Long and isolated kingdom once made prosperous by the salt trade in to Tibet . Mustang is an adventure paradise. In 1992 this remote and mystical region on north of Jomsom was opened to foreign trekkers. The 10 day camping based trek to Lomanthang is Mustang is one of the great treks of Annapurna ’s. It takes you in to a fair tale land of strangely bitsy quaint Tibetan style villages surrounded by picturesque stupas and chortens. Mustang trek lying in the rain shadow of the Himalayas is perhaps the last enclave of pristine Tibetan culture. Forbidden & isolated from the rest of the World it was able to evolve its own distinctive culture and traditional which is so rich & unique. Lo-Mustang, the capital is walled city ruled by religious king. Untouched by modern civilization, life in Mustang goes on as it has for centuries in unhurried pace. A trek into the kingdom of Mustang is an unforgettable experience.
The Tiji festival is a three-day ritual known as "The chasing of the Demons" and it is centered on the Tiji myth. Tiji tells the story of a deity named Dorje Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. The demon father wreaks havoc on Mustang by creating a water shortage which, in this extremely arid land, is the most precious life-sustaining resource. Dorje Jono eventually defeats the demon and banishes him from the land.
Tiji is a celebration and reaffirmation of this myth. Throughout the festival the events and story of the myth are re-enacted. The festival is timed to coincide with the end of the dry season (late winter/spring) and ushers in the wetter monsoon season. Tiji comes from the words "ten che" meaning "the hope of Buddha Dharma prevailing in all worlds" and is a spring renewal festival that also celebrates the triumph of good over evil. In 1964 Michel Peissel was the first westerner to observe the Tiji festival. At this time, the Mustang region was still completely closed off to foreigners and he had to obtain special permission from the government of Nepal in order to enter the region. Despite his arrival on the last day of the celebration (he was unaware of the observance of Tiji) the experience left a lasting impression on him. "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."
Trip Highlights:
Scenic flight to and from Jomsom, Discover the hidden Himalayan kingdom, Explore the Kali Gandaki River Valley, Witness amazing landscape, Forbidden kingdom of Mustang, Spectacular views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, & Nilgiri Himal ranges. Buddhist monasteries, Plentiful cultural encounters with the ethnic people of Tibetan descent
Facts of the Trek
Trek Name
:
Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Trek Duration
:
18 Days
Best Season
:
March, April, May,June, July, August, September October are the best seasons.
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Trekking Map
Mustang Tiji festival Trekking itinerary details
Day 1:
Arrival in Airport and transfer to hotel, rest day, itinerary briefing
Day 2:
Sight-seeing of Kathmandu: Leave for full day sightseeing in Kathmandu valley includes the Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath (An UNESCO world heritage site) & the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath. Also visit Monkey Temple the Swyambhunath (2000 years old temple) and visit Patan city of fine arts. Back to hotel and stay.
Day 3:
Kathmandu to Pokhara: about 6 hour drive by tourist bus or 30 minuates fly to Pokhara.
Day 4:
Pokhara-Jomsom ( District headquarters of Mustang and start trek to Kagbeni, the starting point of the Upper Mustang, where you can make your eyes busy for The spectacular views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche peak and Dhampus. Kagbeni is the most interesting typical Tibetan village and the entry point of the upper Mustang for overnight stop. Overnight camping at Kagbeni
Day 5:
Kagbeni –Chele - 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 labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst white washed house, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. The Nilgiri peaks,which dominates the southern skyline of Kagbeni. Continues to loom massively at the foot of the valley.Beyond Tangbe we reach Chhusang Village and crosses the river, continue climbing north up the trail to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that ahs fallen from the cliff above.forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki follows. The trek now leaves the Kaligandaki valley and climb steeply up a rocky gully to chele at 3030m.
Day 6:
Chele- Geling - The climb continues along step, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to pass and cairn of rock at 3540m. Then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, and then 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, then descend into a large gorge and the trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at 3800m. The route climbs sharply up and down over a series of high passes, before the final descend to Geiling.
Day 7:
Geling - Charang - From Geling, the trail climbs gently to the interesting pass on our trek NYILA and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing a steel bridge of the Tangmar chu (river) we will arrive to a MANI (Prayer WALL) perhaps the longest and most spectacular stretch and main wall in Nepal . Climbing over another pass at 3600m the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang. The huge five – story white Dzong and red Gompa is an interesting visit to observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddha’s.
Day 8:
Charang –Lo Manthang - The 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 3850m. There is a view of the walled city of LO. After a short descent, cross a stream then climb up into the plateau of Lo- Manthang.
Day 9:
The Tiji Festival begins 1 day of Tiji: Early in the afternoon, horns resounded, announcing the two twelve-foot copper dunchens, with their elephantine blurting, followed by two double-reeled horns, all accompanied by drum and cymbals.
Next, an ancient and enormous tanka three stories high was unrolled down the entire south wall of the square. The thanka portrayed Padma Sambhava or (Guru Rimpoche) who brought this ceremony to Tibet in the 8th century."
At mid-afternoon, in high wind and blowing dust, eleven lamas in maroon and gold, wearing high red hats, came from the palace and took their places along the wall beneath the thanka, with Tashi Tenzing on the elevated seat just in the center.
As the monks and lamas commence chanting, twelve more monks come from the palace in maroon and royal blue and glittering gold brocade, with cymbal-shaped hats decked with upright peacock plumes. Soon they withdraw, to be replaced by the masked dancers who" start the portrayal of the Tiji myth.
Dorje Jono repels the demon through the power of his magical dancing — he dances fifty-two separate dances, one of them in ten different bodies, each with a different head. As the dances end, Dorje Jono kills the demon, after which his people are relieved of their plague of misfortunes, water becomes plentiful once more, and the balance and harmony of existence are restored.
Day 10:
Second day of TIji Festival: On the second day of Tiji, numbers of Loba have arrived from the outlying hamlets, and the small square is thronged with wild beautiful people, with all of the women and children, at least, in traditional dress.
The King of Mustang "wears a whole crown of tiny river pearls set off by dozens of large red coralline tones interspersed with matched ornaments of turquoise. The costumes and masks, the twelve-foot horns, the gold cups of wheat, the butter cakes, the snow peaks and wind and dust and sun, the mehti, snow leopard, snow pigeons, saligrams, the dying glacier and the desert ruins, the drunks and rajas and foreigners, the dogs and yaks. Tantra!
Day 11:
Third day of Tiji and end of Festival: On the third day, Tiji ends with the ceremonial destruction of the evil remains, represented by some long black yak hair and red torma cakes minced to a dark red gurry. 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.
Day 12:
Lo-Manthang via Geker – Ghami: Visit Lo-Geker Gompa on the way, which is one of the oldest Gompas in Nepal.It is older than the famed Samye Gompa in Tibet
Day 13:
Ghami – Samar
Day 14:
Samar to Kagbeni
Day 15:
Kagbeni to Jomsom
Day 16:
Jomsom to Pokhara- Kathmandu joins evening cultural show Dinner
Day 17:
free day in Kathamndu, joins evening cultural show Dinner
Day 18:
Final departure, transfer to airport
NOTE:
July to August is the Monsoon period in Nepal. However, it is possible to do trekking in rain shadow area like Upper Mustang, Upper Manang, Rara Lake, Langtang valley, Everest Gokyo valley and Dolpo Region. These places are out of reach of the rain clouds because of the huge mountains and are unaffected by the monsoon, to bring raincoats and insect repellents are highly suggested.
Cost for Standard Tour
Cost for Deluxe Tour
1 - 7 Pax
US $ 1890.00
1 - 7 Pax
US $ 2320.00
8- 15 Pax
US $ 1700.00
8- 15 Pax
US $ 2175.00
16 & more
US $ 1620.00
16 & more
US $ 1975.00
Above Cost Includes:
Above Cost Excludes:
Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop by private car/van/bus
2 nights hotel in Kathmandu B / B
Guided Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing tour with English speaking Tour guide
All meals during trekking 3 meals a day (Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners, Tea and coffee)
Camping equipments (Two men tents, dining tents, kitchen tents, toilet tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, down jackets),
English Speaking trekking guide, a cook, cooks helper, porter/s, and other helping staffs.
Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, sleeping tents and medicine for all trekking staff.
Special Trekking Permit for Upper Mustang Trek
New TIMS permit (Trekking Information Management System) Card
All local Transpiration from and to Kathmandu by private car/van/bus
Meals whilst in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Airfare domestic / international
Nepal entry visa fee US$ 15 (duration 15 days from date of issue), US$ 30 (duration 40 days from the date of issue) you may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu. You will require 2 passport size photos.
Airport tax domestic / international
Mineral water, Alcoholic drinks.
Personal trekking Equipment.
Personal travel and medical insurance
Tips for trekking staff (Tipping is expected).
Sightseeing/Monument entrance fees.
Any kind of personal expense / Helicopter rescue
Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Our top priority is the safety and security of our customer on our every trip. The safety and the well being of our clients are of paramount importance to us. All of our trips are led by qualified professional Government license holder guides, who are well trained by Nepal Government. We carry first aid kits in all our tours/treks. Our job is to ensure your comfort and safety as we take you where you want to go, because your holiday is ours. In this regard, we work honestly and effectively to provide you the Himalayan experience that suits your needs. We encourage you to question us freely and contribute in the planning stages of your adventure.