Mani Rimdu Festival and Everest view trek - 12 Days

Transcription

1 Mani Rimdu Festival and Everest view trek - 12 Days Mani Rimdu Festival and Everest View Trek is simply one of the best combinations of two breathtaking aspects (culture and nature) of the Khumbu region of Nepal. Mani Rimdu festival, in the Tengboche Monastery, is a chain of the 19 day celebration and series of events of empowerment that take place from the 1st day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar. Marking the naissance of Buddhism in Tibet by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), the celebration ends with three days public festival in which local people come to receive the blessings from Rinpoche. The Mani Rimdu Festival The Mani Rimdu Festival starts with the construction of the Mandala (a symbolic palace of the Lord of Dance), which is an intricate design created using colored sands with defensive blades surrounding as deities. A bowl of Mani Rilwu pills (spiritual medicine) is placed above the center of the Mandala that is believed to receive kindness while chanting mantra during the ceremony. These pills along with Tshreel (pills for long life) are distributed as blessings to the attendees on the day of Wong (the empowerment), the opening day of the public ceremony that takes place on the full moon day of the tenth month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar. Chham or the mask dance is also performed by the monks on the second day of the festival. Altogether 16 dances are performed during the entire festival. Some symbolize the negative forces being dispelled, conquered or transformed into the protectors of the Dharma, while the other conveys the teachings of Buddhism on various levels. The festival ends with Jinsak (the Fire Puja), which is an offering to the god of fire (Agni) and Mandala to dispel all the destruction in the world. It is performed the day after the dances by monks. The Mandala is then dismantled and the sand is offered to the Serpent God in the spring below the monastery ending the celebrations of the festival. Trekkers interested in the Everest View Hike with Mani Rimdu Festival should plan their trek around the end of October and the beginning of November. The festival is officially celebrated for three days and the exact dates depend on the Tibetan calendar, which will be provided on request once declared by the head Lama at Tengboche monastery. Planning the Everest View Trek with Mani Rimdu offers wonderful opportunity to trekkers to attend the rituals (plays, masked dances, prayers and feasts) performed by the monks, get the blessings and the insight on the unique culture of the Sherpa people accompanied by the magnificent views of the some of the major towering peaks of the world including the Mt. Everest. Our 12 days Mani Rimdu Festival and Everest View Trek itinerary is the best package that not just includes the attractions of the Khumbu region, but also some of the major attractions of the Kathmandu Valley. The package includes full board (meal and accommodation) during the trek and bed and breakfast before and after the trek. Trekkers interested in this package also get to enjoy a free map. If you are looking to explore more of this region, then Short Everest Base Camp Trek or Everest Three Passes Trek are equally fulfilling. Moreover, all the packages can be customized to your requirements and needs and all customized packages

2 guarantee special group discount and 100% departure date. The trip starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. From Lukla, we walk all the way up to Dingboche, after enjoying the festival at the Tengboche Monastery and retrace the same path to Lukla to catch a flight to Kathmandu. Outline Itinerary Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft) Day 02: Kathmandu Valley sightseeing and trek preparation or your own leisure day (1,300m/4,264 ft) Day 03: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft) Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazzar (3440m/11,283ft) Day 05: Acclimatize day Day 06: Trek to Tengboche (3,867m/12684ft) Day 07: Explore Mani Rimdu Festival Day 08: Trek to Dingboche (4,358m/14,295 ft) Day 09: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,283ft) Day 10: Trek to Lukla (2,652m/8,700ft) Day 11: Fly to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft) Day 12: Final departure Trip Includes Airport Pick-up and Drop-off service by a private vehicle 3 nights twin-sharing accommodation in Kathmandu at (3*Boutique Hotel) with breakfast Full day guided city tour in Kathmandu (Day 2) by a private vehicle Welcome and farewell dinner at one of the typical Nepalese restaurants with traditional, ethnic music and dance

3 Airport transfer for domestic flight Sagarmatha National Park entrance permit and TIMS (Trekkers security Card) permit Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight tickets and departure tax Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek All accommodations on a trek (Lodge/Tea house) 5 hot showers (Attached bathroom) while on a trek Fresh seasonable fruits after every dinner (while on a trek) Tea/Coffee (Served in a cup only) Purified drinking water (medicated safe to drink) during the trek as much as you need Government licensed and well trained English speaking guide and his entire expenses Porters (One porter for each 2 members) and his entire expenses Insurance of Guide and Porter All required local and government taxes Down jackets and sleeping bags (if required) Amigo duffel bag, Amigo Trekking T- Shirt & Trekking route map (As a souvenir) Adventure certificate (after completion the trek) First Aid service (Basic) Oximeter - To determine your oxygen level Trip Includes Travel Insurance that covers evacuation Monument entrance fees All kinds of drinks/ tea/coffee/mineral water/coke, beer etc Snacks/battery charging/phone calls/hot shower Tips to the guide and porters Travel Insurance: This piece of information is for everyone planning Mani Rimdu Festival and Everest View Trek. Please get the travel insurance that covers all the added expenses

4 that might result due to various health issues, injuries or accidents (together with air ambulance, helicopter rescue and other treatment cost). Also make sure Also make sure that your insurance policy covers all extra activities that you are planning to accomplish throughout your stay in Nepal. In addition to this, the policy should also cover up for death, misplaced luggage, theft and liability, cancellations, medical treatment (counting hospital charges, cost of medicine, doctor s fees) as well as repatriation cost. Insurance policy covering the minimum altitude of 4,500m is required. In short, its client s responsibility to bear all of the unforeseen expenses that might result during the trip. Health, fitness and experience requirements: The maximum altitude travelled in this trek demands excellent stamina, mental determination and sound health condition. Therefore, every trekker is suggested to consult their doctor before planning this trek. Trekkers are also requested to take advice, medications and permission from their doctor prior to planning this trek. Also, it is highly recommended to take expert guidance from local General Practitioner regarding the required guide walks. Travel clinics can offer the best assistance in absence of GP. This Mani Rimdu Festival with Everest View Trek requires 4-5 hours (in average) of walking. No technical knowledge is required. However, regular exercise and jogging is recommended to build up the required stamina to successfully complete the trek. The trek is suitable for both children and elderly people. Moreover, no prior experience is required to plan this trek; however, if you have some experience in climbing, camping and hiking, then these experiences will be counted as a plus point. Note: Please submit your medical fitness certificate that includes your present health condition, medical situation, the preceding illness and the medication you are taking prior to booking this package. You are also requested to be honest so that, we can prepare ourselves to take quick action in case of emergencies. Accommodation and Food: We always make sure that our customers get the right value for their money. Therefore, we always attempt to make some of the best arrangements for our customers. To ensure a comfortable stay, we book a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu, before and after your trek. Basically, the rooms are twin share, where you will have to share your room with another member of your group. However, this totally depends on the size of your group and the availability of rooms in the hotel. On request, triple share can also be arranged. Moreover, if you are looking for a single supplement room, extra charges will be applied. During the trek, normally your accommodation is arranged in a local guest houses or lodges (managed by local people) with shared amenities. Most of the guest houses or lodges offer the facility of a hot shower. However, in the absence of hot shower, a few buckets of hot water can also be arranged on request. A full board meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and tea and coffee) will be provided during the entire trek. Usually, porridge, toast or chapattis, oatmeal and local

5 bread are served for breakfast. Lunch is served from a teahouse menu usually Nepali food (Western food subject to availability). Both dinner and breakfast is served in the accommodation itself. Food served during the trek is fresh, hygienic and simply great. Our attempt while you are on a trek: Most part of this trek takes you to the remote Himalayan region of Nepal, where communication facilities are very less. Therefore, Amigo Treks and Expedition takes all the responsibility and makes attempts to deliver your message to your family, friend, relatives or the concerned person if required. Our guides are provided with a cell phone and are contacted on a regular basis. You can use the cell phone provided to our guides to send your message to us which will further be delivered to the respected person. Also, our guides will make every possible attempt to follow the planned itinerary; however, it is kindly requested to be flexible in case of changes in the itinerary caused by extreme weather conditions or bad health condition of a group member. Moreover, we can also help you reschedule your international flight (extra charges applicable) if you need any additional days to complete your trek. We will make every possible attempt to make your trek a grand success. Why to trek with us? Amigo Treks & Expedition offers a wonderful opportunity to help you visit those areas, culture and tradition of Nepal that have never been explored before. Your trip itineraries are fully customized in order to meet the individual needs and interests of each traveler. We also partner with local Sherpas and Leaders to help you get the maximum out of the trip. We provide English speaking guides that can help you gain more knowledge regarding the area and culture. We are highly dedicated and offer years of experience to plan an outstanding adventure trip for you. Customer service is our top priority; therefore, we cater to every possible need of yours during your stay in Nepal, be it the food, accommodation, varied destination or your communication needs. Despite all these facilities, our best packages are offered at a very competitive rate. When should I plan this trek? Nepal can be visited any time of the year. However, if you are looking to enjoy the famous festival of the region along with the views of the towering peaks you should plan your trek around the end of October and the beginning of November (Autumn season) as the Mani Rimdu Festival is celebrated at this time of the year and these months also support us with better visibility, clear blue skies and excellent trail. What should I bring?

6 Along with warm clothes you will also need other equipment for the sufficient protection of your body. Below is the list of necessary items that you need to pack before commencing your trek. Head- Hat (with a wide brim), Sunglasses (with UV protection), Sunscreen lotion and Lip balm Upper body- T-shirts (2), light and expedition weight thermal tops, Fleece jacket and pullover, Fleece wind-stopper jacket (Optional), waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket, down vest/jacket (included) Hands - Lightweight gloves, heavy-weight gloves/mittens with a waterproof outer shell Lower body - Underwear (4), hiking shorts (2), lightweight cotton long pants, light and expedition weight thermal bottoms, Fleece or wool pants, waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants Feet - Thin, light-wear inner socks (4), thick, warm wool hiking socks (4), hiking boots with spare laces, camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals), gaiters. Accessories - Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F (included), headlamp with spare bulb and batteries, small padlock or combination lock, basic first aid kit, large plastic bags (for keeping items dry inside trek bag), day pack, water bottles (2), hiking pole/walking sticks, small ear plugs Toiletries Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, small wash towel Extras - Cameras with extra batteries and cards, binoculars, light balaclava or warm fleece hat, reading books, trip map/guide book, journal & pen, ipod & travel games (like cards, chess, and backgammon) Our legal documents: Registered under the government of Nepal, Amigo Treks & Expedition is a fully licensed and certified company. Therefore, this company holds complete authority to operate treks, tours, expedition, hiking and many other tourism related services in the Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. In addition to this, we are also a very active member of the following organizations. Nepal Tourism board (NTB) Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP)

7 Ministry of Finance, Department of Taxation Company Registration Office, Pvt. Ltd. Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Tourism Industry Passport and Visa Information: It is very easy to obtain Nepal s visa. You may either apply for a visa at your nearest Nepalese Embassy/Consulate or Mission offices in your own country or you can buy this upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. To apply for a visa, you need 2 passport size photographs, Visa fees in US dollars and your passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the trip. However, nationals of SAARC countries (India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Afghanistan) and China do not require any visa to visit Nepal. Transit visa for foreign nationalities is only provided for 3 days. Therefore, visa is required for longer stays. However, for the convenience or foreign nationals, a visa is also provided from the borders listed below: Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal) Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal) Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border of Nepal) Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Western Nepal) Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Mid Western Nepal) Mohana, Dhangadhi (Far Western Nepal) Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Far Western Nepal) Tourist Visa Fees: Transit visa (3 days) Free of cost Multiple entry (15 days) 25 USD or equivalent convertible currency Multiple entry (30 days) 40 USD or equivalent convertible currency

8 Multiple entry (90 days) 100 USD or equivalent convertible currency (For more information, please contact the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan,Dillibazar, Kathmandu. Tel: , , , You can also download visa form from