Mani Rimdu Festival

Activity
Geography
Forest/Village/Mountains
Attraction
Location
Khumbu
Trip Grade
Level Of Difficulty
Moderate
Lodging Level
Duration
12 days
Max Altitude
Max Aaltitude
3860m
Max Altitude
Religion
Buddhism

Detail Information

Mani Rimdu Festival is an ancient practice of rituals celebrated by the Sherpa at the Tengboche Monastery. A large crowd of Sherpas, people from all over Khumbu and even some parts of Tibet come to celebrate this festival.

The Mani Rimdu Festival extends a classic Everest adventure and gives a new perspective to the cultural exploration of Sherpa heritages. The trip boasts of a sublime Himalayan panorama with abundant biodiversity in the Sagarmatha National park.

Getting There

To begin the Mani Rimdu trip, you fly to Lukla and land at one of the most dangerous airports in the world. Gentle treks through the beautiful villages of Phakding and Monjo take you to the Namche Bazaar. By the time the trek takes you to Namche.

After a day of acclimatization at the outskirts of Khumjung and Khunde, you head to Tengboche. Here, the ancient rituals of the Mani Rimdu Festival unfold. At Tengboche, the festival usually takes place from November – December. The date is announced according to the Tibetan lunar calendar.

The first day of the festival is called Wong (the empowerment) and involves scared prayers by the lamas in the courtyard.

The second day is about the luxuriant masks and ritualistic dances which symbolizes the victory. On the third day, you take part in various ceremonies like the fire Puja, Ser-Kyem, Chhingpa, and receive blessings from the monks.

This trip is also a great opportunity to explore Khumbu’s natural and cultural beauty and admire the glorious mountain views. The trek to Tengboche is not so difficult and anyone with good fitness can take part in it.

Trip highlights

  • Be a part of the Mani Rimdu Festival, a sacred festival in the Khumbu region
  • Explore the largest monastery in Khumbu- Tengboche monastery
  • Observe the authentic Sherpa culture and Himalayan lifestyle
  • Enjoy the breath-taking mountain views, including the Mt. Everest (8848m)
  • experience the incredible bio-diversity of Sagarmatha National Park

 

Nepal Alibaba Treks has been arranging travel expeditions and treks in the Khumbu region for a long period of time. With the help of our expert trek guides and intimate relationship with the locals, you get the best experience of the Mani Rimdu Festival.

Itinerary Summary

Day Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m)

The trip starts with your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Our company representative will welcome you at the airport. Then you will be transferred to the hotel for your overnight stay.
From Kathmandu, you take an exciting 40-minute flight to Lukla. The landing in Lukla itself is an experience of a lifetime thanks to its short runway and terrifying location. From Lukla, the trek starts on a beautiful trail alongside Dudh Koshi River. You walk pass the Buddhist monuments and cross many Sherpa villages on the way to Phakding. Overnight stay at Phakding.
The trail follows Dudh Koshi River and passes a few suspension bridges. On this route, you can admire the stunning views of Thamserku (6,623 m) and Khumbila (5,761 m) as well. You enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo and head down to the village of Jorsalle. Then, you climb through the pine forest and make your way to Namche Bazaar. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.
As you will have gained high elevation in a short period of time, you take this day for acclimatization. You can walk up to the Everest Hotel and enjoy the panoramic views of mountains or just stroll around Namche and explore the Sherpa museum and Buddhist monasteries. Khumjung, Khunde, and Syangboche are excellent hiking destinations as well. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.
Heading out of Namche, you ascend with the picturesque view of the town behind you. You also get to enjoy the views of Everest (8,848 m) and Ama Dablam (6,856 m) on today’s trek route. From Sanasa, you descend to Phunki Thanga and climb steeply to reach the entrance of Tengboche. The Mani walls, prayer wheels, and Chortens signal your entry into Tengboche. Overnight stay at Tengboche.
Mani Rimdu Festival is a sequence of nineteen-day celebration that ends with the three-day public festival. The opening of the public ceremony is called Wong. It is performed on the day of the full moon. The prayers and rituals bless the ones attending the sacred ritual. Everyone attending the festival is given Mani Rilwu (sacred pills) and Tshereel (pills for long life). Overnight stay at Tengboche.
On the second day, you can see the dances during which the symbolic demons are conquered or chase away. These dances also convey different levels of Buddhist teachings and dramatize the triumph of Buddhism over Bon. You can see the colorful lama dancing with paper painted masks and brocade gown. These monks are said to enter a trance during the ceremony and become the very embodiment of the deities themselves. Overnight stay at Tengboche.
The fire puja (Jinsak) is performed on the third and final day which is an offering to Agni (the god of fire). This puja is performed in the courtyard after the dances. With the prayers singing for peace across the world, the final day of the festival ends. A lot of locals and foreigners gather to witness the worship. Overnight stay at Tengboche.
After the festival ends, you say goodbye to Tengboche and trek down to Monjo. The trail takes you down steeply along the Bhote Koshi River and reaches the confluence of the Bhote Koshi and Imja rivers. Descending further downwards, you reach Larja Dobhan to make the descent to Jorsalle. You cross the river a few more times before arriving at Monjo. Overnight stay at Monjo.
This is the final day of trekking. From Monjo, you walk to Ghat and then pass through the villages of Phakding and Chuthawa. Most of the trek is easy and downhill except the last portion which is a steep climb. After making the climb and descending for a short while, you arrive at Lukla. Overnight stay at Lukla.
You say your farewells and goodbyes and depart from Lukla early in the morning.Upon arrival at Kathmandu, you can stroll around the city and take some time for souvenir shopping. Overnight stay at Kathmandu.
The 12-day trip comes to an end. A company representative will accompany you to the airport from where you take the flight back home.

Costs Includes and Excludes

Cost includes

  •  Airport picks up and drops by private Car.
  •  Domestic flights (Kathmandu- Lukla -Kathmandu).
  •  Airport taxes.
  • Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle.
  •  Meals during the trek (Breakfast Lunch & Dinner) and Tea or Coffee.
  • Guest House (Lodge) during the trek.
  • 2 nights in Kathmandu and provide breakfast.
  • License holder Guide.
  • Porter service during the trek (one porter for two Guests).
  • All Government and Local Taxes.
  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park Permit, TIMS).
  • Guide and porter salary.
  • Guide & Porter insurance during the trekking.
  • Farewell dinner with Typical Nepali culture.

Cost Excludes

  • Nepalese visa fee.
  • Lunch & dinner at Kathmandu.
  • Trekking gear.
  • International flights.
  • Travel and rescue insurance.
  • personal expenses such as all Bar Bills Alcoholic or non Alcoholic Beverage drinks, phone and Laundry.
  • Hot Shower.
  • Tips for guide and porters.

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Price from NRS1200 Duration: 12 days
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