Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek – 20 Days

After you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will have to go through custom formalities. Afterwards, you will be greeted by our representative who will be anxiously waiting for you with a placard displaying your name in his hand. You will be transferred to the 3-Star category hotel in a private vehicle. Once you get refreshed, you will get briefing regarding the trek, itinerary followed by gear check and you will also be introduced with your crewmembers and other trekkers who are going to join you on the trip. Enjoy welcome dinner in the evening where you can taste authentic Nepali dinner. Stay overnight in a hotel.

In the morning you will do the final packing and get ready for the trek, if you need to do any last-minute shopping, you will have time for that, after lunch in KTM, then we start our drive journey to Ramechapp for about 5hrs, 132km. In Ramechhap, we will stay over-night in a Freedom resort or in a similar standard resort near by airport and all meals will be provided.

Early in the morning depending on our flight time we will move to airport, do the necessary check in process and fly for Lukla. We will follow one of the most scenic air routes in the world with panoramic views of glistening mountains to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla. Lukla allows access to Everest Khumbu region. We will assemble the crew and take breakfast before start of Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek. Following the stone path through Ghat village, we will reach Phakding village. Visit local monastery. Stay overnight in Phakding.

Leaving Phakding, we will walk alongDudhkoshi River and enter the dense pine forest. We will cross suspension bridges and walk through dispersed houses of Zapute, Benkar and Chumoa to reach Monjo. Monjo allows an entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. We need to go through required national park formalities before we can enter the park. The park is rich in Himalayan herbs, plants, mammals and birds. We will descend to Hillary Bridge existing at the base of hill. After crossing the bridge, we will follow the escalating path towards Namche Bazaar. The path rewards us with views of Thamserku Mountain, Everest, Lhotse and other mountains and peaks. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazaar acts as the major trade centre to conduct trade in between locals and neighbouring Tibetans. Namche is also popular as the capital of Sherpa land. It is wise to take rest at Namche on this day. For proper acclimatization with the changing altitude, we can arrange day hike to small Khumjung and Khundevillages. Visit the local monastery and observe the local lifestyle. Head office of National Park, Museum and monasteries are interesting places near Namche. We can get most of the modern facilities including hospital and post office at Namche. Stay overnight in Namche.

The trail continues along glaciated DudhKoshi River from Namche. We will follow the scenic route with views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and other peaks and mountains and enter the forest area. Walking through the colourful rhododendron forest, we can get opportunity to view musk deer and colourful Himalayn birds like Danphe and Munal. We will move further toSanasa village. The trail branches at Sanasa. We will follow the main trail towards Everest Base Camp. Following the escalating path from Sanasa, we will reach Tengboche. Gate of Tengboche Monastery is open after 3pm. We will visit Tengboche Monastery which is the largest monastery in the region.

Leaving Tengboche, we will enter the birch and rhododendron forest. In couple of hours, we will reach Debuche from where we will lower down to beautiful Chhukung Valley. We will descend to Imja River and follow the raised path to Pangboche. Monastery is Pangboche is believed to be the oldest Monastery in the region. Walking along the Mani walls, we will climb to Pheriche. Walking along Lobuche River, we will reach Dengboche village. Stay overnight in Dengboche.

Taking rest from Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek at Dengboche helps to break the stress. It also helps in proper acclimatization. We will take short walk to Nagarjuna View Point located at Nagarjuna Peak. Enjoy the 360 degree mountain views of Makalu, Lhotse, Amadablam, Island Peak and other mountains. We will return to Dengboche for staying overnight.

From Dengboche, we will return to Pheriche. The trail continues throughDugla to the steep moraine of Khumbu glacier. We will head towardsChupkiLhara which is the memorial site for renowned climber BabuChhiri Sherpa. ChupkiLhara is decorated with prayer flags. Walking through the Khumbu glacier moraine, we will reachLobuche. Enjoy the panoramic views of Pumori Peak, KhumbutsePeak and other peaks and mountains. Stay overnight in Lobuche.

Leaving Lobuche, we will head towards Gorak Shep Lake. Once a big lake, the size of lake has shrunk lately. From Gorakshep Lake, we will advance towards Indian army mountaineers’ memorials. The trail continues through rocky dunes and moraine. The views of Nuptse Mountain, Khumbuste Mountain and Pumori Mountain. Stay overnight in Gorakshep

Leaving Gorekshep, we will head towards foot of the Mt. Everest, the size of lake has shrunk lately. From Gorakshep Lake, we will advance towards Indian army mountaineers’ memorials. The trail continues through rocky dunes and moraine to the Base Camp of Everest. The Base Camp rewards us with views of Nuptse Mountain, Khumbuste Mountain and Pumori Mountain. Retrace the route to Gorakshep. Stay overnight in Gorakshep.

You might experience difficulty in breathing at Kalapattar due to increased altitude and thin air. Leaving our camp in Gorakshep, we will take the long walk to Kala Pattar for sunrise view. Kalapattar offers close-up view of mighty Everest. We will enjoy the panoramic views of Lingtren peak, Khumbutse peak and Changtse peak. Spending some time in Kalapattar, we do long day walk to Pheriche, all most 900m descents for better sleep and better food. Stay overnight in Pheriche.

From Pheriche, we will follow the same route back to Debuche to witness the first day of Mani Rimdu Festival. Mani Rimdu festival is observed for three days in the monastery at Debuche. The first day is called Wong which is the blessing ceremony. In this day, locals visit Monastery to receive blessings from the Lama of Monastery.

The second day of Mani Rimdu festival is known as Chham. Mask dance is performed on this day by monks. We will visit the monastery and witness the colourful and exquisite mask dance. Stay overnight in Debuche.

We will observe Jhinsak on this day. Jhinsak is the fire offering ceremony. During this ceremony, fire offering is given to the sand mandala. The mandala is prepared out of sand that is carried to the monastery from the distant land. Stay overnight at Debuche.

This is the last day of Mani Rimdu Festival. Lhokpar is celebrated on this day during which sand Mandala which was prepared on the third day is destroyed on this day. We will return from Debuche and retrace our route to Namche via small villages of Phuki Thengna and Sansa. Stay overnight in Namche.

From Namche, we will lower down to rhododen forest and walk along Dudhkoshi River to Phakding. Walking past the walled road of Ghat, we will reach Lukla. Stay overnight in Lukla.

We will catch an early morning flight from Lukla to Ramechhap. As soon as we got off from the plane, we will start our drive to KTM, 5hours/132km, we might take a break in the middle for BF/Lunch depending on time. Once you reach KTM, hotel room check in and get ready to enjoy the celebration meal in the evening. Stay overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu.

In the morning after breakfast, get ready for the guided city tours for about 3hours, enjoy the city and heritage sites of KTM valley. Afternoon and evening will be free time on your own, you can go for shopping for your love one, family members, friends etc. Due to the climate condition, delay of flight in Lukla is a common experience. Also, we might lag behind schedule due to unforeseen circumstances. Under such condition, we will catch flight from Lukla to Ramehhap/Kathmandu on this day, you will be transferred to the hotel. Spend the day as you like.

You will be transferred to the Airport three hours before your scheduled flight. Safe journey. We hope to see you soon.