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  • Duration18 Days
  • Price from$2400/ person
  • Difficulty LevelModerate
  • Max Altitude(4,130 M) 13,549 ft

There is no better time to visit the Mustang region than during the Tiji Festival! The whole district has a spiritual aura around it during this auspicious 3-day festival, which celebrates the victory of God over the demon and good over evil. While on the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek, you feel like you’re in some faraway land, frozen in time, participating in age-old rituals. Well, that’s not too far off from reality. Not to mention, the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek leads you through one of the most well-preserved landscapes in the world. The trail never ceases to amaze those seeking an unmatched trekking experience with its enormous Himalayan peaks, ancient sky caves, and desolate wilderness.

The allure of the Tiji Festival lies in the rich mythology and animated rituals that take place. The monks of Choedhe and surrounding monasteries in Lo-Manthang dress in elaborate costumes to re-enact the story and celebrate its significance. The story has it: the Mustang region was in trouble years ago. A demon was wreaking havoc on the area, spreading disease and taking away the people’s water. Then, Dorje Jono (an incarnation of Buddha) defeated the demon, sparing the Mustang region from destruction. 

Upper Mustang is one of the Must-Go travel destinations in 2024, according to the New York Times

While on the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek, you are not just an onlooker of the festival; you get to actively participate in it with the local people. Absorb the energy and excitement radiating from the monks and the Lobas (natives of the Mustang region). After three days of festivities in Lo-Manthang, we take our time descending. There are more remote monasteries to visit and ancient Buddhist monuments to see! The final destinations of the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek are Muktinath and Jomsom. Muktinath has a famous pilgrimage site with an incredible viewpoint, and Jomsom is a wonderful place to wind down and celebrate the end of a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual adventure.

Upcoming Mustang Valley Tiji Festival Dates: 2024

The Tiji Festival in Upper Mustang will be celebrated from May 5th to May 7th, 2024. June is the beginning of the monsoon season in Nepal; don't worry! Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, so you will stay dry throughout your trek. The date for the Tiji Festival in 2025 has not yet been finalized.

Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Permits

All foreigners must obtain a special permit to enter the Upper Mustang region. You have to have a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), which costs $500 USD for 10 days and $50 per day for each additional day. Restricted areas also require that you go with a licensed guide. To get a RAP, you must also be in a group of two or more people. If you don’t have a partner, don’t worry. We can find another group for you to join, so it is possible for you to take the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek. Also, because the area belongs to the Annapurna region as well, you have to get the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit, which is $20 USD and is valid until the end of the trek. Note that the standard TIMS card is not required for this trek.

What makes this tour very interesting

Mustang Tiji Festival at a Glance

On Day 1 of the festival, the monks perform a dance known as ‘Tsa Chaam,’ which represents the birth of Dorje Jono and the trouble that the demon brought to the Kingdom of Mustang. Monks dressed as demons pretend to harass the people of Mustang in an interactive performance.

On Day 2, things get interesting as "Nga Chaam’ is acted out. Dorje Jono attempts to bring the demon to the Buddha Realm.

On the third and final day, the ‘Rha Chaam’ ceremony happens. During this dance, Dorje Jono finally defeats the demon and expels him from Mustang, – acted out by the monk playing Dorje Jono throwing an effigy of Ma Tam Ru Ta (the demon). The rituals bring great joy and peace to the people of Mustang, and in carrying out these rituals, they hope to spread peace throughout the world.

Itinerary

  • Day: 1
    Arrival in Kathmandu.

    Upon your arrival at the Kathmandu airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Rugged Trails Nepal who will take you to your hotel. Welcome drinks upon arrival at the hotel, free time until 6 pm. Evening welcome dinner in a traditional Nepali Restaurant with authentic Nepali cuisine and a cultural program.Overnight in Kathmandu Hotel.

    • Hotel
    • NA
    • 1300 M
    • Kathmandu
  • Day: 2
    Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek Preparation.

    After breakfast proceeds our short guided sightseeing tour at the Swayambhunath Temple. After Swayambhunath temple, we will visit another UNESCO World Heritage sites Patan Durbar Square, and the Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is also one of the largest stupas in the world.

    After sightseeing drives back to the hotel and briefing of our rest of the trip plan. At the same time if you have to buy any trekking gears or things for the rest of the day's Guide will help take you to the trekking equipment store in Thamel. 

    In the morning we will collect original Passport Copies to issue the Upper Mustang Trek Permits. During breakfast bring your passport and 3 P.P size photos. Trek will be introduced after the Kathmandu sightseeing.
    • Hotel
    • 6 hrs
    • Breakfast, Dinner
    • 1,400 m (4,600 ft)
    • Kathmandu
  • Day: 3
    Kathmandu drive to Pokhara.

    After breakfast drive to Pokhara. Scenic drive through the Valley, Mountains view, Riverside with the nice green view, the local village. Check-in Hotel and walk around Fewa Lake, and if time permits visit Peace Stupa for Sunset (optional).

    The trip price covers a Road trip if you want to take 25 min flight instead of 6 hrs drive let us know.
    • Hotel
    • 6-7 hrs
    • Breakfast
    • 827 M
    • Pokhara
    • 210
  • Day: 4
    Pokhara fly to Jomsom 27,43 M (8,999 ft) and Trek to Kagbeni.

    Early morning we will take a flight to Jomsom. We will meet our team (porter) at the Jomsom and after a short tea break walk to Kagbeni.

    Breakfast will be packed please collect from the Hotel reception.
    • Lodge
    • 3-4 hrs walk
    • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • 2804 M
    • Kagbeni
    • 10.7 Km (6.6 miles)

What's Included

  • Full Board (breakfast, lunch, and Dinner) in Trekking
  • Domestic Airfare Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara (both way) as per itinerary/price
  • Accommodations during the trek.
  • The government registered English-speaking local expert guides and porters.
  • Annapurna National Park fees
  • Upper Mustang trekking permit.
  • Accommodations in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast.
  • Guided tour in the city with an expert tour guide.
  • Welcome and farewell dinner in the city
  • Equipment and clothing for Porter and staff.
  • Insurance for all staff and porters.
  • All transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek
  • First Aid Kit for the Upper Mustang Trek.
  • Updated Upper Mustang Trekking Map
  • Salary, allowances, expenses and insurance for all staff, including porters
  • All government taxes.
  • Trip organized with safety protocols during the Covid-19 Pandemic 

What’s Excluded

  • Nepal visa: Multiple Entrée (30 days): USD 40
  • Lunch and dinner during the hotel stay in Kathmandu
  • Extra baggage charges
  • Personal gear and clothing (available on hire)
  • Tips for guide and porters,
  • Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation or roadblock due to any reason,
  • Personal travel insurance in case of an emergency.
  • Service other than those mentioned above
  • International airfare and airport taxes.
  • Items of personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry, and mineral water
  • Entrance fees during the sightseeing in the city
  • Domestic flight tickets (Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu) for the optional plan only

Useful Information

  • The cost of the Mustang Tiji Festival trip depends on the group size and the length of the trip.
  • The trip cost also depends on the type of trip you want to do. There are two options for the Tiji Festival packages: one is a trekking package, and the other is a jeep drive tour.
  • The Tiji Festival itinerary can be customized to fit your holiday length.
  • Transportation to Upper Mustang is by 4WD jeep.