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Upper Mustang known as Lo is a remote Himalayan province situated on north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges which is surrounded by the Tibetan plateau on all sides expect the south which links with Nepal. Due to its proximity to and long association with Tibet, Tibetan Buddhist lifestyle, religion, art and culture remain intact. We can see its magnificent monasteries, palaces and the remains of massive, rambling forts due to its rich and flourishing independent walled kingdom in the 15th and 16th centuries. Mustang became an important salt trade transit between Tibet and India. Most of monasteries in upper Mustang belong to the Sakayapa sect, represented by colored strips of grey, white and red. The People of Lo are highly religious and prayers and festivals such as Tiji form an integral part of their lives. This TIJI festival Mustang trek offer a great opportunity to all the trekkers who want to experience the local Tibetan culure at its best form.
Tiji is three days long annual festival celebrated at Lo Manthang in front of King’s palace, still the Kingship and walled Kingdom is being practice there. Tiji festival in Lo Manthang is one of the most well-known and revered festival. The festival initially began as a religious ceremony.
Later it also come to symbolize the hope and strength of the people of Lo which is divided into seven provinces known as Lo Tso Dhun. People in Mustang strongly believed that the Tiji festival bring hope, peace and protect them from evil forces. It base of the myth of a deity Dorje Shunu also called Vajrakila, who took rebirth to subdue the all the evil forces and demons that created hell and suffering on earth.
Through the power of Tiji festival dances and the variety of forms he takes, he is able to defeat the demons and thereby bring peace and prosperity to the kingdom. Thus the festival depicts the victory of good over evil. The present king of Mustang, now 25th in the lineage, Jigme Dadul Palbar Bista dressed in their tradition attire witness the special ceremony with public.
It is believed that people of Lo Manthang started to celebrate the Jiji festival from 15 century on the time of Lama Lowo Khenchen, one of the greatest Buddhist teacher and son of King Amgon Sangpo. During the three-day masked dance Tiji festival in Lo Monthang, upper Mustang, the chosen monk representing Dorge Shunu reveals his various forms and an ancient Thangka painting of Guru Rimpoche Padmasambhava is being displayed as the beating of drums and chanting fill the air of Lo Manthang.
In the days approaching Tiji, the trails from the surrounding villages to Lo Manthang are packed with local people and mule caravans to participate and celebrated their most waited annual festival. Thus Mustang Tiji festival trek become a special holiday trip to Nepal Himalayas for trekkers around the world to witness the diverse topography with spellbound festival at its best form, can’t be seen anywhere else in the world.
Day 1: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,350m)
Day 2: Kathmandu half day sightseeing and preparation for Trekking (1,350m)
Day 3: Trip to Pokhara (827m/2713ft) (Hotel)
Day 4: Fly to Jomsom & Trek to Kagbeni (2,810m)
Day 5: Trek to Chele (3,050m)
Day 6: Trek to Syangboche (3,800m)
Day 7: Trek to Ghami (3,520m)
Day 8: Trek to Tsarnag (,3560m)
Day 9: Trek to Lo Manthang / Tiji festival starting on the afternoon (3,730m)
Day 10: Exploration of cave and monastery in morning and afternoon witness the stunning mask dances performed by monks in Tiji festival (3,730m)
Day 11: Explore the Summer palace and monastery in morning and enjoy the last and final celebration of Tiji festival in Lo Manthang in the afternoon (3,730m)
Day 12: Jeep to Jomsom
Day 13: Fly to Pokhara (820m)
Day 14: Drive back to Kathmadnu (1,345m)
Day 15: Departure from Kathmandu
♂ Note: All itineraries can be customized at your request.
Trip Cost: 2,300 US $ PP
Group Size: Min-2, Max-15, Ave 10
1. 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
2. Teahouse accommodation during the trek
3. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
4. All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
5. Domestic flights (Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara)
6. Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle
7. Entrance fees for sightseeing/monument visits as per the itinerary
8. An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader
9. Porter service (1 for 2)
10. Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, domestic airfare, food and accommodation
11. Community Trek’s trekking bag/duffel bag
12. All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park Permit, TIMS)
13. All government and local taxes
1. Nepalese visa fee
2. Excess baggage charge(s)
3. Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
4. Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
5. International flights
6. Travel and rescue insurance
7. Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled or boiled water, shower, etc.)
♂ For more details you can email to communitytreks@gmail.com or talk and share message on
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Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal! Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport one of Community Trek representatives will be there to welcome you before taking you to your hotel in Kathmandu.
(Pick up from Airport and drop to your Hotel)
(1350m/4428ft)
(Hotel)
Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley (Monkey Temple) with your guide then your Trekking guide briefs you regarding our trek as well as provides us opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure.
(None)
(Breakfast)
(1350m/4428ft)
(Hotel)
Today after breakfast, we drive to Pokhara, on the way we will have scenic views of mountain. Pokhara fame rests on the natural beauty of its lakeside location and its proximity to the mountains. After reaching Pokhara, you can also see the wonderful Annapurna panorama forming a nice back landscape to Pokhara from the lake.
(5-6 hours drive by private Car/Bus)
(Breakfast and Lunch)
(827m/2713ft)
(Hotel)
A short morning flight to Jomsom, the distrcit headquarters of Mustang, through the world’s deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge with the glorious view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
(PKY to Jomsom 30 Minute Flight)
(BLD)
(Jomsom 2713m, Kagbeni 2810m)
(3 hours walk to Kagbeni)
(Hotel)
Today we enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang . As said to be the desert of Nepal, the valley widens with barren and arid surroundings with green villages in the middle that appears more like a mirage.
(BLD)
(3050m/ 10,006ft)
(7-8 hours)
(Lodge)
Today’s walk is more into undulating trails with a couple of steep climbs and descents. In this bizarre surroundings the farming fields with rich red buckwheat, brilliant green and the south view offering you a panorama of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Tilicho Peak, and YakawaKang adds up to its magnificence.
(BLD)
(3800m/ 12467ft)
(6 hours)
(Lodge)
From Syangboche we climb gently to a small pass with extraordinary views of mountains and deep valleys into the wind eroded canyons. Today’s walk is effortless with few short climbs in between but beautiful scenery alongside would hardly allow us to realize the passing away of time and arrive at Ghami for lunch.
(BLD)
(3520m/ 11548ft)
(5 hours)
This short trek to Tsarang takes us into the ‘Land of Chortens”. This trail marks the history and legend of the Indian saint Padmasambhava (750-810 AD), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism who created a fusion of Buddhism with the original Shamanistic religion of Tibet called Bon – whose influence upon the Indian Buddhism makes Tibetan Buddhism so fascinating.
(BLD)
(3560m/11679ft)
(4 hours)
(Lodge)
Finally we get to the plateau of Lo Monthang, ‘The Capital city and the Plain of Aspiration’ of Mustang. The fabled walled city of Lo, the kingdom with a single entrance is a welcome sight! The king, “Lo Gyelbu”, named Jigme Palbar Bista, still resides at his four-storied palace inside the walled city of Lo Manthang.
(BLD)
(3730m/12234ft)
(Lodge)
Lo Manthang the capital city of Mustang contains about 150 houses and has some of the largest and finest Tibetan Buddhism gompas in Nepal. The city itself is absolutely fascinating place with four major ancient Monasteries which are impressive and an enormous 14th century palace imposing 4-storey building in the centre of the city.
(BLD)
(3730m/12234ft)
(Lodge)
Today we will walk to Thinkar for morning excursion to see the summer palace. Though summer palace is abandoned and not anymore in use yet its worth hiking around. Alternatively we can climb up the view point hill just north of Lo Monthang for the stunning view of all around the valle. Rest of our day, afternoon and night we will be in the palace witnessing the Tiji Festival, the last day of festival which normally takes on open area outside of the palace.
(BLD)
(3730m/12234ft)
(Lodge)
(BLD)
(2713m)
(6 hours)
(Lodge)
We take an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara – a fantastic way to round off the trek, flying right along the Kali Gandaki Gorge between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Over night in Pokhara
(BL)
(820m/2689ft])
(Hotel)
After exploring the peaceful lake city of Pokhara, today we drive back to Kathmandu which normally takes around 6 hrs. Pokhara Kathmandu flight option is also available on request but extra cost.
(BL)
(1345m/4411ft)
(5-6 hours)
(Hotel)
Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! A representative from Community Trek will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you’ll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
(Airport drop by private Car/Bus)
(Breakfast)
(1,300m/4,264 ft)
ALL ITINERARIES CAN BE CUSTOMIZED AT YOUR REQUEST. CHECK OUT “EXTENSION” FOR SOME SUGGESTIONS.
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