Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

You could be already in Kathmandu or you may be arriving on this very day and whatever it is we welcome you to Nepal! Thank you for choosing Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek with budget trekking. On this first day we transfer you to your hotel/hostel. You will not do much except observing the ambiance around you and get acquainted with the country.

Accommodation

This is an important day because today is the day when you will meet with your guide. The guide or one of our team members will brief you about the trek about more or less everything you need to know. After briefing we would thoroughly go through the trekking gear that we have. Furthermore, if there is anything that is not according to the trekking standard we will do last minute shopping of the trekking gears. On the other hand one of our backend office staff will get busy preparing required permits and logistics.

Accommodation

Meals Included

Breakfast only

Depending upon the choice of your package, you will either fly or drive to Pokhara. The flight takes around 30 minutes. Whereas, the drive can take anywhere from 5 - 7 hours. Whatever option you choose, you still can enjoy the views of Nepalese terrain on your way. The package price is inclusive of tourist bus to Pokhara. In case you require a flight, please communicate at the time of booking the package. In case you decide to book a flight, the prices will increase from what it is at the moment. Overnight in Pokhara.

Accommodation

Meals Included

Breakfast only

You will board an early morning flight to Jomsom. The flights usually start around 7 in the morning. This is because Jomsom has high gust of wind in the day time which makes it difficult for the flights to take off and land. The flight takes around 20 minutes from Pokhara to Jomsom. Once in Jomsom, we will collect our luggage and begin our trekking on foot. There is an option of taking a jeep to Kagbeni but starting on foot is an ideal thing to do. Around 1 - 2 hours of easy walk and you will reach to the destination of the day. Overnight in Kagbeni.

Accommodation

Meals Included

From the beautiful town of Kagbeni we will begin our trekking. The initial phase of trek takes place on jeep track until a village namely Tangbe (3060m). Tangbe is a small muddy village but beautifully crafted by its inhabitants. From Tangbe the trail climbs to a small hill and again drops down to another place named Tetang (3040 m). Tetang homes a small salt mine which you can explore in case we have plenty of time. From here, the trail drops to the level of Kaligandaki river and remains besides it. On the other hand of the river, you can see caves dug by people in the past for meditative purpose. At the end of this section, there is a short climb which takes us to Tsaile which is also known as Chele.

Accommodation

Meals Included

The trek on this day is going to be a little long and a little challenging. Since the day is going to be long, you should hit the trail by 7 a.m. In the initial phase of today’s trek the trail immediately climbs up for a while before descending to the canyon. After few hours of walk, you will reach a pass namely Taklam La (3624 meters). From the pass, the trail heads down to a small village named Samar. The trail branches from Samar and one trail leads to Chuksi Cave and the other to Bhena La pass. We would take the lower trail to the Chuksi cave. Chuksi cave is a small cave carved out of the hill. The cave is guarded by a nun who also provides further information on the formation and history of the cave. After spending brief moment in the cave we move forward to Syangboche. The views of the mountains in the surrounding is magnificent from Syangboche. The trail from here more or less eases from here on and until Ghiling. Ghiling is different from the other villages in the region. This village is like an oasis in the middle of the desert. Overnight in Ghiling.

Accommodation

Meals Included

We would again begin walking by 7 and after breakfast. The trail climbs up to a pass namely Nyi La. The pass lies at an altitude of 4150 meters and offers you the views of surrounding landscape and the village below. It takes almost 2 hours for you to reach the next village namely Ghami / Ghemi. However, before reaching this village you will have to make your way through another pass namely Ghami La. Ghami is the usual lunch spot and the only lunch spot unless the next village which is quite far. This lunch spot offers lunch in Tibetan style, seated on the floor and food placed on Tibetan tables. From Ghami, the trail drops to Ghami Khola river. From the river, the trail climbs again to the longest mani wall in Mustang and a fort. Furthermore, you will walk over another pass before you finally come to Tsarang/Charrang.

Accommodation

Meals Included

Tsarang is comparatively a big village. The village houses chortens and a big monastery. If we are able to find the caretaker of the monastery, the monastery is worth the visit. Please remember that the monastery asks for an entrance fee which is not included in the package. However, the fee is around 2 dollars in Nepalese currency. Once we explore the village, we move further to our destination of the day. A little further from the village and the trail divides into two. In this very place lies a chorten with religious carving. The name of the chorten is Sungda. Today’s day is short and in about 4 hours from Tsarang you will reach Lo Manthang. For a while from the Sungda chorten you will walk on the newly made road to Lo Manthang. Escaping the road, you will again climb to the Lo La Pass at 3950 meters. The pass showcases the mountains in the surrounding and also Lo Manthang village in the foothills. Shortly, you will make it to Lo Manthang and call it a day.

Accommodation

Meals Included

Tiji Festival is an ancient festival that dates back to the Guru Rinpoche. The festival revolves around 2 central characters Dorje Jono, the savior and his father, the demon. Dorje Jono performs 52 magical dances in 3 days, usually with different masks and costumes for each. The central character dances in the sound of the music made from traditional instruments. On the first day, the festival and the dances are colorful. 3 long and slow dances are performed in the first day. On the other hand, there are timely comic interval and prayers rituals. Overnight in Lo Manthang.

Accommodation

Meals Included

The second day begins with other dances. The dances on this day are more aggressive. Furthermore, dancers dressed in animal costume perform a sword dance. On this day, you will see more spectators come from all over Mustang and even from Tibet. People come in finest dresses and jewellery. The day ends with piercing the straw effigy of the demon. The piercing of effigy represents the defeat of the evil. Overnight in Lo Manthang.

Accommodation

Meals Included

On the final day, they bring out new effigy made from the dough while chanting and praying goes on. Dorje Jono stabs the effigy with a Tibetan Knife. The central character slices the head off the effigy and buries it in the main entrance of the Palace. From this point onwards, the dances are replaced by a loud ritual which is led by dancers and followed by the dignitaries. The ritual then becomes accompanied by loud traditional trumpets, the fumes of pine leaves and incense sticks. As a part of ritual, the participants and the spectators draw weapon to completely defeat the demon. Finally, the central character Dorje Jono pulls a bow and arrow and shoots the demon. This is how the festival ends with the defeat of the demon. After the rituals are over, people celebrate with local wine namely Tsampa and local food. Overnight in Lo Manthang.

Accommodation

Meals Included

We will follow the same trail taken to Lo Manthang on our way back. We might make little detours in between for excitement.

Accommodation

Meals Included

We will follow the same trail that was taken on our way to Tsarang / Charang while returning back to Ghiling. Overnight in Ghiling.

Accommodation

Meals Included

We will follow the same trail that was taken on our way to Ghiling while returning back to Chuksang. Overnight in Chuksang.

Accommodation

Meals Included

We will follow the same trail that was taken on our way to Chuksang while returning back to Muktinath. Overnight in Tsarang.

Accommodation

Meals Included

Since from this point onwards the trail gets crowded by vehicles, we will take a jeep all the way to Jomsom. The jeep ride from Muktinath to Jomsom takes around 2 hours. Once in Jomsom, you will call it a day while your guide reconfirms the flight for the next day.

Accommodation

Meals Included

We will take an early morning flight to Pokhara. The flight time is around 30 minutes and within no time you will land in Pokhara. Once you are in Pokhara, we will transfer you to your hotel. In case you are flying back to Kathmandu on the same day, you will rather be taken to lakeside and not in hotel. Depending upon the layover time in Pokhara, you can book for a sightseeing trip. This trip would come for an additional price and can be discussed at the time of booking. In case you are travelling to Kathmandu by bus, you will stay overnight in Pokhara.

Accommodation

Meals Included

Breakfast only

I case you are travelling by bus to Kathmandu, please read the itinerary on this day. The bus leaves Pokhara by 7. In order to board the bus on time, we will reach the tourist bus park in pokhara by 6:45. The bus takes around 6 - 7 hours to reach Kathmandu. In between, the bus makes frequent stops for loo breaks, lunch and snacks. Once in Kathmandu, we will transfer you to your hotel. The trip officially comes to an end once we transfer you to your hotel. In case you need an airport drop for your international departure, please let us know via email or please let the guide know.

Accommodation

Meals Included

Breakfast only