Everest Three Passes Trekking

🌿 Cultural Note

Always walk clockwise around monasteries, mani walls, chortens, and prayer wheels. Remove your shoes before entering any monastery or local home. Do not climb on chortens or mani walls, and avoid touching sacred objects inside. Never step over or remove prayer flags, as they carry blessings to the wind. Always ask permission before photographing people, and accept "no" gracefully. Avoid using flash inside monasteries and do not photograph religious ceremonies without permission. Treat porters and local people with dignity; avoid photographing moments of struggle. Dress modestly by covering shoulders and knees, and maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor inside monasteries. Prayer ceremonies at Tengboche Monastery occur at 6am and 3pm, and respectful visitors may observe. Photography is often prohibited inside shrines, so check before taking any photos. Greet locals with "Namaste" by pressing your palms together with a slight nod. Use your right hand to give, receive, or eat, as the left hand is considered unclean. Avoid pointing your feet at people or religious objects, and tuck your legs to the side when sitting near shrines. Do not touch people's heads, as the head is considered sacred. Respect the mountains as sacred; Mount Everest is known as Chomolungma, meaning "Goddess Mother of the World." If your trek coincides with Mani Rimdu in October or November, you may witness masked dances and prayer ceremonies. If your trek coincides with Losar in February or March, you may see prayer ceremonies, dancing, and feasting. Keep noise to a minimum in settlements and carry out your waste.