Tiji Festival Trek

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, Tribhuvan International Airport, we will receive you in a private vehicle and drive to the hotel in Kathmandu. In the afternoon, Restricted Area Permit (RAP) arrangement via department of Immigration office in Kathmandu. Our representative will brief you on Mustang Tiji Festival trekking information.

Take a Tourist bus and drive to Pokhara. During the journey, tourists can see the villages, colorful landscapes, and the valley like the Trisuli river and Marshyangdi river. Both rivers are most popular for rafting in Nepal. Moreover, you will cross one of the longest bridges over the Madi river, which is also popular for rafting adventure lovers. Continue to drive further along the valley, crossing the rivers, we reach Phewa Lake tourist bus station. You can begin your 5 minutes hike to the hotel to maintain or stretch your body because of a long drive. Otherwise, we arrange a private taxi transfer to get to your hotel.

Early flight to Jomsom airport located at an altitude of 2,720 meters. Jomsom is the district headquarters of Mustang, so landing at Jomsom Airport, we take a quick breakfast and start the hikes to Kagbeni Guesthouse. Kagbeni is one of the famous religious sites for Hindu pilgrims to Pitri-Puja. It is also called Pitri- Moksastala which is done to remove the lost soul of ancestors from hell and help them to reach heaven resulting in blessing to all the family members.

In addition, Kagbeni village is a gateway to exploring upper mustang and Lo Manthang as well as to go Corolla border. Kagbeni is a most interesting typical Tibetan village and the entry point of the upper Mustang trekking routes. Trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni Tourists can remark on the most scenic view of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche peak, and Dhampus peak en route.

The trail leads up toward the east bank of the Kaligandaki that climbs over many ridges as it heads north and reaches Tangbe Village. The town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst whitewashed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat, and apple orchards. Continues to loom massively at the foot of the valley. Beyond Tangbe we reach Chhusang Village and cross the river, continue climbing north where the Kali Gandaki follows. Cross the main river and now leaves the Kaligandaki valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele at 3030 meters.

The climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to pass and cairn of rock at 3540m. The trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, and the trail descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar. The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. Climb above Samar to a ridge, descend into a large gorge and the trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream, and climbs up to a ridge at 3,800 meters. The route climbs sharply up and down over a series of high passes, before the final descent to Geiling.

From Gelling, the trail climbs gently to the interesting pass on our trek NYLA and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing a steel bridge of the Tangmar chu (river), we will arrive at a MANI (Prayer WALL) perhaps the longest and most spectacular stretch and main wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600 meters the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang. The huge five floors of white Dzong and red Gompa is an interesting visit to observe collections of statues and Thanks as well as many large paintings of seated Buddha.

The sandy trail descends about 100 meters down from Charang, crosses the Charang – Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge and continues to climb. Finally, from a ridge at 3850 meters. There is a view of the walled city of LO. After a short descent, cross a stream and climb up into the plateau of Lo- Manthang. Likewise, Tsarang to Lo Manthang trek distance is 13.9 kilometers/8.64 miles.

After a good lunch in a woman thang guest house, we participate in the opening ceremony of the Tiji festival (starting at 3 pm and ending at 5 pm). Overnight at Lo-manthang guest House.

Another day in Lo – Manthang gives you the chance to explore its many sights; the Tall Champa Lakhang (God house,) the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and the Raja’s Palace. Besides Lo-Manthang there are two other interesting valleys worth visiting. The western valley Tingkhar, the sight of Raja’s summer palace, Kimling, and Phuwa as well as the Gompa of Namgyal (The Monastery of Victory) is the newest and most active Gompa in Lo. In the eastern valley lies the village of Chosar, also rich in gompas and the valley is the main trading route to Lhasa. After Lunch, we can watch the stunning mask dances performed by monks in the Tiji festival starting at 2 pm and ending around 6 pm). Overnight at Hotel.

Explore the Royal palace and monastery in the morning and enjoy the last and final celebration of the Tiji festival in Lo Manthang in the afternoon.

This is an opportunity to visit two other villages on your return trek. The trail climbs steadily to the pass marked by a cairn, offering a last glimpse of Lo-Manthang. We cross the highest pass this trek and arrive in Ghar Gompa (3920 Meters). This monastery is very old and older than the Samye monastery in Tibet, supposed to be built around 730 AD. After crossing the pass around 4100m, we descend downhill to Dhakmar 3,520 meters where we fix our campsite for stay overnight.

From Dhakmar the way goes down to until Ghami (3,460m) the huge greenery village in Mustang where we can see the ancient monastery and stupas with. You can see the local houses here like caves. After the trail goes ascends until Nyi La pass and descends to Samar through the same route. We fix our camp to stay overnight here or we can stay at the Dhakmar lodge. And Lo Manthang to Dhakmar distance is 14 kilometers/8.70 miles and takes about 6 hours to complete.

Today, we trek descend downhill to Chhusang. After Chhusang, climb little more than arrive in Tangbe village and finally, we reach Kagbeni Guest house for a lunch stop. The distance from Samar to Kagbeni is approximately 13.1 km / 8.1 miles (as the crow flies), and offers panoramic red stone cliffs.

Later Lunch, Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom Airport which is situated 2,720 meters above sea level. Kagbeni to Jomsom airport distance is 12.5 km (7.77 miles) via Kaagbeni Sadak and Kali Gandaki Corridor. We trek to Jomsom the windy valley of the Kaligandaki River. You can walk on the Kali Gandaki river banks hunting ammonite fossils. The fossils are coming out from the holy Damodhar Kunda lake. Shaligram refers to a fossilized shell used in South Asia as an iconic symbol and reminder of the God Vishnu as the Universal Principle by some Hindus.

The background story of Shaligram

This black stone is known as the Shaligram stone. It was due to a curse that Lord Vishnu turned into a stone. A curse is so powerful that even the most powerful God, one among the trinity could not do anything but accept it. Lord Vishnu received this curse from one of His most loyal devotees, Vrinda. Hike further to Jomsom airport and stay overnight in a Jomsom hotel.

Early morning, we drive downhill to Pokhara city instead of flight. It’s a thrilling journey that can offers the spectacular Mountain Views including Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, and Machhapuchre. Reaching Pokhra, Guide will arrange a private taxi to transfer to your hotel on Phewa lakeside.

In the morning, we’ll drive back through the scenic countryside, and during the route will stop for breakfast and lunch. It takes 7 hours back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu, the guide will transfer to the hotel.

Guest can fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu costs US$ 115 (extra charge) for each foreign passenger. Various Airlines like Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines are operating several flights daily starting from 7 am. Drop you at the Kathmandu international terminal building for your further flights. Trip Finish.