Mani Rimdu Festival Trekking, 12 Days

Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1338m
Welcome to Nepal. Our representatives will be waiting for you at the arrival section of Tribhuvan International Airport. You will be greeted and taken to the hotel. Enjoy your evening resting or strolling around the nearest markets. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu. 

Day 02: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla 2840m/35 minutes and trek to Phakding 2610m/3-4 hours
After breakfast, we drive to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport for our flight to Lukla. The flight is of 40 minutes from which magnificent lush hills and snowcapped peaks can be seen. We arrive at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla. This is one of the most dangerous airports in the world. In Lukla, we will meet the rest of our staff members and start the amazing trek to Phakding. Just to acclimatize, we do a short walk today. Overnight at a lodge in Phakding.

Day 03: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar 3440m/5-6 hours
We start walking through the thick forest of pine and oak alongside Dudh Koshi River. After moving further, we start to get the glimpses of Mt Thamserku (6623m) on our right side. Continue through the pine, fir and juniper forests, cross suspension bridges, and finally reach Namche Bazaar, a commercial center of the Everest region. Also known as the Gateway to Everest, Namche Bazaar hosts a stunning panorama of Mt Everest (8848m). Overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Day 04: Acclimatization Day - hike to Hotel Everest View
Today, we ascend to Everest View Hotel for an amazing 360-degree view of the snowy peaks. Then, we descend to Khumjung village to visit the monastery and Khumjung (Hillary) School. Inside Khumjung Monastery, you can have a look at the Skull of the Yeti. Khumjung is also one of the larger Sherpa villages in this region. We continue to walk to Khunde village and visit the old monastery and Khunde Hospital there. We return to our lodge in Namche via Syangboche village. Overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Day 05: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche 3860m/4-5 hours
The trail ascends till Kyangjuma village and then it descends to the suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi River. We can see a chain of attractive water driven prayer wheels. Then, we will stop to have lunch in Phunke Tenga. The ascending trail alongside Imja Khola leads us to Tengboche village. We can visit the ancient monastery of Tengboche in the evening. Witness the amazing views of the snowy peaks, sunrise/sunset in the morning and evening is a surreal view. Overnight at a lodge in Tengboche.

Day 06: In Tengboche - Mani Rimdu Festival: first day
The first day of Mani Rimdu Festival is marked by the construction of Sand Mandala and Wong. Colored sand is used to build complex and representative design. The sharp defensive weapons referring to the divinities are kept surrounding the Mandala. The container of Mani Rilwu pills which is regarded as spiritual medicine is placed in the center. The Mandala symbolizes the palace of the lord of dance, Chenpo. The statue of the Buddha of Kindness is the most important for Mani Rimdu. The mantras are chanted, and during meditation, they believe kindness flows in the form of the mantra, into the Mandala and the Mani Rilwu pills. Kindness is released out from the Mandala, blessing those who attend the Mani Rimdu festival. Overnight at a lodge in Tengboche.

Day 07: In Tengboche - Mani Rimdu Festival: second day
The dances are shown on the 2nd day of Mani Rimdu. Triumph over the symbolic demons is shown in the dance. As the theme of the dance, positive energies fight with the demons through the dances. The dances carry Buddhist teaching on many levels from the simplest to the most metaphysical state. During the dance, the monks are believed to enter a state of trance and become a godlike being. The dances are only performed during Mani Rimdu because they are considered to be very sacred hence cannot be performed for ordinary entertainment purposes. Overnight at a lodge in Tengboche.

Day 08: In Tengboche - Mani Rimdu Festival: third day
The last day of the festival is the Fire Puja. The Fire Puja is done in the yard the day after the dances. The Fire Puja is a gift to Agni (the god of fire), and to the Gods of the Mandala to dispel all harm in the world. The harm is envisioned as dissolving into the grain and butter being burned. Afterward, the sand Mandala in the temple is dismantled to pieces, and the sand is given as an offering to the Snake Gods (Nagas). With this, the exciting festival of Mani Rimdu comes to an end. Overnight at a lodge in Tengboche.

Day 09: Trek from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar 3440m/4-5 hours
The trail from Tengboche is downward with a few sharp climbs uphill for an hour from the bridge at Phunke Tenga, near to Sanasha. The walk to Namche is very charming on a long windy track. Passing through the traditional villages of Khumjung and Khunde, an attractive and pleasant walk leads us to Namche. Overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Day 10: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla 2840m/6-7 hours
Leave Namche Bazaar and descend through pine trees. We arrive at the confluence of Bhote Koshi River and Imja River at Larja Dobhan. Then, following Bhote Koshi River downstream we reach Jorsalle to exit Sagarmatha National Park. Still walking by Bhote Koshi River past several Sherpa villages and through rhododendron and magnolia forest, we arrive in Lukla. Overnight at a lodge in Lukla.

Day 11: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu 35 minutes
On the picturesque 40 minutes flight back to Kathmandu, you’ll relive a last sight of the snowy peaks. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred back to the hotel. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu. 

Day 12: Final Departure from Kathmandu
We shall drop you at the airport before the scheduled time of your departure. Farewell, and we hope to see you again!

Important Notice for domestic flight to and from Lukla
Due to avoid air traffic congestion at Kathmandu Airport and for smooth flights operation, the Lukla flights shall be operated from Ramechhap (Manthali) Airport effective from Spring (April 1, to May 31, 2026) and Autumn (October 1, to November 30, 2026)

In this matter, you need 1 buffer day to manage all transfer to and from Manthali Airport. We would like to suggest you for driving to Mulkot which is 3 hours driving away from Kathmandu and spend a night there at a hotel, then next morning an hour of driving brings you at Manthali Airport to catch the flights to Lukla. On return, you can fly to Manthali Airport and same day drive back to Kathmandu.

Pricing for Group Size Basis: (Private and Group Trip)
All inclusive Trek Price for single/individual trekker; USD 1825
All inclusive Trek Price for 2 trekkers basis; USD 1660 per person
All inclusive Trek Price for 3 trekkers basis; USD 1550 per person
All inclusive Trek Price for 4 trekkers basis; USD 1465 per person

Booking open now: Join with us on a Mani Rimdu Festival at Tengboche Monastery in 2026/2027.

Customize Your Trek: This is a general itinerary, which can always individually be “tailormade”. The trek package can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste, For more information please e-mail us at snftnepal@gmail.com or snftnepal@yahoo.de

Important: In case of emergency during the trip, Helicopter will be arranged by Swiss Himalayan Family Treks and Expedition Pvt. Ltd. The charges must be paid by the clients themselves.

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