17 Days
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The EBC trek with the Mani Rimdu festival is Nepal's most famous mountain walk, covering 117 to 127 kilometres in total. This 17-day journey with nine walking days starts and ends in Lukla, passing through Nepal's Khumbu Valley, where Sherpa families have lived for many years. The path follows the old route of Tenzing and Hillary, going through Sagarmatha National Park and along the Dudh Koshi River. The ground changes from easy to hard, giving travelers an amazing trip among the world's highest mountains.
Valleys carved by ice, hanging bridges, and bright prayer flags show the way to Everest Base Camp. Big mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam fill the sky, while forests, rocky paths, and snowy areas make the views different everywhere. Yak groups and the sound of yak bells in the valleys become part of the daily walk. Nights are spent in teahouses owned by Sherpa families, where a kind welcome shows a way of life built on Buddhist faith, old trade paths, and strength in high places.
The main cultural part of this trip is the Mani Rimdu festival, held at Tengboche Monastery in the Khumbu area. This holy Buddhist celebration happens once a year, falling around the full moon in late October or November. Monks do masked dances, prayers, and detailed customs, including making holy sand mandalas, done with years of practice. The festival shows good winning over bad and gives rare looks into the Sherpa spiritual life. Mixing the hard walk to 5,545 meters at Kala Patthar with the joy of joining this yearly occasion makes the trip special. The EBC trek with festival becomes both an adventure and a cultural celebration to keep in memory.
The Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek starts in Kathmandu with a friendly welcome and a short cultural tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Walking through holy places like Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath gives trekkers a good start before heading to the mountains. These visits help people understand Nepal's rich culture and prepare mentally for the journey ahead.
A beautiful flight to Lukla from the capital marks the real beginning of the trek. The path first goes to Phakding before moving on to Namche Bazaar, the main Sherpa town in the Khumbu area. A planned rest day here lets trekkers visit the Sherpa Museum or walk to the Everest View Hotel, where amazing views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse wait for visitors.
The walk then goes to Tengboche, one of the most spiritual places on this trek. Tengboche Monastery holds the colorful Mani Rimdu Festival, which happens once a year in October or November. During this special occasion, monks do masked dances and prayers to show good beating evil. This unique celebration makes the EBC trek with the festival much more than just a mountain walk.
Past Tengboche, the path climbs to Dingboche, with a rest day for getting used to the thin air and a good climb to Nagerjun Hill. The trail keeps going through Lobuche toward Gorakshep, passing the huge Khumbu Glacier and showing views of wild landscapes shaped by ice over many years. The air gets thinner and the ground becomes harder as trekkers move higher.
Getting to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters is a big moment, with the world's tallest mountains all around and the famous Khumbu Icefall nearby. Another great part is the early morning walk to Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters, where sunrise puts golden light on Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. These high points give trekkers memories that last forever.
The return journey is a familiar path through Pheriche, Tengboche, and Namche before arriving back in Lukla. From here, a short flight to Kathmandu marks the end of the adventure. All the trekkers get to reach Everest Base Camp and witness a cultural festival held just once each year. This rare blend of high mountain trekking and spiritual celebration makes the journey one of a kind.
All these alternative treks allow trekkers to explore Base Camp and Kala Patthar. However, they get to decide to stay longer in the mountains or take a quicker way back.
The 16-day Everest Base Camp trek takes trekkers deep into the centre of the Himalayas, where tall peaks, ice fields, and Sherpa villages. This walk includes mostly hiking in the Everest region.
While Mani Rimdu focuses on the vibrant festival and spiritual rituals in the Everest region, the EBC trek is all about the journey to the base of the world’s highest peak. Trekkers get more trekking days, gradual acclimatization, and chances to explore hidden trails and quiet villages along the way.
The 12-day Everest Base Camp Trek with Heli Return is exciting and saves time. This trip mixes the normal walk through the Khumbu Valley with the thrill of flying back by helicopter. What makes it special is the helicopter ride from Gorakshep, which gives amazing views from above of ice fields, valleys, and the Himalayan mountains while cutting out days of walking.
This journey is different from the Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek, as the Heli Return trek is designed for those who want a faster and more comfortable return. However, the Mani Rimdu trek focuses on cultural immersion. It adds the rare chance to join the annual Mani Rimdu festival at Tengboche Monastery, where monks perform masked dances and prayers.
At Nepal Hiking Team, our Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek gives you a special trip that mixes spiritual learning with high mountain walking. Trekkers can see the bright Mani Rimdu festival at Tengboche Monastery, a cultural party with colourful masks, old dances, and local customs. All this happens before going to the amazing Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.
Our skilled local guides tell great stories about Sherpa culture, Himalayan animals, and the area's past, making every step of the walk both fun and important.
This trip is different from regular Everest region trek walks because it puts together cultural learning with mountain climbing. You will not only get to the famous base camp of the world's tallest mountain, but also feel the spiritual center of the Khumbu area through the festival.
With personal trip plans, good lodges, and smart help with getting used to thin air and high passes, we keep you safe during the whole trek. People who travel with us always say good things about how we work, plan, and give real experiences, making this mixed trek something you will always remember.
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
With Nepal Hiking Team, this journey is more than just reaching Everest Base Camp, it’s also about experiencing the spiritual heart through the Mani Rimdu festival.
The Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek package cost with Nepal Hiking Team is an all-inclusive price of $1,770 USD per person. This 16-night, 17-day journey combines the high mountain adventure of EBC with the vibrant Mani Rimdu festival at Tengboche Monastery.
This price covers all essentials for your trek, including airport transfers, flights to and from Lukla, professional guides and porters, permits, meals, and accommodation. Government taxes, festival arrangements, and trekking insurance for staff are also included, so you can focus fully on the mountains and the cultural celebration.
Extra Costs to Consider:
You may want some extra funds for bottled water, hot showers, souvenirs, snacks, or tips for your guide and porter. These personal expenses are not included in the main package price.
With this Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek package, you experience both the adventure of the Himalayas and the joy of Nepal’s most famous Sherpa festival, all in one unforgettable journey.
The Mani Rimdu Festival is a sacred 19-day Tibetan Buddhist celebration held by the Sherpa community in the Everest region of Nepal. You can experience it at Tengboche Monastery, as well as at Thame and Chiwong Monasteries, usually in October or November during the full moon. This festival celebrates the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava. It also shows the victory of good over evil.
On the Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek, you and other trekkers get the rare chance to watch monks perform colorful masked dances called Chham. These dances tell stories from Buddhist teachings. During the final days, the Head Lama destroys a sand mandala, symbolizing that nothing is permanent. He also gives blessings to everyone present. You will see sacred rituals such as prayers, meditation, and the distribution of blessed red pills, called "Rilwu" or "Tshereel," for long life and well-being.
Attending the Mani Rimdu Festival while trekking to Everest Base Camp lets you combine adventure with culture. You will feel the spiritual heart of the Khumbu region. For you and other trekkers, this mix of stunning Himalayan landscapes and vibrant festival traditions makes your EBC trek with festival an unforgettable experience. It is a special occasion you will remember for years.
The Mani Rimdu Festival in 2025 is scheduled to take place from November 5 to 7 at Tengboche Monastery in the Everest region of Nepal. This vibrant 19-day Tibetan Buddhist celebration, observed by the Sherpa community, marks the founding of Buddhism by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava.
The Mani Rimdu Festival starts on November 5 with an opening ceremony full of prayers and blessings. On November 6, you and other trekkers can watch monks perform the traditional Chham masked dances, showing the victory of good over evil. The festival ends on November 7 with community prayers and blessings, reminding everyone of the temporary nature of life.
For trekkers participating in the Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek, this festival offers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Sherpa culture and Buddhist traditions amidst the breathtaking Himalayan backdrop. It's an unforgettable occasion that blends spiritual significance with cultural richness.
The Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp Trek is a moderately challenging adventure that combines high-altitude trekking with the cultural festival of Mani Rimdu. Over 17 days, you walk through the Khumbu region, covering around 117–127 kilometers with nine main walking days. The trek takes you from Lukla through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep before reaching Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.
You will face long walking days, steep uphill climbs, uneven trails, and occasional river crossings. The thin air at higher altitudes, especially around Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters, can be physically demanding. Trekking at this elevation requires stamina, careful pacing, and mental focus. However, the trek is designed with acclimatization days in Namche and Dingboche to help your body adjust safely.
The difficulty is balanced by incredible rewards. Along the way, you experience the lively Mani Rimdu festival at Tengboche Monastery, where you can watch colorful masked dances, sacred rituals, and traditional ceremonies. The trek also gives you unforgettable views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam, as well as the chance to interact with Sherpa communities and witness their culture up close.
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!