Mani Rimbu Festival Trek

You will be met at your hotel and taken to the airport in good time to meet your flight home.

Your early flight to Lukla today will take approximately 30 minutes;

From here you will trek to Phakding, descending 200m over 3 hours. You will catch a glimpse of some great mountains such as Nupla (5885m) above Kongde Ridge, Kusum Kang (6367m appears on the right a little later. All along you will be following the northern (left) bank of the Dudh Kosi River. It is important to take these first few days slowly to enable your body to acclimatise and to enjoy the passing scenery and culture.

Today begins on level ground, relative to the environment in which you are! You will cross the river on a high suspension bridge and begin to climb up to Monjo (2800m) and on to the gateway to the Sagamartha National Park Entrance in place to protect and preserve this beautiful environment. There is a good rest stop on the way up where you will see people gathered, admiring the first real chance to see Everest in the distance. On the way up today you will be rewarded with views of Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku, Konde-Ri and Tawache Peak before eventually arriving at Namche after about 5 hours.

The main aim today is to allow your body to acclimatise, it is important to drink lots of water and take some gentle exercise. Namche is a growing town tucked into a neat little valley, there is lots going on in the centre with market days on Friday and Saturday. There are some interesting museums and shops. There is also internet and a sauna! You could venture further afield, take a visit to Khumjung where the Hillary school sits and Khunde nearby, on the way back to Namche you could visit the Shyangboche airstrip, (3790m) the highest in the world nearby is the Everest View Hotel for stunning views.

There are various trails leading out of the village of Namche, your guide will show you the most appropriate, you are most likely to enjoy excellent views of Ama Dablam and Everest amongst others along the way though. From Sanasa trail descends to Phunki Thanga from where you have a 2 hour climb to Tengboche steeply at first but soon levels out. You will come to a stone gate which marks the entrance to Tengboche, the religious centre of the Khumbu region. Overall today will take approximately 5 hours.

Mani Rimdu Festival is celebrated at Tengboche, Thame and Chiwang 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.

This day ,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. You will be to see the real and ideal culture of Sherpa people and great Himalayan pictures.

Mostly down hill today it will take you 4 to 5 hours, there is a steep climb for about an hour before you encounter the scenic walk back into Namche. From Khumjung you can pass through Khunde where you may enjoy a visit to the little monastery if you haven’t already.

A four hour walk today descending steeply for the first half then on to Phakding, where you will spend the night. This is your final day trekking; it will take you around 3 hours more to Lukla from Phakding. This evening you will have a farewell ceremony with your guides and porters where you will be able to sample some Chang and try some Sherpa dancing.

You will be on an early flight back this morning, on arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and taken to your hotel.

Enjoy a day exploring some of the quieter streets of Kathmandu, stocking up on souvenirs and presents for those back home. This evening you have a farewell dinner, you will be picked up in good time.

You will be met at your hotel and taken to the airport in good time to meet your flight home.