A Tiji Festival trek in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal still remains authentic. lets thanks to its geographical location in true trekking in the Himalayas. with the bonus of the Tiji Festival is the perfect trip for your holiday. The history of the Mustang merges with Tibet. which was for centuries one of the kingdoms before attaching to Nepal. Our hike takes us to a maximum altitude of 4,100 meters. We discover fascinating mineral landscapes, tinged with ocher, brown, and red.
The Tiji festival is celebrated for 3 days in Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang. It is the most famous and revered ceremony of Lo manthang. The party takes place in front of the fortified royal palace where still sits the royalty today. Legend has it that the inhabitants of Lo Manthang have been celebrating the Tiji festival since the 15th century. For 3 days, the LO MONTHAN comes alive with the rhythm of masked dances and traditional instruments.
Tiji Festival trek upper mustang Itinerary, The days before Tiji, the paths leading to the place of celebration are filled with caravans and pilgrims coming to celebrate the long-awaited festival. We spend three whole days in Lo Manthang for a festival, one of which is totally devoted to the magnificent hike to the Konchok Ling cave discovered in 2007. The return is via the caves of Tashi Kabum and Lori Gompa then the high passes
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrived in Kathmandu, we are greeted at the airport by our local team and transferred to the hotel, to take advantage of a time of rest, briefing of presentation of the progress of the trek, then free time. In case of arrival in the morning, free day: rest or the possibility of making free visits for those who wish. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse you in Nepalese culture and to test the local gastronomy
Transfer to hotel
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: night in the hotel
Day 2
Bus trip to Pokhara, which allows you to have a first glimpse of life in Nepal. Located on the shores of Lake Phewa, Pokhara offers a famous view of the Annapurna massif. Its lively streets are an opportunity for the last shopping before heading to Mustang.
Transfer by private jeep
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: night in the hotel
Day 3
Morning transfer to Pokhara airport for the flight to Jomsom. Then departure for our first day of trekking in a world of exceptional mineral beauty, along the Kali Gandaki where a good number of marine fossils abound. Arrive at the beautiful fortified village of Kagbeni with Tibetan architecture, which closes the Mustang valley. Transfer to hotel
Transport by plane and 1 hrs drive to kagbeni
Final altitude: approximately 2800 m
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: night in the hotel
Day 4
We take a vehicle to go to Samar. Indeed, for this stage, there is no alternative but to walk on a track. So we opted for a jeep transfer. On leaving the village we pass the check post and show our permits for the upper Mustang. We leave Lower Mustang and pass through the village of Tangbe. then, we continue our journey along the torrent to arrive at Chuksang. In front of the village a magnificent cliff and many caves. We follow the Kali Gandaki called here Mustang Khola. We cross on foot a bridge and we change vehicles. The track leads us to Chele where we discover vertical manis, which is unusual. We arrive at a pass at 3,500 m from where the view of the snow-capped mountains is magnificent. We descend towards the village of Samar which is an important caravan stopover. Samar in Tibetan means "red earth". Walk in the wooded village of willows and poplars. We see the fields of barley and wheat. In the distance the Nilgiri (7,134 m) and Tilicho (7,161 m) dominate us.
transport: by private vehicle, approximately 3 hrs & 1-hour walk
Final altitude: approximately 3460 m
Meals: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Accommodation: night in the lodge
Day 5
Descent into the riverbed followed by a gentle climb. Then it's a magnificent balcony path facing the Nilgiri and the Annapurna chain. Here, some mountain pastures where the shepherds settle in summer. We quickly plunge into a superb canyon with steep walls. A round trip of 40 minutes to an hour to visit the sacred cave, where many pilgrims come to pray, before quietly reaching Syangboche, a tiny white village with flat roofs, squeezed in on itself. The climb continues to the pass around 3850 meters. Descent to Ghiling which we enter by following a red ocher wall. Ghiling is vast, its largely irrigated fields protected by a long dry stone wall. A very beautiful monastery dating from the 1400s preceded by a very pretty chorten dominate Ghiling;
6hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Accommodation: night in the Lodge
Day 6
Visit the monastery of Gheling considered as the Gateway to the Kingdom of Lo. Ascent of the valley and passage to the village of Chunkar (3750 m); by a steep climb, arrival at the Nya La pass (3990 m) then at the Ghami La pass (3770 m)... Arrival at the village of Ghami (3510 m), built in a green setting. Crossing a grandiose desert valley surrounded by huge red cliffs bordered by several stupas and engraved stone walls (mani) and finally arriving at the village of Dhakmar (3800 m).
6hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Accommodation: night in the Lodge
Day 7
We start the day with a climb between very beautiful conglomerate towers - After a pass, we arrive at the very beautiful monastery of Lo Gékar (the pure virtue of Lo), which dates from the 11th century and houses beautiful paintings and sculptures. The peace that emanates from these places invites you to meditate... or take a siesta! We then cross two passes, one of which culminates at 4,070 m, before finally seeing Lo Manthang and the Namgyal monastery and the white ramparts surrounded by fields of wheat, mustard and buckwheat, which can only be entered by the North-east.
5 hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Accommodation: night in the Lodge
Day 8
These 3 days are devoted to the discovery of the capital of the "Kingdom of Lo" (Mustang) and its surroundings. We discover monasteries and villages, in fabulous landscapes where the ruins of ancient fortresses remain. We also discover the Champa Lhakang Palace, where it is sometimes possible to ask for an audience with the King of Mustang, Jigme Dorje Wangchuk. During the Tiji Festival, the mornings will be devoted to visits and the afternoons to monastic dances. The Tiji Festival takes place in front of the fortified royal palace where royalty still sits today. Legend has it that the people of Lo Manthang have been celebrating the Tiji festival since the 15thcentury, time of reign of Lama Lowo Khenchen, one of the greatest teachers of Buddhist precepts and son of King Amgon Sangpo. For 3 days, the capital comes alive to the rhythm of masked dances and traditional instruments. On the days preceding Tiji, the paths leading to the place of celebration fill up with caravans and pilgrims, who have come to celebrate the long-awaited festival.
Day 9
In the morning we finish our visit to Lo Manthang, before leaving for Yara. We walk on the eastern flank of the Kali Gandaki on paths as little known as traveled. The reason is simple: the fairly difficult path crosses a very arid massif on the side, with scattered villages. This path saves us a round trip and allows us to be in the remote valleys of the kingdom of Lo. We start with a steep descent to Dhi, before reaching the village of Yara, after crossing many canyons with brilliant colors and spectacular landscapes.
6hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 3640 m
Meals: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Accommodation: night in the Lodge
Day 10
Passage at the foot of a seventeen-story high troglodyte city and arrival at Luri Gompa, a monastery dug into fairy chimneys. Discovery of its 15th century Buddhist frescoes and the magnificent "stupa". Return to the village of Yara.
6hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Accommodation: night in the Lodge
Day 11
In the morning, we resume our walk which will be accompanied today by the Kali Gandaki river, to the village of Tangge, located along the Tangye Khola river. We progress on a plateau, the colorful landscape is magnificent, and the views of the Dhaulagiri are too. Descent to the Disvhang Khola river which we ford. Climb to a pass at 4,000 m before descending to the village of Tangge.
6hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 3440 m
Meals: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Accommodation: night in the Lodge
Day 12
Today, we leave for a long day of walking. We start with a long climb towards the Mustang Pass located at 4,200 m altitude, then a series of climbs and descents before a long descent into scree and canyons. Magnificent ridge path with many colorful cliffs.
6hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Accommodation: night in the Lodge
Day 13
Ascent to the Gyu La pass (4050 m), along a river surmounted by high cliffs, then descent towards Muktinath (3810 m) crossing Buddhist sanctuaries, temples, pagodas and sacred springs where a flame of natural gas burns! Great views of the peaks of Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tilicho Peak (7134m) and Nilgiri (7061m).
6hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Accommodation: night in the Lodge
Day 14
Arid landscapes open onto the Tibetan plateaus to the north and the setting of high snow-capped mountains to the south: here is the Nilgiri, and especially the formidable Dhaulagiri. Short climb to a pass (4000 m), from where the view of the Dhaulagiri is exceptional. Descent to Lupra, the only Bon village on our route. The Bon religion is the pre-existing Tibetan religion of Buddhism. Descent to Jomosom.
NB: the possibility of an excursion (optional) to the village of Marpha to end the day (1h30 there and back). If we had to stop in Ngadi on day 3 of the trip, transfer to Jomosom by Jeep at the end of the afternoon. In this case the visit of Marpha is not possible.
6hrs of walking
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Accommodation: night in the Lodge
Day 15
JOMSOM- POKHARA - KATHMANDU
This morning superb flight over the Annapurnas between Jomsom and Pokhara. You continue with a flight to Kathmandu. End of a free day in the capital.
NB: If the Jomsom / Pokhara flight is canceled you return to Pokhara by vehicle. you then spend the night in Pokhara before flying to Kathmandu the next day
Day 16
KATHMANDU
The free day in Kathmandu also serves as a safety day in case something goes wrong while trekking. During the monsoon, which lasts from the end of June to the end of August, it is possible that domestic flights are delayed or canceled due to bad weather conditions. Vehicle transport from Jomosom to Kathmandu can be arranged. Or you have a rest day to relax or you can also go shopping in Kathmandu or you can do whatever you want by yourself
Day 17
free time depending on the departure time of your flight and our representative will drop you at the airport, ending your journey in Nepal. We hope to be of service to you again. Thank you and safe travels.
Trip Included
- transfers in private vehicles as mentioned in the program.
- domestic flight
- 2-night hotel in Kathmandu and 1-night hotel in Pokhara on twin sharing bed and breakfast basis.
- Lodge accommodation as described in the program.
- Full board during the trek except meals mentioned as "free".
- camping equipment
- Supervised by an English-speaking Nepalese guide throughout the trip.
- Food, drinks, accommodation, insurance, salary, equipment, transportation, and local tax for guides and porters
- Ground Transportation Charge while returning back to Kathmandu from the trekking destination
- All necessary staff with the experienced leader (guide), and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food, and lodging
- All necessary paper works; trekking permits.
- Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bags, duffel bag, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
- All government taxes, VAT, and service charges
- Farewell dinner prior to departure
- First Aid Kit
Trip Excluded
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
- Travel Insurance
- Any kind of Drinks and Liquors
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, heater, etc.)
- Optional trips for activities and sightseeing if extended
- All items not listed in Cost included a section
- Altitude chamber (PAC) or oxygen
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Tips for Trekking Staff
Tipping is an integral part of the country's culture. This gesture of thanks, which varies according to the itinerary and the duration, has become an obligation. A tip is given at the end of the trip to the members of the team. However, it is important that the tip remains a gratuity, our teams being very well remunerated elsewhere. We invite you to distribute tips only if the service has met your expectations,
Notes: Costs may be subject to change in itinerary. So costs will be recalculated if the trekking/tour days get modified.
For unforeseeable reasons at this stage of climatic hazards, form, or deformity of the participants or others (state of the roads, traffic, case of force majeure )your guide or guide may have to adapt the program, if necessary for the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and guarantor of your safety. Walking times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.
Trip Organization
Your Guide and Team
Your guide, from your arrival in Kathmandu until your departure, is responsible for the success of your trip and oversees your team. Do not hesitate to ask him questions, respect his position as the team leader, and above all follow his advice! Often your guide is the only English-speaking member of the team. In the mountains and, especially when during high-altitude travels, your guide is responsible for the safety of the group. The instructions he gives and the remarks he makes to all participants must be carefully followed. The interest and safety of the trekking group must be preserved, even when it may be to the detriment of an individual member of the group.
Your Nepalese team may consist of several people, each with different responsibilities. They are:
The Guide Leader (Sirdar) is responsible for and leader of the whole team, and is treated with respect by all. Often he has earned his position by starting as a porter and rising through the ranks.
The Cook is responsible for all meals and is on a trek that doesn’t use lodges for meals. (camping trek )
The Kitchen-boy is an assistant to the cook. ( camping trek )
The Assistant Guide is actively helping clients under the leader’s direction and set camp.
The Porter is the load carrier for the trekking group. As Nepal is a mountain country with few roads, porters are employed to carry loads. Compliance with regulations and common courtesy dictates the maximum weight carried and the minimum wage paid. Porters are provided with gear based on the routes they follow, and with insurance for alpine treks.
Each trekker is allotted the following maximum weights per person: Lodge (tea house) Accommodations: 15 kg maximum; Tent Camping: 22 kg maximum; Expeditions/summit ascents: 20 kg maximum. The porters are given a premium wage for carrying loads over 30 kg.
In addition, the Nepal Alpinist club takes care to take out insurance for the Guide and porters. Specific equipment is allocated to them for crossing passes at altitude (even if wearers often refuse to put on shoes due to lack of habit).
Accommodations in Kathmandu
In Kathmandu, you will accommodate in a hotel. We use different hotels depending on availability. The two preferred hotels are:
Hotel Vaishali: Located in the heart of Thamel, this hotel is ideal for walking the bustling streets of Kathmandu. The spacious rooms all have a bathroom, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi. A fully equipped and active dining room is available for all meals, and the breakfast buffet offers a wide choice of foods. The hotel offers currency exchange, laundry services, and luggage storage.
Sampada Garden: Located just 20 minutes on foot from Thamel and Durbar Square, this hotel is convenient for exploring Kathmandu. The rooms have all the necessary comforts for your stay: air conditioning, bathroom, and Wi-Fi. Breakfasts are served as a generous buffet. The hotel provides currency exchange, laundry services, and luggage storage.
Accommodation during the Tea house/ Lodge trek
For lodge accommodation: meals are prepared by the cooks of the lodge and are taken from the lodge's dining room. Here is a typical one-day menu:
Here is a typical one-day menu:
breakfast: eggs, toast or chapati, or Tibetan bread or pancakes, or pancakes, butter/jam, tea or coffee
Lunch: a main course, tea or coffee
Dinner: soup, main course, fruit (fresh or canned), tea or coffee
During the trek, tea or coffee is served with meals. Two cups per person are included.
Apart from these included menus, other drinks and foodstuffs will be at your expense.
Water: provide tablets (Hydroclovazone, Micropur, or another type) to disinfect the water you put in your water bottle, depending on the source and on the advice of your guide. It is sometimes possible to buy purified water and refill your water bottle without having to buy bottled water. You can also buy mineral water in the cities (not included in the price) but its ecological balance is poor, as you know. Also, we do not recommend it.
Preparation for the Trek
Preparing for the trek requires several months of preparation with 4 to 6-hour walks every weekend for stamina and participating in a sport that required short periods of high exertion.
Medical check-up
Being in good health is essential to fully enjoy your Alpinist Club trip. If your last medical visit was more than four years ago, please get another general physical exam and tell your doctor the nature of your trip (climate, altitude, difficulty, etc.). The altitude also has the effect of reviving dental problems or other chronic pain, so getting a dental checkup is also prudent. If you are undertaking a high-altitude expedition, we advise you to consult a mountain medicine specialist.
Acute Mountain Sickness
This trip takes place at high altitudes, so some people may experience altitude-related discomforts like headaches, loss of appetite, and swelling of limbs. Most of these symptoms usually go away within a few days, but sometimes they can develop into a serious illness: pulmonary or cerebral edema. There are no preventive drugs for AMS. Diamox diuretic is often effective for symptomatic relief, but you should first check with your doctor to verify that it is not contraindicated for you. Think about it before you go.
Your Personal Trekking Gear
woolen hat 1
fleece hat 1
T-shirt 3
Thermal full t-shirt (base layer) 2
Fleece jacket 2
Down jacket
light insulating wear (mid-layer) 1
Gore-Tex jacket 1
Thermal Trouser (base layer) 2
Trekking trousers (flexible ) 2
down pant 1
Gore-Tex pants 1
Gore-Tex gloves 1 pair
thin/warm gloves 2pairs
Rain punch 1
woolen shock (thick) 3 pairs
sandal 1
camp shoes (sports shoes) 1
Trekking boot 1
sun /glacier glass (uv protect ) 2
snow gaiter (also buy in Nepal ) 1
sleeping bags or liners (if possible ) 1
personal first aid
pocket knife` 1
washing soap, towel, tooth pest/ brush
sun lotion enough +30 /50 & lip guard 1+1
Trekking poles (u can buy in Nepal as well) 1 pair
headlights, water bottles, Thermos 1+1+1
books, a camera, playing car
