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Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

Witness breathtaking landscapes, ancient monasteries, and friendly locals.

Mustang festival Trek

Trip Overview:

Location

Nepal

Region

Mustang

Max-Elevation

4,320

Duration

20 days

Accommodation

Hotel/Guesthouse

Best Seasons

Spring and Autumn

Group

Min. 2 Pax

Difficulty

Moderate

Start Point

Kathmandu

End Point

Kathmandu

Permit

Specail permit Required

Food

Three Meals/Day

Introduction to Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

Many people just visit in Nepal for Tiji (Tenchi) festival, which is a three –day ritual celebrated in the parched land of upper Mustang (Lo Manthang). Mustang Tiji festival is well known as “The chasing of the demons” clusters on the Tiji myth. Tiji tells the story of a deity named Dorje Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction.

The demon father wreaks havoc on Mustang by creating a water shortage which, in this extremely arid land, is the most precious life-sustaining resource. Dorje Jono eventually defeats the demon and banishes him from the land. Tiji festival is celebrated to invoke the mighty Dorje Jono to remove any obstacle out of the way.

Tiji is a kind of festival that exist the words ‘ten che’ represent “the hope of Buddha dharma” presenting in the world and, as every other festival, celebrates the success victory of god over evil. Mustang is very popular destination for trekking and Jeep drive tour, so our company offers Mustang Tiji festival trekking and Tiji festival jeep drive tour. Tiji festival is a colorful tenchi festival.

The Tenchi Festival takes place annually in Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang and the former Tibetan Kingdom of Lo. Each spring, monks perform ceremonies, rites, and dances during the festival to dispel evils and demons from the former kingdom. Upper Mustang Tiji Festival has been announced to be held on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of May 2026.

Highlights of the Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

Itinerary

After you arrive in Kathmandu airport please check our company board outside the main gate there will be our airport representative you will meet with him, and he will be transferred to hotel by private vehicle and our representative will help you to check in your hotel after that if time enough, representative will take you to our office for short briefing about the trip but if not enough time then give a short trip brief in hotel and request to pay the due balance for the trip. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, Kathmandu visits Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Boudhanath Stupa which are all World Heritage Sites. Durbar Square throws light on the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important pilgrimage places for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as Monkey Temple and Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. Late in the afternoon, we introduced you to your mountain/trek guide. overnight at Hotel.

Trekking staff will arrive at your hotel at 6:30 am to pick you up to tourist bus station for journey to Pokhara. Normally bus leave at 7:00 am from Kantipath and it takes about 7 hours from Kathmandu. Today, you can take a breakfast in your hotel that you order earlier night or request to manage packing breakfast that you eat in bus journey because on the way we are not stopping for breakfast as well not available good breakfast, but we stop for a lunch so try to eat Nepalese food (Dal Bhat). Afternoon you arrive in Pokhara then check in your hotel and refresh and look around lakeside. Pokhara is a beautiful valley, with panoramic views of Annapurna, Machapuchare (shape of fishtail) in the north, Dhaulagiri in the west, Lamjung Himal and Manaslu in the east. The town of Pokhara is set on the banks of the Phewa Lake. It is smaller and much less hectic than Kathmandu, providing the perfect starting point for our trek. Overnight at hotel.

Early morning transfer to Pokhara airport, fly to Jomsom. This is one of the world's exciting flights to see mountain closely through the tiny aircraft, Annapurna I 8091 meters, Dhaulagiri 8167 meters, fishtail 6997 meters and other numerous peaks. You begin your trek to Kagbeni following along the bank of Kali Gandaki River. En- route, you pass through arid part of Kali Gandaki River with beautiful Ekle Bhatti. Kagbeni people are influence with more Tibetan and also Kagbeni is gateway for Upper Mustang and Damodar Kunda trekking. After reaching at Kagbeni (2800m) there is the oldest monastery so better to visit this monastery and look around Kagbeni village. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse.

Today trek trail starts with a special permit check up and onwards to the riverbank of Kaligandaki up stream. During the trek we have scenic picturesque place to stop through the sandy and windy trails. This trails follows the up and downhill. Firstly we reach Tangbe village (3060m) with narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. From there we trek forward to Chhusang (2980m) and after crossing the river head up to the huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliff above, forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki follows. We head up to small ridges reach at Chele village (3050m) overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse.

The day starts with walking upward to Chele La (3, 630m) pass. After crossing the ridge from Chele the trail enters a large side valley and makes a long gradual descent to Samar, the major stopping place for horse caravans with many horse stables. From Samar, you will have panoramic views of Mt. Nil Giri and Annapurna range. Then the trail goes slope down to Jhuwa Khola and the gradual upward to Bhena La (3,830 m). From here you move downwards to Syangmochen. Then you further climb to Shyangmochen La (3850m) where the route enters another huge valley. After that, the trail descends passing through a large painted chorten and arrives at the picturesque village Ghiling. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse.

Today the trail turns westward and climbs gently through the fields passing below Tama Gaon. Then it turns north and arrives at Nyi La (4020m/ 13189ft) pass. Then it drops steeply to Ghemi, a large village surrounded by extensive fields. In Ghemi there are gompa, nunnery and a couple of guesthouses. After that, the trail descends to the river and goes step up for around an hour alongside the longest mani wall in Nepal and the following the easy wide road you get to Tsarang village. In this village, you may visit old gompa and experience Buddhist culture. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse.

Today you trek to Lo Manthang. The trail first descends about 125 m then it crosses Tsarang Chu and follows the steep rocky trail and enters the Tholung valley. After that, the trail turns north and climbs gently to a largely isolated chorten, then crosses a stream and reaches the Lola (3,950 m) where you will see the view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. Descending for some time the trail crosses a stream and climbs up to Lo Manthang. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse.

Today, trek trail to Lo-Manthang with a magnificent view of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna and Bhrikuti peak. The trail first descends to Charang Khola and then climbs steeply after crossing the river (Khola). Further the trail ascends gently to the 3,950m windy pass of Lo, from where you can see the Lo-Manthang Valley. While descending to Lo-Manthang (3810m), views of the walled city appear magnificent with its hills on the Tibetan Border. Finally you reach at Lo-manthang then visit Royal Palace, Monasteries and town. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse.

Today is the first day of the Tiji Festival. There is going to be a huge celebration in Lo-Manthang. The festival starts with unrolling a three-storied Thanka painted with images of Padma Sambhava or Guru Rimpoche. You spend the day by observing the local dances and celebrations. The people are going to be there in their traditional dresses. You will see the women in traditional jewelry, Buddhist monks in robes and experience a completely different cultural atmosphere. A masked dance starts showcasing the mythical stories of Tiji festival. As the dance ends, Dorje Jono, an incarnation of Lord Buddha, kills the demon and relives the plague and brings harmony to the region. Overnight at lodge in Lo-Manthang.

On the second day of the festival, you enjoy the dances of the Tibetan Lamas. The purpose of this dance is to chase away the hunger and evil spirits in the region. A combination of costumes, masks, 12-foot horns, butter cakes, yaks, pigeons, dogs, and several other native aspects makes this festival a treat to watch. Overnight at lodge in Lo-Manthang.

Today is the final day of the Tiji festival. You walk to Namgyal Gompa; a monastery on the top of the hill. It is an important place as it also serves as the court for the local community. In the evening, you return back to the village for the festival. The evil remains of the demons are destroyed on the final day. The demons are set out on the old tiger skin and are attacked by bow and arrows, old guns, and catapult. Overnight at lodge in Lo-Manthang.

Today you trek back from Lo Manthang. The trail climbs steadily, offering a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. It continues climbing to the Chogo La (4,325m), the highest point on the trek. Then the trail makes a short, steep descent and crosses the Chharang River, then climbs to Lo Geker and reaches to Ghar gompa a small monastery. Climbing to the ridge, crossing a valley along some alpine meadows, and then dropping down a steep eroded path, you will reach Drakmar. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse.

The trail descends alongside stream, passing the stone walls and fields of Drakmar village. Then it climbs to a ridge and descends to the lower part of Ghemi and further descending you will reach to the place namely Jaite and descend again gently to Chhung-Kah. The trail then reaches to Tama Gaon (3,710 m) and continues descending to Shyangbochen. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Departing Shyangbochen, the trail retraces your earlier path, offering a new perspective on the familiar terrain. You’ll pass through Yamdo and Bhena, winding through highland fields and quiet hillsides, before reaching the charming village of Samar once again. From Samar, the trail descends steadily through Chele, leading you back toward the Kali Gandaki River. The dramatic canyon walls and windy riverbeds mark your return to lower altitudes, and eventually you arrive at Chhuksang, a lively village nestled near the river’s edge. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse.

Your final day on the trail begins with a sense of quiet reflection as you leave Chhuksang, descending along the familiar path beside the Kali Gandaki River. The trail winds through arid cliffs and wide riverbeds, gradually transitioning from the mystical landscapes of Upper Mustang to the more bustling lower valley. As you approach Tangbe and Kagbeni, you may feel the contrast between the remote stillness of Mustang and the livelier settlements closer to Jomsom. The final stretch is relatively gentle, following the riverbed and wide open plains that lead you into Jomsom, the administrative hub of the Mustang region. Overnight at Hotel/Guesthouse.

Today, you will take the early morning flight which again will give close-up views of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna range and you are flying about 25 minutes flight in a small aircraft. After arrival in Pokhara airport drive to hotel check-in your hotel and relax or do your own activities in Pokhara or look around lakeside. Overnight at hotel.

It takes about seven hours, while driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to the capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, which takes about 25 minutes, but you will have to pay the airfare. Overnight Hotel.

Today, you have leisure day for relax or shopping in Kathmandu, so you can do your own activities by yourself or consult with company to arrange extra activities. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, End of our services with departure transfer to the Kathmandu airport to board flight for your onward destination.

Not Satisfied with the above itinerary? We also offer flexible, tailor-made trips according to your preferences and specification.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews:
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Nathan Reynolds (Australia)

I highly recommend Alpine Adventure Club Treks & Expedition. Binod Thapa and his staff are friendly and professional, ensuring complete satisfaction. The guide and porter were knowledgeable and organized the best accommodations, making the trek comfortable and enjoyable. All my questions were promptly answered, easing any concerns about booking online....

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Tel: +977 1 5360765

WhatsApp: +977 9841353904

Email: info@alpineadventureclub.com

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