Tiji Festival Upper Mustang 19 Days

Duration: 19 days
Trip level: moderate (info?)
Maximum altitude: 3950 m
Accommodation: teahouse/lodge
Season: May/June

Overview

About the Tiji Festival Upper Mustang:
The Tiji festival is also known as the Tenchi festival and is an abbreviation of the word “Tempa Chirim” which means “Prayer for world peace”. The Tiji festival in Upper Mustang celebrates the myth of a son who had to save the Mustang Kingdom from destruction. It is the most popular festival in Upper Mustang and is celebrated each year for three days on the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar. The monks and lama’s of Lo Manthang’s monastery perform ritual dances and celebrations wearing various kinds of masks and ancient traditional costumes. The indigenous people also were traditional clothing and jewelry. In Lo Manthang are horse races being held or you can just wander through the alleyways of the ancient city. The Tiji festival at Upper Mustang is an impressive reflection of the inspiring and vibrant Buddhist culture of the local region.

Overview:
After your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, we will pick you up and take you to a comfortable hotel in Thamel. The next day you can recover from your flight or enjoy sightseeing at some cultural sites in the Kathmandu valley.
From Kathmandu, it is a comfortable drive by tourist bus to Pokhara. This city is situated next to Phewa Lake. You can already see some white-capped peaks of the Annapurna mountain range. A short flight will bring you to Jomsom which is the gateway to the Mustang region. After a few days of trekking through the barren landscape, you arrive at Lo Manthang. An ancient walled town that is the capital of Upper Mustang. Here you will stay three full days to enjoy the Tiji festival of Upper Mustang. Both tourists and locals are welcome to enjoy the dances performed by the lamas of the monastery. During your stay in Lo Manthang, you also have enough time to wander through the narrow and small streets of the capital. After the festival you hike back to Jomsom, visiting other villages on the way up. From Jomsom, you will fly back to Pokhara and Phewa Lake. A tourist bus will bring you back to Kathmandu.

Itinerary

Note: It is best to book the Tiji festival at least 3 months in advance for reservations in Lo Manthang.

Tiji Festival dates for 2024:
26^th April            Arrival Kathmandu; pick up International Airport Kathmandu
27^th April            Sightseeing Kathmandu
28^th April            Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara, flight is optional (6 hrs.)
29^th April            Flight to Jomsom, and trek to Kagbeni (2800 m – 4 hrs.)
30^th April            Trek to Chele (3050 m – 6 hrs.)
1^st May               Trek to Shyammochen (3500 m – 6 hrs.)
2^nd May              Trek to Gami (3510 m – 5 hrs.)
3^rd May               Trek to Tsarang (3560 m – 8 hrs.)
4^th May               Trek to Lo Manthang (3700 m – 5 hrs.)
5^th May               Tiji Festival starting day
6^th May               Tiji Festival
7^th May               Tiji Festival final day
8^th May               Trek to Dhakmar (3810 m – 6 hrs.)
9^th May               Trek to Shyammochen (3500 m – 6 hrs.)
10^thMay              Trek to Chusang (2980 m – 6 hrs.)
11^th May             Trek to Jomsom (2720 m – 6 hrs.)
12^th May             Morning flight to Pokhara, and drive to hotel
13^th May             Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu, flight is optional (6 hrs.)
14^th May             Departure; drop off International Airport Kathmandu

Detailed pricing

During the trekking season prices may rise. The final price depends on the trekking season, group size and, if applicable, the cost of the local transfers.

Please inquire about the price.

When you arrive at the International Airport we will pick you up and bring you to your accommodation. Here we will give you a short briefing about the trek & the Tiji Festival. In addition, we will give you advice about hygienic food, customs, and sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Cost include:
-Pick up and drop off from Kathmandu International Airport to hotel
-3 nights private room in 3* star hotel including breakfast in Kathmandu
-One night in guesthouse including breakfast in Pokhara before and after trek
-Return drive Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus; return flight Pokhara to Jomsom and transfer to and from domestic airport
-Certificate of CO2- emission free for all transport in Nepal
-Licensed and certified mountain guide. Well experienced and English speaking
-Porter service for carrying luggage. One porter for two persons, max. luggage 12 kg. per person
-Free use of waterproof bag for your luggage
-Salary, food, accommodation and insurance for the mountain guide and porters
-Upper Mustang special permit for 10 days ($500,00) , Upper Mustang extra days permit, ACAP fee, TIMS card and local taxes
-Support of the Sherpa Heritage Trails head office in Kathmandu

Cost exclude:
-International flight to Kathmandu
-Nepal entrance visa
-Lunch and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara
-Lodging and food during trek
-All beverage bills, hot shower, internet services, laundry and battery charge during trek
-Kathmandu city guide for sightseeing
-Personal travel insurance
-Rescue operation charge in case of an emergency
-Any cost that arises due to a change of itinerary like flight delay, natural calamities, etc.
-Gratitude and tips for mountain guide (and porter)