Tengboche Mani Rimdu Festival

IT ISN'T MUSIC AND IT HAS NO RHYTHM. Amplified by the dear mountain air, the cacophony of sound is deafening. Conversation becomes impossible and all attention turns to the temple entrance, whence a procession of solemn faced monks is emerging. Dressed in orange silk robes, and with yellow crescent shaped hats perched precariously on their heads, they carry an assortment of instruments including bugles made from human bones, giant conch shells and long, brass horns. These horns, known locally as dun chen, issue the deep, hoarse notes that herald the unforgettable Mani Rimdu Festival.

Every year, in the Khumbu region of Nepal, this Buddhist Dance Drama is enacted by the monks of Tengboche Monastery. The site of this high altitude entertainment is the temple, or gompa, within the monastery itself. Situated on a generous plateau at an altitude of almost four thousand metres, the gompa is crowned by some of the highest mountains in the world: Thamserku (6608m), Kangteiga, (6779m) Taboche (6542m) and two kilometres or so away, the summit of Mount Everest (8848m) peers above the Lhotse Nuptse Wall.

Tengboche gompa is home to around 36 monks and 25 students, under the leadership of the Abbot Ngawang Tenzin Zangbu. The Abbot spent his early years in Namche Bazaar, a busy trading centre in the Khumbu Valley. As a small child he expressed a wish to return home to Tengboche, a desire that coincided with the death of the previous Abbot, Lama Gulu. It was believed that the child might be the Lama's reincarnation, and monks from Tengboche visited Namche Bazaar with a heap of possessions to test him. He picked out all those that had belonged to Lama Gulu, and from the age of five was raised at Tengboche as the Reincarnate Lama and Guru Rinpoche of the monastery.

Trip Facts

Country: Nepal

Grade: Moderate

Area: Everest

Group Size: Min.2 Pax -- Max.16 Pax

Activities: Treking

Total Duration: 19 days

Season: Oct 16 - Nov 03

Trip Type: Tea House & Lodge

Transportation: fly In/Out

Detail Itinerary
Cost Include & Exclude

October 16: Day 01
Your arrival to Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), you will be met by our Airport Representative, and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
October 17: Day 02
Full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley ( Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, and Kathmandu durbar square). Overnight at hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
October 18: Day 03
Today early in the morning, we drive about 15 minutes to Tribhuwan International Airport. After 30 minutes scenic flight to Lukla (2804 mtrs.), we begin our trek to Phakding (2610 mtrs.) - 3 hours easy walking. Overnight at lodge, inclusive of full board meal.
October 19: Day 04
Trek to Namche Bazaar (3535 mtrs.). Overnight at lodge, inclusive of full board meal.
October 20: Day 05
Acclimatization day in Namche BazaarThis is a day for an acclimatization. We have a fine walk around the valley to adjust with thin air. Namche Bazaar is known as the gateway of the Everest. We will take you to a museum too on the same day. There you can see the traditional custom of Sherpa peoples. Besides, a fine view of the Everest and other mountains can be overviewed from this place. Overnight at lodge, inclusive of full board meal.
October 21: Day 06
Trek to Tengboche (3850m). Monks practice dancing without masks
October 22: Day 07
Giving the blessing to the general public (Wang)
October 23: Day 08
Famous Mask Dances preformed by the monks in a special day long ceremony. Afterwards the Sherpa community sing and dance the whole night long. <br>
October 24: Day 09
Concluding Fire Puja.
October 25: Day 10
Trek to Dingboche (4350 mtrs.). Overnight at lodge, inclusive of full board meal.
October 26: Day 11
Trek to Labuje (4950mtrs.). Overnight at lodge, inclusive of full board meal.
October 27: Day 12
Trek to Everest Base camp (5400 mtrs.) and return to Ghorakshep. Overnight at lodge, inclusive of full board meal. <br>
October 28: Day 13
Hiking to Kalapathar, then trek back to Pheriche, The day starts with a hike up to Kalapathar (5545 mtrs.), an excellent viewpoint to observe the Mount. Everest and innumerable spectacular mountains views. Then trek back to Pheriche (4280m). Overnight at lodge, inclusive of full board meal.
October 29: Day 14
Trek to Khumjung Village (3753 mtrs.). Overnight at lodge, inclusive of full board meal.
October 30: Day 15
Trek to Phakding (2610 mtrs.). Overnight at lodge, inclusive of full board meal.
Octoberr 31: Day 16
Trek to Lukla. Overnight at lodge, inclusive of full board meal.
November 01: Day 17
Morning flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla. Overnight at hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
November 02: Day 18
Leisure day in Kathmandu (it's also spare day incase of bad weather in Lukla). Overnight at hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
November 03: Day 19
Transfer to Airport for your home departure. Farewell !!

Cost Include

All meals are included in trip cost during trek.
4 nights 3 star Hotel in KTM on B/B
• 1 Sirdar and porters
• 1 Sherpa every 4 members
• 1 porters per 2 member
• Room charge during trek.
• National Park fee,
• Insurance for Nepalese staff,
• Airport transfer,
• Flight Ktm-Lukla and Lukla-Ktm

Cost Exclude

Lunch & Dinner during KTM stay
• Personal equipment
• High risk medical insurance
• International air ticket, International airport tax
• Alcoholic beverages & telephone calls
• Laundry and postage
• Nepal Visa Fee US$ 30 Per person
• Emergency rescue evacuation if needed,
• KTM entrance fee during Sightseeing
• Purely personal nature expenses.

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Tengboche Mani Rimdu Festival

Trip Facts