Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

Venue: Kathmanadu-Pokhara-JomsomTsarang-Lomanthang-Drakmar-KagbeniJomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu.

Date: 2017 May

Tiji Festival, a holy ritual celebration celebrate on shade of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri
Himalayan range called upper Mustang in center-north Nepal. The upper mustang region is
culturally, linguistically and geographically relevant with Tibetan. A twelve-monthly occasion
especially celebrated and take a part a group of the Buddhist monks and aboriginal people from
children to old of Lobhas. International travelers allowed to visit forbidden kingdom from 1992
but Michel Peissel from France had mention in his travel book Mustang A lost Tibetan
kingdom, he travelled to Upper-Mustang and witnessed elaborate festival in 1964 with special
travelling pass from Kathmandu. He said The scenes I witnessed were so extraordinary and so
unexpected that I dared not believe my eyes and even today I have some trouble in believing in
the reality of what I saw that day.
Tiji festival also popular as monks festival where monks will be dressed in a gold, blue and red
brocade gown in which was plaited the image of Mera, the god of death with red and yellow
head. The festival is usually marked Teeji is the condensed form of a term Tempa chhirim
which literally means prayer for peace in the world. This year, Musical Adventure Trekking will
help you visit Lo-Manthang region to celebrate Tiji Festival on 2017 May by 4WD jeep tour and
trekking with special upper-mustang permit.
The festival in fact, honors the triumph of Buddhas personification in Dhorji sonam over an evil
spirit named Ma Tam Ru Ta, a Waxman eater. The devil also caused rainstorm and droughts to
devastate peoples livestock as well as houses. To mark the event, the monks perform dance
during the three days festival in Lomanthang Chhyode Gumba, a monastery. The dance actually
is in the form of play to perform- the birth of Dhorji sonam, the annoyance done by Ma Tam Ru
Ta, and effort of Dhorji sonam to get victory over Dhorji sonam and it is organized in the
chhyode Gumba which is a monastery of sakya-pa cult situated in Lomanthang. The dance
performed on the first day is called Tsa Chham and Nga Chham is the dance performed on the
second day while, one of the monks among three monks has to reside in isolation during winter
to enact the character of Dhorji sonam on the third day. The dance performed on the third day is

known as Rha Chham. There is a strong belief that the village gets rid-off evil spirits via the
performances.

Mustang Tiji Festival Trekking Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350 m/4,428 Ft)
Musical Adventure Trekking airport representative will come to meet you at TIA arrival gate
with your name in play card. After pleasant meeting drive will be start with briefing about
Kathmandu and Nepal. As soon as arrive at hotel check in and then take your own time to
explore around nearby attraction.
Overnight at hotel
Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing and trek permits proceed day

Musical Adventure Trekking will get your special permit of Mustang, it take at least half day to
make it. You can have your own time, if you prefer to see some cultural and heritage site of
Kathmandu, your guide will take you their. Like Bouddhanath stupa, the largest 9 story Buddhist
stupa in the valley with decorated by multi-color Tibetan flag. After that visit oldest Hindu
temple, Pashupatinath where you can see death cremate in Hindu ritual and take a photos with
holy man and Sadhus. Then we will have typical Nepalese lunch after that drive onward to
Kathmandu durbar square, you will see home of living Hindu goddess, statue of Bhiraiv and
monkey god Hanuman, big bell and Telejun temple. Basantapur is former royal palace, it has
beautiful wood carving and sculpture in each corner of durbar square complex. Now walk out
from north gate and take straight alley with looking colorful local market at Ason then continues
to Thamel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara (827m/2,712 & 6-7 hrs drive) by deluxe tourist bus
Your guide will come to pick you up at hotel around 6:20 am then short warm up walk to
Kantipath bus station from hotel and bus departure at 7 am. It is a scenic bus journey from
Kathmandu to Pokhara more or less it takes 7hrs. The scenery will be changed dramatically
along the drive, first drive begins from dense population town with viewing color houses. Once
drive cross Nagdunga (snake image stone) beautiful landscape with dotted village appear on the
sloppy hill and panoramic Himalayas range see above the green countryside. After that journey
meet with Trishuli and Marshyandi River, you can see people doing adventurous white rafting
from your bus windows. As soon as arrive at Pokhara, if time allow voyage constant to Tibetan

refugee camp, Gupteswor cave and boating at Phewa Lake.

Overnight at hotel
Day 04: Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720 m/20 minute) flight then trek to Kagbeni (2,900 m/9,512
Ft & 3-4hrs)
Usually Pokhara to Jomsom flight operate an early morning unless the weather turn worse. It is
complete mountain flight in between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan range, fiery sun ray
make snow-capped peak more astounding. After landing at Jomsom airport, meet with support
crew and escort to hotel and have delicious organic Himalayan breakfast. We make our trail
across the Thakali village with crossing suspension bridge. Then we continuous our way wide
bank of Kaligandaki River where we often found fossils with different images. A level trail
offers widespread of arid setting with crest view of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Tilicho peak. Before
reaching to medieval Kagbeni village trek pass apple orchid and tea shop on ghost valley. The
get way village of forbidden kingdom has beautiful shakya pa sect monastery where hundreds of
young monk are practicing Buddhism. Better to visit monastery in evening or morning where
you can witness to see puja. If time allow, you can do side trip to nearby tiri village go and fro
takes 2hrs. Entrance and exit of village has male and female phallic, local believed it is guard of
village.
Overnight at guesthouse
Day 05: Kagbeni to Tsaile/Chaile (3,100 m/10,168 Ft & 5-6hrs trek)

We begin trek after hot and delicious breakfast at hotel, as soon as we leave, trek goes through
midst of village and check restricted permits before leave village behind us. Now short ascend up
present soaring peak and smoky Tibetan village with huge kaligandi valley. The flat trail lead on
arid canyon with eyeing beautiful image of mound to small Tengbe. Trek drop down to bank of
river then short walk bring us at Chhusang village, a small village separated by Tetang River. We
stop here for lunch, now trek continuous north coastline of river with viewing colorful traditional
grave, chorten and stupa with favorable local atmosphere. Cross steel bridge over Kaligandaki
River where river throughout natural cliff tunnel on ravine. East side of canyon has huge cliff
with 16 beautiful cave. The trail upward with climbing on pasture and terrace to Tsaile village,
the chaile village located at tiny ridge, it offers amazing sunset on Thorong peak, Tilicho peak
and Nilgiri himal.
Overnight at guesthouse

Day 06: Tsaile to Ghiling/Gheling (3,555 m/11,660 Ft & 6-7 hrs trek)
Today you will ascend 900m and descend 450m, our tiji journey begin after breakfast from
guesthouse, the trail lead throughout village with ascending on shingle path on plateau and
animal pasturing sloppy. As soon as we trek out plateau, the classical upper mustang trekking
trail throughout middle of huge cut-off cliff. We keep climbing with looking enormous view of
dry valley and desert landscape to Samare village. A small Tibetan style village with guesthouse
and teashop after tea break here trek drop-down to ditch then ascending up on sloppy hilly often
pass oak tree to Bhena, often can see sheep and goat pasturing around here. The trail still
climbing-up after lunch here to Chungi La summit, the pass presents astonishing view of barren
grey-brown landscape with huge canyon and sky-high Himalayan range. Now onward our trip to
visit beautiful natural cave of Guru Rinpoche, the native believe Guru Rinpoche had done
meditation in the cave while making his way to Tibet in 8th century for preaching Buddhism.
After visiting historical cave we resume trek and make tea break at Syangboche, short climb up
bring us at a ridge, the colorful lungda and painted chhorten make crest more beautiful. Our level
trail continuous on the plateau to Ghiling, often encounter Jackal, deer and fox. A small village
with Tibetan cultural influence have some beautiful monastery and large old-era chhorten in
middle of village.
Overnight at guesthouse
Day 07: Ghiling to Tsarang (3,560m/11,677 Ft & 5-6 hours)

Today we do two passes with height of 4,000 mtrs, we make our way after breakfast with gentle
uphill through shrubs and grain-farm with viewing Annapurna range to main-stream trail of
Upper Mustang. The main trail lead with ascending to Nyi-La pass above Nyi-La pass to Lomanthang called center of Upper Mustang. The trail drop-descend at valley of Nyi-La and ChuLa to Ghami, we make lunch break at Ghami, short descend and cross the suspension bridge then
gentle climbing trail goes aside of longest mani wall of Nepal. Our trail onward uphill to surpass
of small crest then descend on the plateau to Tsarang village. We trek under the one of the grey
and red painted stupa before reaching to old-age Charang village.
Overnight at guesthouse
Day 08: Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3,850 m/12,631 Ft & 4-5hrs trek)

As usual we leave from hotel after breakfast, it is a more or less 4hrs trek from Tsarang to Lomanthang, in beginning classical trade trail cross through puzzling alley of ancient village to
canyon, After crossing river follow descend from Ghar Gumba (house monastery), we slightly
climb on gorge with looking Tsarang village and ravine to Tholung Lo-La. A summit is best
viewpoint for walled city of Nepal, the king live in midst of walled city with white and grey
painted palace with 2472 feet peripheral long and 26 feet tall which was built in 1380 AD. The
cluster mud housed village is surrounded by brown mound with cultivate trim images. Now we
trek down from hilltop on arid plateau and then crossing stream at bottom. A gradual-up on
grassy meadow bring us at accident village, the village used to be trade center between indoTibet salt trade. After lunch onward journey to Jhampa Lhakang monastery, huge image of future
Buddha matre and gold water painted tantric mandala with outstanding enigma art. The 4 storey
monastery has roof as well, the roof offers great view of plateau.
Overnight at guesthouse
Day 09: Inauguration day of Tiji Festival

First day of Tiji Festival called Tsa Chham Lhobas people, begins with decorative costumes
wearer monks dance at Chhyode Gumba with permission allowed by Mustang Gyalbo AKA
chief Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista and greeted by womens groups in fabulous traditional attires and
jewelry. There will be around 5 dozen monks from nearby village with fours sect of Buddhist
(Nyingmapa, Kagypaa, Sakyapa and Gelupa) all the Buddhist sect took participate in Himalayan
ceremony.
Overnight at guesthouse

Day: 2nd Day of Tii Festival at Lo-manthang

2nd Day of Tenjee festival is one of the important ritual day along the three days festival, the
courtyard will occupied by native and international visitor. The local colorful dressed-up with
different old-style jewelry make the ceremony more vivid and worth it. Better to make your way
to square as early as possible, there will be hives of people to observe cultural show. The
fantastic Himalayan festival will continuous with performance of Buddhism monks on rhythm of
Buddhist chant, the yellow and red hat wear monk with play cymbals, various dungchen, human
thighbone flutes etc. whatever monks and native done, it means to chase away the evil spirit from
the Mustang kingdom.
Overnight at guesthouse
Day 11: Finishing day of Tiji Festival

On the final day, Tiji ends with the ceremonial demolition of the evil remains, represented by
some long black yak hair and red torma (barley cakes). 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
poor devils remains are over- turned upon the ground, each time to a wild cannonade from the
old muzzle-loaders and a wave of cheers and smoke.
Overnight at guesthouse
Day 12: Lo Manthang to Drakmar (3,800 m/12,467 Ft & 6-7hrs trek)

From today we are turning back with taking upper highland way, the highlander route presenting
dramatic views of Himalayan range and highland. The zigzag trail leading up on the sloppy
meadow to tiny summit at height of 4,220 m. then gentle trail leading to Ghar Gomba, the
amazing view of Tsarang village and canyon plateau. After spending some time at monastery
trek descend to Drakmar, huge red cliff will appear right side of the village.
Overnight at guesthouse
Day 13: Drakmar to Chaile (3,100 m & 6-7hrs treks)
Short descend to Ghami river after crossing suspension bridge ascend up and passing Ghami
village then Nyi La Pass and descend to Jhiate and syangboche. Again descending Bhena, Samar
then finally arrive at Tsaile
Overnight at guesthouse
Day 14: Chele to Jomsom (2,800 m/9,186 Ft & 6-7hrs trek)

From chaile gentle trek continous with Kaligandaki river and passing villages Chhusang,

Tangbe, Kagbenia and finalley arrive at Jomsom.

Overnight at hotel
Day 15: Jomsom to Pokhara 25minute by flight then Pokhara Sightseeing
The short flight will bring us at Pokhara then you will do boating at Phewa Lake, visit
Gupteseshower Mahadev cave and Bat cave.
Overnight at hotel
Day 16: Pokhara to Kathamndu 7hrs by drive
A 7hours bus journey will will offers great view of Himalayas, landscapes, country side.
Overnight at hotel
Day 17: Departure
Here we come to the end of our memorable a weeklong Himalayan trip. We transferred to
international airport according to your flight schedule then onward journey to home.
Cost Includes:

International and Domestic Airport-up and drop-off service

3Nights accommodation in Kathmandu with bed and breakfast plan
2Nights accommodation in Pokhara with bed and breakfast
All the required ground transportation as mention in the Itinerary
Guided Kathmandu valley sightseeing tour with private transportation and entrance fees
Trekking Permits (TIMS, Immigration Permit, Annapurna Conservation Area Permits)
Experienced flunet English speaking licensed guide with salary, accommodation, food
and Insurance
Experienced high altitude Porter with salary, accommodation, food and Insurance
Three meals a day (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner with Hot drinks)
Seasonal fresh fruits where available
Complimentary four seasonal sleeping bag, down Jacket etc (should be returned upon
completing the trek)
Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara flight tickets together with guide
Exclusives Medical kit
Farewell dinner

Cost Excludes

Lunch and dinner at Kathmandu and Pokhara (Breakfast Included)

Travel insurance and any sort of rescues such as Helicopter or Horse
Kathmandu valley sightseeing and entrance fees in monuments
Personal expenses battery charge, hot shower, phone calls, Internet, laundry etc
Gratitude (Tips) to guide and porter