Address: Jorpati-3, Kathmandu, Nepal
Email: besttripsinnepal@gmail.com
Contact No: 986-0034887
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Information
USD 2290.00 P/P
Highlights
Join Best Trips Nepal for a 19-day Tiji Festival Lo Manthang Trek, witnessing the vibrant Tiji Festival, exploring Upper Mustang’s Tibetan culture, and trekking the Kali Gandaki Gorge.
Embark on a 19-day Tiji Festival Lo Manthang Trek with Best Trips Nepal, a cultural and spiritual journey into Nepal’s remote Upper Mustang, timed to coincide with the vibrant Tiji Festival. This trek celebrates the three-day Buddhist festival in Lo Manthang, featuring masked dances, sacred rituals, and vibrant ceremonies that symbolize the triumph of good over evil. The route follows the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the world’s deepest, to Lo Manthang, Mustang’s walled capital, with its Royal Palace, ancient monasteries, and Tibetan heritage. Trekking through villages like Kagbeni, Tsarang, and Samar, you’ll cross Marang La Pass (4,230m) and visit Ghar Gompa, one of Mustang’s oldest monasteries, while enjoying views of Nilgiri and Annapurna. With a maximum altitude of 4,230m, this moderately challenging trek is ideal for cultural enthusiasts and adventurers. Best Trips Nepal ensures expert guides, sustainable practices, and restricted area permits for an unforgettable Himalayan experience.
- Experience the three-day Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang, a colorful Buddhist celebration with masked dances and rituals.
- Explore Lo Manthang’s Royal Palace, ancient monasteries, and Tibetan-influenced architecture.
- Trek through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the world’s deepest, with views of Nilgiri and Annapurna.
- Visit Ghar Gompa via Marang La Pass (4,230m), one of Mustang’s oldest monasteries.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu (1,350m)
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, where a Best Trips Nepal representative welcomes you with a display board and transfers you to a Thamel hotel. Relax or explore Thamel, followed by a traditional Nepali dinner with a cultural program. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 02: Stay in Kathmandu for Sightseeing and Official Procedure (1,350m)
After breakfast, visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Complete trekking permits and attend a trek briefing in the afternoon. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 03: Depart to Pokhara (920m, 6 hours by bus or 30 minutes by flight)
Drive 6 hours or fly 30 minutes from Kathmandu to Pokhara, enjoying river and mountain scenery. Check into a Lakeside hotel, relax, visit the area, or go boating on Fewa Lake. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 04: Fly to Jomsom (2,710m, 20 minutes) and Trek to Kagbeni (2,800m, 3.5 hours)
Fly 20 minutes from Pokhara to Jomsom, Mustang’s headquarters. Trek 3.5 hours to Kagbeni along the Kali Gandaki Gorge, exploring its ancient houses, monasteries, and Tibetan-style temples. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 05: Trek to Tsaile (3,050m, 5-6 hours)
Trek 5-6 hours from Kagbeni to Tsaile (Chele), following the Kali Gandaki River through Tangbe and Chhusang villages. Cross a bridge and climb steeply for 35 minutes to Tsaile’s mud-and-stone village. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 06: Trek to Geling (3,440m, 6-7 hours)
Trek 6-7 hours from Tsaile to Geling, crossing passes like Taklam La (3,240m) and Yamdo La. Pass Samar and Shyanmochen through arid landscapes and tree-lined valleys, reaching Geling’s dramatic village. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 07: Trek to Tsarang (3,490m, 5-6 hours)
Trek 5-6 hours from Geling to Tsarang via Nyi La (4,010m) and Ghami La. Descend through Ghami to Tsarang, a large Lo village with a 500-year-old monastery featuring historic wall paintings. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 08: Trek to Lo Manthang (3,840m, 4-5 hours)
Trek 4-5 hours from Tsarang to Lo Manthang, Mustang’s walled capital with over 1,000 residents. Explore the 300m-long, 150m-wide fortified area, protected against winds and bandits. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 09: Stay in Lo Manthang, First Day of Tiji Festival (3,840m)
Observe the first day of the Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang, featuring ceremonial preparations, monk-led rituals, and the start of masked dances symbolizing the defeat of evil. Explore the festive atmosphere. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 10: Stay in Lo Manthang, Second Day of Tiji Festival (3,840m)
Witness the second day of the Tiji Festival, with vibrant masked dances, colorful costumes, and Buddhist chants performed by monks in Lo Manthang’s main square. Engage with local traditions. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 11: Stay in Lo Manthang, Third Day of Tiji Festival (3,840m)
Experience the final day of the Tiji Festival, culminating in elaborate rituals, final dances, and a ceremonial chase of evil spirits, marking the triumph of good. Reflect on the cultural spectacle. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 12: Trek to Ghami (3,510m, 5-6 hours)
Trek 5-6 hours from Lo Manthang to Ghami via Marang La Pass (4,230m) and Ghar Gompa, one of Mustang’s oldest monasteries. Pass mud-and-stone houses in the arid landscape. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 13: Trek to Samar (3,700m, 5 hours)
Trek 5 hours from Ghami to Samar, a small Tibetan-influenced village. Pass Geling and enjoy views of Mt. Nilgiri, farm terraces, and barren landscapes along the trail. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 14: Trek to Chhusang (3,370m, 5-6 hours)
Trek 5-6 hours from Samar to Chhusang, passing a vertical ridge with lush hill views. Descend to the Kali Gandaki valley, exploring Chhusang’s traditional architecture. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 15: Trek to Jomsom (2,710m, 6-7 hours)
Trek 6-7 hours from Chhusang to Jomsom, descending through the Kali Gandaki Gorge via Tangbe, Kagbeni, and Eklebhatti. Enjoy views of Nilgiri and Tilicho Peak. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 16: Fly to Pokhara (920m, 20 minutes)
Fly 20 minutes from Jomsom to Pokhara. Explore Lakeside, visit temples, caves, or enjoy views of Annapurna, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri from Phewa Lake. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu (1,350m, 6 hours or 30 minutes by flight)
Drive 6 hours or fly 30 minutes from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Check into a Thamel hotel and relax or explore nearby shops and cafés. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 18: Leisure Day in Kathmandu (1,350m)
Enjoy a free day to visit missed UNESCO sites like Bhaktapur Durbar Square, shop for souvenirs in Thamel, or unwind at a café. Reflect on the Tiji Festival and Mustang’s cultural treasures. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 19: Transfer to Airport, Departure
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure, carrying unforgettable memories of the Tiji Festival and Upper Mustang’s Himalayan wonders.
Included
- Permits: All necessary permits for trekking and climbing.
- Base Camp and Camps: Full logistics and setup at base camp and higher camps.
- Trekking Guides: Experienced and certified professional trekking guides.
Excluded
- International Flights: Flights to and from Nepal
- Personal Gear: Personal climbing equipment (e.g., boots, clothing, gloves)
- Personal Expenses: Tips, snacks, and souvenirs
Trip Organization
Best Trips Nepal has been a premier adventure travel company based in Kathmandu, dedicated to delivering sustainable and authentic experiences. Specializing in cultural treks like the Tiji Festival Lo Manthang Trek, we guide adventurers through Nepal’s remote landscapes and vibrant traditions. Our experienced guides, eco-friendly practices, and commitment to local communities ensure meaningful journeys that leave only footprints behind. Join Best Trips Nepal to witness the Tiji Festival and explore Upper Mustang’s timeless beauty.
FAQs
1. Is the Tiji Festival Lo Manthang Trek suitable for beginners?: This trek is moderately challenging, suitable for fit beginners with some trekking experience, due to altitudes up to 4,230m and daily treks of 5-7 hours. Best Trips Nepal provides experienced guides for support.
2. When is the best time for this trek?: The trek is timed for the Tiji Festival in late spring (May), offering clear skies and mild weather. Mustang’s rain-shadow location makes it viable during early monsoon (June), with fewer crowds.
3. What permits are required for this trek?: An Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit ($500 for 10 days, $50/day extra) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (NRs 3,000) are required, arranged by Best Trips Nepal. A minimum of two trekkers and a licensed guide are mandatory.
4. Why choose this trek?: This trek offers a rare chance to witness the Tiji Festival’s vibrant rituals, explore Lo Manthang’s Tibetan culture, and trek the Kali Gandaki Gorge, blending spirituality, culture, and Himalayan adventure.