Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

Duration: 20 Days | Based on 1 Review PhotosDownload

Tiji festival in Upper Mustang is a unique and amazing three-day festival celebrate in Lo Manthang, the capital city of the forbidden land. We are a specialist agency for the Tiji festival and every year we are organizing a trip to Lo Manthang during this festival.

The Tiji festival is a three-day ritual known as the chasing of the Demons and it is centered on the Tiji myth. Tiji tells the story of a deity named Dorge Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from the bad destruction. The Demon father wreaks havoc on Mustang by creating a water shortage which, in this extremely arid land, is the most precious life-sustaining resource. Dorje Jono eventually defeats the demon and banishes him from the land.
Tiji is a celebration and reaffirmation of this myth. Throughout the festival, the events and stories of the myth are re-enacted. The festival is timed to coincide with the end of the dry season and ushers in the wetter monsoon season.

Tiji comes from the words TenChe meaning the hope of Buddhism prevailing in all worlds and it is a spring renewal festival that also celebrates the victory of good over evil. In 1964, Michel Peissel was the first westerner/outsider to observe the Tiji Festival. At this time, the Mustang region was still completely closed off to foreigners and he had to obtain special permission from the government of Nepal in order to enter the region. Despite his arrival on the last day of the celebration, he was unaware of the observance of Tiji, the experience left a lasting impression on him. The scenes I witnessed were so extraordinary and so unexpected that I dared not believe my eyes and even today I have some trouble in believing in the reality of what I saw that day.

Highlights

Witness a unique Tiji Festival, a three-day ritual known as The chasing of the Demons, celebrates in Lo-Manthang, the capital of Mustang

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:Arrive at Kathmandu Airport, transfer to hotel:

Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will have warm reception meeting and greeting from us, then drive to hotel. We will all of your passport copies and four photographs each of you for making permit and necessary document for trekking in next day. At the evening, short trekking briefing about Mustang trekking and introduction with our trekking guide and porters. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Accommodation:hotel
Meals:BLD
Place:Kathmandu

Day 2:Rest OR Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley:

Kathmandu guided city tour visiting enlisted world heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Swoyambunath temple known as Monkey temple as well, Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath Stupa. In the evening, join our welcome dinner party at a typical Nepali restaurant with an authentic Nepalese set with live culture show. Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation:hotel
Meals:BLD
Place:Kathmandu

Day 3:Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara:

About 6 hours scenic drive to Pokhara by tourist coach through villages, rivers and terrace rice fields with some panoramic view though it is in far distant. Stay overnight at Pokhara, is a lake city.

Accommodation:hotel
Meals:BLD
Place:Pokhara

Day 4:Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom then trek to Kagbeni 2,750m/3 hrs:

Early in the morning 30 minutes scenic flight to Jomsom, then 4 hours trek to Kagbeni along the bank of Kali Gandaki. The trail is mostly flat. No big ascend and descends. Kagbeni is getaway to enter into Upper Mustang where you could visit old mud fortress and monastery. Overnight at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Jomsom then trek to Kagbeni
Maximum Altitude:2,750m

Day 5:Trek Kagbeni to Chele 3,050m/5 hrs:

Waking 3 hours all on the flat trail to Chusang, and have lunch there, then continue 1 hours trekking on flat trail following the Kali Gandaki river, and finally an hour steep ascent to Chele and stay overnight there at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Chele
Maximum Altitude:3,050m

Day 6:Trek Chele to Syangbochen or Geling 3,570m/6/7 hrs:

This is a bit long and hard day trekking than the previous trekking. We mostly have ascent uphill for 3 hours to Samar and we will have lunch there, though this is too early for lunch but after Samar there is no good lunch place. Again from Samar again 2 hours mostly ascents uphill to Venna and continues ascents up to Syanbochen pass, then 40 minutes descend down to Syangbochen stop place. It depends on your physical conditions. If you feel tired, you could stop for overnight at Syanbochen rather than going to Geling. Again to Geling, it takes 1 and half hours, 30 minutes uphill ascents and 1 hours descents down to Geling. Overnight at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Syangbochen or Geling
Maximum Altitude:3,570m

Day 7:Trek to Ghermi 3,565m/6/7 hrs:

It is about 7 hours trek, first 2 hours ascents uphill to Nyi La pass and from there enjoy the wonderful Panoramic Himalayan view including Annapurna and Nilgiri, then descends to Ghermi for 1 and half hour and have lunch and stay overnight there at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Gherm
Maximum Altitude:3,565m

Day 8:Trek to Tsarang (3,730m/3/4hrs) from Ghermi:

Short trekking day, normally ascends and descends walk to Tsarang. Lunch and explore Tsarang village, monastery and Dzong, and stay overnight there at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Tsarang
Maximum Altitude:3,730m

Day 9:Trek to Lo-Manthang (3,730m) 4/5-hrs:

From Tsarang the capital city of Upper Mustang where Tiji festival is held. Overnight at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Lo-Manthang
Maximum Altitude:3,730m

Day 10:Observe the first day of Tiji festival (Lo-Manthang). Overnight at guest house:

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Lo-Manthang

Day 11:Observe the second day of Tiji Festival. Overnight at guest house:

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Lo-Manthang

Day 12:Final day of Tiji Festival, it is the very interesting day of Tiji Festivals:

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Lo-Manthang

Day 13:Trek to Ghermi 3,530m/6/7hrs:

The trek descends to Tsarang for 3 hours ,then lunch at Tsarang, then continues descends down to Germi for 3 hours to Germi for overnight stay there at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Ghermi
Maximum Altitude:3,530m

Day 14:Trek Ghami to Samar 3,540m/ 6/7 hrs:

5/6 hours ascends and descends trek to Syanbochen, have lunch there then continue descends down to Samar for overnight stay at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Samar
Maximum Altitude:3,540m

Day 15:Trek Samar to Kagbeni 2,985m/6/7hrs:

Trekking descends down to Chele and Chusang for 3 hours, and lunch there, then continues trek through gradually ascents and descends trail for 3 hours to Kagbeni for overnight stay at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Kagbeni
Maximum Altitude:2,985m

Day 16:Trek Kagbeni to Muktinath via Dzong:

6 hours gradually ascents to Jhor Dzong for 4 hours, and have lunch there, then again continue for 2 hours trek to Muktinath past khingar village with some interesting view of Jharkot to next site. Visit Muktinath temple and surrounding, then continue 1 hours descends down to Jharkot and stay overnight at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Muktinath via Dzong

Day 17:Trek back to Jomsom (2,750m) 5/6 hrs:

3 hours continue descends down to Eklebhatti, and then walk 2/3 hours walk on the bank of Kali Gandaki to Jomsom, the capital of Mustang District. It is nice and worthy to visit Jomsom Eco Museum if time permits you. Overnight at guest house.

Accommodation:guest house
Meals:BLD
Place:Jomsom
Maximum Altitude:2,750m

Day 18:Jomsom to Pokhara by flight:

In the morning fly back to Pokhara and free day to walk around lakeside in Pokhara. Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation:hotel
Meals:BLD
Place:Pokhara

Day 19:Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu:

About six hours drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu or take a 30 minutes flight to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Accommodation:hotel
Meals:BLD
Place:Kathmandu

Day 20:Final transfer to Airport and fly back home:

Inclusion

Included

All Airport/hotel transfers by private coach.
All hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast as per itinerary.
Welcome dinner in Kathmandu.
All tea house or guest house accommodation and meals during the trek.
A full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley.
Domestic flights (Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara) and airport departure taxes.
Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu transport via Tourist bus.
An experienced English-speaking trek leader (trekking guide) and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging.
A comprehensive medical kit.
All necessary paper work and permits (National park permit, TIMS).
And, our agency service charges.

Excluded

Nepal Visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs).
International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
Excess baggage charges.
Extra night accommodation/s in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled Itinerary.
Lunch and dinners in Kathmandu (and also in the case you return early from the mountain than the scheduled Itinerary).
Travel and rescue Insurance.
Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc).
Tips for guides and porters.

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Useful Information

Trip cost:
Please kindly contact us for a fresh cost quotation for the Mustang Tiji festival trek for 2020. Also, let us know how many of you are there in your group, after knowing all these things from your side, we will send you all the necessary information with the best quote as soon as possible.
Note:
If the above itinerary couldn't meet your needs, we can design a tailor-made itinerary to suit your needs. It is also possible to combine with some other activities such as Tibet tours, Bhutan tours, and Jungle safari in Nepal

FAQs

How can I book the Mustang Tiji Festival trek?

Once you confirmed the trip, we need a photocopy of your passport and a 20% down payment of the total price for advance flight tickets and hotel booking and permit process.

How can I enter in Nepal?

Nepal is a popular tourist destination in south Asia. Several airlines have direct and non-stop flights from the Middle East and Asia to Kathmandu, Capital of Nepal. There are direct flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Doha, Osaka, Shanghai, Mascow, Bangkok, Singapore, Hongkong, Karachi, Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, Paro, Dhaka, Lhasa, and Varanasi.

When should I come for Mustang Tiji Festival?

The tiji festival in Lo-Manthang will be held every year in May or June so it would be better to come in these months to observe the festival. Please contact us for more details.

Do I need to stay in Katmandu?

Kathmandu valley, one of the historical cities as well as the capital of Nepal, at least, you need to spend two nights in Kathmandu before the trip and one night after your trip because Tiji festival will be held in Lo-Manthang, which is restricted area so we need to issue permits which take at least two days. In our program, we are providing you the standard accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara on a bed and breakfast basis.

Can I join with group?

Yes, you can join with group, send us an email then we will let you know all the latest information about joining the group for this festival trek.

Do I need to join with group?

It is not necessary that you need to follow our group joining the trip. In fact, we increase you to do a private trip which is best suited to couples, families and small groups of friends. We are happy to organize your holiday according to your interest and time-frame.

What kind of equipment do I need to bring with me?

Mustang Tiji festival trek is an exciting and adventure trip. We trek up to 4000m walking through villages, green hills, and white snow path so you need to have right equipment with you. Click here to have more info

What kind of meals I can have during the trip?

All Meals on full board basis will be provided during the trekking. Freshly cooked food is served at all times (western, continental and Nepali meals are available in all places). Three meals a day will be provided.

Do I have a pre-departure meeting?

Yes, at first, our staff will receive you at the airport and transfer to the hotel and our tour leader will brief you regarding the trip. The briefing will cover the itinerary and introduced your trek Leader.

Can I charge camera batteries along the trek?

Yes, Most of the places, you can charge batteries along the trek (per hour USD 2-3 for charging).

Is someone going to meet me at the airport? Are transfers included?

Definitely, one of our trekking leaders will come to the airport to pick you up. We will be displaying a placard of our company with your name on it. Airport transfer is included.

Client Reviews

Louvard Francois

France

Upper Mustang Trek and Tiji Festival

My wife and I did the Upper Mustang trek during Tiji Festival in August 2016 with Alpine Eco Trek, it was amazing, breathtaking landscapes and nature and wonderful Tibetan people. Tiji itself a unique festival. Mr. Ram and his team were excellent in guiding us through the 2 weeks of the trek and organizing all the logistic aspects of our expedition.