Oct 18. Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal. You will be met at the airport and transfer to the Hotel Vajra. After an evening orientation meeting at the hotel, we’ll dine at the Third Eye Restaurant and walk around Thamel, the fun tourist section of town.

Oct 19. Tour of Boudanath Stupa, the world’s largest Buddhist shrine and tour of Pashupatinath a sacred Hindu shrine on the headwaters of the Ganges. Dinner at the Hotel Vajra and preparations for a morning flight to Phaplu.

Oct 20. A 35-minute morning flight to the Sherpa village of Phaplu at an altitude of 7,900 ft. We will spend the remainder of the day becoming acquainted with the village as we acclimatize. Overnight at the beautiful Hotel del Sherpas.

Oct 21 - Oct 23. Walk through several villages and the beautiful “valley of the moon” to the Sherpa village of Junbesi, altitude, 9,300 feet, and Thupten Choling Monastery. Walking time will be between 4 and 5 hours. We’ll spend 4 nights in and around Thupten Choling Monastery, sleeping in new simple guest quarters at the Monastery.

Choices include day-hikes to the small monasteries and villages around Thupten Choling Monastery, to enjoying the warmth of the Sherpa people and the 350 monks and nuns living at Thupten Choling Monastery.

Oct 24. After enjoying the ceremony and excitement of Trulshig Rinpoches helicopter departure from Thupten Choling Monastery, we will walk about 4 hours to the Chiwong “Monastery Above the Clouds.”

Perched high up on the cliffs, there are magnificent views of the Solu Khumbu Valley. We will arrive at Chiwong in the late afternoon, settle into our camp where we will spend for 3 nights, get the lay of the land and let the magic of Mani Rimdu begin.

Oct 25. The first day of Mani Rimdu. Opening ceremonies. Locals leap towards the stage for the blessings of Trulshig Rinpoche.

Oct 26. The second day of Mani Rimdu. Filled with theatrical ritual performances depicting core principles of the Buddhist religion.

Oct 27. The third and last day of Mani Rimdu. Fire puja and final rituals. Walk 1 1/2-hours to the village of Phaplu for our final night in the mountains.

Oct 28. Morning/afternoon flight from Phaplu to Kathmandu. The remainder of the day free.

Oct 29. Morning pilgrimage to Sambunath. Also known as the Monkey Temple, it is shared by Hindus and Buddhists as a common place of worship, and has magnificent views of the Kathmandu Valley.

Tour of the beautiful and ancient Patan Durbar Squarte. Once the center of a Newar kingdom and rich in traditional crafts and artistic heritage, Patan it is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Oct 30. Free day for personal choices of shopping or other tours around the city of Kathmandu. Farewell dinner.

Oct 31. Depart Kathmandu. Arrive in the US.