Dumji Festival Trekking

Overview

Dumji is an ancient festival celebrated to mark the anniversary of Guru Rinpoche’s birth on the lotus flower. The Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche is considered the second Buddha and one of the founders of Tibetan Buddhism. The founder of the earliest monastery in Khumbu was Lama Sangwa Dorji, also an initiator of the Dumji festival in the Pangboche Monastery about 365 years ago.

Dumji Festival Trekking is predominantly celebrated by the Sherpa people across the Solukhumbu district in various monasteries of Tengboche, Namche Bazar, Khumjung, and Pangboche. Apparently, after certain years it falls upon the few representative families taking turns to prepare food and drink for the entire village for 4 consecutive days and the responsibility on such families falls twice or thrice in a lifetime. Sherpa people celebrate this festival around the month of June or July so as to keep evils away from their communities and get the blessings of Guru Rinpoche. The trekkers also experience the flight to the world’s most dangerous airport recognized as Lukla Airport which rushes adrenaline into their blood.

Meanwhile, the major attraction for the tourist is the celebration of the Namche Bazar offering varieties of rituals and festive functions. Fortunately, the travellers experience the wholesomeness of the Tibetan Buddhist culture and enjoy the celebration of being a part of it throughout the trek in the region of Mount Everest. This festival is mostly about solemn rituals and chhyam (dance) performed by monks wearing artistic paper-mâché masks and ceremonial dresses.

Similarly, travellers experience the rituals known as ‘’Logpar’’ where the young monks play the horn and the lead monk burns the effigies of evil spirits to chase them away. The festival is quite a good representation of unity and brotherhood though it burdens few families financially however physical work of preparations of food/drink and setting up Prayer flags in the villages and monasteries are shared among the villagers. As a guest, trekkers can also lend their hands to experience the traditional cooking and love of local people.

Additionally, the trails are full of the alluring beauty of nature, river confluence, crystal-white waterfalls, and jaw-dropping views of landscapes. The massive snow-covered peaks such as Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam touch the blue skies standing tall and majestic spellbound trekkers. The treks during this season may be challenging due to the onset of the monsoon but have a lot to offer from adventure, to cultural and traditional aspects.

Note: Each day, the host family will provide food and drinks to the villagers and perform Sherpa traditional dances after dinner.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu(1337 m,4385 ft)

Arrival in Kathmandu Your trip day starts today when you arrive to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Upon your arrival, you will be received by our representative at the airport. He will be carrying a signboard with our company’s name on it. Then you will be transferred to the tour hotel and checked in. A trip briefing will follow later today and the time will be notified to you by the representative who picks you up from the airport. We will come to meet and brief you about the trip at the fixed time. Until then just relax or explore a bit of surrounding.

Day 2 : UNESCO Heritage Tour of Kathmandu(1337m 4385 ft)

We take you for a day tour of cultural heritage monuments in Kathmandu valley after breakfast. The tour will give you a mixed insight of history, culture, art, architecture and spirituality of Kathmandu valley. The sites include; Swoyambhunath aka Monkey Temple: The oldest of all sites in Kathmandu valley, Swoyambhunath is an important Buddhist spiritual site having the history over two thousand years old. This site has gained a popular name as monkey temple as this small forested hill is a good habitat for hundreds of monkeys. The visit there will heighten your spiritual and cultural experience. Patan City including Patan Durbar Square: A tour to medieval city of Patan gives you a great insight about ethnic Newari culture, Budhhist spirituality, religious harmony, art and architecture while you stroll around the charismatic alleys taking you to magnificent local community squares known as Bahal and eventually leading you to an incredible medieval palace square. The monuments and skill of the local artisans displayed on those monuments in the square will stun you with their unbelievable charm. Boudhanath Stupa: The largest of its kind in the world, this magnificent stupa is a very important center of faith for the people following Tibetan Buddhism. This place is nice Circular Square with the stunning stupa in the middle of it which spreads a lot of spiritual vibrations around the atmosphere.

Day 3 : Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding (2610m/8561ft) takes around 3 hours, overnight at Guest house in Phakding,B/L/D.

Take an early morning flight from Kathmandu airport to Lukla. The flight is a scenic Himalayan panoramic flight to the gorgeous mountain town of Lukla, the gateway to Everest trekking,flight takes around 30 minute, After landing at the Lukla airport, take some time to prepare for the walk of the day. Start the trek for the day today to Phakding, a beautiful town on the bank on Dudhkoshi River.

Day 4 : Phakding – Namche, (3440 m/11283 ft) Takes around 6 hours, Overnight at guest house,B/L/D.

After taking breakfast at the tea house, you start the trek to astounding Sherpa town of Namche today. The walk today is mostly uphill making you cover a good distance of elevation. You will come across lots of yaks, Buddhist prayer flags, and many trekking adventurers like you and several other beautiful things. Once you arrive at Namche, you praise the charm of the town and the Himalayan view from there more. Check into a hotel and relax.

Day 5 : Namche to Khumjung,involve in Festival, 3700m 12136 ft)takes around 3 hours via Everest view hotel Overnight at guest house in Khumjung,B/L/D.

At 2-3 pm, the villagers will gather at the monastery, and the host family will give 1kg of rice to each family member.

Day 6 : Involve and enjoy the festival at Khumjung preferm by traditional Sherpa,stay same Guest house.B/L/D.

Early morning, villagers will dress in traditional clothes and worship. After lunch, they'll gather at the monastery to welcome the head monk and worship their village god, Khumbiyulha.

Day 7 : Involve and enjoy the festival at Khumjung Preferm by traditional Sherpa,stay same Guest house, B/L/D.

After lunch, villagers will go to the monastery to enjoy dances performed by the monks, who wear masks and costumes. In the evening, the head monk will light a fire called "Jingsang."

Day 8 : Involve and enjoy the festival at Khumjung Preferm by traditional Sherpa,stay same Guest house,B/L/D.

As usual, villagers will gather, and the monks will perform dances. In the evening, they will go to the ground, and the head monk will chase away evil spirits by burning effigies in a ritual called "Logpar."

Day 9 : Involve and enjoy the festival at Khumjung Preferm by traditional Sherpa,stay same Guest house, B/L/D.

The head monk Rinpoche will bless the villagers, and the next eight families to host the Dumji festival will be chosen. At night, everyone will dance and sing in the monastery's courtyard.

Day 10 : Khumjung to Tengboche (93867m/12687ft) takes around 5 hours overnight at guest house in Tangboche,B/L/D.

Leave Khumjung early morning after breakfast. It is beautiful walk up to Tengboche, the monastic village in the Everest base camp trekking trail. On the way to Tengboche, experience some of the spectacular views around. Once you reach Tengboche and check into guest house, go and explore the monastery, learn about Tibetan Buddhism.

Day 11 : Tengboche – Monjo (2835m/9298 ft) takes around 6 hours overnight at Guest house,B/L/D.

The walk down today to Monjo passes through Namche. After walking for about six hours, you reach Monjo where you have overnight stay plan today.

Day 12 : Monjo-Lukla(2860M/9380 ft) takes 4 hours,Overnight at guest house at Lukla,B/L/D.

Walk another four hours back to Lukla today after your breakfast. The walk passes through Phakding where you had spent you first night in the mountain. Reach Lukla and spend some leisurely time there.

Day 13 : Lukla – Kathmandu 1337m/4385 ft just 30 minute's flight overnight at 3 star hotel in Kathmandu.

Take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. You will be picked up on your arrival at the airport and then transferred to hotel. You have a free afternoon to relax or explore. We will meet in the evening to go for farewell dinner.

Day 14 : Departure from Nepal.

We will drop you to airport three hours prior to your flight time.

Trip code
Package name	Dumji Festival Trekking
Duration	14
Max. elevation	3867 m
Level	MODERATE
Transportation	All flight / ground transportation as per itinerary
Accomodation	3*** Hotel in Kathmandu and Lodge / Tea House during the trek
Starts at	Kathmandu
Ends at	Kathmandu
Trip route
Cost	USD 0 per person