Everest Pikey Trek, Mani Rimdu Festival

Last updated on April 22nd, 2024 at 02:09 pm

Seeing the Mani Rimdu is like receiving a blessing – H.H. Trulshig Rinpoche (One of the main teachers of the 14^th Dalai Lama)

DAY 01: ARRIVE TO KATHMANDU (1300M). TRIP PREPARATION

Airport representative of Mountain Climbers will receive you and transfer by private vehicle to your hotel. Leisure day to adjust with altitude, weather and time difference as well as to take rest from jetlag. Later part of the rest of the day is for preparing trekking permissions and final packing for the trip. In the evening, you can either eat in at your place of venture out to one of many restaurants in Thamel.

DAY 02: DRIVE TO DHAAP VILLAGE (2950M) 8-9 HRS

Start early morning drive, as early as 07:00, to leave city traffic and arrive beautiful town of Dhulikhel via Bhaktapur city. Drive on the newly inaugurated B.P. highway to the little town of Ghurmi in the Koshi River basin. Lower road leads to Hindu Khotang Halesi Mahadev Temple and Buddhist Maratika Cave whereas higher road leads to higher elevation. The road passes through Rhododendron forest, arrive to Dhaap village, explore the bazar town and its Buddhist stupa. Overnight in the basic lodge.

DAY 03: TREK TO JHAPRE (2815M) 4-5 HRS

Wake up early in the morning to appreciate the sunrise view over the Numbur Himalayan range and Mount Everet. After breakfast, we will basically follow the dirt road passing through the village of Sigane which leads to Jhapre village. The walking is scenic with the view of Mt. Everest and Numbur Himal through the clearing of Rhododendron forest. Walk around the village and visit the local monastery. Overnight in lodge.

DAY 04: TREK TO PIKEY PASTURE BASE CAMP (3640M) 5-6 HRS

Enjoy the morning view of the Himalayas and start a day’s trek to Pikey Peak Base Camp. The trail climbs through the Rhododendron forest coming to yak pasture. Cross the long mane wall and climb further to the Pikey peak base camp. Visit the yak cheese facroty and enjoy the splendid view of snow peaks. Overnight in lodge.

DAY 05: EARLY MORNING HIKE TO PIKEY PEAK (4070M) & TREK TO LAMJURA (3530M)

Hike to the Peak by following on the high meadow for two hours. Appreciate and compare the view just before sunrise, during the sunrise and after sunrise. For this, we need to start the hike as early as 3:30AM. In a clear morning, it’s possible to see mountains in between the far west to the Far East; Dhaulagiri all the way to Kanchenjunga. It is a truly breathtaking sight taking in countless giant peaks to the north and deep valleys dropping into the clouds to the south. Back to the Pikey Base Camp for food as well hot drinks and head for Lamjura pass, a small Sherpa settlement situated in 3530m which has spectacular panoramic view of  snow-capped mountains including the Mount Everest (8848m).

However, the pass is notorious for clouds and bad weather which must emanate from the clash of warm moisture-laden winds from the valley below with the colder, drier air from the heights, making the perfect cloud factory especially in the later afternoon as well as evening.

DAY 06: TREK TO JUNBESI (2675M) 4-5 HRS

Wake up in the morning with panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayan range including Mt. Everest when the weather is clear. We hears sounds of airplanes flying few hundreds meter above the pass, carrying trekkers to and from the Lukla airfield. On a clear day, they fly over every ten minutes during the morning, from about half past six until noon, as later at five o’clock.
After breakfast, we move downwards through the forests before reaching the Tragdobuk Vilalge (2800m) which spreads out along the trail with chortens and mani walls. The landscape becomes drier now. The Junbesi Village appears not before you reaching there due to the fact that it is located right under a towering cliff. Junbesi is a large Sherpa village (one of the first Sherpa settlements in the region) with well-appointed lodges in Sherpa homes on the bank of the Junbesi Khola River. The village has Hillary School, cheese factory, police post, an old monastery and some shops. Overnight stay at teahouse.

DAY 07: TREK TO CHIWONG (CHIWONG CHHYANG-CHHUP CHHYOLING) MONASTERY.

After breakfast, we start our six hours trek to Chiwong Monastery via Najim Kharka, for our first day of the Mani Rimdu Festival. Founded by Sangey Tenpa Lama in 1923, the Monastery is perched a cliff at an altitude of 2715m and houses 50+ monks. The biggest Ngyingmapa Tibetan Buddhist religious festival, Mani Rimdu, is performed at the monastery every year, at the gracious presence of His Holiness Trulshig Rinpoche.
The monastery echoed with prayers and scholastic activities of the many monks and nuns resided there and it has a history of having been home to several spiritual leaders and learned monks including Dza-Rong-Phuk Sangey Ngawang Tenzing Jangpo, His Holiness Trulshig Rinpoche. Overnight at teahouse/ tent.

DAY 08-09: FESTIVAL: DANCES & PUJAS

Mani Rimdu is a 19-day sequence of sacred ceremonies and empowerments, culminating in a 3-day public festival. It’s an opportunity for the local Sherpa and Tibetan communities, to gather and celebrate together with the monastic community. Mani Rimdu is a re-creation of legendary events; the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet by the great saint, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). Through the dances, symbolic demons are conquered, dispelled, or converted to Dharma Protectors, as positive forces clash with those of chaos. The dances convey Buddhist teachings on many levels – from the simplest to the most profound – for those who do not have the opportunity to study and meditate extensively. The first of the three public day, His Holiness Trulshig Rinpoche, gives the empowerment on this auspicious occasion; for long life, happiness and prosperity. Various dances and Fire Puja are conducted in the second and third day of the festival.

DAY 10: TREK, DRIVE TO KATHMANDU.

After breakfast, we trek down to Phaplu airport to fly to Kathmandu. Or, trek down to Salleri for drive to Kathmandu.

DAY 11: DEPARTURE

Departure transportation will be provided to the Kathmandu airport for the flight back home. Trip ends!

Last updated on April 22nd, 2024 at 02:09 pm

Why Mani Rimdu Festival in Chiwang Monastery when all other companies offer in Thyangboche Monastery?

Good question! The main reason is because Lukla flight is killer, expensive and we support the Swedish initiative of #flygskam , #flightshame or #flightguilt . In order to reach to Thyangboche Monastery just to witness Mani Rimdu Festival, we either need to fly to Lukla and trek for three days or follow the classical Everest Base Camp route by doing Jiri -Lukla trek totaling of a week or even more! Chiwang (Chiwong) Monastery is more happening place with locals and less touristic monastery compared with Tengboche Monastery is famous and over crowded with tourists than locals. #flygskam #flightshame #flightguilt

What is the best time to do the Pikey Peak Trek?

Autumn (October through November) is the best season when skies are crystal clear, better views of mountains and Mani Rimdu Festival happens in these months as per Tibetan Lunar Calendar. This year in 2020, the festival is happening from 31st of October to 03rd of November. Spring (March through May) and Autumn (October through November) are two preferred trekking seasons, not only this trek but most of the other trekking routes in Nepal (except trans-Himalayan trek routes). Day time temperatures range in the 10 to 15 degree Celsius while night-time temperatures are in the 0 to 5 degree Celsius. Expect some late-afternoon showers in the Spring which is also the season for rhododendrons and magnolias. October and November are historically regarded best two months to trek with clear skies and better views of the mountains and Mani Rimdu Festival.

As the trek doesn’t go to very high altitudes, it is also possible to do the Pikey Peak trek in the Winter (December through February). You will experience a couple nights at or near freezing in the Winter.

How fit do I need to be for the Pikey Peak Trek?

Anyone who is reasonably fit and can hike 15-20 kilometers a day consider doing the Pikey Peak Trek. The trek involves some steep ascents before reaching to the Pikey Peak and steep descents down to Junbesi. It is advised that anyone with a pre-existing condition consult their doctor before booking this trip. Mountain Climbers Treks and Adventure rate the Pikey Peak Trek a Grade 3 (moderate) on a scale of 1 (easy) to 5 (challenging).

What kind of meals should I expect on the Pikey Trek? Can I drink tap water?

Basic meals and as local as possible! Meal prepared from rice, potatoes, local noodle, eggs and fresh veggies. Freshly cooked home made meals are available throughout the trek. Guesthouses and teahouses does not have equipped kitchen so pizzas and pastas are not available. Drinking tap water is an option only if you did not arrive Nepal directly from the West.

Is there mobile coverage on the Pikey Trek? Wi-Fi?

Temporary mobile coverage available but Wi-Fi is completely unavailable during the trip.

How should I prepare for the trek?

What are the toilets like? Will I have chance to take a shower?

Either Asian toilets or just the hole!!! Western toilets are very rare during the trek and stay at the monastery! Bucket shower (Indian style, mix of hot and cold water in the bucket and pour yourself) is available throughout the trek. Proper shower is not available except in the Junbesi village where there are guesthouses and the douse shower available.

What kind of gear do I need for the trek?