Mani Rimdu Festival Trek

Mani Rimdu Festival is the most famous and spectacular festival celebrated on Everest region at various places like Tengboche, Chiwang gompa and Thame. It is one of the most important festivals of Sherpa and attended by large sherpa crowds from surrounding villages and all over Khumbu as well some part of Tibet. Festival is celebrated on the full moon days of October/November/December. The first day of Mani Rimdu is called Ong and involves prayers by the lamas in the monastery courtyard. The second day is called Cham which is the lama dancing day wearing colorful customs with the peaceful and entertaining music played by other monks and third day lama performance and prayers, during night villagers join in an all night Sherpa dance. Lamas wear brocade gowns and wonderfully painted papier mâché masks in the festival. They also dramatize two absurd comic sequences along with the serous and intricate dances which make the entire performance a grant and amusing event.

Mani Rimdu festival Trek takes place during the celebration time of Mani Rimdu festival all over Khumbu region. But the celebration rituals and time differs from place to place. At Tengboche mani rimdu takes place first usually during the November December full moon. In Thame, a spring version of the Mani Rimdu festival is celebrated on the day of the full moon closest to the middle of May each year. Mani Rimdu at Thame appears to be a little more spirited than the autumn festival at Tengboche because the rimpoche (reincarnate lama) at Thame is more generous than the Tengboche Lama. At Chiwang gompa in the Solu, Mani Rimdu is held in autumn usually on the same day as of Tengboche. The Chiwang gompa celebration may be more authentic adaption because it is presided over by the head lama of Thubten Chooling, who is the reincarnate lama of Rongbuk, where Mani Rimdu had its origin.

Mani Rimdu trek offers marvelous experience of Sherpa culture and tradition never seen throughout the whole year with the outstanding view of Himalayan landscapes as well as adored view points and villages tour. We start trek from the usual starting spot Lukla continue walking up hill passing Phakding, Namche, Dole, Machermo, Gokyo, Thangnak and various other places, we ascend to the summits of Gokyo ri, Chola, Kalapatthar and explore around Everest Base Camp. This trek is ideal for encounter with Sherpa culture and tradition as well face to face with amazing Himalayan landscapes.

Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu international airport, pick up and transfer to Hotel of your choice.
Day 02: Full day guided sightseeing tour around the valley of Kathmandu including places listed on UNESCO world heritage site, places are the popular historic, cultural and religious spot. We visit temple of Pashupatinath and Swayambhu(monkey temple), Boudha stup
Day 03: Morning flight to Lukla airport (2840m), after having breakfast in lukla we will start our 4 hours trek towards Phakding(2640m).
Day 04: Trekking starts from Phakding towards the commercial town of Namche bazaar (3440m) after walking 4 5 hours on normal pace.
Day 05: Acclimatization day in Namche bazaar where you can experience culture and lifestyle of Sherpa peoples.
Day 06: After having breakfast, trek starts with uphill up to Syangboche(3720m) and gentle ascends and descends via Khumjung village to Dole(4040m), our final destination for today. It takes 6 7 hours to reach Dole.
Day 07: Trek from Dole to Machermo(4410m) which takes 2 3 hours while walking on average human speed.
Day 08: Machermo(4410m) to Gokyo.
Day 09: Day for exploring around Gokyo.
Day 10: Trek from Gokyo to Thangnak(4661m), which takes around 5 6 hours on normal pace.
Day 11: After having breakfast at Thagnak we will start our trek towards Dzongla(4830m) through the Chola pass at the altitude of 5350m.
Day 12: Trek from Dzongla to Lobuche at the altitude of 4930 meters above sea level.
Day 13: Trek from Lobuche (4900m) to Gorakhshep (5180m) which takes 2 3 hours.
Day 14: Early morning hike to Kalapatthar(5445m) for the spectacular, one of its kind sunrise over the massif eight thousand and seven thousand meters mountains including renowned Mt. Everest, Mt Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Ama dablam, Mt. Pumori, Mt. makalu, and man
Day 15: Rest day in Dingboche, the day starts with breakfast and excursion to Chukung ri (5445m) for outstanding view of three eight thousand meters Himalayas specially Everest and Makalu. After lunch in Chukung back to Dingboche for overnight stay.
Day 16: Dingboche to Tengboche(3860m) which takes about 5 hours.
Day 17: Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3440 m ).
Day 18: Trek from Namche bazaar towards Phakding(2620m) through the sub alpine forests of Sagarmatha National park mostly vegetated by Rhododendrons and firs via settlements of Monjo along the bank of Dudh koshi. It takes about 4 hours to accomplish the trek.
Day 19: 3 4 hours trek to Lukla at the altitude of 2840m, start point of this trek a tiny town with basic facilities. After lunch in Lukla explore around Lukla or rest in hotel or tea house lodge.
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu from Lukla airport on morning. It takes 40 minutes to reach KTM airport, upon arrival in domestic airport transfer to hotel of your choice. It´s your day for resting, shopping, exploring or any other activities.
Day 21: Transfer to Tribhuwan International airport for international flight to your destination or extend you tour in Nepal by commencing other programs.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01 :Arrival in Kathmandu international airport, pick up and transfer to Hotel of your choice. Evening free for rest or other activities after completing some official formalities and brefing about trekking.
Day 02 :Full day guided sightseeing tour around the valley of Kathmandu including places listed on UNESCO world heritage site, places are the popular historic, cultural and religious spot. We visit temple of Pashupatinath and Swayambhu(monkey temple), Boudha stup
Day 03 :Morning flight to Lukla airport (2840m), after having breakfast in lukla we will start our 4 hours trek towards Phakding(2640m). Starts with a gentle descend as well flat and steep climbs while reaching Phakding and overnight at lodge or tea house. Trail passes through small farmed land, dense forests, streams along the Dudh Koshi River.
Day 04 :Trekking starts from Phakding towards the commercial town of Namche bazaar (3440m) after walking 4 5 hours on normal pace. Along the trail are widespread green vegetation of high hills with ever flowing crystal clear streams and rivers with breath taking view of Mt. Thamserku at the opposite side.
Day 05 :Acclimatization day in Namche bazaar where you can experience culture and lifestyle of Sherpa peoples. Morning visit to Everest view point for the first great view of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and many other peaks of Himalayan range and back to Namche bazaar.
Day 06 :After having breakfast, trek starts with uphill up to Syangboche(3720m) and gentle ascends and descends via Khumjung village to Dole(4040m), our final destination for today. It takes 6 7 hours to reach Dole. During the day we pass through array of mani walls, chortens, prayers flags, picturesque large settlement of Khumjung, high valley pastures with yaks grazing and rocky grasslands.
Day 07 :Trek from Dole to Machermo(4410m) which takes 2 3 hours while walking on average human speed. Trail passes along the alpine fields enjoying yaks and Himalayan birds and high altitude flowers, with view of Cho Oyu (8153m) to the North is rewarding one. We can explore around Machermo after having lunch or rest enjoying the view of mountain landscapes.
Day 08 :Machermo(4410m) to Gokyo. We walk along the banks of a melted glacial river that snakes down the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. The trail ascends gently via Longponga to the First Lake then second and finally brief descent until reaching main lake of Gokyo. The duration of today´s trek is around 6 7 hours.
Day 09 :Day for exploring around Gokyo. Morning visit to Gokyo ri(5360m) from there you will have striking view of whole Everest region including Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Taboche. Back to Gokyo, and after having lunch explore around fifth lake and Cho oyu base camp.
Day 10 :Trek from Gokyo to Thangnak(4661m), which takes around 5 6 hours on normal pace. When walking you will not only see the highest mountains, deepest Georges, and beautiful Landscape but also you can enjoy the festivals and culture of ethnic groups and their way of living. The trail ascends from Gokyo and descends up to surface of glacier, after crossing glacier we will visit Yak pastures at Chhugyuma on the eastern edge of the glacier and ascend a deserted valley below the southern part of Cho la.
Day 11 :After having breakfast at Thagnak we will start our trek towards Dzongla(4830m) through the Chola pass at the altitude of 5350m. The trip includes 6 7 hours of steep ascents and sharp descends. One can view a vast flat glacier plateau with superb views to east and west. Later, we descend from the snow covered mountains of chola to beautiful valley Dzongla.
Day 12 :Trek from Dzongla to Lobuche at the altitude of 4930 meters above sea level. We climb up for about 20 minutes up, and then gently follow the path to Lobuche. We will walk for 2 3 hours only. Afternoon free for rest or explore around Lobuche.
Day 13 :Trek from Lobuche (4900m) to Gorakhshep (5180m) which takes 2 3 hours. This section of trail is through bushy area along deserted area with towering peaks of Himalayan range.After having lunch in Gorakhshep, 3 hours round trek to Everest Base Camp at the altitude of 5340m and overnight stay in Lobuche.
Day 14 :Early morning hike to Kalapatthar(5445m) for the spectacular, one of its kind sunrise over the massif eight thousand and seven thousand meters mountains including renowned Mt. Everest, Mt Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Ama dablam, Mt. Pumori, Mt. makalu, and man After having lunch at Gorakshep, we trek to Dingbouche. While one trail, one can see sacred monasteries, chortens, himalayan birds and settlements of hardworking Sherpa people.
Day 15 :Rest day in Dingboche, the day starts with breakfast and excursion to Chukung ri (5445m) for outstanding view of three eight thousand meters Himalayas specially Everest and Makalu. After lunch in Chukung back to Dingboche for overnight stay. Evening free for other activities you prefer. It takes around 7 hours round trip.
Day 16 :Dingboche to Tengboche(3860m) which takes about 5 hours. The trail goes through Pangboche, where you can briefly visit the oldest monastery of Khumbu region where bone of yeti is believed to be preserved. The trail is mostly descending with steep ascent before reaching Tengboche with the largest monastery of this region and a site of Mani Rimdu Festival celebration.
Day 17 :Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3440 m ). It takes about four and half hours to reach Namche Bazaar from Tyangboche. The trail is mostly descend up to bank of Dudh koshi and uphill for about one hour before reaching Namche along the forests of Rododendrons, firs and bamboo with a chance to spot rare animals like Thars, musk deer, mountain goats etc.
Day 18 :Trek from Namche bazaar towards Phakding(2620m) through the sub alpine forests of Sagarmatha National park mostly vegetated by Rhododendrons and firs via settlements of Monjo along the bank of Dudh koshi. It takes about 4 hours to accomplish the trek.
Day 19 :3 4 hours trek to Lukla at the altitude of 2840m, start point of this trek a tiny town with basic facilities. After lunch in Lukla explore around Lukla or rest in hotel or tea house lodge.
Day 20 :Fly to Kathmandu from Lukla airport on morning. It takes 40 minutes to reach KTM airport, upon arrival in domestic airport transfer to hotel of your choice. It´s your day for resting, shopping, exploring or any other activities.
Day 21 :Transfer to Tribhuwan International airport for international flight to your destination or extend you tour in Nepal by commencing other programs.