Mustang Tiji Festival Trek - 18 Days

Your journey to the Mustang Tiji Festival Trek starts after you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the very bustling capital of Nepal. Our representative will receive you and escort you to your hotel. The sights of Kathmandu’s chaotic streets, which are lined with colourful market stalls and old buildings, give an indication of the cultural bounty waiting for you. 

Then you can enjoy walking around the vivacious Thamel neighborhood enjoying traditional Nepali stuff, modern cafes, and real restaurants, true convenience to everything associated with travel. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

The second day of the Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 18 Days is set for preparation and sightseeing activities. Start with a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, you can visit the hilltop Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) along the way, which presents a wonderful view of the city below. Really steeped in old temples like the Pashupatinath, one can discover the intricate carvings of Patan Durbar Square, all giving you a much better taste of the rich history and spirituality of Nepal.

After sightseeing, now it is time to spend time with your trekking guide, who will give you a detailed briefing. You must do the final check of your permits and equipment to ensure that there is nothing amiss.

Today, you will go on an amazing drive that stretches between Kathmandu and Pokhara, which is said to be around 200 km. The journey lasts from 6 to 7 hours and passes terraced fields, rolling hills, and the deafening Trishuli River while stopping at roadside cafes for some very Nepali tea while gazing at the wonderful landscape. 

On reaching Pokhara, you will find the calmness of Phewa Lake to welcome you as dusk creeps in. You can spend the evening wandering along the shores, with the snow-capped Annapurna and Machhapuchhre ranges reflected in its calm waters. This beautiful place prepares you well for your trek, so overnight stay at a hotel.

The fourth day is for reaching the starting point of the Mustang Tiji Festival Trek. You will take an early morning flight to Jomsom: it is an experience of flying over the majestic Himalayas. The aerial view of the peaks-highest, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri- is simply breathtaking. Jomsom, nestled in the Kali Gandaki River valley, marks the start of your trek.

From Jomsom, you will hike along the windswept valley of the Kali Gandaki River to Kagbeni, a beautiful village that serves as the trailhead toward Upper Mustang. Kagbeni comprises old monasteries, traditional houses, and colourful apple orchards. Overnight stay at a local lodge at Kagbeni.

Your journey continues through the parched lands of Upper Mustang. It goes through tiny settlements like Tangbe and Chhusang; terraced fields and whitewashed houses characterize these places. The route runs through red cliffs and dramatic gorges as if to celebrate geological wonders.

After crossing the Kali Gandaki River, the track climbs steeply to reach Chele. The panoramic view of Nilgiri and Tilicho Peak is an added reward for this quiet settlement. So this changes the landscape from the lovely charms of peaceful surroundings and makes it a perfect day to remember.

You will climb with the soaring heights today, the long wide plateau and low valleys. Then, you will hike to the beautiful small village with chortens and prayer flags. As you keep climbing uphill through the rugged terrain, you will be welcomed to those incredible views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

The Gelling is a settlement featured with ancient monasteries and colourful prayer wheels, creating its beauty. The calmness and the spectacular surrounding mountains make Geling a great place to just chill out and contemplate the day’s trekking.

This trail to Charang sets the best for culture as well as gives an eye treat. Walking into large meadows and villages with mani walls (stone carving with Buddhist prayers). This arid, desert-like stretch has colourful and vibrant chortens and cliffs of such colours, creating a surreal landscape.

Charang boasts of a grand dzong (fortress) and an olden monastery that have historic as well as sacred significance. You can savour seeing the landmarks and basking in the amazing scenery of the Mustang region.

On the eighth day of the Mustang Tiji Trek, a mild hike brings you into the mythical walled city of Lo-Manthang, the epicenter of Mustang culture. Approaching it will make one fall awestruck before the medieval city encircled by desolate mountains, crowned with the pinnacle of snow.

Lo-Manthang is an incredibly vibrant storehouse of Tibetan culture alive with narrow lanes, ancient monasteries, and the royal palace. The city itself is filled with vibrant prayer flags and friendly locals to add flavour to the culture as one explores the place. You can explore the place and stay overnight at a local tea house at Lo Manthang.

The first day of the Tiji Festival marks the beginning of this ancient ceremony that represents the victory over evil by good. In the monastery, monks dressed in fancy costumes perform sacred dances depicting the myth of Dorje Jono. The city is filled with crowds of local people coming to be a part of this festive day in traditional attire.

This first day is packed with ceremonies and community celebrations, which give one a good flavour of the Tibetan Buddhistic part of the Upper Mustang definition. Overnight stay at a tea house.

The Tiji Festival goes on with more ritualistic performances. Here, the monks perform energetic dances based on different stories about removing demons or making peace in the land. Costumes and movements are colourful and rhythmic.

You will spend the day enjoying the cultural richness and interacting with the natives. The spiritual essence of the festival, mixed with joyous celebrations, creates a deep connection with the heritage of Mustang.

Today is the third day of the Tiji Festival, which is also the last day. Today, priests conduct concluding rituals followed by prayers for prosperity in the community; after this, trek to Namgyal Gompa – much famous for being a hilltop monastery where panoramic views are given from the site. 

Tingkhar, near this village as the last one in Lo-Manthang, provides glimpses into the traditional Tibetan lifestyle. You can go back to Lo-Manthang for one last night in this amazing town, but not before reflecting on the spiritual journey you have been part of during these three days.

The twelfth day of the Mustang Tiji Festival brings you to Drakmar. The trail meanders through the rugged terrains as you head down to Drakmar, a village famous for its steep red cliffs and ancient caves. 

This route is contrasted with the lower arid regions of Upper Mustang as it traverses and demonstrates a lush juniper forest interspersed with a few small settlements. Drakmar’s curious beauty and peace make suitable conditions for spending time relaxing and fostering memories of the trip. Overnight stay at a tea house.

Today, you will wake up early in the morning and head towards Shyangmochen from Drakmar. You will cross the passes, then go down to the wonderful valleys. During the journey, you can enjoy some far-distant snow-capped peaks and change the colours of Mustang scenery.

Shyangmochen is a calm place that lets you get in touch with the simple and peaceful lifestyle of the villagers. It is a serene retreat at the end of the day amidst the beautiful natural surroundings.

As you wake up early in your tea house at Shyangmochen, you will catch a remote trail that stretches downhill to Chhusang. You will enjoy the trail winding through narrowing gorges, raging with mad rivers and iced cliffs. You will also pass little settlements with views of traditional practices of farming, and you will be immersed in the typical hospitality of the locals.

Chhusang is located near the Kali Gandaki River, and this is a beautiful and peaceful place to stop along the journey. Overnight stay at a tea house in Chhusang.

Today, you will return to Jomsom again to descend to a lower altitude. The trail balances out in empty sceneries and greenery as you go farther down. You can enjoy one last view of the distinctive area of Upper Mustang as you return. 

As you reach Jomsom, the windiest city in Nepal, you can celebrate your trek and bask in your success with your team in Jomsom.

Today, you will take the early morning flights back to Pokhara, where the early-morning aerial views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges are as captivating as ever. Then spend the day exploring the sights of Pokhara, whether that is the Peace Pagoda or Davis Falls, or relaxing by Phewa Lake. The chill atmosphere and scenery while one is in Pokhara are ideal for coming down after the trek.

Upon reaching Pokhara, you can explore Lakeside, where vibrant energies are welcomed with an open heart. You will have dinner at a hotel and stay overnight.

You will drive back toward Kathmandu and keep remembering some of the unforgettable moments spent during your Mustang trek. It is yet another field trip-note taking experience of Nepal’s diverse landscapes-from hills to flatlands.

Once you are in Kathmandu, it is time to shop for souvenirs, revisit the historical sites, or enjoy a last dinner with your trekking buddies. Evening marks one of the nostalgic times with the memories of your expedition.

Today is the last day of your stay in Nepal. You will be escorted to Tribhuvan International Airport by one of our representatives. From there, you will onboard a flight back to your home country.