Mani Rimdu Festival Trek

One of the best pilgrimage treks in Khumbu for exploring the amazing Tiji festival, unique rituals of the Sherpa indigenous community and for having amazing views of mountain vistas including of Mt. Everest (8,848 m) the world's highest peaks from very close. [Mani Rimdu Festival Trek]

Mani Rimdu festival trek is one of the pilgrimage trekking destinations in Nepal. The trip winds around Khumbu region. The festival is observed in Tyanboche monastery located at the height of 3870 meter, in Solukhumbu district. Mani Rimdu festival is the biggest event of the year among Sherpa communities living in the Khumbu region. This festival is usually performed on the 9th Tibetan month that falls in late October.

During the festival, Buddhist followers from many parts of the country and all the villagers gather at the Tyanboche monastery to receive the blessings from Rinpoche, the reincarnated Buddhist priest, while a number of monks perform the mask dance, have feast and the festival is observed for 10 consecutive days regularly. The Mani Rimdu festival in Tyangboche monastery is said to be the replica of the tradition of Mindroling monastery in Tibet. Altogether 16-sacred mask dances known as 'Cham' are performed during the festival. The dances do not merely entertain but also convey the Buddhist teaching, which are regarded to be the recreation of the Buddhism. Throughout the dances, symbolic demons are conquered, dispelled, or subdued. The symbolism are interpreted as if the inner demons of hatred, greed and ignorance overcoming through meditation on compassion and wisdom. After completion of the festival, monks lantern the lamps, which is said to have flame throughout the year.

During the trip, you will not enjoy by discovering the unique Buddhist rituals but also have amazing views from Tyangboche monastery. The monastery is positioned at the hilltop, which is regarded to be the best view point for having range of mountain vistas in the Everest region, including the close view of Mt. Everest (8,848 m) and dozens of other lofty mountain peaks like Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Mt. Nuptse (7,855 m.), Mt. Pumori (7,161 m), Mt. Changaste (7,550 m), Mt. Lingterin (6,679 m), Mt. Amadablam (6,856 m), Mt. Thamserku (6,723 m), Mt. Kantega( 6,685 m), Mt. Lotse (8,516 m) and more. Similarly, you will pass through charming settlement of Sherpa indigenous community, relax in serenity and tranquility and enjoy with local dishes and delicacies and discover the virgin and unique culture, rituals and lifestyles of them who are living alongside of the trail in the high mountain valleys and also explore the ancient Buddhist monastery, mani, Chorten and take dazzling pictures with the backdrop of Mt. Everest. In addition, you will also pass through steamy forest which is full of flora and fauna and if you are lucky, you also spot some of the wildest animals, endangered birds and more, offering you wide range of option for photography. This is one of the shorter treks than other trekking destinations in the Everest.

Mani Rimdu Festival Trek begins with a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and then the trail follows to the classic route alongside of Dudh Koshi, to Namche Bazaar, where you will have a rest for one day and continue to Tyangboche monastery, where you will observe the Tiji festival and have amazing views of a number of majestic mountains located in the Everest region, explore all around the oldest and biggest Buddhist Tyangboche monastery, take snaps with the backdrop of Mt. Everest and after exploring all around you will retrace back to Lukla, slightly different route via Khumjung, subsequently fly back to Kathmandu.