The Tiji festival, locals calls Tenchi Festival is annual three days monk dance festival celebrate every year in Upper mustang, Lo manthang . According to Tempa Chhirim , Tenji: commonly pronounced Teeji or Tiji means “Prayer for world peace”. Tiji Festival takes place for celebration at ancient walled city of Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang. A huge mass of Trans Himalayan Tibetan origin group people gather once a year to celebrate Tiji festival. The Tiji festival myth related to deity named Dorje Zon who fights with demon father to save the kingdom from destruction. The Tiji celebration follows wonderful tradition of mask dance reflection of ancient Buddhism teaching of Guru Rinpoche Vajrayana sect.
Upper mustang, a place highly influenced from Tibetan bon Buddhism and only untouched preserved safe zone for Tibetan Buddhism. According to His highness Dalai Lama “Authentic Tibetan culture survives only in exile in a few places like Mustang, which has had long historical and cultural ties with Tibet.” Mustang Tiji Festival Trek is the Trek into the kingdom of Mustang which is undoubtedly the unforgettable experience you will have in Nepal. Mustang has been able to lure the outer world from the past several years due to its extreme topographical variation and cultural diversity. The walled city of Lo Manthang, the unofficial capital of Mustang, remains Kingdom which was a part of the Tibetan Kingdom of Gungthang until the 1830’s. This three-day ceremony is lit up with colorful custom dress, dancing, music, and reenactments from the story of a deity and his demon father. According to legend, the demon father kept water from falling in the already arid land. This dark sin was answered by Dorje Jono, his deity son, who soundly destroyed the demon and banished him from the domain forever. During the Tiji Festival, the town square fills with characters clad as demons in flamboyant robes and hideous masks dancing about, slashing at the air with their swords and intoning spells over onlookers.
Itinerary
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Up on arrival meet our office representative at airport and transfer to hotel/ after refreshing complete the official formalities/ briefing about the preparation and rest of the day free for your own leisure/overnight at hotel.
Today you leave Kathmandu to reach Pokhara, which you can travel to via bus or via flight. The 25 minutes long flight will take you over the hills and the Himalayas, whereas the 6 hours long drive you will take you along the hills with the views of the Himalayas. Upon arrival in Pokhara, you will be transferred to your hotel. You can rest and relax before heading out to stroll around the beautiful Phewa Lake accompanied by the peaks of Annapurna massif and Machhapuchhre (6997m). Overnight in Pokhara.
From Pokhara, you catch an early morning flight to Jomsom, which offers you stunning aerial views of the lush hills, deep gorges, and the magnificent Himalayas. Shortly after reaching Jomsom, you will begin your ascend alongside Kali Gandaki River to reach the village of Kagbeni, also known as the gateway to Upper Mustang. Enjoy a warm Thakali meal in Kagbeni, where you will be staying for the night.
Next day journey starts with a special permit checkup onwards to the riverbank of Kali Gandaki up stream. We enter upper Mustang and follow the east bank of the river over a series of small ridges. The trail leads us through the scenic picturesque villages surrounded by fields of wheat, barley and buckwheat, interspersed with small apple orchards. We trek forward crossing the river heading up to the huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above forming a tunnel through which the Kali Gandaki follows. The trek now leaves the Kali Gandaki valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele.
After having wholesome breakfast starts your day hike, the trail further Chaile is gradual climb up a fairly steep surrounded by magnificent views trans Himalayan landscapes. Further across the canyon of Gyagar village near by the trail follow continue towards the first pass of the trail, from the atop of pass you will see spectacular views of far beyond mountain ranges panorama and after crossing the pass trail leads long descent to the Sammar village. You will have short lunch break at the village and again continue the hike up to final destination of the day. Further of Sammar village the trail passes through the many canyons and by late noon you will arrive at gelling village. This is another larger village of Mustang region inhabited by Tibetan origin indigenous people. You may enjoy local cultural activities or by visiting the oldest one monastery of Mustang. Overnight at Tea house lodge.
Again we will continue our onward journey early in the morning after breakfast, the trail further of Geling village follows gentle ascent first by passing via barley field side wise fenced by grove of poplar trees. Along the way first you will encounter another beautiful little village Tama Gaun imposing with chhoorten. Further of village you will rejoin the main trail and turns to quite steep climb up towards the major pass of the trek is called Nyi La Pass (3950m), it is one of the highest point of the whole trail. Just crossing the pass top you will descent down towards the final destination of the day the Tsarang village. The huge five story white dzong and red monastery are perched on the edge of the Kali Gandagi gorge on the east end of the valley. The Tsarang village is surrounded by beautiful barley fields, willow trees and typical houses are separated by rocky wall fence at the top of the large Charang Cho Canyon. Overnight at Tea house lodge. (All meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be served at local tea house)
Again we will continue our onward journey early in the morning after breakfast, the trail further of Tsarang village follows steadily up hill climb up via rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge opposite the village of other side. The trail turns north and climbs up gently to a large isolated chhorten which marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. After a short rest break you will hike across a desert like high plain landscape painted in every shade of grey and yellow. Finally, you will reach your destination the whitewashed wall fenced city of Lo Manthang. It is the mail cultural heart of the whole Upper Mustang area and having beautiful King’s Place and Lo Manthang Monastery. After rest for a while you will have time to explore around to see local cultural activities. Overnight at Tea house lodge. (All meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be served at local tea house)
After having wholesome breakfast get ready your day pack and camera then head to the Tiji festival ground. Enjoy first day opening ceremony of the festival to be a witness of this wonderful celebration. You can see many different village people are gathered from the Upper Mustang region and dressed typically colorful. The special opening ceremony begins with opening of a huge Thanka (traditional Tibetan scroll painting) of Guru Padma Sambhava, patron saint of Tibetan Buddhism. The festive environment filled with sounds of typical musical instruments played by lamas and mask dance show of Tiji myth. After observing and participating the festival back to the teahouse and rest. Overnight at Tea house lodge. (All meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be served at local tea house)
On the second day of Tiji, We’ll see Tibetan women in their traditional clothing and colorful jewelry, monks in their robes and dancers in elaborate costumes. The King of Mustang “wears a whole crown of tiny river pearls set off by dozens of large red coralline tones interspersed with matched ornaments of turquoise. The costumes and masks, the twelve-foot horns, the gold cups of wheat, the butter cakes, the snow peaks and wind and dust and sun, the mehti, snow leopard, snow pigeons, saligrams, the dying glacier and the desert ruins, the drunks and rajas and foreigners, the dogs and yaks.
The last day of the Tiji festival ends with the ceremonial destruction of the evil remains, represented by some long black yak hair and red torma cakes minced to a dark red gurry. The demons red remnants are set out on an old tiger skin, where-upon they are attacked by bow and arrow, slings and the old guns. The participants of the festival head to the holy lama to get blessing for prosperity and life long live. In addition to the festival, there are many other activities in Lo Manthang from which you can choose. Spend today exploring the intimate alleyways and courtyards of the city, or you can rent a horse and visit some of the other villages in the area. After enjoying interesting day back to the lodge and rest. Overnight at Tea house lodge.
After witnessing the outstanding Tiji Festival you will have opportunity to explore and visit the Ghar Monastery which is the one of the oldest one active Gompa of Nepal. The Ghar Gompa is located at Ghami village with covering huge area of around; this stunning monument has preserved many typical paintings and murals. The trail to return back follows ordinary herder’s route towards the Ghami by crossing several valleys, some lush and others barren. Near the end of the hike the trail then makes a long rocky descent down a ravine to a grassy valley, where Gar Ghompa is situated within a group of large trees by a stream.
After having breakfast we commence again the return day hike, the trail further of Ghami village follows via same route. You will enjoy much easier walk one the way of coming back passing via beautiful nomad landscapes. Once again trekkers to the Upper Mustang can get many outstanding photographic opportunities to capture the sceneries. Finally you will arrive at Samar for overnight halt. Up on arrival at camp enjoy your hot drinks and meals.
The last day of restricted area trail follows again after having breakfast. Along the way you will be enjoying cool breeze of thin wind of Kali Gandaki River valley once again. You will get many photo capturing landscape sceneries along the return back that you had missed on the way of going up. The fantastic day will pass waling with fun filled environment. Up on arrival at Kagbeni be refresh at lodge and rest.
From Kagbeni you can trek back to Jomsom also which takes about three hours or catch the jeep to Jomsom. Up on arrival at Jomsom have lunch at lodge and rest for awhile and afternoon you may go to explore around the town. It is administrative head quarter of Mustang district. You may go to see natural eco museum or simply hang out enjoying sceneries of snow clad Tilicho peak or local cultural activities. Overnight at Tea house lodge.
Early in the morning after breakfast transfer to the airport and fly back to Pokhara then transfer to the hotel. You can rest and be refreshed at your hotel or simply go for walking around the Lakeside down town market. The market of Lakeside offers you wide variety shopping stalls souvenirs and many nice restaurants and bars.
Next day from Pokhara fly to Kathmandu 30 min by flight, Transfer to hotel, late noon shopping souvenirs around market and typical Nepali dinner party with culture show.
We bid you farewell on today as we drop you at the airport three hours to your scheduled flight back home.
Cost Include
Airport pickup and drop by privet jeep or taxi.
3 nights’ accommodation with BB plan in Kathmandu.
2 Night accommodation with BB plan in Pokhara.
Full board meals with local lodges twin sharing accommodation during the trek
Every day a bottle mineral water or Normal boiled water. (any one)
If possible, hot shower during trip.
Best available twin sharing lodge for accommodation during the trek.
One highly experienced, helpful and friendly guide.
Two guest 1 Supporting staff to carry your luggage.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry permit.
TIMS Fee- (Trekkers' Information Management System)
Government taxes & office service charge.
Duffle bag for trekking.
First aid medicine kit
Enlighten Trip trekking map and trip achievement certificate.
Farewell dinner typical Nepalese restaurant.
Cost Include
Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the above itinerary.
Personal Travel insurance.
International airfare and personal Insurance.
Soft drinks, alcohol and other personal expenses.
lap top, mobile and other electronic device charging.
Personal trekking equipment.
Local and international phone call and Wi-Fi.
Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers.
Nepal entry visa. You can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Airport in Kathmandu.
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Price
$ 2,565 per person
Trip Note
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival (Lo Manthang) itinerary is information as possible about this trip. However, if you want to discuss itinerary, Potter, exclude and include of this trip for your suitability please contact us by email. info@enlightentrip.com
Enlightentrip Pvt. Ltd always think about client’s safety and comfort. Upper Mustang Tiji Festival (Lo Manthang) trekking is an adventure tour where we reach remote mountain regions, can observe diversified cultures and go through some of scenic beauty of the nature. But sometimes there might be some unwanted situations like natural disaster, change in weather condition of that region and change in health condition of the members, which would be beyond our control so we cannot guarantee safety based on these situations. Please note that trekking guide has an authority to cancel any part of trekking on above itinerary if it is necessary due to safety concerns. Otherwise trekking group leader follow above itinerary for Upper Mustang Tiji Festival (Lo Manthang) Trek.