Mustang, a captivating region of Nepal bordering Tibet and mainly inhabited by people of Tibetan descent, is divided into Lower Mustang and Upper Mustang due to its sensitivity. Travelers need a special permit to visit the restricted area of Upper Mustang.
The region boasts natural beauty, the Himalayas, the source of Kaligandaki River known for ammonite/fossils – revered by Hindu and Buddhist followers – as well as numerous monasteries and caves.
The Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek offers an exceptional experience with two programs combined in one itinerary. While trekking in upper Mustang is possible throughout the year, witnessing the three-day Tiji festival in Lo-Manthang – capital city of Upper mustang – is truly remarkable.
According to a well-known legend, there once was a powerful man-eating demon that wreaked havoc in the Mustang region due to a lack of live human flesh. This occurred because tantric gurus were protecting the inhabited areas through their magical practices.
In order to retaliate against the tantric gurus for causing trouble, the demon created water shortages and spread unknown diseases in the valley of Mustang and its surrounding areas. The limited supply of snow-melted water from the remote Himalayas worsened matters for human civilization in this region.
This situation led to increased suffering, with animals and humans dying as a result of thirst and disease. Even prominent spiritual teachers were unable to halt the harm caused by this demon.
Finally, Dorje Jono, an influential tantric spiritual teacher, was called upon to expel the demon using his potent spell of spiritual practice. By safeguarding the entire valley with his magic, Dorje Jono prevented the demon from entering it. As a result, lifestyle returned to normal and remains so till today.
Arrival in Kathmandu (30 Apr, 2024)
A representative from Sherpa Village Trek will greet you at the international terminal in Kathmandu. Afterward, we'll travel to the hotel in a private vehicle. In the evening, there will be a brief introduction to the trip.
Flight to Pokhara (01 May, 2024)
You will depart for Pokhara early in the morning from the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport. Upon arrival, our office staff will greet you at the airport and arrange your hotel transfer. You'll then have a half-day excursion to explore Pokhara city.
Day Highlights:
Drive to Tatopani (02 May, 2024)
We begin our day with a delicious breakfast and beautiful sunshine. As we drive along the twisting road, we take in the stunning sights of mountains, local life, farms, river gorges, and more. In the evening, there's the opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate at the natural hot springs of Tatopani.
Day Highlights:
Jeep Drive to Kagbeni via Muktinath (03 May, 2024)
Early morning departure from the hotel, and travel to Kagbeni. During the journey, we will stop by Marpha village, explore the local market of Jomsom, and visit Muktinath Temple. Muktinath holds significance for both Hindu and Buddhist believers, showcasing religious coexistence between people in Nepal and India. After exploring these locations, we will return to Kagbeni at an elevation of 2,804 m.
Day Highlights:
Drive to Charang (04 May, 2024)
Our journey today begins with completing the necessary permit checks at Kagbeni. We will then continue on to visit monasteries and a school for monks, where they learn about prayers and basics. Along the way, we will pass through various places and villages such as Chelle, Samar, and Ghiling, before finally arriving in Charang.
Day Highlights:
Drive to Lomanthang and celebrate the 1st day of Tiji Festival (05 May, 2024)
You'll begin by visiting the ancient Lo-Ghar Gompa monastery in Nepal, then proceed to Lomanthang. Along the way, you'll encounter Tibetan plateaus, cliffs, and sky caves amidst a desert-like landscape that will captivate your senses.
Following lunch, you'll head to the king’s palace to partake in celebrating the TIJI festival. Here, you'll have the opportunity to observe rituals and enjoy traditional dances performed by Tibetan monks from various regions around the world. After experiencing TIJI festival activities, return to the hotel for dinner and spend overnight there.
Day Highlights:
Celebrate 2nd day of the Tiji Festival (06 May,2024)
The festival typically begins at noon, so in the morning we will travel to Chhoser village. It's only a short one-hour drive from Lomanthang. If you're fortunate, you may even catch sight of Blue sheep and other wildlife. In Chhoser, you'll have the chance to visit the sky cave and the Buddhist school in the village. Following our exploration of Chhoser, we will head back to Lomanthang for the TIJI celebration before returning to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day Highlights:
Celebrate the 3rd day of the Tiji Festival(07 May, 2024)
Today marks the conclusion of the TIJI festival. Take this opportunity to visit the monasteries and Buddhist schools in Lomanthang, followed by a leisurely sightseeing tour of the village. In the afternoon, engage with locals as they celebrate the final day of TIJI, observing their rituals and traditional dances. Conclude your day with dinner at the hotel before retiring for the night.
Day Highlights:
Drive back to Jomsom ( 08 May, 2024)
You will return to Jomsom along the same route, passing through the picturesque villages of Tsarang, Ghami, Ghiling, and Samar before reaching Kagbeni. You'll need to complete a special permit check at Kagbeni. Then you can drive back to Jomsom where rooms will be allocated. There's time to explore the market area of Jomsom until dinner.
Drive back to Pokhara (09 May, 2024)
After having breakfast in Jomsom, we return to Pokhara via the same route we took to reach Jomsom. One advantage of retracing our steps is that it allows for easy revisiting of any places you may want to see or stop at again.
Flight back to Kathmandu (10 May,2024)
The flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu is only 25 minutes while driving will take approximately 6 hours. Once in Kathmandu, you can make the most of your evening by dining at a nice restaurant.
Departure (11 May, 2024)
You are free to shop and pack until it's time to leave. Our office representative will take you to the airport in a private vehicle for your departure.
To commemorate this victory over evil, the Tiji Festival is celebrated every year which has now taken on added significance as a ritual ceremony for World Peace and Victory over Evil. Locals believe that this 3-day ceremony brings eternal blessings to all sentient beings.
We were incredibly impressed by the dedication and hard work of the Sherpa Village Trek Team. Their exceptional support made our unforgettable journey in Mustang possible, and we are truly grateful for their efforts.
I recently had the opportunity to participate in the Tiji festival tour in Mustang with my best friend. The entire experience was expertly organized by Sherpa Village Trek, and I was thoroughly impressed by their attention to detail. The festival itself left me in awe; it was unlike anything I had ever witnessed before. Our knowledgeable guide led us through an exploration of various monasteries and caves, each one exuding a unique beauty intertwined with rich cultural significance. My heartfelt thanks go out to Sherpa Village and their entire team for facilitating such a truly incredible journey through Nepal.
I wanted to witness the Tiji Festival firsthand after knowing about the lore behind it and Sherpa Village Trek made it possible. Comparing different sites, it was clear that Sherpa Village was far ahead of the competition and their track record was also spotless, so I had no doubts about their capabilities. I had an amazing time in Nepal and will definitely return in the future.
