Mani Rimdu Festival with Everest Base Camp Trek

Welcome to Nepal. Upon your arrival, you’ll be met by our airport representative at Tribhuvan International Airport. Enjoy the first glimpse of Kathmandu as you are transferred to the hotel. In the evening, you can visit our office for a pre-trek briefing. You’ll meet our trek guide here, who’ll assist you along the trip. Later, you can stroll around the tourist area of Thamel. There are plenty of shops, cafes, bakeries, bars, hotels where you can buy trekking gear, dine multi-cuisine dishes and enjoy many more activities.
Accommodation: Hotel at Kathmandu
Meals: Not included

Kathmandu witnessed many incredible heritage sites where you can get insight into the rich cultural and religious significance of the Nepalese people. Today we pay a visit to four major UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu. First, we pay a visit to Pasupatinath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in the world. There are several temples, statues, monuments that surround the main temple. At the side of the temple, you’ll see the burning ghats in the Bagmati River, where the final death rituals of Hindus are performed. Another important heritage site is Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world. Every year, thousands of visitors all around the world come to see this iconic stupa dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism followers. Next, you’ll travel to Kathmandu Durbar Square, where you can explore the finest carving and architectural work during medieval Nepal. There are temples, museums, royal palaces, and monuments established during the 14th to 18th centuries. Afterward, we pay a visit to Swayambhunath Stupa, one of the major pilgrimage sites of Buddhism followers. Also known as Monkey Temple, here you can spot plenty of monkeys wandering around the stupa complex. Located on the hilltop, this fascinating stupa offers commanding views of Kathmandu Valley. Next, we return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Duration: 3-4 hours

From Kathmandu, you’ll have a scenic flight to Lukla, the starting point of the EBC Trek. Upon arriving at Lukla, you’ll meet our porters who’ll carry luggage during the trek. The trek commences from Lukla along the bank of Dudh Koshi River. Continuing on, you’ll arrive at Cheplung Village from where you can have the first sights of Mt. Khumbila. Afterwards, a gradual walk leads to Thado Koshi Village and then towards Ghat village. From here, a short hike for half an hour takes you to the village of Phakding for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Phakding
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we head to Namche Bazaar. The trail rises uphill along the native forests towards the village of Benkar before arriving at Chumoa. The hike continues towards Monjo village and then leads to the gate of Sagarmatha National Park. Passing by the alpine forests and rivers on the way, the trail takes us to Namche Bazaar, the beautiful mountain town of the Everest region. From here, you can enjoy the superb views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Kongde Ri, Thamserku and associated peaks.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Namche Bazaar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We spend a rest day acclimatizing at Namche. There are many fascinating spots around Namche that offer spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes. We pay a visit to Sagarmatha National Park Museum where you can get to know the rich culture and history of the Everest region. Next, we go to see Hotel Everest View, one of the highest placed hotels on the Earth. From here, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Thamserku, Kongde Ri and many more peaks. Afterwards, we return back to Namche for our overnight stay.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Namche Bazaar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Duration: 5-6 hours

Leaving Namche, the trail rises gently through Dudh Koshi Valley towards the village of Phungki Thanka.On the way, you come across Kyangjuma from where you can enjoy the scenic views of mountains and surrounding landscapes. Upon arriving at Phungki Thanka, you can enjoy the scenic views of Mt. Everest. Onwards, the trail continues along the bank of Dudh Koshi River that leads to Tengboche. The last section is a bit more challenging as it comprises a steep uphill section before arriving at the village.

The major attraction of Tengboche village is Tengboche Monastery, the largest monastery in the Everest region where the Mani Rimdu Festival is celebrated every year. Likewise, the views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest and neighboring peaks seen from the monastery are truly breathtaking.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Tengboche
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today, you’ll go to see the celebration of Mani Rimdu Festival at Tengboche Monastery. This holy festival is organized every year to celebrate the founding of Buddhism by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava. The monks wear masks with colorful customs; perform tantric rituals and dance ceremonies at the monastery. This festival is celebrated for 19 days of which the last three days are open to the public. The festival is marked by prayers on the first day and wonderful dance ceremonies on the second day. Likewise, there involves prayers chanting and humorous dances on the last day. Hundreds of visitors and the local Sherpa people attend the performance. You’ll have a great opportunity to get insight into the unique culture of Sherpa people and Buddhism practices. After observing the festival celebration, you’ll return back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Tengboche.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we continue our journey towards Dingboche. On the way, we pass by the village of Pangboche and then hike towards the village of Somare. Continuing on, we pass a bridge over Chola Khola River, and then ascend uphill to arrive at Dingboche village. En route, you can behold the sights of Mt. Ama Dablam. From Dingboche, you can have superb views of Island Peak, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Dingboche is a small farming village of the Everest region. Here, you can see the long stone walls built to protect the crops from cold winds.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Dingboche.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Duration: 4 hours

Today is set for acclimatization at Dingboche. In the morning, we hike to Nangkartshang Peak for acclimatization. The trail is mostly uphill and rises gently towards the edge of the Chhukung Valley. After hiking for 3-4 hours, you’ll arrive at the top from where you can enjoy magnificent views of Lobuche East, Lobuche West, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Taboche Peak and Thamserku peak. On a clear day, you can behold the sight of Mt. Manaslu. Likewise, this vantage point offers the panoramic views of Pheriche Valley. Afterwards, we return back to Dingboche village. In the evening, you can stroll around the village or simply relax and enjoy the scenic views from the guest house.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Dingboche.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Duration: 5-6 hours

Leaving the picturesque village of Dingboche, we continue our hike towards Lobuche. The trail towards Dughla is steep and rocky. Along the journey, you come across Pheriche where you can spot Trekkers Aid Post run by the Himalayan Rescue Association. Then continue walking for some hours leads to Dughla where you can spot memorial chortens built in the memory of perished climbers in the course of the expedition. Then, you arrive at the Khumbu Glacier and continue hiking along the moraine. En route, you can behold the sights of Mt. Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbutse, Mahalangur Himal and associated peaks. The path out there follows thinned vegetation and stony terrain before arriving at Lobuche.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Lobuche.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Duration: 8-9 hours

Get ready for some exciting trek to Everest Base Camp, our ultimate destination. Up early, you’ll begin hiking from Lobuche towards Gorakh Shep. The trail rises gently up the higher region, and you’ll be hiking slowly to avoid altitude sickness. After hiking for 2-3 hours leads to Gorakh Shep, the final stopping village for fooding and accommodation during the trek. From Gorakh Shep, you’ll continue walking along the glacial moraines to arrive at Everest Base Camp. Here, you’ll spot a large stone with a sign of Everest Base Camp, our ultimate destination on the entire trek where we’ll be celebrating our accomplishment. It’s time to cheer up and pose for the photographs. Also, you’ll behold the sights of Khumbu Icefall along with snow capped Mt. Khumbutse and Mt. Lingtren. After spending some incredible moments at the base camp, we head back to Gorakh Shep.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Gorakh Shep.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Duration: 7-8 hours

Up early, we hike to Kala Patthar for close up views of snow capped Himalayan peaks. Being the highest point of the entire trek at an altitude of 5,555 m; this viewpoint offers the close up panoramic views of Mount Everest, Nuptse, Chagatse, Lhotse, Pumori and many more peaks. Likewise, the sunrise views over the Himalayan peaks is truly spectacular. You’ll enjoy the sights of the mountains slowly turning into gold as the first rays of sun fall on its surface. After spending some beautiful moments here, we head back to Gorakh Shep. From here, we trek back to Pheriche for our overnight stay.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Pheriche.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Duration: 7-8 hours

Today, we hike back to Namche Bazaar following the Imja Khola River trail. The path out there is full of natural scenery as you descend downhill towards Tengboche. From Tengboche, you’ll continue towards Phungi Thanka passing by the forests and river banks along the way. En route, you’ll meet trekkers and yak caravans carrying goods to reach higher villages of Everest region. Continuing on the path, you’ll arrive at Kyangjuma. From here, a short hike for one and half hours leads to Namche Bazaar where we spend a night there.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Namche Bazaar.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Duration: 6-7 hours

Today is the last day on the trail in the Everest region. You’ll hike back to Lukla along the familiar trail passing by the mountain villages and crossing swinging bridges on the way. The sights of Dudh Koshi River, Sagarmatha National Park and the Himalayan peaks along the path makes this journey captivating. Once in Lukla, you can stroll around the beautiful village or simply relax at the comfort of the guesthouse. In the evening, you can celebrate your best moments in the Himalayas with your teammates.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Lukla.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Flight duration: 20-35 minutes

The trek comes to close with a scenic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu or Manthali Airport. Once in Kathmandu, you can simply relax in the hotel or spend your leisure strolling around the streets and alleys of Kathmandu exploring local markets. In the evening, you can enjoy farewell dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant with your teammates.

Accommodation: Hotel at Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

The 16 days long Mani Rimdu Festival with Everest Base Camp Trek concludes today. Our airport representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure. Namaste, and have a safe journey.

Meals: Breakfast included.