Overview The Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek is a remarkable journey that combines the breathtaking beauty of the Everest region with the vibrant cultural experience of the Mani Rimdu Festival. The adventure begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region. From Lukla, the trek also follows the legendary trail towards Namche Bazaar, a bustling Sherpa town nestled in the heart of the Himalayas. En route, you'll traverse lush forests, cross suspension bridges over rushing rivers, and marvel at majestic peaks like Ama Dablam and Thamserku. After acclimatizing in Namche, the journey continues deeper…
The Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek is a remarkable journey that combines the breathtaking beauty of the Everest region with the vibrant cultural experience of the Mani Rimdu Festival.
The adventure begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region. From Lukla, the trek also follows the legendary trail towards Namche Bazaar, a bustling Sherpa town nestled in the heart of the Himalayas. En route, you’ll traverse lush forests, cross suspension bridges over rushing rivers, and marvel at majestic peaks like Ama Dablam and Thamserku.
After acclimatizing in Namche, the journey continues deeper into the Khumbu Valley, passing through charming Sherpa villages such as Tengboche and Dingboche. The landscapes also gradually transform as you ascend higher, with icy rivers, glacial moraines, and towering mountains surrounding you.
Reaching the village of Tengboche, you’ll witness the highlight of the trip—the Mani Rimdu Festival. This vibrant celebration is a significant event for the Sherpa community, where ancient rituals, mask dances, and spiritual performances take place against the backdrop of Everest and its neighboring peaks. The festival also honors the triumph of Buddhism over the region’s indigenous Bon religion and is a remarkable display of cultural heritage.
After immersing yourself in the festival’s atmosphere, the trek retraces its steps back to Lukla, passing through picturesque valleys and serene alpine landscapes. Every step also offers awe-inspiring views of the world’s highest mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse.
Throughout the journey, you’ll stay in comfortable teahouses, enjoying warm hospitality and traditional Sherpa cuisine. The trek is carefully designed to ensure proper acclimatization, allowing you to adapt to the altitude gradually.
The Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek is a truly transformative experience, combining the thrill of trekking to Everest Base Camp with the cultural richness of the Mani Rimdu Festival. It offers a unique opportunity to witness the natural and cultural wonders of the Everest region, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
he Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek is a unique and culturally rich trek that offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness the vibrant Mani Rimdu festival in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Some of the highlights of the trek include:
Overall, the Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek is a unique and unforgettable experience that combines the best of nature, culture, and adventure in the stunning Himalayas. The festival and the trek offer an opportunity to witness and experience the vibrant cultural heritage of the Sherpa people while enjoying the breathtaking natural beauty of the Everest region.
Early morning transfer to the airport to fly to Lukla (2880m) This 35 minute flight provides a magnificent entry to the trek. It highlights the snowline of the Himalayan Range in the north and the rugged landing at the Lukla airport which is said to be one of the most spectacular flights in the world. Upon arrival, meet the Sherpa team and while the team reassembles the equipment for the distribution to the Porters and Jhopke (a cross between and cow and a Yak used to carry loads), there will be a short lunch break. During this break, the guests are welcome to explore this bustling town on top of a hill with rows of houses, hotels and shops lining both sides of cobbled street.
After lunch, the trek starts by following the trail leading to the northwest direction through the narrow street, which immediately descends from the end of the village on a trail through the open hillside. The trail is well defined and there are many shops and lodges catering to the trekkers. The trek this day is a very easy one and ultimately descends to the river at Phakding (2652m). Flight- 35 min. Trek- 3 hours.
Dinner and Overnight at Phakding.
we continue north following the Dudh Kosi river and on to Jorsale where we enter the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. From here it is a short walk to the confluence of two rivers, the lmja Drangpa (Imja Khola) and the Nangpo Tsangpo (Bhote Kosi) followed by a steep climb (for about 2hrs.) to Namche Bazaar, the main town in the Khumbu region. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre with a weekly Saturday market. Overnight.
Namche Bazaar rest day and overnight Namche Bazaar is tucked away between two ridges amongst the giant peaks of the Khumbu. Once named the ‘Trekkers Mecca of Nepal, Namche now boasts an abundance of lodges and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day, acclimatising to the new altitude of 3450m before heading off towards Gokyo. Options for acclimatisation walks include a visit to Khunde Hospital and also the one hour walk up to the Everest Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. Overnight.
From Namche, the trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. Now we get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an excellent lunch spot, and here we can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although tiring, the hike up the zigzag path has numerous distractions, with rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. We stay near the monastery with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam framed in the doorway of our guest house. Overnight.
Day 05: Attend the Mani Rimdu Festival. Stay overnight at lodge.
Attend the Mani Rimdu Festival. Stay overnight at lodge.
we continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Namche Bazar Overnight at Namche.
From Namche the trail descends steeply to the village of Jorsale. Passing the villages of Phakding (2640m) we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki where there are water driven prayer wheels, then climb and contour around the hillside to Phakding. Overnight.
From Phakding Passing the villages of Phakding (2640m) and Choplung, we reach Chaunrikharka and the trail that cuts up to the airstrip at Lukla. Overnight.
Early morning flight to Kathmandu from Lukla. End of Trek.
In the Above Cost It Includes:
1. Airport Pick-up and Drop Off,
2. Licensed and trained trekking guides,
3. potters for carrying goods and supplies,
4. 4 Nights Accommodation in the 3 Star Hotel in Kathmandu with B & B. (Bed
& Breakfast)
5. All accommodation during the trek.
6. All meals and hot beverages during the trek.
7. Transportation to and from trail head.
8. All necessary documents and permits for trekking (where applicable)
9. National Park/Conservation Area entry Permit, Equipment such as tents And Mattresses, Cooking Equipment, Camp site charges, Insurance, and
equipment for the staffs.
10. Coordination of quick Rescue service (Costs covered by your Insurance Plan)
11. Trekking staffs wages etc.
12. 1 hr. trekker massage after your trek.
Services and Cost Does not Included in Price:
1. International Airfares,
2. Travel/Trekking Insurance,
3. Excess baggage charges More than 16kg and hand bag more than 5 kg in
domestic flights.
4. Visa fees.
5. Airport Departure Taxes.
6. Drinks (Cold and Alcoholic) Rescue charge.
7. Tips for The staffs.
8. Expenses of Personnel nature and Permit and Liaison officer fee (where Applicable.
9. Meals during stay in the Kathmandu.
10. Domestic Ticket Etc.
The Mani Rimdu festival is a three-day festival that takes place in the Tengboche Monastery in November or December (depending on the lunar calendar). The festival is a celebration of the victory of Buddhism over the ancient Bon religion and includes colorful masked dances, prayers, and blessings.
During the festival, the Tengboche Monastery is decorated with colorful prayer flags, and the monks perform traditional dances and rituals. Visitors can witness the festival and take part in the celebrations, offering a unique insight into the local culture and traditions.
The Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek is a moderate trek that is suitable for anyone with a moderate level of fitness. The trek takes about 12 days to complete and reaches a maximum altitude of 3,870 meters at Tengboche. The trek can be done year-round, but the best time to go is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is clear and stable.
Overall, the Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek is a unique and unforgettable experience that offers a rare glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Sherpa people while also enjoying the stunning natural beauty of the Everest region.