if day sunny and without clouds may you can visit Everest Base(5364m), Camp after the lunch or climb up to Kalapathar hill(5545m) for the wondrful views of Giant Mt. Everest, Mt. Pumo Ri, Nuptse and Lintren.

Day 11: Morning explore around the Khumbu Glacier or climb up to Kalapathar for the last best view of your dream about Mt. Everest, have a breakfast and trek back to Pangboche camp site again.

Day 12: Trek back Pangboche to Namche Bazar, via same route, coming back from high to the lower part you will have very relax feeling and also you will be enjoying with the dramatic glimpse of several peaks as well as local cultural activities. You will have another day to visit this main town of Khumbu region. May you can mail to your friends or family and buy some lovely souvenirs from Everest.

Day 13: Trek back Namche Bazar to Phakding, from there you will be descending down directly to the Dhudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi River confluence first then easy walk up to the over night place.

Day 14: After breakfast from Phakding Village trek back to Lukla, have a lunch and rest at tea house lodge or afternoon free for personal activities.

Day 15: Early in the morning fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu, end the trip and transfer to hotel, rest and afternoon free for personal activities.

Day 16: After breakfast transfer to airport for International departure or go for onward program.

The above Package includes the following services:

Airport transfers (pick up and drop)
Entry permit fee to Sagarmatha National Park
All supporting staffs (trekking guide and porters), as well as their necessary insurance fee, meals and allowances.
3 meals per day and overnight accommodation in guesthouses along the trail.
Domestic airfare and airport tax (Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu)
2 nights hotel in Kathmandu BB basis before and after the trek

The above Package does not include:

Meals (lunch and dinner) in Kathmandu
Kathmandu airport departure tax
Travel / medical insurance and emergency evacuation cost
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, alcoholic beverages, bottled drinks (including cold drinks and mineral water/hot water), donation and tips etc...

For detail information and cost contact us