Have you ever imagined strolling through a hidden, frozen land with ancient culture and vibrant tradition, along with an exquisite landscape? Well, if you haven't, the Upper Mustang Trek will offer you a mystical aura and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But wait! Beyond the breathtaking scenery and rugged beauty of this place, there is another unique experience unlike any other: the Tiji Festival.
Upper Mustang is also recognized as the Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal, which lies in the Mustang area. It was restricted until 1992, which kept it preserved and hidden. The majority here are the Tibetan people, who preserved their culture in isolation. This is why it has virgin beauty with some unseen landscapes and culture. The Tiji Festival is a vibrant Tibetan Buddhist three-day event held annually in the royal palace in the walled city of Lo-Manthang in the Upper Mustang region. This festival is usually celebrated in May.
Tiji stands for "Tempa Chirim," which translates to "Prayer for World Peace.". The festival is celebrated for the victory of good over evil. As per the ancient stories, the celebration comes through a reenactment of a mythical battle between a son and his demon father, who terrorized the Mustang Kingdom. The festival is believed to bless the land and bring prosperity for the year. The Tiji Festival includes thrilling dances such as monks dressed in elaborate costumes, colorful prayer flags and decorations, religious rituals and ceremonies, and traditional music. If you are planning to experience this divine festival, Pure Adventure presents you with personalized packages to the Upper Mustang Area for the Tiji festival. You will be able to observe the unique festival with the vibrant culture and ancient life of the Tibetan and Buddhist cultures.
Day 01
To start your journey, you will first arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our representatives from Pure Adventure Nepal will be there to welcome and receive you. After this, a private vehicle will transfer you to your hotel. As you reach your hotel, rooms will be assigned, and then you will have a short meet-up. Once you settle in your rooms, you will have the rest of the day to stroll around the markets of Kathmandu. You will have dinner in the evening and discuss the trip with your fellow travelers.
Day 02
On the second day, you will be heading towards Pokhara. The 25-minute flight will take you to the beautiful city of Lakes, which is surrounded by mountains. The flight will further offer you some of the dazzling views of the Himalayas and the Annapurna range. You can check into your hotel after you reach Pokhara, and in your spare time, you can get out and enjoy the serene beauty of the Pokhara Valley.
Day 03
Today, you will be catching an early morning flight to Jomsom. This short flight of around 20 minutes will take you to Jomsom. After having some breakfast there, you will start your trek towards Kagbeni. Following the Kali Gandaki River, you will come across several picturesque villages and dramatic landscapes. After reaching Kagbeni, you will see traditional Tibetan houses and culture.
Day 04
A 5 to 6-hour trek right up to the river valley will lead you to Tangbe village for your lunch. Thereafter, continue your trek from Tangbe. After 2 hours of trekking, you will reach Chuksang village. You shall see the incredible view of Nilgiri Peak, along with the apple orchards and white-washed houses. Moving ahead from Chusang along the Kali Gandaki River will lead you to Chele. You will be spending your night in the village of Chele.
Day 05
On the following day, you will get up early and head towards Ghyling. The beginning has some steep ascents, after which you will pass through some traditional Buddhist gompas and charming villages, including Samar and Syangboche. After trekking for some hours, you will reach Ghyling, which is a small village on the hilltop. You can have some panoramic views of the Himalayas from there. You will be residing overnight at Ghyling.
Day 06
As you gather yourself from Ghyling, you will head towards Charang today. Charang is a historical village with some old 14th-century monasteries. Before reaching this beautiful village, you will traverse through arid landscapes, rock formations, and ancient chortens. You will spend your night here.
Day 07
This is the final leg of the trek to the Lo-Manthang area, so get up early, have your breakfast, and move towards your destination. Lo-Manthang Valley will offer you astonishing sights of the snow-capped peaks. Lo-Manthang is the capital city of the Upper Mustang area, where the Tiji festival is held. After you reach Lo-Manthang, you can take a moment to stroll around and explore the beauty of this area. Also, the Tiji festival begins tomorrow, so be prepared for this experience.
Day 08
The first day of the Tiji festival begins today. You will witness the festival rituals and cham dances performed by the monks at Chodden Monastery. You will also explore Nepal’s oldest monastery, Lo Ghar Gompa, on the way to Lo Manthang. The arid landscape, with the Himalayas as a backdrop, will mesmerize your eyes. You will also witness the colorful procession and enjoy the festive music and chantings of the monks.
Day 09
On the following day, you will witness the second-day rituals of the Tiji festival. Normally, the festival starts at noon, so during the morning, you can head to the surrounding places. Moreover, you can take part in the traditional archery competition and witness horse racing events.
In the evening, you can explore the bustling market stalls and immerse yourself in the local culture. Enjoy the traditional Buddhist and Tibetan cuisine in the evening and rest there.
Day 10
On the third and final day of the Tiji festival, you will be exploring the monasteries and gompas. There will be the concluding ceremony of the Tiji festival, so you can capture the festival and receive blessings from the monks. You can bid your farewell to the Tiji celebration on the third day and rest in your lodge.
Day 11
You will say goodbye to the Tiji festival and Lo-Manthang. As you depart from Lo-Manthang, you will trek through the ancient caves and chortens. On the way, you will stop at the local and beautiful village of Lo-Geker. After a fulfilling meal at Lo-Geker, you will continue to trek to Ghami. At Ghami, you will see some traditional Buddhist monasteries and views of mountains. You will spend your night at Ghami.
Day 12
After collecting yourself from Ghami, you will continue your trek to Chuksang. This is a trek among the rugged mountains and hills where you will be between Tetang. The trek is for 6 to 7 hours, and you will trek to Samar village the following day.
Day 13
On the following day, you will ascend towards the Samar village. You will be moving across the Kali Gandaki River and will explore the changing scenery along the trail. Samar is a traditional village with Tibetan houses and a tranquil atmosphere. You will be spending your night there.
Day 14
After getting up early and having a fulfilling breakfast, you will trek to Kagbeni through the lush green valley and descend downhill. On your way, you can enjoy the diverse flora and fauna. The end portion of your journey is Kagbeni. After you reach Kagbeni, you can have your dinner and overnight stay there.
Day 15
After completing the Upper Mustang Trek, you will reach back to Jomsom from Kagbeni. Also, alternatively, you can visit Muktinath if you manage to stretch your routine. The completion of this Upper Mustang Trek will link you to the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Day 16
You can take an early morning flight to Pokhara from Jomsom, and here you can enjoy the beautiful lakeside view. Additionally, don’t forget to book a window seat to enjoy the majestic views of the mountains and hills for the final time. As you reach Pokhara, enjoy the outdoors that day.
Day 17
You can either drive or take a flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara. Arrive in Kathmandu and shift yourself to a comfortable hotel. You can further explore some amazing places in Kathmandu, including the UNESCO-listed sites along with Pashupati Temple. You can have the farewell dinner and pack early to avoid a last-minute rush.
Day 18
It is time to say your final goodbye to Kathmandu and Nepal. After having meals at your hotel, you will head towards the Tribhuwan International Airport. Our representatives for Pure Adventure Nepal will drop you off at TIA. You will be heading to your homeland with tons of memories of the trek.
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Waterproof jackets and pants
Sweaters and down jackets
Lightweight trousers
Hiking shirts—long-sleeved
Hooded raincoat and Fleece jacket
Innerwears
Lightweight and heavyweight winter gloves
Sun hat or scarf; Money belt; Cotton headscarf, bandana
Winter hat or insulating hat
Hiking Boots
A pair of sports shoes
Heavy wool and light socks
Headlights and extra batteries
Face and body wipes
Sunscreen and sunglasses with UV protection
Money
Watch
Cell phone and camera
Medium-drying towels
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Washing kits, talcum powder, and toilet paper
Degradable soap and shampoo
Deodorant floss, nail clippers, and mirror
First aid kit
Passport-sized photos and passport photocopies
Binoculars
Personal medications
1 swiss type knife
Sleeping bags and sheets,
Rucksack, backpack, and a small day pack
Water bottle
Water purification tablet solution
The Tiji Festival is celebrated for three days annually in the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar, which falls in May or June.
Certainly, you are allowed to take photos and videos during the festival. However, it is essential to be respectful and ask permission to take their photos.
Certainly, you are allowed to take photos and videos during the festival. However, it is essential to be respectful and ask permission to take their photos.
The Tiji festival is held in the Royal Palace of the ancient walled city of Lo-Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang in Nepal.
Well, there is no particular dress code for the Tiji festival. It is recommended to dress modestly and respectfully, as this is a place of religious importance. You can wear pants, shirts with sleeves, and shoes. Alternatively, you can opt for traditional Tibetan attire if it is available.
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