2024 Tiji festival Upper mustang
14 Days
USD COST: $3100 P/P
Book now Deposit: $500 required
Minimum 2 bookings required. Guaranteed departure. No extra hidden costs.
2024 Departures . . .
28th April - 11th May
Tiji Festival Overview
Experience the captivating Tiji Festival, a revered annual event spanning three days in the ancient kingdom of Lo-Manthang, Upper Mustang. Rooted in Tibetan rituals, this festival symbolizes the triumph of Dorjee Sonnu, the incarnation of Lord Buddha, over the menacing demon, Man Tam Ru, known for wreaking havoc on the land.
Named "Tiji," derived from "Tempa Chirim" meaning "Prayer for World Peace," this festival unfolds in May, captivating spectators with vibrant ceremonial dances performed by monks from the Choedhe Monastery. Witness the enactment of ancient legends, from the expulsion of Ma Tam Ru Ta to the birth of Dorjee Sonnu, all intricately portrayed during the festival's three-day spectacle.
Nestled amidst the rugged terrain of Upper Mustang, Lo-Manthang offers a journey into a hidden world steeped in Tibetan culture and history. The region's isolation has preserved its unique identity, with whitewashed settlements, barley fields, and colorful prayer flags adorning the landscape.
Upper Mustang
The Upper Mustang trek brings you into the hidden world of the old Buddhist kingdom of Mustang, also called Lo. Lo used to be part of the Tibetan empire and is therefore closely tied to Tibet in culture, language and geography.
Isolated from the outside world, Mustang has preserved its Tibetan roots and pristine natural beauty. Nestled in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri massif, the region's rugged terrain features a strikingly arid landscape adorned with colorful rock formations. Amidst this barren scenery, clusters of white-washed houses, barley fields, and chortens adorned with prayer flags dot the landscape, adding vibrancy to the surroundings.
Following the ancient salt caravan route, the Upper Mustang trek retraces the footsteps of traders who exchanged Tibetan salt for grains from the lowlands. The ultimate destination of this journey is the capital of Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang. As you ascend to the Lo La pass at 3950 meters, the walled medieval capital emerges on the horizon, its towering, white-washed walls standing in stark contrast against the rugged landscape.
Experience the allure of Mustang's untouched beauty and immerse yourself in its rich cultural tapestry as you traverse the ancient trails of the Upper Mustang trek. Discover the hidden treasures of Lo and witness the timeless charm of its majestic capital, Lo Manthang.
Why choose Namas Adventure team. (More on about us)
Ensuring client safety is our foremost priority, guiding every decision we make on our expeditions.
We curate the best-qualified Sherpa and guide teams for all our adventures.
We utilize the highest quality gear and equipment, including tents, ropes, climbing gear, and base camp essentials, on all treks and expeditions.
Count on our experienced team to assist you in achieving your greatest adventure aspirations.
We are dedicated to creating enjoyable, memorable experiences and targeting successful summits on all our expeditions.
Reason to love this trip.
Begin your journey from the vibrant capital city of Kathmandu, filled with bustling energy and rich culture.
Trek into the mystical kingdom of Lo-Manthang, where ancient traditions and breathtaking landscapes await.
Discover the secrets of 10-thousand-year-old caves nestled in the hills of Upper Mustang, revealing glimpses of history and intrigue.
Immerse yourself in the teachings and way of life of Buddhism as you learn from the locals in Upper Mustang.
Experience the awe-inspiring Tiji festival, celebrated only once a year, spanning three days of cultural immersion and spiritual enlightenment.
Accomplish one of the greatest adventures of your lifetime as you conquer the challenges of the Upper Mustang trek.
Enjoy the serenity of a destination with fewer tourists compared to the bustling Everest region and Annapurna Base Camp, allowing for a more authentic and intimate experience.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
Day 2 Kathmandu - Pokhara (flight)
Day 3 Pokhara to Jomsom via Flight and trek to Kagbeni 2810M
Day 4 Kagbeni (2810 m) - Ghami drive
Day 5 Ghami to Tsarang
Day 6 Tsarang (3560 m) - Lo Manthang (3800 m) 4-5 hrs
Day 7/8/9 Lo Manthang (3800 m). Tiji festival and explore the monasteries
Day 10 Day hike to Nyiphu and Garphu monasteries/caves and villages in the north of Lo Manthang.
Day 11 Lo Manthang (3800 m) - Jonson Drive
Day 12 Jomsom to Pokhara flight
Day 13 Pokhara early sunrise and afternoon flight to Kathmandu
Day 14 Departure
Hotels in Kathmandu for Expeditions
Necessary Informations
+ Included in the trip
- Local Sherpa and Guide leaders
- Arrival hotel in Kathmandu
- All trekking permits (Mustang Region Permit and TIMS)
- All internal-local transportation to and from the trekking trail head
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on trek days. (one meal order)
- Lodge accommodation during the trek
- One porter for 2 trekkers
- Arrival pick up and departure
- Internal flights
- Basic First aid kit
- Welcome/Farewell leave Dinner
+ Not included in the trip
- Visas and travel insurance
- Entertainment and food ( Kathmandu )
- Bottled drinks and beverages
- Evacuation (will be done in your account)
- Tips (Service Charge in Hotel and Restaurants are included)
- Single supplement Charges
- Laundry, Phone services, Personal expenditure transactions
- Optional trips
- Tea breaks, chocolates or other snacks and any meals beside breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Delay and cancellation because of natural phenomenon
- International flights to Kathmandu
+ Equipment/gear lists?
Footwears
- Hiking shoes for the trek to base camp with ankle protection
- Gaiters
- Midweight thermal socks: 5 pairs
- Liner socks or equivalent: 2 pairs
Body Layers
- 1 merino base layers: top / bottom set
- Quick-dry sports bra (for women)
- 1 mid layer top: breathable Underwear
- Lightweight waterproof/breathable rain pants
- Convertible hiking pants
- Hooded Soft Shell jacket To be worn over other layers
- Midweight down or synthetic parka with hood
- Hooded Hard Shell: Gore Tex and breathable
- Insulated Down Jacket
- Long jones equivalent to Rab’s Polartec or equivalent: 2 pairs
Headgear and Hand wear
- Wool hat (ski hat)
- Sunhat: To shade your face / neck from the sun on a hot day
- Buff: To protect your neck / face from the sun
- Under helmet Balaclava
- Glacier glasses: Full protection with side covers or wrap around
- Lightweight synthetic liner gloves: For wearing on a hot day; 2 pairs
- Soft shell gloves: To wear for moderate cold / wind
Personal Gear
- 20-30L Trekking Backpack: To carry on the trek to base camp. Simple and light.
- Sleeping Bag: Rated to at least -10 to -20C. Goose down or synthetic
- Compression stuff sacks: 2 large ones; for reducing volume of the sleeping bag, down parka, etc., in your pack.
- Trekking poles with snow baskets: Adjustable poles
- Head torch: 1 normal for base camp and 1 with remote battery systems for climbing at night. This will be used whilst climbing at night
- Sunscreen: SPF 50 or above
- Lip balm with sunblock
- Water bottles: 1 wide mouth bottles with 1L capacity
- Thermos: 1 litre (buy a good ones to keep your water warm for longer hours)
- Toiletry bag: Include toilet paper and hand sanitiser and small towel
- Hand warmers & toe warmers
- Pen Knife or multi tool (optional)
- Camera: bring extra batteries and memory cards
- Personal solar charging system (optional but recommended)
- Travel Clothes
- Duffel bags (1) with locks
- Base Camp extra Items: Kindle, I pad, books, smart phone, etc
- Cell phone in waterproof case
- Cell phone charging cable
- Local SIM card for cell phone (purchase in Nepal)
- Portable power device (for recharging phone or other electronics)
- Snack food: Please bring a few days of your favourite climbing snack food such as bars, energy gels, nuts, beef jerky, etc. A variety of salty and sweet is recommended to give you extra energy.
- Small personal first aid kit: Include athletic tape, Band-Aid’s, Ibuprofen, blister care, personal medications, etc
- Toothbrush (travel size)
- Toothpaste (travel size)
- Toilet paper
- Personal wipes
- Women’s hygiene items
- Pee bottle
- Hand sanitizer
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Biodegradable soap
- Deodorant
- Dental floss
- Razor and shaving cream
- Skin lotion
- Medications and Prescriptions: Bring antibiotics (Azithromycin, etc.), and altitude medicine such as Diamox and dexamethasone*
+ Baggage allowance in Nepal?
Nepal internal flight allows only 15kgs per person. Addional weights are not allowed due to internal flight operators capacity. Your bag during the trek will be carried by porters or pack animals and should not weigh more than 15kg. Items not required on trek can be stored at your kathmandu hotel. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline.
+ How many in a group?
Min 2 - Max 12
+ Tips for our guides and porters.
Most of our guest gives tips during the end of the trek. We suggest tips of $150 per person for the whole trip. Your guide leader will fairly distribute the tips among your assistant guides and porters. Guest also donates trekking equipments like jackets, trek poles, gloves or hats to porters which is greatly appreciated. Guest can also buy our porters dinner, during the final day of the trek for all their hard work and for making their trek possible.
+ When is the best time to trek Upper Mustang region?
Spring March - May.
Summer - June & August
Autumn - September - November.
+ Who is this trip for?
All Adventure travellers, 18+
+ Can I request another Tiji festival trekking date?
Tiji festival is once a year festival hence the travel date is set. However, if you are looking to tarvel into Upper Mustang then we would be more than happy to arrange trekkings for your on your prefered date. Minimum of 2 bookings required for personal inquiry. email us at - namas@namasadventure.com