Mani Rimdu Festival 2027: Dates, What Happens and How to Join It on the EBC Trek
Mani Rimdu is one of the most important Buddhist festivals in the Khumbu, held at Tengboche Monastery (about 3,867m) on the Everest Base Camp trail. The public part runs over three days: a blessing, masked dances and a fire offering. It follows the Tibetan lunar calendar and usually falls in October or November.
The 2027 dates are not officially announced yet. Some operators list November 14 to 16, 2027, but treat that as provisional. We can time your EBC trek so you are at Tengboche for the festival, usually by adding 1 to 3 nights there.
- Where: Tengboche Monastery, about 3,867m, on the EBC route
- 2027 dates: not officially announced, usually October or November
- 2026 dates: October 26 to 28
- Public days: 3, with the blessing, the masked dances and the fire offering
- On our EBC trek: you reach Tengboche on Day 5 and pass it again on Day 11
- Extra time: 1 extra night (15 days) to see the masked dances, 3 extra nights (17 days) to arrive the day before and stay for all three days
- Book: as early as you can, lodges in Tengboche fill up
Last updated: November 2026
What Is Mani Rimdu?
Mani Rimdu is a Sherpa Buddhist festival held each year at Tengboche, a leading Buddhist centre in the Khumbu. The full ritual cycle runs for around 19 days, and most of it happens inside the monastery, where the monks make a sand mandala, pray and meditate. The last few days are open to the public, and Sherpa families come to Tengboche from across the region.
The ceremonies are rooted in Buddhist teachings. Through prayers, blessings and sacred dances, they represent the triumph of those teachings over negative forces. It is a religious festival first, not a show for visitors.
Mani Rimdu is also held at Chiwong Monastery in Solu and at Thame, west of Namche, on their own dates. Tengboche is the one on the Everest Base Camp trail. For more about the monastery itself, see our Tengboche Monastery guide.
The Three Public Days
The monastery sets the exact programme and times each year, and your guide will tell you when to be in the courtyard. The public days usually run in this order.
Day 1: The Wong (blessing)
The monks give a blessing, sometimes called an empowerment, to everyone who attends. Local people line up to receive it.
Day 2: The Chham (masked dances)
This is the main day. Monks in masks and costumes perform sacred dances in the courtyard, showing Buddhist teachings overcoming harmful forces. It is the day most visitors come to see.
Day 3: The Jinsak (fire offering)
A fire offering to clear away harm, followed by the closing rituals.
Mani Rimdu 2027 Dates
Mani Rimdu at Tengboche follows the Tibetan lunar calendar, so the dates move every year, usually landing in October or November. In 2026 the public days were October 26 to 28.
The 2027 dates have not been officially announced. Some trekking operators list November 14 to 16, 2027, but treat those as provisional until the monastery confirms its programme. Check with us before you book flights, and we will update this page once the dates are confirmed.
How to Time Your EBC Trek for Mani Rimdu
Our 14-day Everest Base Camp trek spends one night at Tengboche on Day 5 on the way up. On the way down, Day 11 passes through Tengboche but carries on to Namche. You can catch the festival either way.
On the way up (most common). We time your start so you reach Tengboche for the festival, then stay before going on to Dingboche. Tengboche is a good height for acclimatisation, so the extra nights also help later on the trek.
- To see the masked dances: arrive on the first festival day and leave the morning after the dances. That is 1 extra night at Tengboche, a 15-day trek.
- To see all three days: arrive the day before the festival, so you don’t miss the blessing, and leave the morning after the fire offering. That is 3 extra nights, a 17-day trek.
On the way down. We split the long Day 11 walk and stop at Tengboche for the festival before continuing to Namche. This suits people who want to focus on Base Camp first.
Here is how the 15-day version looks:
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu |
| 2 | Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding |
| 3 | Trek to Namche Bazaar |
| 4 | Acclimatisation day in Namche |
| 5 | Trek to Tengboche for the first festival day |
| 6 | Masked dances at Tengboche |
| 7 | Trek to Dingboche |
| 8 | Acclimatisation day in Dingboche |
| 9 | Trek to Lobuche |
| 10 | Trek to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp |
| 11 | Kala Patthar, then down to Pheriche |
| 12 | Trek to Namche Bazaar |
| 13 | Trek to Lukla |
| 14 | Fly to Kathmandu |
| 15 | Departure |
This is a sample plan, not a fixed departure. We set the final dates once the festival is confirmed. See the full day by day on our Everest Base Camp Trek page.
Cost
Our 14-day EBC trek costs $990 to $1,440 per person, depending on group size. The package includes return Lukla flights, permits, a guide, porters, teahouse rooms and Kathmandu hotel stays. Meals on the trek are extra. Adding festival nights increases the price, depending on how long you stay and lodge availability. Contact us for a festival itinerary and quote. For a full budget, see our Everest Base Camp trek cost guide.
You don’t need a special permit for the festival. The standard EBC permits cover Tengboche.
Where to Stay and When to Book
Tengboche is small, with only a few lodges, and they fill up fast during Mani Rimdu. Some trekkers stay in Deboche, a short walk down the trail. Book as early as you can. We reserve your lodge as soon as your trek is confirmed.
Weather at Festival Time
Late October and November is peak trekking season in the Khumbu. Skies are often clear, with good views of Ama Dablam and Everest from Tengboche, but the weather varies year to year. Days are mild in the sun and nights are cold. Bring warm layers for sitting in the courtyard. See EBC in October and EBC in November.
Festival Etiquette
- Dress modestly and take your hat off inside the monastery.
- Stay out of the dance area and don’t block the view of local people.
- Ask before you photograph monks up close, and don’t use flash.
- Don’t take photos inside the prayer hall unless it is clearly allowed.
- Walk clockwise around stupas and mani walls.
FAQs About Mani Rimdu
When is Mani Rimdu 2027?
The 2027 dates are not officially announced. It usually falls in October or November. Some operators list November 14 to 16, 2027, but treat that as provisional until the monastery confirms.
Where is Mani Rimdu held?
Mainly at Tengboche Monastery, about 3,867m, on the Everest Base Camp trail. It is also held at Chiwong and Thame on different dates.
Can I see Mani Rimdu on an EBC trek?
Yes. Tengboche is on the EBC route. We time your trek so you are there for the festival, usually by adding 1 to 3 nights.
Which day of Mani Rimdu is best to see?
The masked dance day, usually the second public day, is the main event.
Do I need a special permit for Mani Rimdu?
No. The standard EBC permits cover Tengboche.
How early should I book?
As early as you can. Tengboche’s lodges fill up fast for the festival.
Want to see Mani Rimdu on your trek? See our Everest Base Camp Trek, and we will time it around the festival.
