Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 2024 Details

Tiji Festival Trek combines through Mustang’s fascinating villages, alongside Buddhist shrines and temples and in the shadows of the Himalayas most iconic mountains, before arriving at the fabled walled city of Lhomanthang for 3 days of dancing at the Tenchi Festival. The Tiji festival is celebrated for three days long in Lhomanthang. The world traditional, cultural and historical settlement of Upper Mustang and its capital Lhomathang lies behind of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountains.

Tiji Religious ceremony and later it has come to symbolize the hope and strength or all devotees. The Tiji festival is celebrated in the rain shadows of Himalayas which is remote area of Nepal, so, Tiji festival is prayer by Royal Family (King & Queen) of Mustang for peace, prosperity as well as stability of the Nation.

The terrain is rough and the altitude can be hard going but there will be save with us. Expect mainly camping (fully supported) with a few lodges and hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara for good measure. The historical remote Mustang trek unseal the once forbidden kingdom of Mustang is tucked away from the rest of the world which lies just north of the main Himalayan range of Nepal.

Mustang is a land where the soul of the man is still considered to be as real as the feet he walks on: a land said to be “barren as a dead deer” but where beauty and happiness abound is spite of hardship, was a part of the Tibetan Kingdom of Gungthang until 1830’s.

The wall city of Lhomanthang, unofficial capital of Mustang still remains a kingdom within a kingdom. Mustang has maintained its status as a separate principality until 1951. The king of Lhomanthang still retains his title and he has been given the honorary rank of Colonel in the Nepal army.

More about Nord Extreme Himalaya

Nord Extreme Himalaya (P) Ltd was officially opened in 2012. It allows limited numbers of trekkers each year in order to protect and conserve the local Tibetan tradition and the fragile environment. A trek into this fabled forbidden kingdom of vast, arid valleys, eroded canyons, ochre valley, yak caravans, colorful-painted mud brick houses on the back dropped of majestic mountain of Nilgiri, Tukche, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri makes your medieval walled kingdom Mustang trekking a very especial one.

Nord Extreme Himalaya (P) LTD. regularly organizes trek to the Himalayan Kingdom of Mustang targeting TIJI festival a three days long ritual known as “The chasing of the Demons“, one of the most important festival of the region. Over the festive time monks dressed in elaborate costumes and masks perform dances and rituals that are supposed to drive away evil spirits. Dressed in their finery, people from all over Mustang gather in Lo monthang to celebrate the Tiji festival.

Day 1; 28th April 2024: Arrival in Kathmandu 1338m

The trip begins with your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our company representative will welcome you at the airport from where you will be transferred to the hotel. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 2; 29th April 2024: Permits procedure and afternoon flight to Pokhara 820m/25 minutes

The company will make all arrangements for the trek and get your trekking permits as you would be traveling to the restricted area of Lo-Manthang. In the afternoon, you take a scenic flight to Pokhara. On your 25 minutes flight to Pokhara, you get an aerial view of the beautiful lakes, the green forests, and also the snowy mountains. Feel free to enjoy your evening by the lakeside in the City of Lakes. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Pokhara.

Day 3; 30th April 2024: Pokhara to Jomsom 2720m by flight and trek to Kagbeni 2810m/3 hours

After an early morning breakfast, you take a 25 minutes flight above the exciting landscapes to Jomsom. Flying through the gorge of Kali Gandaki, you arrive in the windy town of Jomsom. Following the gradual path to Kali Gandaki riverbed, you make your way to Kagbeni. It will be a 3-4 hour trek to Kagbeni which is the gateway to Upper Mustang. Overnight at lodge in Kagbeni.

Day 4; 1st May 2024: Trek from Kagbeni to Chele 3050m/5 hours

On the fourth day, you trek along the eastern bank of Kali Gandaki and head north. You can visit Gompa Kang and some caves on the western side of the river, on your way to Chele. First you reach Tangbe village, then you reach Chhusang, and finally, you trek ahead on to the small ridges to arrive in Chele. Overnight at lodge in Chele.

Day 5; 2nd May 2024: Trek from Chele to Syangboche 3800m via Rachung Cave/7 hours

It will initially be a steep walk through the hills. This will be a 6-7 hours trek where you pass through the farming fields with rice and buckwheat. You visit Rachung Cave on the way. Accompanied by the amazing view of mountain peaks like Nilgiri (7061m), Annapurna (8091m), and Tilicho (7134m), you cross four passes before you arrive in Syangboche. Overnight at lodge in Syangboche.

Day 6; 3rd May 2024: Trek from Shyangbochen to Drakmar 3820m/6 hours

Today’s trek will take around 5-6 hours. You make a short and steep descent and cross a small river. Climbing across Nyi La Pass (4010m) and Ghami La Pass (3765m), you arrive in Dhami from where you walk through the longest Mani wall in Mustang. Climb up a ridge and cross a valley along some meadows to arrive in Drakmar. Overnight at lodge in Drakmar.

Day 7; 4th May 2024: Trek from Drakmar to Lo-Manthang 3810m/7 hours via Ghar Gompa

After breakfast, you trek to the most awaited destination of this trek, the walled capital of Lo-Manthang. The trek starts downhill to the canyon. Trekking uphill to Lo La Pass (3950m), you arrive in the deserted town of Lo-Manthang. You will get a view of many mountain peaks including Bhrikuti Peak (6460m). Overnight at lodge in Lo-Manthang.

Day 8; 5th May 2024: Tiji Festival

Today is the first day of the Tiji Festival. There is going to be a huge celebration in Lo-Manthang. The festival starts with unrolling a three-storied Thanka painted with images of Padma Sambhava or Guru Rimpoche. You spend the day by observing the local dances and celebrations. The people are going to be there in their traditional dresses. You will see the women in traditional jewelry, Buddhist monks in robes and experience a completely different cultural atmosphere. A masked dance starts showcasing the mythical stories of Tiji festival. As the dance ends, Dorje Jono, an incarnation of Lord Buddha, kills the demon and relives the plague and brings harmony to the region. Overnight at lodge in Lo-Manthang.

Day 9; 6th May 2024: Tiji Festival

On the second day of the festival, you enjoy the dances of the Tibetan Lamas. The purpose of this dance is to chase away the hunger and evil spirits in the region.  A combination of costumes, masks, 12-foot horns, butter cakes, yaks, pigeons, dogs, and several other native aspects makes this festival a treat to watch. Overnight at lodge in Lo-Manthang.

Day 10; 7th May 2024: Tiji Festival

Today is the final day of the Tiji festival. You walk to Namgyal Gompa; a monastery on the top of the hill. It is an important place as it also serves as the court for the local community. In the evening, you return back to the village for the festival. The evil remains of the demons are destroyed on the final day. The demons are set out on the old tiger skin and are attacked by bow and arrows, old guns, and catapult. Overnight at lodge in Lo-Manthang.

Day 11; 8th May 2024: Trek from Lo-Manthang to Tsarang 3560m/4 hours

After breakfast, you leave the beautiful town of Lo-Manthang and head for Tsarang. This trek will take around 3-4 hours. The trail initially ascends and then descends after crossing a river. The village of Tsarang is situated at the top of the Tsarang Chu Canyon. You will visit a white Dzong and red Gompa which are the major attractions of the village. Overnight at lodge in Tsarang.

Day 12; 9th May 2024: Trek from Tsarang to Syangboche 3800m/6 hours

You leave Tsarang and follow the trail to the small settlement of Syangboche. During this trek, you first climb up a ridge, descend to Akiama, and then follow the trail to Tama Gaon (3710m). Descending from here alongside barley fields and small streams, you arrive in Syangboche. Overnight at lodge in Syangboche.

Day 13; 10th May 2024: Trek from Syangbochen to Chhusang 2980m/6 hours

Today, you follow Syangbochen Khola for the first half and Mustang Khola for the second half to reach Chhusang from Syangbochen. It will take around 5-6 hours. On your way to Chhusang, you can also visit Chungsi Cave situated on the bank of Syangbochne Khola. Then, walking through the riverbed with a wonderful view of the mountains, you arrive in Chhusang for the overnight stay. Overnight at lodge in Chhusang.

Day 14; 11th May 2024: Trek from Chhusang to Jomsom 2720m/6 hours

You begin your trek early in the morning. Walking on the riverbed of Kali Gandaki River, you arrive in Kagbeni, where you stop for lunch. Then you will leave the Upper Mustang trail and retrace the route to Jomsom, the starting point of the trek. This will be your last day in the Nepalese dessert. Overnight at lodge in Jomsom.

Day 15; 12th May 2024: Jomsom to Pokhara 820m/25 minutes by flight

Fly to Pokhara from Jomsom via the Kali Gandaki gorge. Enjoy your afternoon at the lakeside in Pokhara or you may take part in the adventure activities in the lake city like boating and cycling. In the evening, you can visit the local bars and pubs which are very famous in the lakeside area. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Pokhara.

Day 16; 13th May 2024: Reserve Day for flight delay/cancellation and the afternoon flight back to Kathmandu

You still have plenty of time to enjoy in Pokhara. You can visit the Phewa Lake and World Peace Pagoda which are the major tourist attractions in Pokhara. Alternatively, you can visit the hilltop of Sarangkot for the sunrise view. In the afternoon, you take the flight back to Kathmandu. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 17; 14th May 2024: Final Departure from Kathmandu

The 17 days trip comes to an end. After a fulfilling breakfast, our company representative will drop you at the airport from where you take the flight back home.

COST INCLUDE

  • 2 night hotel in Kathmandu 3 star bed & breakfast
  • 2 night hotel in Pokhara Bed and breakfast.
  • Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu Deluxe Air-Condition bus
  • Flight  Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara-kathmandu.
  • Lodge Trek with meal, guide, sherpas, porters, etc.
  • Mustang Special permit
  • Annapurna Conservation fee
  • Transportation of staff & equipment
  • Staff flight Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara
  • Cargo for trekking goods from Pokhara – Jomsom -Pokhara
  • Domestic airport tax
  • Insurance & clothing for trekking staff.
  • Air port /hotel/airport transfer
  • last day good bye dinner in Kathmandu with official staff.
  • Our Service Charge and all government taxes

COST EXCLUDE

  • All expenses of personal nature
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu & Pokhara
  • Helicopter rescue incase needed
  • Medicine as well as in trekking
  • International airport taxes
  • Tips for staff
  • Laundry, phone calls
  • Bar bills, Mineral water, Sweety, candy
Trek Start Date:  May 2, 2024  May 4, 2024  May 5, 2022
Trek from : from KTM-KTM  from PKH-PKH From Pokhara/ KTM
Trek cost : USD 1960 P/P  USD 1675 P/P USD 1650 P/P


Mustang Tij Festival Trek

Tour Reviews

5.00 based on 2 reviews
July 11, 2017

In 2013 we trekked to Lo Mantang with Sonam and his team. There we had the fortunate to visit the Tiji- Festival. What a great experience, as Mustang as itself!
Few years later we trekked to Manaslu (2015), Kangchenjungha (2016) and EBC (2017) with Sonam again. So we could recommend him and his company by his knowledge, care and perfect organization. No problems, just solutions.

Thank you for all these experiences, my friend!

November 26, 2017

You have been a wonderful guide ! Thank you for answering the all of our questions, managing all the details, helping us meet the challenge of trekking at altitude – and for your generosity and kindness throughout the trip.
Namaste !

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