OVERVIEW
Mani Rimdu Festival is celebrated at Tengboche, Thame and Chiwong Monasteries of Solukhumbu Nepal. This is a sacred ceremonies and series of events of empowerment. It is a sequence of nineteen days celebration, which concludes with three days public festival. Sherpa get time to gather and celebrate this festival with monastic community. Lamas and Sherpa gather at the monastery for five days for the welfare of the world. Demons are quelled and the virtuous are rewarded. The monks wear elaborate mask, costumes’ and through a series ritualistic Lama dances, dramatize the triumph of Buddhism over Bon, The main first days of festival involves prayers, second day for colorful lama dancing, they wear brocade gown and wonderfully painted papier-mâché masks. Last day is for some humorous dances and chanting prayers. Hundred of local people and foreign tourist attend the performance. This trek rewards you to see the real and ideal culture of Sherpa people and great Himalayan picturesque views.
The date of the Mani Rimdu festival is fixed according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. In Tengboche the Mani Rimdu is performed in the 9th Tibetan month which usually falls in October or November full-moon. Mani Rimdu Festival date for the year 2023 is fixed and will be celebrating on 28th, 29th and 30th October in 2023.
Tengboche Mani Rimdu Festival
ITINERARY
DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from Matterhorn Treks & Expedition will transfer to your hotel, We will brief about your trip activities. You’ll have rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel B/B.
DAY 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Sightseeing in Some of landmarks that are the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and Buddhists shrine (Boudhanath. You can also make your last minute buying of personal items and preparation for the next day.
Overnight at Hotel B/B.
DAY 03: Kathmandu – Lukla (2,800m) – Phakding (2,652 m), 35 min flight, 3 – hours trek
Early morning after breakfast, we get transferred to domestic airport and fly to Lukla. After an adventurous 40 minutes flight above breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. At the airport, we meet our other crew members. We get time to stroll around while the guide divides and manages baggage to be carried by porters. We start our trek through the prosperous village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. However, if interested in additional activities, take a side trip to a nearby monastery.
Overnight in lodge on full board.
DAY 04: Phakding – Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), 6 hrs
Trek starts in the morning after breakfast. The walk today is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill with multiple crossings over Dudh Koshi River and magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku (6,608m/21,675ft) from the Benkar village. Cross some more bridges and reach the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, where our trekking permits are checked in order to keep record of trekkers and local trekking staffs as well. A descend and a gradual walk brings us to Jorsale, the last village until Namche Bazaar. The walk is enjoyable through the river bed and we reach Hillary Suspension Bridge. Now, as we climb up hill towards Namche Bazaar, closer and magnificent sight of Kwangde Peak, its sister peaks, Kusum Kanguru, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, and many other fabulous mountains are viewed closer, we stop at the Chautara here to admire the view. Finally, we reach the colorful village of Namche Bazzar, the main gateway of Khumbu region.
Overnight in lodge on full board.
DAY 05: Namche Bazaar Acclimatization Day
This is first scheduled ‘acclimatization’ day for this trek. Health experts always recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest day too instead of being idle. We either spend the day taking a day hike to Thame or visiting Khunde or carry out relaxed exploration of Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazaar is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize. Visit the Tourist Visitor Center near the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters and observe an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region. The Khumjung valley surrounded by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku and the sacred peak of Khumbila hosts a well known monastery that houses a yeti scalp. Visit Hillary School which is at the same site. After having lunch and spending some time in Khumjung, walk back down to Namche.
Overnight in lodge on full board.
DAY 06: Namche to Tengboche Monastery, 5 Hours
From Namche, the well-worn Everest trail contours around the side of the valley high above the Dudh Kosi. As we follow the path, we will get even better views of the great peaks of the Khumbu: Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we will cross the Dudh Kosi River and make a steep climb to Thyangboche, home of the famous and recently rebuilt monastery. We have plenty of time to look around Thyangboche, the monastery and have a cake at the bakery before dropping down to the river and the village of Deboche (3,700m) a little further along the trail, where we will stay in a relaxing lodge.
Overnight at Lodge on full board.
Day 07: First day of Mani Rimdu Festival
The mani rimdu festival depicts the victory of Buddhism over the ancient Born religion. The monks with elaborate masks and costumes perform series of ritualistic dances .The ceremony begins with the blowing of horns in the afternoon of the first day. Then, the abbot of the monastery being accompanied by other monks in their maroon robes arrives on the stage. Prayers are chanted and gratitude is extended to all those who have contributed to the event. The people then rise to their feet to receive blessings, holy water and auspicious pellets from the Abbot for good luck and longevity.
Day 08: Second Day Mani Rimdu Festival
An orchestra of cymbals, horns, flutes, and conch shells announces the start of the second day’s celebration. This is followed by the masked dances in which monks in colorful robes and huge glowering masks perform ritual dances symbolising the destruction of evil forces. In one of the dances, a group of monks clad in bright silk attire and black headgear perform ablution to the gods and pray for divine protection from the forces of evil. The performances, enlivened by humorous interludes, continue until dark.
Day 09: Third day of Mani rimdu festival
Torma (figure made of dough) are consigned to a sacred fire on the last day. This implies the end of negative forces and the advent of a blessed new year.
Day 10: Tengboche to Namche (3440m), 5 hours
We take a nice descend walk through forest till to the riverside, across the river and take a walk up towards a big hill for 2 hours and will have a nice pleasant walk till to Namche. This is same way as we used before.
Overnight at Namche on full board.
Day 11: Namche to Lukla(2800m), 7 hours
Today the trail steeply descends to the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then continues on an easy natural walk to Phakding. After Lunch, trail will lead you back to Lukla. On arrival in Lukla you will have time to relax, stretch those sore legs and celebrate the completion of your trek. Reconfirm your flight ticket.
Overnight at lodge on full board.
Day 12: Lukla – Kathmandu (1350m)
After an early morning flight to Kathmandu, you’ll head to your hotel. Today is a well-earned day to put your weary feet and gratefully rediscover all of civilization’s perks. You could catch up on some last minute shopping or explore any sights missed during your first day in Kathmandu.
Day 13: Kathmandu
This pleasant day you may have full day at leisure at your own or can be extends your extra trip with us on additional cost or time to explore the Thamel for last day shopping and evening Matterhorn Treks & Expedition will take you for Farewell dinner.
Overnight at Hotel B/B.
Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu
Matterhorn treks & Expedition will transfer you to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.
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