Highlights

• Three days interesting festival happening only in Lo Monthang, Upper Mustang aka The Forbidden Kingdom

• Stunning views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche and many more other peaks

• Experience excellent Local hospitality and observe their unique livelihoods

• World’s renowned monk leads the Tiji festival

• Be a part of the century old ceremonies & rituals

• Deserted landscapes which is very similar to the Tibetan plateau

• World’s deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki gorge and the holy Kali Gandaki River Valley

Upper Mustang Tiji festival is the biggest festival in upper Mustang. Tiji word means "Tempa Chirim" which means "Prayer for World Peace". The flocks of a large number of local people and the tourists come to Mustang to celebrate this festival once in a year. The festival started about 400 years before to commemorate the victory of Buddha incarnation as Dorje sonnu over demon and bringing peace to the area. Monks of Chode Monastery have been performing the religious dances in Tiji festival every year in courtyard of Mustang Royal palace in Lo Manthang.

Dorje Jono (also known also as Dorje Phurba, Vajrakila, Vajrakumar) is the name of a deity in Vajrayana Buddhism, an age-old Buddhist practice in India and Nepal. The Buddhist masters (Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra and Shilamnju of Nepal) went on to introduce this practice to Tibet during the 8th century CE, where then many lineages were born. Padamasambhava instructed the major steps in the holy dance of Vajrakila at Samye Monastery in Tibet. Chode Monastery at Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang is famous for its performance of Vajrakila practices and rituals. The ritual’s main dancer (Tsowo) has to complete a three month retreat before the main event. There are two types of activities in the build-up to the meditation; the peaceful dance steps followed by the display of defeat with the holy power. Similarly, there are 3 main stages in the dance ritual.

The Upper Mustang Tiji festival starts with the opening of 400 years old banner and the monks start to dance in the elaborated masks and costumes. The Tiji festival dance is led by the monks of the Sakya sect of Buddhism. The three days long festival is honored by the king of Lo sitting on the throne built in the town’s main square and continues with different rituals each day marking the victory of good over evil.

In the past, Mustang was an independent kingdom but not anymore. Upper Mustang is a remote deserted area next to the Tibetan border hence Mustang is closely tied with Tibet in terms of languages and cultures. End of the 18th century, the kingdom was combined into Nepal and became a historical place. The monarchy came to cease to exist by order of the Government of Nepal. Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista died in 2016 as the last king of the historical and cultural Mustang Kingdom.

Upper Mustang Tiji festival happens on the basis of lunar calendar and every year, the festival day can be different. In the coming year in 2022, Tiji Festival is going to be held in between 27th to 29th May. If you would like do the glorious tour, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours is ready to lead you there. Nature Lovers has been actively organizing the famous Tiji festival in Upper Mustang tour to all the Buddhist followers and the believers every year and this year is going to be the same. Upper Mustang Tiji Festival trekking can also be done instead of Upper Mustang Tiji festival tour if the traveler has more time to spend in the Nepal Himalayas.

Upper Mustang Tiji festival tour outline itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,400 m and hotel transfer, Hotel

Day 2: Preparation of Tiji festival journey, B, Hotel

Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara 900 m, B, Hotel

Day 4: Drive from Pokhara to Kalopani 2,300 m, BLD, Teahouse

Day 5: Drive from Kalopani to Kagbeni 2,804 m via Dhumba lake 2,900m, BLD, Teahouse

Day 6: Drive from Kagbeni to Ghaymi 3,520 m, BLD, Teahouse

Day 7: Drive from Ghaymi to Lo Manthang 3,700 m, BLD, Teahouse

Day 8: Celebration begins; First Day of Tiji Festival, BLD, Teahouse

Day 9: Second Day celebration of Tiji Festival, BLD, Teahouse

Day 10: Third Day celebration of Tiji Festival, BLD, Teahouse

Day 11: Drive from Lo Manthang to Chhuksang, BLD, Teahouse

Day 12: Drive from Chhuksang to Jomsom 2,715 m via Muktinath 3,800 m, BLD, Teahouse

Day 13: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara, B, Hotel

Day 14: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu, BD, Hotel

Day 15: International Departure to sweet home, B, Flight.

Upper Mustang Tiji festival tour detailed itinerary

BLD denotes Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 1:Arrival in Kathmandu 1,400 m and hotel transfer, Hotel

After flying into Kathmandu, one of our staffs will greet you and take you to the respective hotel. There after the dinner, you will be briefed about the trip details by one of our representatives following which we prepare for the next day trip.

Day 2:Preparation of Tiji festival journey, B, Hotel

We have separated this day to do the final preparation for the entire journey. Sightseeing in the Kathmandu valley is optional and can be done on request after finishing the preparation.

Day 3:Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara 900 m, B, Hotel

We take a leave in the early morning after breakfast in Kathmandu. The trip will take you through beautiful green forests, deep gorges along the edges of a charming Trishuli River. We go through Naubise, Malekhu, Muglin and Gorkha through which we reach our destination Pokhara. Get ready to be swept away by the beauty of the city.

Day 4:Drive from Pokhara to Kalopani 2,300 m, BLD, Teahouse

We drive early morning towards Baglung Beni Highway via beautiful villages and towns like Lumle, Kade, Nayapul, Kusma and Beni to arrive at Tatopani after a long drive. Driving by the riverbank of Kali Gandaki River, we will arrive in Kalopani for the night stop. You are going to experience the bumpy and off-road trail, most of the journeys. Most popular Rupse Falls, the waterfall falls en route.

Day 5:Drive from Kalopani to Kagbeni 2,804 m via Dhumba lake 2,900m, BLD, Teahouse

We drive further deep into the Mustang region enjoying the amazing vistas of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. You will pass through the Ghase where exist the huge waterfall and again through Marpha, the famous village with enormous apple gardens. Visit Dhumba lake with short excursion which rewards you with the panoramic views of the peaks and the picturesque valley down below. Continue to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang for the night.

Day 6:Drive from Kagbeni to Ghaymi 3,520 m, BLD, Teahouse

Climbing uphill many times en route we can see the barren hills and the soaring mountains on top as we drive forward from the valuable village Kagbeni. You can see and feel the huge change in the weather and the climate when you keep going further and further.

Day 7:Drive from Ghaymi to Lo Manthang 3,700 m, BLD, Teahouse

In this adventurous day ride, we finally arrive to our main destination of the entire journey, Lo Manthang. We visit many century old monasteries on the way and enjoy the ride slow and steady. Once we arrive Lo Manthang, we can enjoy exploring this wonderful walled city.

Day 8:Celebration begins; First Day of Tiji Festival, BLD, Teahouse

On this very first day of the Upper Mustang Tiji festival celebration, you can see a lot of different dance performances. They perform the dance called Tsa Chham which indicates the birth of Dorje Sonnu, the reincarnation of Buddha to demolish the demon from the kingdom of Mustang.

Day 9:Second Day celebration of Tiji Festival, BLD, Teahouse

They perform the dance called Nga Chham which displays the efforts of holy Dorje Sonnu to conquer over the dangerous demon. More vibrant dances and performances will be held in this colorful celebratory day.

Day 10:Third Day celebration of Tiji Festival, BLD, Teahouse

On the final day of the Tiji festival celebration, the monks perform another dance called Rha Chham which symbolizes the victory over the demon by the holy being. At the end, it shows that the peace and prosperity coming to the land of Mustang.

Day 11:Drive from Lo Manthang to Chhusang, BLD, Teahouse

Drive in the pristine nature once again after finishing the beautiful Tiji festival in Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang. You will find less settlements on the way back when you can purely enjoy the breathtaking landscapes under the giant peaks.

Day 12:Drive from Chhusang to Jomsom 2,715 m via Muktinath 3,800 m, BLD, Teahouse

In this wonderful riding day in the land of Mustang, we come past Kagbeni one more time and drive further to the holy Muktinath temple. After getting the blessings from the temple and cleansing our soul by washing ourselves in the 108 waterspouts, it’s now time to drive towards Jomsom, the administrative headquarter of Mustang region.

Day 13:Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara, B, Hotel

We head towards the airport in the early morning and take the early flight to Pokhara. The plane passes through the gorge between Mountain Annapurna and Dhaulagiri adding an amazing experience to your journey. We take our lunch in Pokhara and start exploring the Pokhara if you wish to. Boating in Phewa Lake and visit the holy Tal Barahi Temple at the middle of the Lake. Whereas in the evening you can enjoy the sunset from the top of Sarangkot or World Peace Stupa.

Day 14:Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu, BD, Hotel

The next day, we drive in early morning to Kathmandu valley with the same route enjoying the green forests and the hills. You can do some shopping and buy some token of love or souvenirs. In the evening we enjoy our final dinner and share the good memories of our entire Upper Mustang Tiji Festival tour. After this, we prepare you for the departure for the next day.

Day 15:International Departure to sweet home, B, Flight.

This day, our memorable trip ends and one of our representatives will assist you to the airport and bid farewell from Nature Lovers Treks and Tours' team for your beautiful journey back home.

Cost for 1 PAX: $2390 /-

Cost for 2 or more PAX: $2090 per person

Note: Trip cost varies with the group sizes.

Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour Cost Breakdown

Cost Includes

• All arrival and departure transport by private vehicle

• Private vehicle ride throughout the trip to Lo Manthang and back

• Twin sharing hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara on BB basis

• Full board meals as breakfast, lunch and dinner with tea/coffee during tour

• Teahouse lodge accommodation in the mountain

• TIMS (Trekking Information Management Systems), ACAP (Annapurna Area Conservation Project) and Special Permit for Upper Mustang

• Service of trekking guide / porters with their expenses and insurance

• Complimentary farewell dinner in Kathmandu with cultural performance

• Clean drinking water

• Company t-shirt

• Route map

• Comprehensive medical kits

• Certificate of appreciation

• Domestic airfare

• All government tax and VAT

Cost Excludes

• Nepal visa fee and International flight (airfare)

• Extra drinks as alcoholic and non-alcoholic

• Personal expenses

• Extra accommodation and meals behind schedule

• Travel and emergency rescue insurance

• Tips to guide and porters (mandatory)

• Meals and sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara

• Duffel bag, sleeping bag, walking stick and down jackets (provided if required, to be returned afterward)

Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour Useful Information

Kathmandu airport pick up and drop services

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours’ staffs will pick you up from the airport as per your flight arrival time and similarly drop you off in the airport for international departure according to your flight schedule. During arrival, please don’t forget to look for your name placard hold by the team, outside the airport arrival gate. Our staff will be impatiently waiting for your arrival to greet you and warmly welcome you in Nepal. ‘NAMASTE’ is the foremost and the most commonly used greeting word in Nepal which you will hear from our staff at the very first moment you meet him.

Customized Trips and Trip departure

Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.

But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the tour as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.

Accommodations in Kathmandu, Pokhara and during trek

You will be staying in the 3 star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara while in the teahouse lodges or guesthouses during the trek.

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement.

If you wish to change the accommodation category to a better ones in Kathmandu and Pokhara, please let us know and we can change it for you on added cost.

Route Map and Company T-shirt

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.

Your trekking guides and porters

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.

Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.

Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.

Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.

Your safety

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour.

Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour cost?

The cost of the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour varies from $1800-$2800 depending upon the number of days you choose to do the tour. The longer the tour, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices and group sizes also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey from the moment you land in Nepal till the moment you fly back home. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking and tour permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.

How is the Accommodation during the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour?

In Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour, we will provide you the teahouse accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Many teahouses even have some attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace. Most of the teahouses provide the European toilets these days while Asian style of toilets are available in every teahouses. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.

What are the permits that I need for Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour?

For Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour, you will need to make 3 permits: Upper Mustang Restricted Permit, ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).

How does this tipping system in Nepal work and do I have to tip?

Tipping is not compulsory for Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide expects around $5 or more per day per person while a porter expects $4 or more per day per person.

Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour?

You can easily charge your electronic devices during Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour {with few days exception} but by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.

Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour?

Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour route has good mobile network coverage these days {with few exception days}, thanks to the Nepalese telecommunication companies called Ncell and NTC. You can buy one of these Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the tour to avoid paying extra by buying WiFi on the tour.

WiFi is available on most of the teahouses in Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour route and cost some charges. However, the signal varies from place to place and please don’t expect to receive the fast data coverage in the tour.

When is the best time to travel to Upper Mustang?

Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek to Upper Mustang. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour. Since Upper Mustang is not affected by rain, it is popular as the monsoon paradise.

Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour?

The itinerary of our Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour.

Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour?

When it comes to trekking and tour in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek and tour. We will be gaining the high altitude of 3950 m above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.

Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour does not demand any physical fitness of such. This is purely a cultural and festival tour to the restricted zone in Nepal which has the landscapes and geography similar to that of Tibetan plateau.

What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour?

Only breakfast is included in Kathmandu and Pokhara while full board meals or full meals are included during the tour. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the tour, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are a varieties of choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc.

The most common and the highly recommended food during the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour is typical Nepali Dal Bhat {rice and lentil}; even better without meat, means Nepali Vegetarian Dal Bhat. You can also eat other food items such as seasonal vegetables, noodles and spaghetti, pastas, pizzas and French fries, soups, etc. depending upon the availability. For the beverage, you can either choose warm, hot or cold beverages; soft drinks, beer and hard drinks. For the breakfast, you can order cereals, breads, noodle soups, egg dishes, etc.

Do I need a travel insurance for Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour?

Travel insurance is a must when you trek and tour to Upper Mustang. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 4000 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.

What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Tour?

Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful tour to Upper Mustang. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking and traveling to Upper Mustang. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.