Click to Enlarge

Mani Rimdu Festival & Everest Base Camp Trek
Activity: Trekking, walking, hiking
Starting from: Lukla
Ending at: Lukla Grade:    Moderate/Strenuous
Highest access of the trek:  Everest Base Camp (5300m), Kalapathar (5545m),
Himalayan sights: Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Island peak, Kwangde, Pumori, Lhotse Shar, Everest etc…
Most attraction of the trek:  Attend the famous Buddhist festival “Mani Rimdu” and trek to the world’s highest mountain…
Departure: The exact date of the Mani Rimdu festival changes every year according to Buddhist lunar calendar, please check with us for the exact date.

Mani Rimdu Festival & Everest Base Camp Trek starts after a spectacular panoramic flight to Lukla and enter into the legendary Sherpa villages and after a day’s rest in Namche Bazaar “capital city of Sherpa people” and observe the the famous annual Buddhist festival “Mani Rimdu” at Tyagnboche. This festival is performed in the 9th Tibetan month which usually falls in late October/November according to Tibetan lunar calendar. The prayers will be said over many days but for the villages the most important part is when they receive the blessings from Rinpoche, and when the monks perform the masked Dance. After this the whole village gets together and dances until late in to the night at Tengboche. These colorful and festive celebrations are the culmination of ten days of prayers on the Buddha of compassion, Chenrezig. They are done for the benefit of all beings.

The Mani Rimdu in Tengboche is performed according to the tradition of Mindroling and came from Rongbuk Monastery north of Tengboche in Tibet. The name comes from "Mani" part of the chant of Chenrezig, and "Rilbu" which are the small red pills, which are blessed throughout the ceremony and distributed to everyone at the end

At the beginning a beautiful and intricate mandala or sacred diagram is drawn in fine colored sand. The sand is collected from a special place high in the mountains. It takes four days to complete the mandala then it is covered and used as a focus for the next ten days meditation.

At the end of the ceremonies the monks perform the sacred mask dances known as "Cham" There are sixteen dances with some comic interludes that delight the crowds. These dances are a recreation of the establishment of Buddhism in the Himalayas by the legendary Padmasambhava, known as Guru Rinpoche. The dances convey Buddhist teachings on many levels from the simplest truth to the most profound realization. Throughout the dances, symbolic demons are conquered, dispelled or subdued. The symbolism can be interpreted on many levels; the inner "demons" of hatred, greed and ignorance overcome through meditation on compassion and wisdom.
After attending festival we continue further towards the Everest Base Camp to make the trek more interesting.

TRIP EXTENSION IDEAS
While in Nepal there are various interesting and exciting options to pursue either before or after your trek or tour.

Everest Mountain Flight-After trekking in the region why not take the opportunity for a close-up view of the world's highest and most famous mountain from the air! The flight lasts about an hour and takes you from the Kathmandu valley, over the Khumbu region and culminates with the unforgettable view of Everest herself.

Exciting option of Rafting & Chitwan National park–One of the oldest and popular National Park in Nepal and in whole Asia, one can find more than 43 species of mammals in the park. The park is especially renowned for the endangered one-horned Rhinoceros, the Royal Bengal Tiger and the fresh water Gharial Crocodile along with many other common species mammals, reptiles and over 450 species of birds. You can take an extension trip from 2 to 4 days.

Bungy Jumping-Imaging a bridge over a 160m from tropical gorge with the Bhote Koshi, one of the world’s wildest rivers raging below…Now Jump.

This may be the most spectacular Bungy Jump on the planet. This remarkable 500ft. (160m) drop into the Bhote Koshi River gorge on the Nepal / Tibet border is the longest free fall in the world.

A drive of 3 hours (100km) from Kathmandu to within 12 km of the Tibet border to reach the Ultimate Bungy Jump spot. The unlimited Bungy Jump takes place on a 166m wide steel suspension bridge over the Bhote Koshi River, altitude about 3600ft.

Nagarkot- The ridge (2174 m) offers possibly the best display of the Himalaya including if you are lucky, a glimpse of a dark shape in the back that is Everest - while remaining in the proximity of the valley. Sunrise view from here is truly magnificent.

Dhulikhel- The small quiet town, known for its traditional crafts, lies 30 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1470 m. Climb a little to see the mountains, from Cho Oyu in the east to Himalchuli in the west. It is a small Newari town where ancient cultures are still religiously maintained. It’s easy access, stunning sunsets and the many side treks make it a popular destination.

Please Note: If you want to extend your stay in Nepal it is essential we are informed as soon as possible after your booking.

Trekking Gear list
Suggested Trekking Gear List for  Mani Rimdu Festival & Everest Base Camp Trek
•    1 Sleeping Bag rated -15° -25°
•    1 Woolen warm hat
•    1 Good sun hat
•    Neck gaiter
•    Suns creams
•    Lips creams
•    1 pair of flee heavy wool mitts.
•    1 pair of fleece/ wind stopper glove
•    1 Fleece jacket
•    4 T-shirts
•    2 Cotton pants or trekking pants
•    1 Pile jacket
•    1 wind proof jacket (Goretex)
•    3-4 pieces of regular lightweight underwear.
•    2 Long underwear
•    2 Long-sleeved shirts
•    1 light Down Jacket
•    1 Light hiking good quality probably waterproof boots or trekking shoes
•    1 pair of sandle or Sport shoes or low top shoes.
•    3 pair of socks.
•    Some lightweight socks
•    1 pair of Ski or trekking poles (Optional)
•    Camera gear
•    1 Water bottle
•    Sun glasses
•    1 Daypack (34 liter)
•    Compressions stuff sacks
•    2 Trash Compactor bags
•    1 Headlamp with spare batteries and bulbs.
•    1 Swiss Army knife. Simple medium sized.
•    1 Large duffle bags with lock

Heath Consideration / Medicine
Though our Sherpa Guide/Leader will carry a comprehensive medical kit for purpose of using (especially for staffs)  during the Mani Rimdu Festival & Everest Base Camp Trek period, you should carry your personal medication as prescribed by your doctor. Or a Personal Medical Kit as: Diamox 250mg, Antibiotics, anti-fungal skin application, Allergy Inflammation & Itch, Antiseptic, Disinfectant for water, Diarrheal, Antibiotic drops or ointment for eye and ear, Indigestion, Nausea and Vomitting,, Painkillers, Oral Rehydration Solution, Dressing and Would Cares.

At an Emergency
We are prepared for any emergency situation during your trip anywhere in Nepal. Our Trek guide / Sirdar is trained in first aid and can deal with most of the basic ailments that are associated with this trek, but when a serious emergency occurs, then outside help is needed and such rescues are expensive therefore every trek member should have his or her own insurance arranged before coming to Nepal through a reliable insurance company right from the home country covering against Search & Rescue evacuation, hospitalization, loss and theft of goods, life insurance etc…We ask each member’s Insurance policy reference before leaving for trek from Kathmandu. All our staffs, guides and porters are well insured.  

Immunization    
At least six weeks before the departure for Mani Rimdu Festival & Everest Base Camp Trek you will need to consult your doctor to work out an immunization schedules relevant to the Himalayas. You should normally be immunized against Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Cholera, though you must also contact your doctor for necessary immunization details.

Dental Checks
It is most important that you have a through dental examination before commencing the Mani Rimdu Festival & Everest Base Camp Trek and have any necessary treatment carried out. Dental treatment on the mountain is likely to be drastic and traumatic!

More detailed information regarding Mani Rimdu Festival & Everest Base Camp Trek gear list and other information will be provided upon confirmation of the trip.

HAVE A PLEASANT TREKKING IN THE HIMALAYAS!!!

All Mani Rimdu Festival & Everest Base Camp Trek © South Asia Trekking

Day 1:         Arrive Kathmandu, meet and transfer to hotel.
Day 2:    1    Fly to Lukla(2,880m) & trek to Phakding (2,610m).
Day 3:    2    Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,445m).
Day 4:    3    Acclimatization day. Acclimatization day.
Day 5:    4    Trek to Tyangboche (3,867m).
Day 6:    5    Tengboche (3867m). Manirimdu Festival-Giving the blessing to the general public (Wang)
Day 7:    6    Famous Mask Dances preformed by the monks in a special day long ceremony.  Afterwards the Sherpa community sing and dance the whole nite long.
Day 8:    7     Treak via Pangboche to Dingboche(44oom).                         
Day 9:    8     Trek towards the upper Imja valley towards Chhukung. Return to Dingboche.
Day 10:  9     Trek via Thuklah to Lobuche (4,912m).
Day 11:  10   Trek to Everest Base Camp (5300m) and return camp to Gorakshep (5,140m).
Day 12:  11   Ascent of Kalapathar in the morning and return to Pheriche (4,270m).
Day 13:  12   Trek via Pangboche, Deuche to Tyangboche (3,867m).
Day 14:  13   Trek to Namche Bazaar.
Day 15:  14   Trek to Lukla (2880m).
Day 16:          Fly Lukla/Kathmandu, meet South Asiaa Treks representative & transfer to hotel.
Day 17:          At leisure in Kathmandu.
Day 18:          Transfer to airport for onward international journey.

•    3 Nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on twin sharing bed and breakfast,
•    Flight ticket: Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu with airport tax,
•    All food (3 meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner) and accommodations for member and staffs throughout the trekking period as per itinerary,
•    Daily wages, insurance, shelter, cloth of sardar (Nepalese guide), sherpa staffs, cook, cook helper and porters,
•    All land transportation, transfer from airport-hotel-airport,
•    National park permit,
•    First Aid Medical Kit (only for staff & porter),
•    15 kg weight allowed per member for personal equipment,
•    Emergency helicopter rescue arrangements,

•    International flight ticket to/from Nepal,
•    Expenses of personal nature & gratitude i.e. laundry, bar bills, telephone calls, drinks and other personal communication bills, breakfast, lunch and dinner in Kathmandu,
•    Personal insurance, and emergency rescue evacuation,
•    Personal clothing,
•    Airport tax(international departure),
•    Respective expenses if one returns earlier from the trip due to sickness or emergency purpose.