Mustang Tiji Festival Tour

Trip Duration 20 Nights/21 Days
Trip Code NAP-MUS-403-2022
Trip Grade Moderate to strenuous trail
Trip Cost 2675 per person
Best Time Festival Date: 27th-29th. May 2022

Overview

Mustang Tiji Festival in Mustang's ancient walled capital city of Lo Manthang will be the highlight. A thousand men, women and children participate in the annual elaborate re-enactment of the Tiji myth, telling of a deity named Dorje Jon who battles his demon father to save the kingdom from destruction. It will be a unique privilege to witness the same color, costume, dancing and ritual that were displayed by these people in this place more than six hundred years ago. However, towards the mid 19th century, political changes in Nepal affected Mustang, and many age-old traditions were abolished including Tiji. Although the main ceremony in the city’s square no longer took place, Choede Gompa, the central monastery of Lo Manthang, continued to celebrate the festival with the monastery without economic support from the people. This has been practiced since 1963, and still continues today, despite the main festival having being revived

Mustang is one of the few places in the Himalayan region that has been able to retain its traditional Tibetan culture unmolested… authentic Tibetan culture now survives only in exile and a few places like Mustang, which have had long historical and cultural ties with Tibet.

Highlights

  • Kathmandu valley excursion
  • Kagbeni Monastery
  • Join 3 days long the Ritual Tiji festival 2022
  • Buddhist Monastery
  • Nyaphu, Gharphu, Nedar and Thubten Monastery.
  • Tibetan life-style in refugee camps and the mystic Landscape.
  • Ancient and isolated villages
  • Mixed culture and purely Tibetan cultural
  • The pilgrimage site of Muktinath
  • Lake valley of Pokhara

Trip Summary

Trip Grade Moderate to strenuous trail
Trip Duration 20 Nights/21 Days
Trip code NAP-MUS-403-2022
Trip Start/Ends Pokhara, Jomsom/Jomsom, Kathmandu
Maximum Altitude Chogo-La (4325m) Yamdo-La (4010m)
Trip Cost 2675 per person
Group Size Minimum 2 upto 16 persons
Accessibillity Kathmandu 7-hrs drive to Pokhara and Pokhara fly to Jomsom, start the trek according to itinerary and drive back to Kathmandu
The Route Maximum altitude Chogo-La (4325m) Yamdo-La (4010m) 5/7-hrs average walking per day, moderate to strenuous trail
Season Festival Date: 27th-29th. May 2022
Trip Valid May 2022.
Trip Facilities 3+ hotel in city and home-stay/camping accommodation on mountain.
Departure Time 19 May 2022

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan international airport, welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given in the evening at hotel about the daily program activities by your Group Leader/Guide.

After breakfast the day will start with a guided tour of Kathmandu's historical and spiritual key attractions; including the historic Kathmndu Durbar Square, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambunath) and then finally visit to Patan Durbar square which is situated the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. In the evening there will be pre-trip discussion where you can meet your group leader/guide then you can ask any questions you may have.

This morning you will drive to Pokhara (200km) the road mostly follows the River Trisuli and Marshyangdi, depart 7:00 AM in the morning, approximately 6-hrs way by tourist bus and 5-hrs drive by private transport. Along the drive you will enjoy beautiful scenery. You will arrive late afternoon at Pokhara with enough time to enjoy the colorful town of Pokhara.

Early in morning fly Northwest from Pokhara toward the great portal between the snows covered peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. You will enjoy the well-raised massifs of more than 8000 meters, and the river created deepest gorge on this planet. Jomsom is the district headquarters of Mustang zone. On arrival to Jomsom meet the rest of the trekking staffs, the guide will be with you from Kathmandu, and start the trek to Kagbeni, the main gate to Upper Mustang. Kagbeni situated at an altitude of (2807m) is one of the important places since centuries. Kagbeni village was formed around 14th century as a check post for traders between Nepal and Tibet and still there is a checkpoint to control the groups departing toward Muktinath and Mustang, is the main gate to enter Mustang. There is a monastery, a Police check post and ACAP (Annapurna conservation area project) office inside this visit worthy village. 

The trail leads up toward the east bank of the Kaligandaki climbing over many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tangbe village. The town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. The Nilgiri peak, dominates the southern skyline of Kagbeni, will be enjoyed all the way by different shapes. Beyond Tangbe we reach Chhusang village in about 1-½-hrs trek and crosses the river and continues north climbing up to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki follows. The trek now leaves the Kali Gandaki valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele at (3030m) From here the culture changes from the Manangi culture to the Tibetan culture of Lo.

The climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cairn of rock at (3540m) then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, and then descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar village. The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. Climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge and the trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at (3800m) the route climbs over yet another pass, follows a ridge and then descends to Shyangmochen. From there gently climb to a pass at (3770m) and descend to Geling Village.

From Geling village the trail climbs gently up to an interesting pass Nyi-La and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing a steel bridge of the Tangmar Chu (river) you will arrive to a Mani wall perhaps the longest and most spectacular Mani wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at (3600m), the route makes a long gentle descent to Tsarang village. The huge five-story white Dzong and red Gompa are the main attractions to visit to observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddha's. 

The trail descends about 100 meters down from Tsarang, crosses the Tsarang–Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge and continues to climb. Finally from a ridge at 3850m there is a view of the walled city of Lo. After a short descent, cross a stream then climb up into the plateau of Lo-Manthang.

As all the important sites in this area are located within the capital wall it is very convenient to look around and will not take much time or effort. Tiji Festival. Spend the better part of the day at the Tiji Festival watching all the dances and celebrations that take place, including horse racing and a giant tug-of-war. You’ll see Tibetan women in their traditional clothing and colorful jewelry, monks in their robes and dancers in elaborate costumes. This is an almost unknown festival that most Nepal trekkers never experience. Definitely bring your cameras along today! Includes:

In addition to the festival, there are many other activities in Lo Manthang from which you can choose. Spend today exploring the intimate alleyways and courtyards of the city, or you can rent a horse and visit some of the other villages in the area. Visit Namgyal Gompa on horse and in the evening takes part in Tiji. It takes around 2-hrs to Namgyal Gompa. Namgyal Gompa situates on a hilltop, which serves as an important monastery of the local community and also as a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa continue the tour to Tingkhar, which is a village of around 40 houses, the last main village to the northwest of Lomanthang. After visiting Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar return to Lomanthang.

Visit the Village of Chhoser and in the evening take part in Tiji. Chhoser is one of the most interesting villages from where one can see all the side villages. On the way to Chhoser we will visit the village of Nyaphu, Gharphu, Nedar and Thubten Monastery. The villages in such an isolated land are amazing; the monasteries are attached or made inside the caves, once used as Khampa army hideouts and permanent houses of before 13th century. Thubten Monastery is located under a cliff, the main building is attached in the cliff and the monastic praying rooms are far inside the caves. After visiting Chhoser and other villages and monasteries return to Lomanthang.

From Lo-Manthang the trail climbs steadily offering a last glimpse of Lo-Manthang. The trail climbs a ridge at 4070m and continues climbing to the Chogo-La (4325m), the highest point on the trek. The trail makes a short, steep descent and crosses the Chharang River, then climbs to Lo-Geker and reaches to Ghar Gompa a small monastery. 

 Lo-Gekar trek to Ghami and Shyangbochen: The trail descends passing the stone walls and fields of Dhakmar, then climbs to a ridge and descends to the lower part of Ghemi and further descending you will reach to Jaite (3820m) and descend again gently to Chhung-Kah. The trail then reaches to Tama Gaon (3710m) and continues descending to Shyangmochen.

 After break fast we walk down to Chele after lunch we continue trek the village of Tetang. Tetang village is formed between 2 hills; they should have found it a safe place to avoid the strong wind that hits the entire Kaligandaki valley. Tetang is the upper village of the Chuksang, which we visit on the first day entering to Mustang from Kagbeni. From Tetang village it takes one day to go to Jomsom and a day to arrive to Muktinath.We re-track back to Chele (3050m) for the overnight stop after 5 hrs walk. You will have wonderful scenery during the journey with a Himalayan view. Enjoy your trip and overnight at camp.

From Tetang village the trail climbs till the Gnyu Pass, which take around 3 an half hours. The entire route provides a fine panorama of the Himalayan range and green valley with many kinds of Himalayan flowers. From Gnyu Pass you can see the whole Muktinath area in a distance of 2 hours gentle walk. The Name of the Muktinath (God of salvation) is name of a Hindu’s god. Muktinath is a holy place for all the devotees. Every year thousands of devotees from Nepal, India and Tibet come to visit this place for the salvation and purification of their belief. History tells that many Kings of Asia visited the place for meditation and salvation. Muktinath is decorated by Mt. Nilgiri and Mt. Tilicho to the southeast, Daulagiri to the southwest and Thorang peak and Yakawa Kang to the north. It is one of the most important religious centers of both Hindus and Buddhist. For Hindus, beside the Holy water, the importance of the Muktinath is in the belief that the incarnation of Lord Vishnu is in the form of Saligrams. Saligram are found in the water of Kaligandaki River, just a few hours walk from Muktinath.

 This is the last day of the trek. The trail goes through the village of Jharkot where one can visit the Jharkot monastery, Tibetan herbal medical center and the old fortress of Jharkot, once served as palace. Continuing the trek toward Jomsom one will enjoy the view of the Kaligandaki valley and Kagbeni village the entry point to Mustang. We get a round trip of our trek in Ekle Bhatti visiting all the surprises of the human effort in this corner of the World of such an isolation and solitude. Arrive to Jomsom, celebrate the last day of the trek will in Jomsom with all the trekking staffs.

Jomsom we fly to Pokhara and transfer to your hotel in Pokhara. The trekking staffs except the guide will trek down till Pokhara and drive or fly to Kathmandu, which will take 4 days.

After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus. Along the way you can enjoy with good scenery views. You'll be arriving at Kathmandu late afternoon then you have free afternoon to be fresh up; evening we comment about the trip and celebrate farewell dinner together at Nepalese Typical Restaurant you have free time for shopping.

After breakfast you will have some free time until the time to leave the international airport for your final departure

Cost Included

  • Documents: All necessary official paper works such a upper mustang special permit, ACAP entrance permit and TIMS card.
  • Activities: Sightseeing, hiking and trekking trilp as the itinerary.
  • Equipment: All necessary camping equipments, kitchen utize, if doing camping trek
  • Accommodation: 4 nights hotel in Kathmandu, 2 night hotel in Pokhara  on twin sharing bedroom and 13 nights tented/teahouse on twin or multi shared bedroom on mountain 
  • Food: Full board on home-stay/camping (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trekking and 6 breakfast in city. 
  • Staffs: Leader/Guide and supporters and their daily wage, food, transportation and accommodation
  • Transportation: Airport arrival/departure transfer, Kathmandu to Pokhara and return to Kathmandu land transportation and Pokhara to Jomsom and return flight to Pokhara.
  • Company and Government’s service charge: All applicable Government and local taxes

Cost Excluded

  • Your international flight
  • Travel/medical insurance coverage personal accidents, medical and emergency Helicopter rescue
  • Personal travel and trekking equipments
  • Hiring horse and horsemen
  • Lunch and dinner while in City
  • Items of a personal nature such as normal drinks, hot shower, dessert, laundry, internet and phone call.
  • Expenses occurred due to unavoidable Events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
  • Tips/Gratuities for your trekking crews
  • Optional activities
  • And unforeseen expenses which are out of control by Nepal Adventure Point

Trip Notes

Please request our Trip Note advice and detailed itinerary.

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