Tiji Festival Trekking ( Upper Mustang )

Trip Information

Adventure Pilgrims Treks and Expeditions offers organized trip to Kingdom of Mustang timed for the beginning of the harvest season and the spectacular three-day Tiji Festival Trek. Located in the Himalayas of Nepal on the border with Tibet, this miniature royal domain answers to its own king even as its host country has rejected a national monarchy. Mustang's culture has descended in its pure form from the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism ( contrasting to the Yellow Hat sect to which the Dalai Lama belongs.) and it remains one of the only spots on earth where Tibetans live according to their own unimpeded traditions. We will walk amidst stunning sculpted rock formations backed by snow-capped peaks. We will visit homes, villages and active monasteries, and the welcome will be warm.

The Tiji Festival Trekking in Mustang's ancient walled capitol 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 our 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.

Adventure Pilgrims Trekking is orginizing Tiji Festival Treks since Upper Mustang Trekking has opened at 1992.

Dates for Tiji Festival 2023

The forthcoming Tiji Festival 2023 will be held on May 16, 17, and 18. 

Upper Mustang Drive in, Trek out Itinerary

Day 01: Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel

One of Adventure Pilgrims Trekking's  respondent will pick you from airport and transfer to hotel. Introduction about Nepal and the experienced trekking guide and short briefing about your trekking trip from the guide.

Day 02 : Gear check up and rest day

Before we start our great trip to Manaslu and Upper Mustang the guide will check your trekking gears and let you know about  necessary items that you don't have. Hike around Thamel  or optional City Tour in Kathmandu, Nepal

Day 03: Private jeep Drive from Kathmandu to Arughat Bazaar (570m.) takes about 9 hours.

You drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway for the first part of the day and then drive towards the hill bazaar of Dhading, After Dhading   the road gets a bit rough until reaching Arughat Bazaar to Soti Khola (530m.) Stay overnight in Lodge.

Day  04: Trek from Soti Khola to Machha Khola (890m.) takes about 6 hours.

The zigzag path passes through forest, villages, streams, pretty waterfalls and green valleys until you reach Lapu Besi. This is a village mainly resided by Mongolian inhabitants. You then again traverse the zigzag path to reach Machha Khola. There is a small market with a few shops and lodges. Stay overnight in camp.

Day 05: Trek from Machha Khola to Jagat (1350m.) takes about 6 hours.

You cross the Machha Khola [Fish Stream] and head upstream to the tiny village of Khola Bensi and the hot springs at Tatopani. The trail is quite exposed and challenging in places. After a short section of forest path you reach the single Tea House at Doban. At Lauri, you cross the river on a suspension bridge, and then climb on a high path to the fields of Jagat, where you camp. Stay overnight in Lodge.

Day 06: Trek from Jagat to Philim (1700m.) takes about 3 hours.

The early part of trek moves gently uphill and then follows a flat leveled path. You cross a suspension bridge over Budhi Gandaki before you enter Philim. Philim is a big village mainly inhabited by the Gurungs. Stay overnight in Lodge.

Day 07: Trek from Philim to Deng (2095m.) takes about 6 hours.

You trek over a flat leveled path mostly through forest of pine, rhododendron and others. While walking, you cross a few bridges and can see villages at a far distance. From Deng, you can enjoy a pretty waterfall lying at some distance. Deng is famous for its potatoes, buck wheat, barley, wheat, cabbage and spinach and the people here are mostly involved in agriculture in this area. Stay overnight in Lodge.

Day 08 : Trek from Deng to Namrung (2900m.) takes about 5 hours.

In the beginning, you trek almost a flat leveled path and then the trail moves uphill all the way to Namrung through forest. Stay overnight in lodge.

Day 09: Trek from Namrung to Lhogaon (3100m.) takes about 4 hours.

You trek over a winding path that moves through the inner Himalayan range. On the way, you can enjoy mountain views of Rupinala pass, Mt. Manaslu, Gorkha Himal, Dwijen Himal, Saula Himal, Lajing peak, and many other snow capped mountains and peaks. As you go up the vegetation decreases. You come across Mani walls, Chortens, prayer flags and monasteries. You can catch panoramic views of Mt. Manaslu, Gorkha Himal, Dwijen Himal, Saula Himal, Lajing peak and others from Lho Gaon. Stay overnight in Lhogoan.

Day  10 : Trek from Lhogaon to Samagaon (3390m.) takes about 4 hours.

You follow the right bank of the river, with views of Peak 29 ahead. As you continue on the main trail you soon reach the fields of Sama Gaon, 3500m. Stay overnight in lodge.

Day  11: This is a day at Samagaon to give you some acclimatization.

You can hike to Manaslu Base Camp for excellent views of Samdo (Pang Phu Chuli); Nagdi Chuli, Simnang Himal, Manaslu glacier, Manaslu ice fall and you can visit Birendra Kunda which is an ice lake near the Manaslu Base Camp. Stay overnight in lodge.

Day 12 : Trek from Samagaon to Samdo (3690m.) takes about 4 hours.

You trek gently uphill all the way to Samdo through a desert path and windy valley. The Tibetan border is just four kilometers away from Samdo. This is an excellent view point for Mt. Manaslu, Samdo (Pang Phu Chuli), Nagdi Chuli, Simnang Himal, Manaslu glacier, Manaslu ice fall and several other majestic peaks. Stay overnight in lodge.

Day 13: Trek from Samdo to Larkya La Phedi (4460m.) takes about 3 hours.

The trail is rocky and zigzags all the way to your destination. Before you reach Larka La Phedi, there is a market called Larkya Bazaar (market) where seasonal fairs are held for the local folks. You will also find a Dharmasala at Larkya La Phedi. Stay overnight in lodge.

Day 14 : Trek from Larkya La Phedi to Larkya La (Pass) (5135m.) to Bimthang (3590 m.) takes about 7 hours.

Early in the morning you begin to trek a steep ascent until Larkya La through a rocky and windy path. From here, you can enjoy the views of Larkya peak, Mt. Manaslu, Ratna Chuli, Cheo Himal and many other snow capped mountains and peaks. Crossing this pass, you follow a steep downhill path through rock and ice. On the way, you will encounter many icy lakes. Bimthang is a broad and level ablation.

Day 15: Trek from Bimthang to Dharapani (1860m.) takes about 6 hours.

Crossing this high pasture you descend the valley of the Burdin Khola to the area of the Base Camp for the West side of Manaslu. From a ridge at 4150 meters, you have excellent views of Manaslu to the South East and Annapurna II to the South West. Beyond a bridge over the headwaters of the Dudh Khola, you descend into a rhododendron forest and follow a trail through a narrow valley until you reach the highest cultivated land in this valley at Karche, 2785 meters. Walking down you cross a stream to reach Tilje. Leaving Tilje, you trek uphill for nearly 45 minutes and reach Dharapani crossing a bridge over the Marshyangdi River. Stay overnight in lodge.

Day 16 : Drive from Dharapani to Besishahar (823m.) to Pokhara takes about 9 hours.

Drive  along a clif  beside of marshyangdi river all the way to Besishahar through villages such as Bulbule, Khudi and others. Your route cuts across terraces, ridges and sometimes you cross small streams. Beshishahar is the district headquarters of the Lamjung district  and Drive from Besisahar to Dumre and to Pokhara over night.

Day 17: Explore Day in Pokhara

Day18 : Return Back to Kathmandu

Upper Mustang Driving Tour Itinerary

Day 01:Arrive in Kathmandu, Transfer to Hotel.

Day 02: Excursion on Kathmandu (optional)

Day 03:Drive to Pokhara, Overnight at Hotel.

Day 04:Drive to Tatopani via High Bridge of Kusma.

Day 05:Drive to Kagbeni via Jomsom and crossing Kaligandaki.

Day 06:Kagbeni to Ghimi passing Samar.

Day 07:Ghimi to Lo Manthang.

Day 08:Lo-Manthang Excursion.

Day 09:Lo Manthang to Jomsom.

Day 10:Jomsom to Pokhara.

Day 11:Tourist coach drive back to Kathmandu.

(please write to us if you have any queries)

Included in the Cost