Tiji Festival Trek

Mustang Tiji Festival Trek lies in the forbidden kingdom of Nepal up in the Himalayas and is the most precious and vibrant outdoor activity to conduct in Nepal. Moreover, this Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 2023 can be combined with the unique and traditional festival of the host people; then, the trip would be worthwhile for every penny spent on the journey.

The Tiji Festival is the most promising in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal. Upper Mustang Tiji Festival 2023 has been released for May 16, 17, and 18, 2023. The magnificent Mustang, Tiji Festival Trekking, starts after the flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. The gradual trekking from the lower Mustang to the upper Mustang region helps acclimatize the thin air in the Himalayas.

Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Highlights

• Active participation in this festival
• You can dance and observe Tiji Festival in Upper Mustang
• Discover the peace in Tibetan influenced Buddhist culture
• Explore historical places, their surroundings, and the Lo Mangthang
• Walk in the rain-shadow area like desert
• Sightseeing in UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu
• Scenic flight to Jomsom from Pokhara and drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu
• About Mustang Tiji Festival Trekking

According to mythology, the Upper Mustang Tiji festival is celebrated to mark the victory of good against evil. It is believed that the region was in trouble because of the demon that destroyed the part by consuming the water supplies and spreading the epidemics. Later Dorje Jono fought relentlessly against his demon father and defeated him.

Thereupon the festival is celebrated with beautiful prayer chants and colorful dances. Besides the festival’s charm, the trekking is in the Upper Mustang region. It presents awestruck views of the Himalayan ranges, a very close, barren geographical landscape. The mysterious holes settlement, clustered villages, and the world’s deepest gorges, Kaligandaki gorge, are another attraction. If you are lucky enough, you can also witness the unique cremation ritual of the region’s people.

It presents the awestruck views of the Himalayan ranges very close, the barren geographical landscape, and the mysterious holes settlements. Also, other major attractions are clustered villages, the deepest gorges in the world, and Kaligandaki gorge. If you are lucky enough, you can also witness the unique cremation ritual of the region’s people. The chance to observe and participate in this sacred festival of the area together with the delights of Mother Nature nestled in the Annapurna Region of Nepal.

Come and Book this incredible trekking amalgamation of traditions and natural resources. Peregrine Treks & Expedition offers this package competitively and provides excellent hospitality.

What's included

• Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle
• A three-star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara
• Room in the best available lodge and all meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during Mustang Tiji Festival Trekking
• Welcome and farewell dinners.
• All ground transportation in private vehicle as per itinerary
• Pokhara – Jomsom and Jomsom – Pokhara flight ticket
• Kathmandu and Pokhara guided sightseeing in private vehicle
• All entrance fees during sightseeing
• An experienced English or other Language speaking guide and one assistance guide for more than five trekkers
• Mustang Tiji Festival Trekking special permit
• Guide, porter, and necessary staff salaries, insurance, accommodation and food, and airfares if necessary
• sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion) and tent if necessary
• Duffel bags, t-shirts, achievement certificates, and trekking maps are accessible services from the company.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit, Special Permit of Upper Mustang (Cost USD 500) and TIMS
• First Aid Medical kit or essential medicine
• Seasonal fruits during the trek
• Rescue arrangements in the worst case
• All applicable government and local taxes

What is excluded

• Nepalese visa fee and international airfares
• Hotel accommodation, Lunch, and Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara because of an early arrival in Nepal or late departure from Nepal, early return from Mustang Tiji Festival Trekking because of any reason than the scheduled itinerary
• Travel and rescue insurance for trekkers only.
• Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, soft or hard beverages, recharge the battery, bottled/boiled water, extra porters, hot shower, a pot of tea, etc.) during trekking
• Tips and gratuities for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)

We have daily departures for private trips, so we recommend booking it according to your schedule. We do not need a minimum group size for the private trip and won’t charge additional charges for a solo traveler.

Please let us know if you need additional services like pre/post accommodation, domestic flight, Everest Mountain Flight, adventurous sports, sightseeing, etc. Please fill out this customized form for your convenience.

Alter Itineraryof Tiji Festival Trek (Jeep Drive from and to Kathmandu)

Day 1: Kathmandu Arrival

The scenic flight will be thrilling as you approach Nepal from the south. Similarly, the flight will take you down gradually from the lush hills and land you at Kathmandu’s TIA airport. Our tour representative will pick you up from the TIA airport and take you to the hotel in a private vehicle within a brief time.

Day 2: Permit preparation and sightseeing

In the center of Nepal’s only historic capital city, the day begins with the freshness of essence. The morning will be a great time to stroll outdoors. Today, together with the appropriate documentation, a passport, and a photo, we will apply for a permit. After obtaining the permit, we will tour the magnificent historical sites, including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swaymbhunath. Before returning to the hotel, we’ll snap a stunning panorama of Patan Durban Square and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Once back at the hotel, we will be ready for the beautiful adventure the following day.

Day 3: Drive to Tatopani

During the morning, the jeep will be waiting in front of our hotel. The jeep will transport us through astonishingly picturesque scenery and meander the Prithivi Highway roadways while navigating the slopes. We’ll get to Pokhara in around 4 hours of driving. As we continue north from here, taking in the splendid views of Macchapuchre, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri, we will cross through several settlements and eventually arrive at Tatopani. The perspective will be stunning from here. Tatopani is where we’ll spend the night.

Day 04: Drive to Jomsom

After a morning hot shower at the Tatopani hot spring, we will depart for our next destination. As we progress into the high altitude, the road will become bumpier. In the same way, after passing through the villages of Kalapani, Ghasa, and Marpha, we will arrive in Jomsom after a six-hour jeep drive. Both the sights and the weather will be spectacular. Staying overnight in the heart of Mustang Jomsom will be fantastic.

Day 05: Jomsom to Chele Drive

The route will be even narrower as it descends from Jomsom, leading us deeper into the countryside. After crossing the Kagbeni, the barren terrain also begins. The eastern path to the Muktinath is also accessible from here, but we’ll head straight for the Chuksang and finish in the Chele instead. We’ll spend the night at Chele.

Day 06: Drive to Ghiling

The vehicle will transport us directly north from Chele. Within a few hours, we’ll be over 3200 meters. After passing through the monasteries of the former Tibetan-Nepalese villages, we will reach Syangboche. We’ll proceed to some adjacent caves after lunch and a brief tour of the neighborhood. From here, we will take another jeep ride to the northern terrain, making up to the Ghiling, where we will spend the night.

Day 07: Drive to Charang

The route will get narrower and bumpier, making the jeep ride more adventurous. As we pass through the ancient residences and the Hidden valley, we will soon arrive at the lovely neighborhood of Ghami. After eating at Ghami, the jeep will drive us across cliffs with a spectacular view of the Sky-touching Mountains like Nilgiri, Damodar, and Manaslu. We’ll arrive at Charang in about 3 hours and spend the night there.

Day 08: Drive to Lo Manthang (Tiji Festival Starts)

The picturesque morning vista in the Mustang valleys will be spectacular to observe. The vehicle will take us farther into the arid highlands after we receive the morning blessings from the nearby monasteries. The stunning village to the south and the fantastic vista of the Himalayas will be present. We will be to Lo Manthang in about an hour to enjoy the fantastic first day of the Tiji Festival. Monks will dance “Tsha Chamn” as they evacuate monasteries while sporting crimson masks that symbolize the diabolical behavior that demons have caused among the local populace. Overnight at Lo Manthang.

Day 09: Lo Manthang (Tiji Festival Day 2)

This quest acquires an exciting aspect on the second day of the festival. Females assemble to execute the ceremonies while dressed in ceremonial attire and donning jewelry. Similarly, neighboring monks also carry out ceremonies that anticipate Dorje Jonu’s metamorphosis of the evil energy and identify him as the avatar of the devil. We’ll spend the night in Lo Manthang.

Day 10: Lo Manthang (Tiji Festival Day 3)

The sound of the bells and instruments echoing in the morning, along with the splendid backdrop of the Himalayas above, will be everlasting. Today the monks will engage in several activities. Today marks the end of devil energy and the beginning of good energy. A wooden pole will support the devil’s remains, which the monks will set and shoot with an arrow until everything falls. After the festival is complete, we’ll have a tour of the neighborhood and spend the night at Lo Manthang.

Day 11: Drive to Jomsom

We will proceed to Jomsom through the southwestern route after taking the early-morning jeep. We will arrive in Jomsom in 4 hours after passing through the beautiful surroundings of Charang and Kagbeni. The rocky jeep drive traverses cliffs across barren terrain and is in a region with steep terrain. Jomsom is where we will spend the night.

Day 12: Drive to Pokhara

Both the morning’s incredible freshness and the Himalayas’ breathtaking landscape are sure to be something to see. The driving will be more accessible, and the road will get broader as you get closer to Pokhara. After a six-hour jeep ride, we will arrive in Pokhara after navigating waterfalls, bridges, and a magnificent green environment with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. We’ll spend a fantastic night in Pokhara.

Day 13: Pokhara Sightseeing

It will be incredible to wake up early in the morning to the majesty of the Himalayan mountain range to the north. Initially, we’ll travel in the direction of Pokhara’s northern side. A short trek to Tibet Refugee Camp will be invigorating, as will the general panorama of the northern valleys. Along with it, we’ll also tour the nearby Davis Falls and Mahendra Cave. After admiring the breathtaking heavenly waterfalls and scenery, we’ll move on to the Phewa and Begnas lake for boating. There will be a little break by the lake’s edge in the evening while we take in the lovely surroundings. Overnight at one of Pokhara’s best hotels

Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu

The jeep drive leads us to the eastern mountain road from the Pokhara. We will pass through pine forests, rivers, and several different settlements as we travel the winding roads of the Alpine region. Likewise, we will arrive in Kathmandu and experience its bustle after a six-hour jeep ride. After strolling around the Thamel area in the evening, we will spend the night in Kathmandu.

Day 15: Departure

The morning cup of tea will be your final breakfast in Nepal. A vehicle will be waiting for you outside the hotel for transportation to the airport. Our representative will transport you to the airport after you’ve packed everything. Following expressing your farewells, you will depart for your following location.

Tiji Festival Trek Difficulty

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is one of the most challenging aspects of the Tiji Festival Trek. With an elevation of more than 3500m, Lo Manthang will be the highest point of this trek. While traversing the high-altitude landscape of this region, there may be difficulties. Consequently, one can be conscious of altitude sickness. It is feasible to reduce the risk of altitude sickness with adequate rest, acclimatization, and nutrition that provides energy throughout the day.

Time and Distance

The Tiji Festival Journey will involve a daily trek of 5 to 6 hours on average. Similarly, depending on how far the trekking destination is, you must trek approximately ten to fifteen km per day. Furthermore, maintaining the designated pace during the trek will be acceptable due to the low to moderate difficulty level. However, some landscapes may be a legitimate concern, but there will be no obstacles to conquer in terms of distance and time.

Fitness

Health and fitness are critical components of the adventure. During this trek, issues might develop due to low strength and stamina. Substantial strength and endurance are necessary while trekking for more than five days and traversing more than 10 kilometers daily. Additionally, you risk being accepted if you cannot maintain vitality throughout the Tiji Festival Trek. Therefore, one should moderate cardiovascular and muscular exercise before trekking.

Tiji Festival and Rituals

Tiji Festival is one of the traditional festivals of the Tibetan-Nepalese community in the Mustang Region. This festival honors the remarkable legacies of Buddhist legends like Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche and Dorje Jono. Guru Rinpoche is a notable legendary figure who has significantly influenced Buddhism. Identically, the Dorje Jono, also known as the Vajrakila, resembles the venerated divinity of the Buddhists of the Mustang Region. Similarly, this festival is symbolic of the triumph of good over evil. Over this festival’s three days, monks from various monasteries undertake pristine traditional ceremonies and rituals.

First Day of Tiji Festival

The first day of the Tiji Festival begins with magical and enchanting rituals depicting significant context. The monks will similarly congregate from early in the morning and engage in the “Sha Charm” dance. This dance will be stunning to witness because of the incredible leg and hand maneuvers. Furthermore, the dance depicts Dorji Sanam’s sordid history, including how he first masquerades as Buddha before transforming into a demon. The monks started acting like the devil harassing the Mustang residents, demonstrating how the devil was trying to find a method to rule the Mustang with his strength and demonic power.

Second Day of Tiji Festival

The second day will be intriguing because the monks will perform the Nga cham dance, depicting Dorje Jono’s transformation into the devil. Female performers clad in traditional costumes and accessories follow the standard square for the performance. The introductory presentation exhibited the new influx of ethereal dwellings and divine power, creating a considerable impact.

Third-Day of Tiji Festival

There will be a remarkable conclusion to the final ritual of the Tiji festival. Monks and residents of the Mustang Region gather around the monasteries of Lo Manthang to perform the Rhea Chaam, a traditional dance. The ambient music will feature traditional instruments as well as dance. The most impressive aspects of the ritual on this day will be the attempts to shoot an arrow at the devil’s remains and terminate it, as well as activities like dancing and gathering.

Permits for Tiji Festival

Multiple permits will be necessary for the Tiji Festival Trek. First and foremost, a special permit for this expedition will be essential, costing roughly USD 500. The specified quantity of 10 days will be the duration of the special permit for the Tiji Festival Trek. Likewise, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is essential. Because the trek will take you into the Annapurna Conservation Area, you will need an ACAP permit.
Furthermore, the cost of the ACAP will be about USD 30 per person and will vary depending on the season and the number of days. Likewise, it will require a maximum group size of around 30 people and a minimum of about two trekkers to ascend this region. A guide and porter are necessary for this Tiji Festival Trek as it is nonetheless restricted. Similarly, you will not have to worry about permits while on the trek because they are all part of the trekking package.

Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS)

One of the critical difficulties of this expedition is altitude sickness. Altitude gain occasionally provides an issue for you. If your body doesn’t obtain enough oxygen when mountaineering, the oxygen level in the air will gradually decrease with altitude, and you risk developing altitude sickness. The Tiji Festival Trek Jeep drive will reach a maximum altitude of around 3,800 to 4,000m. However, since the jeep will always provide a ride, you will only have to spend some of your available energy on the trek. But the reality is, whether you travel by jeep or on foot, altitude sickness will begin to stalk you as you pass a height of 2500m. As a result, before embarking on this adventure, one should be conscious of the difficulties of Altitude Mountain Sickness.

How to Prevent AMS

Several strategies you might employ to safeguard yourself from an assault of altitude sickness. Getting enough rest at a low altitude will be the first step because sleeping extensively at higher altitudes is not advisable. Avoiding substances like alcohol and other vices will also be a good idea on this expedition. With no chemical toxicity, this will assist in keeping your body light. Also, always keeping the body hydrated will help combat altitude sickness. The medicine Acetazolamide, which can prevent Altitude Mountain Sickness, is another option you have. Energy-giving items like chocolate and dried fruits enhance athletic performance and boost energy.