Last updated: 04/10/2026. We update this page as soon as Choede Monastery confirms the official dates.
The Tiji Festival 2027 will take place in Lo Manthang, the walled capital of Upper Mustang, Nepal. Based on current schedules, the festival is expected on 1, 2 and 3 June 2027, and the dates will be officially confirmed in early 2027. This guide covers dates, cost, permits, itinerary options and travel tips, so you can plan one of the Himalaya’s rarest cultural events.
Quick facts
- Festival: Tiji (Tempa Chirim, “Prayer for World Peace”)
- Location: Royal Palace courtyard, Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang (about 3,800 m)
- Duration: 3 days
- Expected 2027 dates: 1-3 June (provisional)
- Permits: Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit plus ACAP
- Typical trip length: 8 to 17 days
When Is the Tiji Festival 2027?
Tiji follows the Tibetan lunar calendar, and the lamas of Choede Monastery fix the dates each year. That is why Tiji moves between years. In 2026 it falls on 14-16 May. For 2027, most operators currently report 1-3 June, though a few list May dates. Until the monastery confirms, treat all 2027 dates as provisional.
Our advice: book your tour around the three festival days and build in a spare day at Lo Manthang or Jomsom in case of weather delays. Contact us for Tiji Festival Trek confirmed dates as soon as they are released.
What Is the Tiji Festival? (Meaning and Legend)
“Tiji” comes from Tempa Chirim, meaning “Prayer for World Peace.” The festival is a three-day Tibetan Buddhist ritual that retells the myth of Dorje Jono, a deity-figure who defeats a demon threatening the kingdom and its water supply. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and keeps alive the culture of the former Kingdom of Lo.
The Three Days of Tiji Festival
- Day 1 (Tsa Cham): Monks open the ritual with prayers and the first masked dances, and the demon is introduced.
- Day 2 (Nga Cham): The story builds as the demon’s destructive acts unfold in dance.
- Day 3 (Rwa Cham): The demon is defeated and banished, and the day closes with blessings.
The dances are performed by monks in elaborate costumes and masks, with long horns and drums, in the palace courtyard.
Why Attend Tiji Festival 2027?
- It happens only once a year, in one of Nepal’s most remote and restricted regions.
- You watch a living religious ritual, not a staged show.
- You pair it with Lo Manthang’s monasteries, caves and Mustang’s desert-like landscapes.
- Visitor numbers stay small because lodging in Lo Manthang is limited.
Tiji Festival 2027 Tour Options and Itineraries
Tiji Festival Trek (Walking Itinerary, about 14 to 17 days)
For trekkers. You walk from Kagbeni through Chele, Ghami, Tsarang and over Lo La pass to Lo Manthang. This is the best choice if you want scenery, acclimatization and a slower pace. Upper Mustang Trek
Tiji Festival Jeep Tour (about 8 to 12 days)
For travelers short on time. A 4WD takes you from Jomsom to Lo Manthang. It is faster, with shorter walks, and suits families and older travelers. Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
Luxury and Small-Group Options
Some departures use premium lodges. Ask us about private departures and customized dates. Custom trip / Contact.
Tiji Festival Trek Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
- Day 02: Flight to Jomsom and Drive to Samar
- Day 03: Trek to Syangboche
- Day 04: Trek to Dhakmar
- Day 05: Trek to Lo Manthang (3,810m)
- Day 06: Explore Chhoser Valley, Dzong Cave and Kanchuling Cave
- Day 07: Tiji Festival – Day 1 (3,810m)
- Day 08: Tiji Festival – Day 2 (3,810m)
- Day 09: Tiji Festival – Day 3 (3,810m)
- Day 10: Drive from Lo Manthang to Jomsom
- Day 11: Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara
- Day 12: Leisure Day in Pokhara
- Day 13: Flight to Kathmandu and Final Departure
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Tiji Festival 2027?
Attending Tiji Festival 2027 in Lo Manthang typically costs between USD 1,500 and USD 3,000+ per person, depending on accommodation standard, trip length and transport. A comfort or premium-lodging trip, with better rooms, private transport and a full guide service, is usually around USD 2,950 per person. Costs run higher than a standard Upper Mustang trek because the festival falls in peak season and Lo Manthang has very limited places to stay.
Tiji Festival 2027 Cost by Travel Style
- Budget (jeep tour, basic teahouses): about USD 1,500 to 1,800. Shared transport, simple lodges, shorter itinerary.
- Mid-range (trek or jeep, standard lodges): about USD 1,800 to 2,500. Private guide, standard rooms, longer acclimatization.
- Premium / comfort (quality lodges, private transport): about USD 2,950 or more. Better rooms in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Jomsom and Lo Manthang, domestic flights, private vehicle.
Prices vary by operator and by season. Always confirm what a quote includes before comparing.
Typical Cost Breakdown (Premium Tier, About USD 2,950)
These figures are estimates to show where the money goes.
- Restricted Area Permit: about USD 500 (USD 50 per day for roughly 10 days)
- ACAP permit: about USD 30
- Accommodation: about USD 900
- Domestic flights or private 4WD transport: about USD 450
- Licensed guide and support staff: about USD 400
- Meals during the trip: about USD 350
- Festival-day arrangements and entry fees: about USD 120
- Transfers, service charges and taxes: about USD 200
Why Tiji Festival Trips Cost More Than a Regular Upper Mustang Trek?
- Limited lodging: Lo Manthang is a small walled town, and rooms are scarce during the festival.
- Peak-season demand: transport, flights and guides are booked heavily in the festival window.
- Permit requirements: the Restricted Area Permit is charged per day, so each extra day adds cost.
- Remote supply chain: food, fuel and goods must be brought in over long, rough roads.
What Is Usually Not Included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Travel and high-altitude medical insurance
- Personal gear, drinks and laundry
- Tips for guide and staff
- Extra nights from weather or flight delays
How to Budget for Tiji Festival 2027?
- Add 10 to 15 percent as a buffer for delays and extra nights.
- Carry Nepali rupees in cash, since there are few ATMs beyond Jomsom.
- Book flights and lodging early, because festival dates fill months ahead.
- Check the latest permit fees with the Department of Immigration, Nepal, since the rules have changed in recent years.
Upper Mustang Permits for Tiji Festival
Foreign visitors need two permits to attend Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang, and both must be arranged through a registered Nepali trekking agency.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) Fee: USD 50 per Day
Upper Mustang is a restricted area near the Tibetan border, so entry beyond Kagbeni requires a Restricted Area Permit. The fee is USD 50 per person per day, charged for each day you spend inside the restricted area. This replaced the old flat fee of USD 500 for 10 days. A 10-day stay in the restricted area therefore costs about USD 500, while a shorter stay costs less.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
Upper Mustang lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so an ACAP is also required. It is a one-time entry permit for your whole trip.
Other Upper Mustang Permit Rules
- A licensed guide is required for foreign visitors in restricted areas.
- Permits are issued through the Department of Immigration via a registered agency, so you cannot buy the RAP on your own at the checkpoint.
- Bring your passport, visa copy and passport-size photos for the application.
- Rules on minimum group size have been relaxed in recent updates, so confirm the current requirement when you apply.
Official sources: Department of Immigration, Nepal , Nepal Tourism Board , and NTNC for ACAP details .
Best Time to Visit Upper Mustang for Tiji Festival
Tiji is held in late spring, which is also one of the best times to visit Upper Mustang. The region sits in the Himalayan rain shadow, so it stays dry through the monsoon, and festival season usually brings:
- Clear skies and strong visibility for photography
- Warm days and cold nights
- Strong afternoon winds, especially around Kagbeni and Jomsom
- Fewer rain delays than most other Nepal trekking regions
Other good seasons for Upper Mustang are September to October and the monsoon months (June to August), when the region stays dry. If the festival is your goal, plan around the confirmed Tiji dates rather than the weather.
Altitude Sickness and Health Tips for Lo Manthang
Lo Manthang sits at roughly 3,800 m, high enough that altitude sickness is a real risk even on a jeep tour. To stay safe:
- Spend a night in Jomsom or Kagbeni before going higher.
- Ascend gradually and keep a rest day if you feel unwell.
- Drink 3 to 4 litres of water per day.
- Avoid alcohol on the first nights at altitude.
- Carry travel insurance that covers high-altitude evacuation.
- Know the symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness and poor sleep. If they get worse, descend.
What to Pack for Tiji Festival and Upper Mustang
Layering is essential because mornings are cold, afternoons are sunny and evenings drop sharply.
- Fleece, down jacket and windproof shell
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm
- Buff or scarf against dust and wind
- Broken-in trekking boots and warm socks
- Camera, spare batteries and a power bank
- Nepali rupees in cash, since ATMs are rare beyond Jomsom
- Water bottle and purification tablets
- Basic first-aid kit and personal medication
For a full list, see our trekking gear checklist
Tiji Festival Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts
Tiji is a religious ceremony, not a performance, so respectful behaviour matters.
- Dress modestly and sit where local guides direct you.
- Ask before photographing monks or locals.
- Keep out of the dance area and do not block the view of local people.
- Turn off flash.
- Do not touch masks, costumes or ritual objects.
- Follow your guide’s instructions during the ceremonies.
Plan Your Tiji Festival 2027 Trip
Lo Manthang has very limited lodging, and festival-time rooms are booked months ahead, so start planning early. Confirm dates once Choede Monastery announces them in early 2027, then arrange your permits, transport and accommodation. If you want to see how a festival itinerary is structured, read our Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour
