During the peak seasons for the Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek (March to May and September to November), all the Lukla flights will be operated from the Manthali Airport due to congestion at Tribhuvan Airport.
Do you want to travel through the mountains and into the culture of the Himalayas? If so, you may prefer the 15-day Trek to Everest Base Camp with the Mani Rimdu Festival. Experience the charming Mani Rimdu Festival. It is on this fulfilling tour to the Everest Base.
The Mani Rimdu Festival expresses Buddhist prayers and the dances performed by lamas. After the festival, you proceed to the foothills of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.
Teaming with the Nepal Hiking Team is a great experience. Ancient tradition and sacred feelings are like the beauty of nature. You will cherish the beautiful moments. You make them on this high-altitude trek, which is a trip of a lifetime.
Cultural trekking in the Himalayas is fun and memorable. This is especially true during the Mani Rimdu Festival. So, plan your tour now. This journey provides the best cultural trekking experience in Nepal.
Now, the question that may arise in your mind is, Why do Sherpas celebrate this festival? How and when is it celebrated? What is so special about this festival? Right?
Well, here’s everything you need to know about the Mani Rimdu Festival.
The Mani Rimdu festival is a fascinating event steeped in history, culture, and spirituality. The air is filled with the sweet scent of incense, and the sound of chanting monks and the beating of drums can be heard echoing through the mountains. Sherpas celebrate this festival to honor Guru Rinpoche, a revered Buddhist master. This festival is also known to purify negative energies, bringing peace and good fortune to the community.
The lamas are dressed in colorful costumes and intricate masks in this festival. They perform traditional dances and rituals that transport you back in time to an ancient and magical world. As you look around, you see people of all ages, dressed in their finest clothes, coming together to share stories, reconnect with their roots, and honor their cultural heritage.
Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport one of our representatives shall be waiting for you to take you to the hotel in Kathmandu. During the short briefing about what you’ll be doing the next day, the rest of the night will be yours.
Your exciting adventure to the Everest Base Camp starts with a flight to Lukla. From there, you will trek for around three hours to Phakding, a small Sherpa village nestled in the Himalayas. Overnight stay at Phakding the next day will take you to the largest place in Everest, Namche Bazar. You will remain here for one more day to acclimate. In the Dudh Koshi valley, the next destination is Tengboche, after Namche Bazar. Here, you will be able to see the historic Mani Rimdu Festival and be welcomed by the hospitable Sherpa locals.
On the following days, you move on up and cross over to another Sherpa village called Dingboche, where you will spend another day resting before proceeding further up in the mountains. Lobuche is a difficult hike, but the beautiful sceneries that one is able to see along the climb make it all worth the effort. Further, you proceed to the Gorekshep, the last highlight point, before reaching the base of Mount Everest.
Following the thrilling moments of getting to the highest vantage point of the entire Khumbu area and watching the most splendid sunrise, you will follow the same path with treks back to Lukla. The return trip will be through Pheriche and Namche Bazar, where you will get a second glance at places of interest. Finally, you will take a flight again to Kathmandu from Lukla. During your reserve day in Kathmandu, you can buy unique souvenirs for your friends & family and relax in Kathmandu before flying back home.
The date of the Mani Rimdu festival is set according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. In Tengboche, Mani Rimdu is performed in the 9th Tibetan month, which usually falls in October or November full-moon. This year (2025), it will be celebrated on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of November 2025.
Now, the question is when should you arrive in Nepal to attend Mani Rimdu?
Well, to attend the Mani Rimdu Festival this year, you should arrive on the 31st of October in Nepal.
This date will be perfect since you will be right on schedule for the festival.
If you want to experience the ancient tradition and culture of the bravest Sherpa people and reach the foothill of the world’s highest mountain, then the Mani Rimdu with the Everest Base Camp Trek is worth delving into.
The incredible journey is considered moderate in terms of its difficulty level. Following the same path as the standard EBC trek, the journey mainly focuses on the traditional festival of the Sherpas, the Mani Rimdu Festival. Hence, if you are a cultural person who wants to experience the tradition of the Sherpa people first-handed, this trek is definitely for you!
It is a whole package where you get to indulge in the festivity celebrated by the Sherpa ethnic community and, at the same time, admire the wonderful creation of Mother Nature. This trek is a chance to experience the magnificent beauty of the Himalayas of Nepal and immerse yourself in a Himalayan lifestyle.
Come along with us and be a part of this grand ceremony to witness the best cultural phenomena of the renowned Sherpa community of Nepal.
If you're seeking a more adventurous experience and are interested in attending this amazing festival, we can assist you in planning the perfect trip. Don't hesitate to reach out to us today for our full support and customize itinerary.
You may arrive in Kathmandu at any time. You will be welcomed by one of our airport representatives. He will help you get transferred to your hotel. Further details about the plans and programs will also be provided. Overnight at Hotel.
The Kathmandu valley has one of the densest concentrations of heritage sites. Kathmandu city alone holds four heritage sites listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List.
The tour will start late in the morning, and you will visit the city's heritage sites, including the Temple of Pashupatinath, the Bouddhanath Stupa, the Swayambhunath Temple, and the Kathmandu Durbar Square.
All of these sites are revered by the city's people, and the religious places are held in high regard by the Hindu and the Buddhist people. The Durbar Square of Kathmandu holds many old palaces, buildings, temples, and statues from medieval times.
The buildings are unique Nepali architecture and contain amazing wood-crafting, stone masonry, metal works, and intricate carvings on their doors and windows. Pashupatinath is considered the most sacred temple of Lord Shiva, and the cremation ceremony of the Hindus can be seen along the Bagmati’s river bank.
Bouddhanath is the largest Buddhist Mandala in the world and the Swayambhunath- located atop a hill, is a temple sacred to both the Hindu and the Buddhist people.
The heritage sites provide good insight into Nepal’s history and its past. They are great carriers of the country’s cultural and religious tenor.
After the tour, you will return back to the hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel. Meals: Breakfast included.
From Kathmandu, a flight to Lukla commences the trek. The Lukla flight is one of the most dramatic short flights in the world.
The Lukla Airport itself is located on a hill and contains a single runway that drops off towards its end to the deep gaping valley below. Surrounded by tall mountains and jaded hills, the airstrip at Lukla is quite fascinating, and the flight is deemed a little thrilling adventure in itself.
Upon arriving at Lukla, the change in the scenery is immediately felt. The mountainous landscape becomes quite prominent, and the air carries a crisp freshness that only the Himalayan atmosphere carries.
From Lukla, the trekking trail slowly moves towards the Cheplung Village. The view of the sacred Mount Khumbila from the village at Cheplung is beautiful. From there, a gradual walk downward leads to the village of Phakding. The terrain is amazing and tall hills surround the trail like giant mounds of emeralds. From Phakding, the sight of the Kusum Kangraru Mountain can be seen.
The village of Phakding lies in the Dudh Koshi River valley north of Lukla and contains many guesthouses and lodges that cater to tourists and trekkers. Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
After breakfast at Phakding, the trail further opens out to reach the celebrated mountain town of Namche Bazaar. Several smaller villages are crossed en route to Namche, like Jorsale and Monjo.
Monjo lies north of Phakding and is the entry point of the Sagarmatha National Park. The trail ventures through the national park and finally arrives at Namche. Walking along the trekking route through the Sagarmatha National Park presents many virtues, like its alpine woods, small rivers and brooks, and deciduous forests.
Thick acreages of Pine and Cedar cover the lands and provide a pleasant atmosphere to trek through. Namche Bazaar, because of its strategic location, is the commercial hub of the Khumbu region.
It is located on a mountainside, and the views of the Thamserku Peak and the Kongdi RI Himal from here are amazing. Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Namche is a great place to acclimatize. The sights around Namche are spectacular and beautiful. After breakfast, you can visit the Syangboche Airstrip on a hill above the town. From here, you can get a panoramic view of Namche and see amazing sights of the Himalayas.
Further from Namche lies the Everest View Hotel. The hotel is the highest located hotel in the world and provides a view of Mount Everest and many other Himalayan peaks from all of its windows.
Back at Namche, you can also visit the Everest Photo Gallery and the Sherpa Culture Museum.
Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
An easy trail from Namche opens towards the Dudh Koshi Valley at the settlement of Phungki Thanka. From the settlement, the views of Mount Everest are magnificent.
The village of Tengboche is reached by the trail that marches along the right side of the Dudh Koshi River. The journey from Namche to Tengboche is filled with the amazing natural scenery of rivers, hills, and Himalayan peaks.
The village of Tengboche is located at the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and the Imja Khola Rivers and is surrounded by tall hills covered in rhododendron trees.
The village is also famous for Tengboche Monastery, the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. The monastery is a hamlet from where the sight of Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Everest, and numerous other peaks are beautiful to look at.
The Tengboche Monastery is also regarded as the spiritual hub of the Khumbu region and is surrounded by forests inhabited by Impeyan Pheasants and eagles.
This is the place where the celebration of the Mani Rimdu Festival will take place. You might also see the monks' preparations of the festivals in full swing at the monastery, like the construction of the Sand Mandala- which is constructed using colored sand to build complicated and symbolic designs.
Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Today, you will visit the Tengboche Monastery to witness the celebration of the fabled Mani Rimdu Festival.
There are many rituals and steps in the celebration of the holy festival. The Wong is the opening day of the public ceremony. It is performed on the full moon day of the tenth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. The sacred Mani Rilwu (sacred or blessed pills) and Tshereel (pills for long life) are given to everyone attending. Ritualistic dances by the monks symbolize the triumph of good over evil.
There are also rituals where the lamas and monks of the monastery do on colorful robes and traditional Sherpa costumes to depict various legends and myths. The tinkling sound of the cymbals and the steady beating of the drums fill the air. The monks also chant prayers and the atmosphere is generally turned into a lively gathering of colorful robes, enchanting prayers, and impressive cultural displays. Many local Sherpa people, along with tourists, attend to witness the celebration.
After witnessing the celebration of the Mani Rimdu Festival, you will return back to the guesthouse. Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
The trekking trail crosses the Imja River via a suspension bridge and moves towards the village of Dingboche.
Along the way, the village of Pangboche is passed. Dingboche is called the “Summer Valley” of the Khumbu and contains a kilometer-long wall built to protect the village’s crops from the cold winds that descends down the Imja Valley.
Dingboche, as the name reflects, receives more sun too. Graceful views of Lhotse, the Ama Dablam, and the Island Peak from Dingboche are impressive. Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Dingboche is also an excellent village for acclimatizing.
A hike to Nagerjun is a great way to spend time at Dingboche. Nagerjun is located at the height of 5100 meters and lies just above Dingboche on a hill at the edges of the Chhukung valley.
The hike is uphill and steep and requires a bit of strenuous energy. Walking for approximately 3-4 hours, we will reach Nagerjun from where the marvelous panorama of Lobuche East (6119m), Lobuche West (6145m), Kangtega (6685m),
Taboche Peak (6367m), Thamserku (6608m), and the Ama Dablam (6856m) can be seen. If you are lucky, you can also spot stunning sights of Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth tallest peak, on a clear day. The view of the Pheriche Valley from here is also splendid.
Returning to Dingboche is also very beautiful. After finishing our lunch, we can take a rejuvenating sunbath and relax in the village. Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
This day begins with a gradual ascend towards Thukla; here, the scenery changes and becomes much barer and desolate, with only alpine scrubs surrounding the trail.
After some time, the trail becomes somewhat strenuous, with a steep uphill over the moraine of Khumbu Glacier. Upon climbing the steep ridge, you will arrive at the summit of Thukla Pass.
There is an area where you will see many stone shrines dedicated to fallen climbers.
Following this pass, you will walk through grassy valleys and rocky terrain to arrive at Lobuche. This village consists only of teahouses, with no permanent settlements here. It lies in a narrow meadow sandwiched between Lobuche Peak and Khumbu Glacier. You will be able to enjoy the incredible sight of Taboche and Nuptse soaring above the teahouse.
In the evening, you may take a short hike to the narrow gap of the moraine and the mountain wall to see the Khumbu Glacier.
Overnight at Guesthouse, Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner included.
An anticipated day of the trip will commence with a slow walk. Avoiding altitude sickness, a slow walk further on from Lobuche runs alongside the sight of the world’s highest glacier- the Khumbu Glacier, to the right. Walking for about 2-3 hours from Lobuche, we will get to Gorakshep (5181m/16994ft), a tranquil location with some lodges.
From here, the path moves to the top of the edge, finally arriving at the Everest Base Camp. Here, the sight of the Khumbu Icefall and the view of the Khumbutse and Lingtren mountains are quite heavenly. After spending some time at the base camp enjoying the sights and the environment, we shall return back to Gorakshep.
Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Another highlight of the trip is an early morning hike to Kalapatthar from Gorakshep. Kalapatthar is a famous vantage point popular for providing panoramic views of Mount Everest, Nuptse, Chagatse, Lhotse, and the Pumori among many other peaks.
Hike to Kalapatthar is done early at dawn because the sight of the rising sun seen from the vantage point is absolutely amazing. The sun rises from amidst the Mount Everest Mountains, and changes the mountains' color from silver to gold.
After spending time at Kalapatthar, we will return to Gorakshep and walk down to Pheriche.
Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
The trail follows the Imja River again to Tengboche. From Tengboche, we will move down towards Phungki Thanka, pass the Kyangjuma, and reach Namche. It is a relaxing hike back, and the sight of the landscape and the Himalayas can be enjoyed pleasantly. The villages also live with people, and you can observe their customs and activities as you pass through.
Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
The hike back to Lukla follows a trail that moves steeply downwards and crosses a suspension bridge. Chortens, prayer flags, Mani-stone walls, and small Gompas line the villages and the trail.
The Dudh Koshi River gushes by and adds a beautiful ambiance to the natural setting.
Open plains, pine and rhododendron forests, and snow-covered peaks decorate the beautiful picturesque settings.
As we reach Lukla, we can just relax. In the evening, we may also celebrate the victory of accomplishing the trek.
Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
A 30-minute flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla ends the trekking part of the journey. You can last revel in the changing sights of the landscapes while on the flight.
After landing at the Kathmandu airport, you will be transferred to the Hotel where you shall stay overnight. Meals: Breakfast included.
On this day, you can proceed to relax and can have another tour of the city or go shopping at the hub of “all things tourist” at Thamel.
Overnight stay at the Hotel. Meals: Breakfast included.
One of our airport representatives from Nepal Hiking Team will transport you to Kathmandu International Airport around 3 hours before your scheduled flight from where you will depart.
Meals: Breakfast included
Well, now comes the question one might think: Why do Sherpas celebrate this festival? In what way is it celebrated or observed, and when? What is so unique about this special festival? Right? Here are all the details about the Mani Rimdu Festival.
The festival is very colorful. It also has a long history and religious meaning. The atmosphere here is classic. The air smells of incense. You can hear the chanting of monks and the rhythmic beating of the drums even in the mountains. Sherpas celebrate this festival to honor Guru Rinpoche. He is a venerated Buddhist saint. It also washes away negative energies. This brings harmony and prosperity. The lamas wear colorful costumes and masks in this festival. They sing and dance the ageless dances and chant the spells, which take you back to the age-old fairyland. You notice a diverse crowd of people of various ages. They wear stylish attire and assemble with families to share humorous anecdotes. The jokes connect them to what it means to be part of a certain culture.
Start Dates refer to your arrival date in Nepal. End Dates correspond to your return date from Nepal.
The Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek set departure dates are tailored for the group joining option. If the 17 days Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek departure dates don’t fit your schedule, we can include alternative dates that better suit your needs.
Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek Photos
Read our genuine feedback from past travelers with Nepal Hiking Team sourced from TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot.
The first time when I saw the Everest massif from Kalapatthar is something that I will never forget. Of course, the entire experience does impact the way I enjoyed the mountain views and the cultural experience in Nepal, and in my case, my experience was simply the best.
I chose the EBC with Mani Rimdu Festival Trek with Nepal Hiking Team after countless hours of browsing packages on their website. I was looking for a trek that offered me something different than the regular route, and I though experiencing the Mani Rimdu Festival was a great idea with trekking to Everest base camp.
My guide for the journey was Ram Hari Adhikari, a great enthusiastic aficionado of the Everest trails. My bedroom in the guesthouses always had great Himalayan views, my journey was well-managed in terms of time and my knowledge of the Sherpa culture and of the wonderful festival was made a hundred times better all because of Ram Hari, as without him, I am sure that trip would not have been the same. With a warm welcome from the airport all the way to the time of my departure back home, the Nepal Hiking Team staffs were extremely helpful and kind, always extending their hand to make sure that I was comfortable, and enjoying my trip. It was great to experience the renowned Nepali hospitality as my agency concretely solidified this attribute always associated with Nepal.
My experience with NHT was one of the unforgettable ones. It was, in the simplest of terms, the best time I had of my life. The care they provided in my journey, the amount of safety that I felt and the way everything was arranged made the trip a hassle-free event. I enjoyed the Khumbu's beauty and its cultural riches with a trusted companion in Ram Hari. My journey was filled with natural beauty and Himalayan vistas, but at the same time, it was also filled with good lodges, good food, good companionship and the best overall time. Nepal Hiking Team really goes over and beyond with their services. The best travel agency in all of Nepal!