sacred Mani Rimdu festival mask dance at Tengboche Monasterysacred Mani Rimdu festival mask dance at Tengboche Monastery

Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Tengboche

  • Duration13 Days
  • Destination Nepal
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Maximum Altitude 5,545 m
  • Activity Trekking & Hiking
  • Group Size 1-20
  • Accommodation Local Guest Houses.
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
  • Best Time October & November
Trip Highlights
  • Explore the Sherpa museum in Namche Bazar.
  • Panoramic view from Syanbu-che Everest View Hill.
  • Explore the historical old Tyangboche Monastery.
  • Explore the Mani Rimdu Festival with Buddhist monks. 

The Mani Rimdu Festival Trek provides you an opportunity to explore the rich cultural and ancient heritages of the Everest regionand experience the adventurous trek in the region at the same time. The Mani Rimdu Festival is the highlight of this region, which is celebrated after the full moon of October, November, and December in the Tengboche, Chiwong, and Thame monasteries. Worshipping Phakpa Chenrezig, the god of compassion, in this festival, locals believe that his blessings bring peace and good fortune to the region. The festival is celebrated over 19 days, out of which the final three days are open to the public and are marked with worships and spiritual masked dances, which spread Buddhist teachings to the audience through the dances and prayers. Besides the spiritually awakening festival, the Mani Rimdu Festival Trek provides the trekkers a chance to experience the lushness of the landscape, grandeur of the Himalayas, diversity of flora and fauna, and warm hospitality of the the legendary Sherpa community.

The Mani Rimdu Festival Trek begins with the medieval city of Kathmandu and then heads to Lukla, the gateway to Everest region. Exploring the rich landscape of the region, our trek shall trek along the mighty Dudh Koshi River and across several suspension bridges, past Mani walls and prayer stones, and through the settlements of Chheplung and Nurning to the culturally rich Phakding village. Through lush forests and some sections of uphill trek, we shall then explore the Sherpa hub of Namche Bazaar, ahead of which we shall trek to the Tengboche village with ancient Tengboche Monaastery, the host of the Maani Rimdu Festival. Beginning with the construction of Mandala, a geometric and concentric structure representing the universe and the distribution of sacred pills, Mani Rimdu Festival then moves into the day of dances. The second day of this festival has the famous Mask Dance performed by monks in colorful and sacred dresses besides other interesting rituals. On the third and last day of the Mani Rimdu Festival, an offering is made to the god of fire and the serpent god and ended with nightlong singing and dancing by the locals. After witnessing this ancient festival, which celebrates the victory of Buddhism over evil and the ancient Bon religion, we shall retrace our steps back to Namche and Lukla before heading to Kathmandu for the end of this adventure.

The Mani Rimdu Festival Trek in Tengboche usually falls in the month of November, though the exact date is decided as per the Lunar calendar. In this moderately strenuous trekking experience, you are required to have an average physical fitness, ability to trek in the rough trails for 5-6 hours a day on average, and an open mind to grasp the essence of Buddhist teachings reflected in the ancient Mani Rimdu Festival. Join the professional team of Outshine Adventure in this enlightening trekking adventure, which is a perfect fit for the trekkers who wish to combine trekking with a glimpse of festivals celebrated in Nepal. The Mani Rimdu Festival 2026: Dates and Location

The Mani Rimdu Festival is a profound spiritual celebration held at the Tengboche Monastery in Nepal's Khumbu region. While the festival typically falls in November according to the lunar calendar, the 2026 celebration is scheduled for November 15th, 16th, and 17th.

Trekking and Preparation Requirements

To witness this ancient tradition, travelers must undergo a moderately strenuous trek through the Himalayas. Here is what you need to prepare:
  • Physical Fitness: You should have an average physical fitness level to manage the journey.

  • Daily Activity: Expect to trek on rough trails for an average of 5–6 hours per day.

  • Essential Timing: It is highly recommended to arrive in Kathmandu by October 21st, 2026.

  • Preparation Phase: This early arrival ensures you have sufficient time for sightseeing, trek preparation, and, most importantly, proper acclimatization before ascending to higher altitudes.

A Spiritual Adventure with Outshine Adventure
This trek is designed for those who wish to merge a challenging physical adventure with a deep dive into Buddhist teachings and Sherpa culture. By joining the professional team at Outshine Adventure, you can experience this enlightening journey firsthand and witness one of Nepal's most iconic festivals in the heart of the Everest region.
Note: Maintaining an open mind is key to fully grasping the spiritual essence reflected in the Mani Rimdu ceremonies.
Trip Itinerary
001Day

    Welcome to the nation of the Himalayas, cultural diversity, and traditional richness, Nepal. As you arrive at Kathmandu airport and complete the formalities, you shall be welcomed by our representative. You shall then be transferred to the hotel for your stay. Get relaxed in the hotel, and later in the afternoon you may stroll around the streets of Thamel or continue with your rest. In the evening enjoy the authentic cuisine in the hotel and prepare for the trip the following day. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

    002Day

      Today we shall begin our journey with the colorful Mani Rimdu Festival in our mind. We shall take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. This short and scenic flight over the vast landscape, green and lush hills and valleys, terraced cultivation fields, fast-flowing rivers flowing in and out of the valleys, and the view of the glowing Himalayas overlooking these landscapes shall take us to Tenzing-Norgay Airport in Lukla. After meeting the remaining members of the team, we shall prepare for the introductory trek in the region to the beautiful Phakding village. The trek begins as we descend from the Lukla airport and take on the trail beginning from near the airport itself. Past the Mani walls and prayer stones, Buddhist heritages, and some small settlements, we reach the company of the Dudh Koshi River and then follow its upstream to reach our destination for today. Intermittently we shall encounter several suspension bridges festooned with prayer flags, culturally rich settlements including Thado Koshigaon, Chheplung, Nurning, and others, views of Kusum Kanggaru Mountain and other peaks, and the train of fellow trekkers, porters, and locals. Stay overnight in Phakding.

      003Day

        In a day that shall be marked by the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, you shall start today’s trek after breakfast. Beginning with the walk past the ancient monastery, you shall gradually trek through the dense rhododendron forest, several suspension bridges, and cool waterfalls; view the Himalayas, including Kongde Ri just after Phakding and Everest later in the trek today; and see the beautiful valley of Benkar and several chortens, prayer stones, and unique settlements. You shall enter the national park at Monjo, after which you shall reach the Larja Bridge over the confluence of the mighty Dudh Koshi River stretching over a long gorge and then the viewpoint of Mount Everest. The last section of today’s trek shall take you through a steep ascent in a twisting trail to the Namche Bazaar perched on the hillside facing the majestic Himalayas. The ups and downs past small farmhouses, the lushness of the landscape, the green valleys, and the company of fellow trekkers make this trek interesting. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

        004Day

          This day is separated for the rest and acclimatization in the Sherpa hub of Namche Bazaar as we try to avoid altitude sickness with proper adaptation to the increasing altitude. On this rest day we have several day hike options so as to assist with our acclimatization. The hike to Everest View Hotel, a Guinness record-holding restaurant for being at the highest altitude, is the most popular among the trekkers and climbers. The amazing view of majestic Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, and other peaks is breathtaking. The hike to the twin villages of Khumjung and Khunde is another good day hike option. Famous for the ancient monastery with the scalp of Yeti, the mythical Himalayan animal, and the Hillary School built by Sir Edmund Hillary, Khumjung is an outstanding settlement. Khunde, the nearby village, hosts a small hospital built by the legendary Hillary as well. The hike to Thame village is a longer hiking option from Namche. These hikes shall assist us to adjust to the increasing altitude as our trek continues to higher altitudes. Explore the Sherpa cultural museum in Namche Bazaar itself, besides the cafes, restaurants, interesting shops, and weekend markets. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar. 

          005Day

            As we inch closer to our much-awaited destination for witnessing the Mani Rimdu festival, we shall feel increasingly excited. On a trail surrounded by astounding panoramas, we shall make our beginning out of the Namche valley along a stone-paved trail that becomes increasingly unpaved and narrower on several occasions. Through the walk surrounded by oak and rhododendron forest, we march ahead to the trail junction for Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp through the settlements of Sanasa and Kenjoma. Ahead we encounter stone steps before descending to the riverbed of the Dudh Koshi River and climbing to the small yet beautiful settlement of Phunke Tenga past water-driven prayer wheels. The uphill climb ahead to the ancient Tengboche monastery is a rather steep trek for a couple of hours. This trek shall be a steady and gradual march through lush landscape and scenic environment, alpine vegetation, and suspension bridges clad with prayer flags, which makes it an enriching experience. Stay overnight in Tengboche. 

            006Day

              Our wait and endurance for the famous and colorful festival shall start paying us back in the form of the Mani Rimdu Festival, which has today as its first day. On this day, the initial day of the final three days of this festival that runs over nineteen days, the public event begins with the monks giving blessings to the public, special mask dances, and the singing and dancing by the Sherpa community in the following days. Today we shall have the preparations, including the making of Sand Mandala and Tormas, which are the symbolic offerings made of colored butter and barley flour. The Mandala, which symbolizes the palace of the Lord of the Dance, has defensive blades, which symbolize deities, around it, and the bowl of Mani Rilwu pills is placed above the center. Another ceremony today is ‘Wong,’ or ‘The Empowerment,’ in which the sacred Mani Rilwu Pills and Tshereel, or pills for long life, are passed to everyone attending the festival today. After observing today’s ceremony, we shall return back to the guesthouse. Stay overnight in Tengboche.

              007Day

                Today is the second day of the last three days of the Mani Rimdu Festival, where more interesting rituals shall unfold before us. Today we have the iconic Mask Dance being performed by the monks. Also known as Cham in the local language, in this dance the Lamas wear brocade gowns and wonderfully painted papier-mâché masks during the dance. This spiritual dance offered to the deities is a chief source of attraction for the public attending the festival. In this dance the symbolic demons are either conquered, chased away, or transformed for the protection of Dharma. The dance takes place with the theme of positive forces fighting with the forces of disorder and teaches the Buddhist teachings at different levels. The monks performing this dance are believed to become divine beings. Today we shall also have Ser-Kyem, which is another dance performed with an offering of spiritual nectar made and has six dancers representing tantric magicians. Several other dances are performed today, the day of dances. With orange silk robes and yellow crescent-shaped hats perched precariously on their heads, the monks carry several instruments, including giant conch shells, long brass horns, and bugles made of bones, during the dance ceremonies. Stay overnight in Tengboche. 

                008Day

                  Today is the third and final day of this colorful festival in Tengboche Monastery. After the dances in the previous days, today we shall witness the Fire Puja, or Jinsak, in the courtyard of the monastery. This is an offering to Agni, the god of fire, and to the gods of the mandala, to alleviate all harm in the world. Later on, the sand mandala in the temple, made of colorful sands, is dismantled, and the sand is given as an offering to the serpent gods, or Nagas, at the spring below the monastery. Besides this offering to the deity, we shall also have Chhingspa in the final day celebration. The dance illustrating the Four Protecting Things defending the Buddhist faith against attack by demons has the faces of dancers hidden with masks. Another Dakini Dance is performed by five priests with slow-motion steps as a tribute to Padhmasambhav and other female spiritual figures. Later in the day locals have an all-night spiritual singing and dancing to mark an end to this festival. Stay overnight in Tengboche.

                  009Day

                    After observing the colorful and interesting Mani Rimdu Festival in Tengboche, now it’s time for us to return back from Tengboche. Beginning the trek after breakfast, we shall initially encounter a steep descent to the riverbed of the Dudh Koshi River from Tengboche via the settlement of Phunke Tenga with water-driven prayer wheels. After crossing the fast-flowing river on a suspension bridge, the trail then makes us ascend to the trail junction through stone steps and then to the settlement of Sanasa and Kenjoma. After these settlements the trail is rather a straight walk with the usual ups and downs of the trek through the dense and lush forest areas with diverse vegetation, including the beautiful rhododendron, until our destination for today, the Namche Bazaar. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

                    10Day

                      Moving further away from the interesting Khumbu Valley, we shall today trek to Lukla, the exit of our stay in the Everest region. After breakfast our trek shall begin with a steep downhill walk through the pine trees and an Everest viewpoint to reach the high and vertiginous suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. Ahead on the trail we traverse through the trail accompanied by the mighty river and the villages of Jorsale and Monjo. Exiting the national park at Monjo village, the trek continues along the twisting and turning trails through several settlements, lush and green hillsides and valleys, terraced landscapes, Mani walls, prayer stones and prayer flags, ancient monasteries, culturally rich settlements, and of course, several suspension bridges clad with colorful prayer flags. Take proper rest in the hotel at Lukla and prepare for travelling back to Kathmandu after ending this wonderful cultural experience in the foothills of the Himalayas. Stay overnight in Lukla.

                      11Day

                        Today we shall return back to Kathmandu after an enriching and adventurous trip to the Everest region. We shall take on the early morning flight so as to avoid the disturbances caused by weather later in the day. After flying over scenic landscapes, we land at the domestic terminal of Tribhuwan International Airport and get transferred to the hotel. Take proper rest in the hotel, and later in the day you may go for some souvenir shopping or strolling around, though we shall have a free day tomorrow. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

                        12Day

                          After exploring the Everest region, it’s time to explore the ancient heritages of the Kathmandu Valley that carry with them the legacy of this medieval-aged settlement listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. As per your interest in the sightseeing of the historical monuments, we shall organize this sightseeing of Kathmandu. Amongst the heritages in Kathmandu, the Hindu pilgrimage of Pashupatinath Temple at the bank of the holy Bagmati River and the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, which are some of the most sacred places for Buddhists, and the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu and Patan are the star attractions. You may also utilize this free day in Kathmandu for shopping for some souvenirs for your near and dear ones or for taking a whole day's rest, as per your interest. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

                          13Day
                          • Max. Altitude:1350
                          • Meals:Breakfast
                          • Accommodation:Hotel Kathmandu Suite Home

                          Today your Mani Rimdu Festival package comes to an end. If you are interested in extending your stay in Nepal, we shall organize some other packages for you in other interesting destinations within Nepal. In the other case, our representative shall assist you for your departure by escorting you to the international airport as per your flight schedule. We hope that you had a wonderful stay in Nepal and that you shall provide other opportunities to welcome you to this beautiful nation. Have a happy and wonderful journey ahead.

                          Customize TripDownload PDF
                          Cost Details
                          Price Includes
                          • Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop by private car.
                          • Standard accommodation at hotel in Kathmandu. This will be for 3 nights in total ( two nights before trek and one night after the trek as usual). 
                          • Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car.
                          • All your standard Meals during the trek.
                          • Best available Guesthouses accommodation during the trek.
                          • Local Sherpa licensed English speaking Guide.
                          • Porters to carry your luggage during the trek ( share for two people or clients).
                          • Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff.
                          • Everest National Park permits.
                          • Down Jacket and sleeping bag by Outshine Adventure Trekking.
                          • Airfare from Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu including airport departure tax in Kathmandu and Lukla airport.
                          • Surface transfer from and to Kathmandu.
                          • .All our government taxes.
                          Price Excludes
                          • Lunch and dinner whilst in Kathmandu.
                          • Your travel insurance & Alcoholic, cold and hot drinks, laundry.
                          • Tips for trekking staff and driver--Tipping is expected.
                          • Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section.
                          Dates & Availability
                          Start DateEnd DateStatusPrice 
                          Start DateStarts: SaturdayOct 10, 2026Group joiningEnd DateEnds: ThursdayOct 22, 2026StatusStatusGuaranteedPricePriceUS$1300
                          Start DateStarts: SundayOct 11, 2026Group joiningEnd DateEnds: FridayOct 23, 2026StatusStatusGuaranteedPricePriceUS$1300
                          Start DateStarts: MondayOct 12, 2026Group joiningEnd DateEnds: SaturdayOct 24, 2026StatusStatusGuaranteedPricePriceUS$1300
                          Private Trip
                          Starting fromUS$1450US$1500rating starbased on 1 review
                          We Offer Group Price
                            
                          1 paxUS$1450
                          2 - 14 paxUS$1300
                          Total Amount 1 x 1450US$1450
                          Check Availability
                          Travelers Review
                          • A
                            Ana MariaColombia,July 23, 2024
                            rating star

                            A Vibrant Display of Tradition and Unity with Outshine Adventure.

                            Outshine Adventure Provided an outstanding experience at the Everest Mani Rimdu Festival. Their team was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive, offering detailed insights into the festival’s traditions and ensuring that every aspect of the trip was well-coordinated. The vibrant ceremonies and the strong sense of community were made even more accessible thanks to their excellent service and organization. The guide Kumar enthusiasm and the seamless management of accommodations and transport contributed to a truly enriching festival experience. Outshine Adventure’s dedication made this cultural event truly special.

                            Posted onGoogle
                          Tripadvisor
                          Similar Trips
                          You may also like this packages
                          Explore more

                          Ask a Question

                          Still, looking for your next holiday?

                          Let us help you plan your dream vacation, with personalized itineraries and expert advice.

                          Plan Your Trip

                          We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

                          Privacy Policy