Mani Rimdu is a 19-day-long festival which concludes with a 3-day public festival. It is celebrated by Sherpas in the Everest region to mark the founding of Tibetan Buddhism by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava in the 8th century. The dates of the Mani Rimdu Festival are fixed according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. Each year, the Head Lama at the Tengboche Monastery announces the dates. The Mani Rimdu is performed the 10th Tibetan month which usually falls in October – November during the full-moon period. The Mani Rimdu Festival is mainly celebrated at the Tengboche Monastery in the Khumbu Region (Everest Region) of Nepal. But the festival is also celebrated in Chiwong and Thame.
Every year, Lamas and Sherpas gather at the monastery for the welfare of the world. Demons are quelled and the virtuous are rewarded. The monks wear masks and costumes, and through ritualistic dances, emphasize the triumph of Buddhism over the demons of the Bon religion (the former shamanistic religion of Tibet).
In this guide, I share what you need to know to have a fun and memorable experience in Everest during the festival Mani Rimdu, plus our detailed Mani Rimdu Festival Trek itinerary.
Important Note: Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, all major 2020 gatherings have been suspended in Nepal. However, as the festival happens every year, you can keep reading this guide and start planning for your future (Post-Covid-19) Festival Trek in Everest, Nepal.
Preparation of Mani Rimdu & Private sacred ceremonies
The festival begins with a private ceremony for the people’s protection. The monks prepare the site, reception and many ritual art works.
The first days are dedicated to the creation of the Mandala. The colored sand Mandala is made step by step, grain by grain, with at its center the deity of Mani Rimdu, the Lord of the Dance.
During the following days, the monks are arranging ornaments and creating the Tormas, symbolic sculptures made of flour dough and colored butter. Then, they prepare the mani pills that will be distributed to the audience during the public ceremony.
The last days before the public festival, the monks performed private daily rituals and ceremonies, and they also rehearse their ceremonial dances.
Mani Rimdu: The Public Festival
Mani Rimdu ends with a Public Festival that lasts for 3 days.
Day 1 – The Wong, the Empowerment Ceremony
The Wong is the opening day of the public ceremony and is performed on the full moon day of the 10th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. The Mani Rilwu (sacred pills) and Tshereel (pills for long life) are given to all the guests attending the ceremony.
Day 2 – Chhaam, the Mask Dances
The mask dances take place on the 2nd day of the Public Festival, in the courtyard of the monastery. Symbolic demons are conquered, chase away, or transformed into Protectors of Dharma. Positive forces fight against disorder forces through the dances.
Day 3 – The Fire Puja
It is the final day of the Mani Rimdu Festival. The Fire Puja is performed in the courtyard of the monastery. The Fire Puja is an offering to Agni (the God of Fire), and to the Gods of the Mandala – to allay all harm in the world. The Sand Mandala in the temple is dismantled, and the sand is given as an offering to the serpent Gods (Nagas).
Everest Base Camp Trek with Mani Rimdu Festival: Our Detailed Itinerary
The Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular trek in Nepal and one of the most famous treks in the world. Thousands of trekkers come each year to follow in Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s footsteps up to the legendary Everest Base Camp.
Experiencing the Mani Rimdu Festival en-route is possibly the best way to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Note that to trek in the Everest region, you’ll need permits:
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit: $20 USD.
- Sagarmatha National Park Permit: NPR3,000.
If you need the contact of an excellent guide, drop me an email and ask for Rukman Lama. Not only Rukman is a guy who is extremely knowledgeable, funny and passionate but he also uses his heart to serve his guests. Trust me, nothing’s better than exploring Nepal with a local friend.
Day 1 – Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla / Trek to Monjo
From Kathmandu Domestic Airport, it’s a 30-minute scenic flight to Lukla (2,860m). Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla is one of the most dangerous airports in the world. Most flights are in the morning as the weather is usually too unstable and windy in the afternoon. The mountain weather in Nepal is always unpredictable and the flights from/to Lukla may be delayed or canceled due to the bad weather. This happens literally ALL THE TIME! I advise allowing 2 to 3 extra days should your flights from/to Lukla be cancelled or delayed due to bad weather. You can also travel by land but you’ll need an extra 3-4 days to trek and reach Lukla (including a full day drive).
Most people trek to Phakding from Lukla (it takes 3 hours to trek to Phakding) but it is worth continuing up to Monjo (if you can!) for a few reasons. First, Monjo is at an altitude of 2,835m while Phakding is at an altitude of 2,610m, so Monjo is, in fact, a better place for acclimatization. Second, the portion of the trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar is quite hard so it is better to push little further an extra 2 hours the first day to make the hard-long route easier the second day. Last but not least, Monjo is more authentic and less crowded than Phakding.
Day 2 – Trek from Monjo to Namche Bazaar
As mentioned above, the trek to Namche Bazaar is quite hard; if you start in Monjo, you’ll have to trek only 3-4 hours to Namche Bazaar instead of 5-6 hours from Phakding. The trek becomes to be really interesting. The trail goes through the pine forest and you’ll cross many suspension bridges (including the famous double suspension bridge) before reaching the beautiful and unique Namche Bazaar. Facing the Dudh Koshi River, Namche Bazaar (3,440m) is surrounded by mountain ranges. The village is a central hub for mountaineers and trekkers from all over the world, and mountain climbing equipment can be easily purchased there.
Day 3 – Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar is tucked between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu region and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a day for acclimatization to high altitude before heading towards Tengboche.
During the acclimatization day, I recommend walking up to the Khumjung village and visiting the Edmund Hillary school and the old monastery.
Day 4 – Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
This portion of the trek is quite rewarding and offers an excellent panorama of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kantega and Kusum Khangaru. After a couple of hours, the trail goes down to the river and arrives at Phunki Tenga. Then, there is a long steep climb through the rhododendron forest up to Tengboche (3,870m).
It takes about 5 hours from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche.
Days 5, 6 & 7 – Mani Rimdu Festival
Three full days in Tengboche enjoying the iconic Mani Rimdu Festival.
The festival will be celebrated at the Tengboche Monastery, also known as “Dawa Choling Gompa”. Tengboche Monastery is the largest gompa in the Khumbu region and was built in 1916 by Lama Gulu. It is usually crowded during the festival so I advise booking (at least 3-4 months ahead) with a local travel agency.
Day 8 – Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche
The trail from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410m) isn’t very difficult. The trek is quite short (around 4 hours) but the air gets thinner and you can now feel the effects of the high altitude.
Day 9 – Acclimatization Day in Dingboche
In order to prevent altitude sickness issues, it is highly recommended to stay in Dingboche for an extra day. You can either do an acclimatization hike to Chhukung-Re or relax and eat pies or (and?) cakes at the local bakery.
Day 10 – Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche
The trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,940m) is quite difficult but it is mostly due to the altitude.
On the way, there is a memorial with shrines dedicated to the people who died while attempting Everest (including famous mountain guides Scott Fisher (Mountain Madness) and Rob Hall (Adventure Consultants) who died in the 1996 Mount Everest expedition disaster).
This hike takes around 5 hours.
Day 11 – Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorak Shep
The trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) is challenging but this is the most rewarding section of the trek.
You will first stop in Gorakshep (5,160m) where you will drop off your bags (as it is where you will spend the night) before heading towards the legendary Everest Base Camp. During the Everest expedition season (April-May), you might get the opportunity to meet the Everest expedition teams.
The full day hike takes around 7 to 8 hours.
Day 12 – Climb Kala Pattar and trek down to Pheriche
Today, you will climb Kala Pattar (5,644m), the highest point of the trek. For most people, the highlight of the trek is all about reaching Everest Base Camp; but what most people don’t know is that you cannot see Everest from Everest Base Camp; the best views are, in fact, from Kala Pattar making this day the real highlight of the trek.
Then, it’s time to begin the descent to Pheriche.
This hike takes around 8 to 9 hours overall.
Days 13 & 14 – Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Day 13 is a 6-hour trek down to Namche Bazaar. Day 14 is a 5-hour 1/2 trek down to Lukla. In Lukla, I advise you to stay close to the airport and get the earliest flight back to Kathmandu.
Day 15 – Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
As mentioned on Day 1, the mountain weather in Nepal is always unpredictable and the flights from/to Lukla may be delayed or canceled due to the bad weather. So, it is better to get the first flight back to Kathmandu in case there are delays or cancellations (you’ll have the priority on the first flight).
Do note that we are sharing our personal experience and this itinerary is intended to be a guideline only; local conditions, health conditions and weather may necessitate slight itinerary variations.
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