Mani Rimdu festival starts on the full moon of October 2025, journey to the remote village of Solukhumbu to engage in the sacred ceremonies and empowering prayers of the Mani Rimdu Festival. Travel with local guides of Nepal to this low altitude land of the Everest Region while exploring.
The Mani Rimdu Festival is a colourful event that takes place in the most spectacular of settings in the foothills of the Himalayas. Performed by the monks of Chiwong monasteries, it depicts the victory of Buddhism over the ancient ‘Bon’ religion.
Mani Rimdu is a recreation of legendary events; the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet by the great saint, Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava). Through the dances, symbolic demons are conquered, dispelled, or converted to Dharma Protectors, as positive forces clash with those of chaos.
The Mani Rimdu festival lasts for three days and is well attended by the Sherpa people, who often trek for many days to witness this important event.
The dances performed during the festival convey Buddhist teachings on many levels – from the simplest to the most profound. They are perfect for those interested in learning about Buddhism and for those who do not have the opportunity to study and meditate extensively. Throughout the entirety of the festival, 24-hour pujas (rituals) are performed by the monks to consecrate the Mandala, the Mani Rilwu Pills (sacred pills), the Tshereel (pills for long life) and the Torma. The Mandala is carefully constructed, grain by grain, from colored sand; it is an intricate and symbolic design that takes many days to complete. The mantra is repeated thousands of times, and the day of the Wong is the opening public ceremony. It is performed on the day of the full moon of the tenth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. The Dances take place on the 2nd day of Mani Rimdu.
The day after the dances, the fire puja is performed in the courtyard. 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 date of the Mani Rimdu festival can be changed depending upon Tibetan calendar. During the Mani Rimdu festival, numerous monks perform masked dances celebrating the victory of Buddhism over Bon-Po religion in the region.
Arrive in Kathmandu. Our office representative will receive you at the international airport. You will then be transferred to your hotel. Short Briefing by our guide about the program. The rest of the day is free on your own to explore this tourist district of Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
With an early departure to Kathmandu airport, we will fly to Phaplu at around 7:00 am. Today is an easy day at Phaplu as we will visit some Sherpa traditional homes, hospital and school at this village. Overnight at a lodge in Phaplu.
Early morning from Phaplu we will hike to Junbesi (2600 mt.), home to the heart of traditional Sherpa culture. We hike about 5 hours to Junbesi. We will have lunch along the way at a small tea shop or a small lodge. Overnight at a lodge in Junbesi.
Today, we wake up with sounds of the monks chanting and praying. After breakfast, we will take a tour of the Thupten Choling Monastery (2800mt). Explore the monastery and meditate with the monks. You can spend the rest of the day exploring. Today, we will hike about 5 hours and we will have lunch along the way. Overnight at a lodge in Junbesi.
Today, after breakfast in Junbesi, we depart to Phurteng. En-route we might be able to see the view of Everest and Thamserku. We will hike approximately 3 hours to Phurteng. Overnight at a lodge in Phurteng.
Today, after breakfast, we will hike down towards Chiwong Monastery. The hiking is about 4 hours towards Chiwong. This ancient and remote monastery in the solu region of Everest is the old route to Everest Base Camp. Upon reaching the Chiwong Monastery, we will check into a lodge and then visit the monastery. Overnight at a lodge in Chiwong.
Today is the first day of Mani Rimdu at Chiwong Monastery. We will visit the monastery and sit down among the locals to hear the monks chant and pray. We will also listen and get an audience of the Rimpoche from the monastery. Overnight at a lodge in Chiwong.
Today is the second day of the festival. It is known as the Mask Dancing day for tourists. If you prefer, not to attend the entire day at the monastery, then we can take an optional hike. Overnight at a lodge in Chiwong.
Today, we will do an early morning hike to see the village and return for lunch in the afternoon. After returning to Chiwong, we will then visit the Monastery to see the – Fire initiation ritual performed by the monks and also the destruction of the sand mandala. Overnight at a lodge in Chiwong.
After an early morning breakfast at the lodge, we will then pack our bag to hike towards Phaplu. The hike to Phaplu is approximately about 4 hoursmand you should be there to before late afternoon to relax and take a nice shower. Overnight at a lodge in Phaplu.
Today, we will fly out to Kathmandu. Depending on the weather and flight time, we should be ready to head to Phaplu airport for the flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, we will transfer you to our hotel. The rest of the afternoon is on your own to explore and relax. Overnight at a Hotel in Kathmandu.
The day is free for shopping and roaming around the city or you can have guided sightseeing. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Today after breakfast at the hotel, we will get ready to pack for our homebound international flight. Our representative will provide the transfer for you to the international airport.
Guarantee first flight of Kathmandu – Phaplu – Kathmandu
One-night Kathmandu accommodation on complementary
One day free sightseeing from Treks Team (As per the detail in Itinerary)
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