This trip coincides with the end of the dry season and thus overlaps with the Tiji Festival, a spring renewal party that ushers in the monsoon, while celebrating the triumph of good over evil in a ritual that locals call “the chasing of the demons.
Tiji comes from the words “ten che” meaning” hope of the dharma prevailing in all worlds, the message Guru Rinpoche carried through this region over a thousand years ago.
Tiji consists of three-days of Tibetan rituals. The Tiji centers around a myth, which tells of a deity named Dorje Jono, who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. The trek to Mustang is a spectacular walk through Himalayan terrain that contrasts wildly with the lush fertile hills and valleys located in the south of the main Himalayan chain. Mustang is a barren landscape with only a few small green fields dotting a lunar landscape, but boasts a remarkable spiritual heritage.
Tiji Festival combines through Mustang’s fascinating villages, alongside Buddhist shrines and temples in the shadows of the Himalayas most iconic mountains, before arriving at the fabled walled city of Lo-Manthang for 3 days celebrating with dancing. The terrain is rough and the altitude can be hard going, but you will be in the safe hands of himalayanrandonner and our team of assistance. Expect mainly lodge or camping (fully supported) with a few lodges and hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara for good measure.
During the Tiji Festival the town square fills with characters clad as demons in flamboyant robes and hideous masks dancing about, slashing the air with their swords and intoning spells over on lookers. You will spend the day steeped in the sights sounds and movements of this once-in-a-lifetime cultural marvel. This three-days ceremony is lit up with colorful custom dress, dancing, music, and reenactments from the story of a deity and his demon father. The Tiji Festival 2023 will be celebrate 16th May to 18th May 2023 in Upper Mustang, and upcoming 2024 Tiji Festival dedicate on May, date not dedicated yet ..th ..th and ..th May,
General Itinerary:
Day 01: 16 May 2025: Arrival from Kathmandu international airport to the hotel,
Day 02: 17 May 2025: day’s sightseeing in Kathmandu:
Day 03: 18 May 2025: Kathmandu to Pokhara: drive by tourist bus, or according to the size of the group (6hrs).
Day 04: 19 May 2025: Pokhara to Jomsom: by flight, trek to Kagbeni (2800m, 3h walk)
Day 05: 20 May 2025: Day 01: Kagbeni to Chele: permit entry for Upper Mustang, (3075m), 7h walk
Day 06: 21 May 2025: Day 02: Chele to Syangmochen/Gheling: (3800m), 7hrs walk
Day 07: 22 May 2025: Day 03: Syangboche to Dhakmar: 3800m, 6hrs walk.
Day 08: 23 May 2025: Day 04: Dhakmar to Lo-Manthang village: (3750m) 6/7hrs walk.
Day 09: 24 May 2025: Day 05: First day to observe Tiji Festival.
Day 10: 25 May 2025: Day 06: Second Day of Tiji festival in Lo-Manthang,
Day 11: 26 May 2025: Day 07: Final Day of Tiji festival in Lo-Manthang,
Day 12: 27 May 2025: Day 08: Lo Manthang to Yara 3580m, 6hrs walk, Option this trip can catch also jeep to Jomsom 70km, 5/6hrs drive and from Jomsom to Pokhara 158km 8/10hrs drive, 15/16 days trip,
Day 13: 28 may 2025: Day 09: Excursion to Lori Gompa: 4hrs walk Hike to Lori Gompa, a monastery,
Day 14: 29 may 2025: Day 10: Yara to Tanggye: 3320m, 7hrs long climb to a pass at 3700m,
Day 15: 30 may 2025: Day 11: Tanggye to Chhuksang: 8/10hrs,
Day 16: 01 June 2025: Day 12: Chhuksang to Kagbeni-Jomsom 2800m, 5hrs walk,
Day 17: 02 Jun 2025: Jomsom to Pokhara by flight: 25 minutes, over night Hotel,
Day 18: 03 Jun 2025: Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus, Over night Hotel,
Day 19: 04 Jun 2025: Final Departure to the International airport.
Day 01: 16 May 2025: - Arrival from Kathmandu international airport to the hotel 30 minutes drive to hotel 1350m,
We will come to pick up you in airport with our private vehicle, night with B&B
Day 02: 17 May 2025: - Sightseeing in Kathmandu:
•Swayambhunath: also known as the monkey temple, is climbed by a long set of steps and has great views of Kathmandu.
• Boudhanath Stupa: it is a very traditional Gompa, hung with strings of multi-colored prayer flags, it is attracts many Sherpas and Tibetans for the circumambulations to stupa (koras).
• Pashupatinath: it is a Hindu temple with Ghats on the banks of the Bagmati River, which is all the time busy with burning the death bodies,
• Durbar Square (Kathmandu) which is one of the old capitals of Kathmandu valley, which has been a blend of Hindu and Buddhist temples
Day 03: 18 May 2025: - Kathmandu to Pokhara: drive by tourist bus, 6hrs drive elevation: 850m
Kathmandu to Pokhara: drive by tourist bus, or according to the size of the group (6hrs). We explore around Pokhara Lake Phewa, O/N Hotel, with BB
Day 04: 19 May 2025: - Pokhara to Jomsom: by flight, trek to Kagbeni (2800m, 3h walk)
Approximately 25 minutes flight to Jomsom (2720m). This flight could be subject to changes, due to weather conditions. You rise in the Kali Gandaki valley in the foothills of Nilgiri (7061m). In Jomsom our staff will wait for you for transport and start the trek to Kagbeni. It is a beautiful village of Tibetan architecture. There is a control point to check for the entry permits to Upper Mustang. O/N in Guest house
Day 05: 20 May 2025: Day 01: permit entry for upper Mustang, : - Kagbeni to Chele: (3075m), 7h walk
We go up through the Kali Gandaki valley arid landscapes to Thangbe, a large fortified village with a painted chorten, dominated by strong ruins. We continue our way up this high desert valley, with high cliffs eroded by wind and pierced with caves. We pass the village of Chusang (2980m) and then we follow the river; one last climb leads to the village of Chele. O/N Guest house
Day 06: 21 May 2025: Day 02: - Chele to Syangmochen/Gheling: (3800m), 7hrs walk,
We leave the Kali Gandaki River by climbing through a deep canyon to the pass Chele La (3600m): with a beautiful view of the village of Gyakar (3562m), dominated by rock Sphinx. We slowly descend to the village of Samar (3600m), then we climb to the Bhena La pass (3830m) and finally reach the village of Bhena, with a beautiful view of the Damodhar Himal to the east. We climb to Yamda La pass (4200m). We descend to the village of Syangmochen (3800m) and then after a last pass, we begin the long descent to the village of Geling, dominated by a fort palace and two monasteries. O/N Guest house
Day 07: 22 May 2025: Day 03: - Syangboche to Dhakmar: 3800m, 6hrs walk.
We continue up the valley to the village of Chunkar (3750m) where there is beautiful stupa. We start the steep climb to the Nya La pass (3990m) and after crossing a second small pass, the Ghami pass (3770m) we arrive at Ghami (3510m), a pretty village in the middle of a green oasis. We pass a huge stone wall engraved with mani wall, and then we go to another desert valley to the north, dominated by beautiful eroded cliffs. Our path crosses several stupas before reaching the village of Dhakmar (3800m), and an almost 200ms large mani wall. O/N In Guest house
Day 08: 23 May 2025: Day 04: - Dhakmar to Lo-Manthang village: (3750m) 6/7hrs walk
We ascend to Mui La pass (4145m) and we go down to one of the oldest monasteries in Tibetan Nepal: Ghar Gompa, the Ningma-pa sect, (unreformed) which are nicknamed "Red School" and more commonly called "red caps". This monastery was founded at the same time as Samye, the oldest monastery of Tibet. We admire the statues and frescoes and begin the long descent through the villages of Lo Gekar (eight century monastery) and see below on your right Marang and Tsarang, village in the fields of mustard, barley or buckwheat. It is Mustang's second city whose palace and monastery are backed by a precipice. But we forget this village, you continue to the Marang La pass, and to Lo-Manthang short descent (3750m). Then we spend the afternoon discovering this walled city through its maze of alleys. We visit the main sites and monuments of Lo-Manthang, the Jhampa Lhakang which houses a huge Buddha statue and huge mandalas, the monasteries of Thubchen, Chodey and then "Raja"; the royal residence; we may visit the grand Palace. O/N Guest house.
Day 09: 24 May 2025: Day 05: - First day to observe Tenji Festival of Lo-Manthang in monastery.
First day to observe Tenji Festival of Lo-Manthang in monastery. you have to pay according to the cameras to take the photos. Alt 3840m. O/N in same Guest house
Day 10: 25 May 2025: Day 06: - Second Day of Tenji festival
Second Day of Tenji festival in Lo-Manthang, The monks worship and dance in different forms of Guru Rimpoche, with red uniform of Buddhists. O/N in same Guest house
Day 11: 26 May 2025: Day 07: - Final Day of Tenji festival
Final Day of Tenji festival in Lo-Manthang; alternative solution: On this third day monks dance to chase the enemy up to the field below the village, and finish the festival.
This day we can move to Yara. O/N Same Guest house or Yara,
Day 12: 27 May 2025: Day 08: - Lo Manthang to Yara 3580m, 6hrs walk
We walk on dry ridges and then a steep descent leads us to the river. We are in a narrow ravine before reaching the village of Dhi (3400m), dominated by a beautiful fort in ruins. After lunch we cross the Kali Gandaki River and then we go a little to the left, turn through a gorge overhung by immense cliffs and spectacular a series of organ pipes pierced by a Nabatean city of seventeen floors. We reach the village of Yara (3400m). O/N In Guest house.
Lo Manthang to Jomsom 2750m, Option this trip can catch jeep also to Jomsom 70km, 5/6hrs drive and from Jomsom to Pokhara 158km 8/10hrs drive, 15/16 days trip, we organize this also, who have shirt time,
Day 13: 28 may 2025: Day 09: - Excursion to Lori Gompa: 4hrs walk
Excursion to Lori Gompa: 4hrs walk
Hike to Lori Gompa, a monastery carved into the fairy chimneys. Frescoes and visits to the beautiful "stupa". Afternoon rest at the same camp.
Day 14: 29 May 2025: Day 10: - Yara to Tanggye: 3320m, 7hrs walk,
A long climb to a pass at 3700m, and then a steep descent to the river which we cross. The scenery is desert but always with a grandiose sense of a world away. We are crossing a second pass at 3900m and then walk a gentle downhill steeply at first; to the end we join a rock cliff over the village of Tangye (3320m).O/N in Guest house
Day 15: 30 May 2025: Day 11: - Tanggye to Chhuksang: 8/10hrs walk,
This is longest day of walking the circuit but also the most beautiful! The stage is long because of the randomization to find water between departure and arrival. We begin a long climb to a pass at 4200m; exceptional views across the Mustang, from which the red landscape is detached of Annapurna (8091 m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m). Short descent to PaHa, where we lunch picnic, and slow down by ridges. Then a steeper but shorter descent leads us to the village of Chusang, where the houses are high as fortresses. O/N in guest house
Day 16: 31 May 2025: Day 12: - Chhuksang to Kagbeni-Jomsom 2800m, 5hrs walk
We are back to the same trail to Kagbeni- Jomsom, ascend and descent to Jomsom through Tangbe and then we edge the gorge of Kaligandaki to Jomsom. O/N in Guest house
Day 17: 01 Jun 2025: - Jomsom to Pokhara by flight:
25 minutes, visit Pokhara Valley, O/N in the same hotel with BB
Day 18: 02 Jun 2025: - Pokhara to Kathmandu
Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus 6/7hrs drive, O/N Same hotel with BB
Day 19: 03 Jun 2025: - Final Departure to the International airport
With our private vehicle, it take 20 to 30 minutes to reach the International airport. We say good bye and good luck back home.
Cost Includes: -
•2 nights hotel in Kathmandu BB (Bed & Breakfast)
•1 nights hotel in Pokhara BB (Bed & Breakfast)
•Completely lodging during the trek: breakfast, lunch, dinner and rooms in the lodge.
•Special permit of Mustang and Annapurna Conservation Area project (ACAP) fees
•Airport pick up/drops private vehicles
•Transportation: Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu with staffs
•All government taxes and official charges.
•Airfare Pokhara – Jomsom & Jomsom – Pokhara
•Guide and Porters
•Accidental and medical Insurance of Nepalese staff
Cost Excludes: -
•Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
•Rescue/ emergency and insurance
•Beverage, hard drinks and alcohol
•Nepal entry visa fee and airport tax during the departure.
•Personal equipment and personal expenses. monument; entry fees during the trip or in monasteries
•Tips for guide and porters
Upcoming Trip Departure
Guaranteed - Trip is Guaranteed to run
Available - Trip is available to run if minimum group size is filled
Limited - Only few space available
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