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Upper Mustang, lying in the Northern area of Mustang District is one of the most accepted travel destinations for the people from worldwide who would want to explore the ancient Monastery, diversified societies, more than thousand years of hundreds ruined cave and Himalayan Mountain desert with local ribs sphere of influence with Tibetan culture.
The former Kingdom of Lo, Upper Mustang opened to tourist since 1992 A.D. and eventually became one of the historical and most admired destinations for trekking and travelling in Nepal. Upper Mustang is enriching for Trans Himalayan climate and Lower Mustang is enrich in natural beauty, different culture and amazing landscapes.
Mustang, formerly known as the Kingdom of Lo is the rain shadowed area of Nepal. Mustangi Raja (state king of the Mustang) only one state king of Nepal, vestige on the river bank is one more charisma in the trek. Mustang region was also known as the ‘Forbidden Kingdom’ where the trekking started from 1992 only. The capital of Mustang Region is Lo Manthang. Mustang region is famous for its landscape and nature and is popular amongst the travelers as Upper Mustang is also called mini-Tibet of Nepal. We can explore the Tibetan Buddhist culture along with the thousands of years ancient monasteries, cave dwelling high up on the cliffs, traditional villages of Mustang’s people and the walled city of Lo Manthang with beautiful architecture and palace of King.
Story of Tiji Festival
Tiji Festival is the grand Tibetan - Buddhist festival celebrated in the Upper Mustang (Lo – Manthang) Region of Mustang. “Tiji” is termed as Tenchi (Buddhist prayer for world peace) derived from short form of Tenpa Chirim. In order to demolish the demons by the end of 14th century, the ritual was started by Nagwang Kunga Sonam, a Buddhist scholar introduced by King Samdup Rabten. During these ritual monks stayed in Chhode monastery for 3 days performing the Vajrakila practice. This Vajrakila practice was initiated by the great tantric master from 8th century, Guru Rinpoche / Padmasabhava. Now every year in the month of May Tiji Festival is celebrated by the monks on Chhode monastery by praying the chants and colourful mask dance.
Tiji festival started over 300 years ago as a celebration of the victory of good over the evil. The ritual explores the mythology of Tibetan Buddhist figures Dorje Jono and Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche. As per the mythology, Dorje Jono (Vajrakila) defeated the evil to bring the peace and prosperity under the guidance of Guru Rinpoche. Dhorje Sonam defeated Ma Tam Ru Ta, a man-eating demon that caused destruction on people's homes and animals by instigating storms and droughts. During this three-day event, the Lomanthang Chhyode Gumba monks conduct dances that portray the Ma Tam Ru Ta being harassed, the birth of Dhorje Sonam, the demon's son, and Dhorje Sonam's endeavor to bring the demon back to the Buddha’s realm.
The festival goes through the process of chanting the prayers and colorful masked dances. The dance is the enactment of historical battle in between Dorje Jono and the evils.
First Day of Tiji Festival
The first day of Tiji Festival begins at the noon. The festival commences with the loud horn sounds from the Tibetan horns named Dhungchen and then followed by the sound of double-reeled horns, cymbals and drums. Now the local monks and performers start the ritual by sitting under the Thangka painting which is hung on the southern wall of the square. Then after, masked dance “Tsa Chaam” (story of Dorje Jono’s victory over evil) begins.
Second Day of Tiji Festival
On the second day of Tiji Festival we can see the monks performing “Nga Cham” dance. On this ritual they tell the story of how Dorje Jono tried to return the demon to Buddha realm. We can witness the female performers on their traditional Tibetan Buddhist attire and coming out to the main square. The ritual basically shows the generation of deities and celestial palaces.
Third Day of Tiji Festival
Third day is the last day of Tiji Festival where we can see the monks performing masked danced named “Rha Chaam”. This day the ritual showcases the performance where there is end of evil. On this ritual, all the performers come out and fill the ceremony with music, dance and shooting of guns. At the end a barley-based effigy of the demon "Ma Tam Ru Ta" is thrown by the monk who performs Dorjee Sonam. With this, Tiji festival is concluded showing victory of evil over good.
Permits for Upper Mustang Trek / Tour
Upper Mustang is one of the restricted areas to trek / tour which requires Special Restricted Area Permit issued by the Department of Immigration, Nepal. It costs USD 500 per person for 10 days starting from Kagbeni to Jomsom. Extra 1 day in Mustang region will costs extra USD 50 per person per day. Also, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) costing NPR 3000 is to be issued from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to enter the Mustang Region of Nepal. Also, to issue the restricted area permit original passport is required to be presented in the Department of Immigration.
Upcoming Tiji Festival Schedule, 2024 / 2025
Tiji Festival falls on the month of May as per the Tibetan Lunar Calendar as below details:
| S.N | Festival | Dates |
| 1 | Tiji Festival 2024 | 5th, 6th and 7th May 2024 |
| 2 | Tiji Festival 2025 | 24th, 25th and 26th May 2025 |
ITINERARY OF UPPER MUSTANG TOUR
Day 01: Kathmandu (1350 m)
Arrival at Kathmandu airport, pick up by our correspondent and transfer to the hotel. (At the foot of the Himalayas, where they assure that their gods live, Nepal stands, a land of spectacular landscapes, temples and cities with a rich cultural heritage. These seem to transfer the traveler to medieval times on their walks through KATHMANDU, BHAKTAPUR and PATAN, the three urban cities that represent the backbone of the country. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu
This day we have to prepare the upper Mustang permit. In the mean time we can get the chance to do sightseeing in the nearby places of Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel.
We will visit the different places like:
Swyambhunath is the Buddhist temple known as the monkey temple, its foundation dates back some 2000 years ago.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is built between twelfth century to the eighteenth century, here we can see a wide variety of temple and palace), Kumari Chowk (Residence of the living goddess,) Kasthamandap (Kasthamandap is an ancient wooden Temple made form a single tree. Hanumandhoka (Hanumandhoka is ancient royal palace, with the huge sculpture of the god Kal Bhairav, the platform of the coronation, the audition hall, the statue of King Pratap Malla and the Great Bell).
Bouddha is the Buddhist sanctuary, here we will find largest stupa in the country, built in the fifth century is an enclosure with several monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism of different schools).
Day 03: Kathmandu – Bandipur (1005 m) - Pokhara (820m) 5/6 hours
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Pokhara via Bandipur by private jeep. Bandipur having an altitude of 1005 m is situated 8 km above Dumre Bazaar (highway). This place is inhabited by Newar and Magar ethnic communities surrounded by artistic houses, pagoda-styled temple, The Siddha Gupha and etc. In this place, you can see beautiful mountain views of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and Annapurna and Marshyandi valley. We’ll have lunch over there and after lunch we’ll drive to Pokhara. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Pokhara – Sarangkot (1600 m) - Tatopani (1100 m) 112 km
Early morning, we’ll drive to Sarangkot to see the sunrise and great panoramic view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Range and return back to hotel for breakfast. After having breakfast, we’ll head towards Tatopani passing along the Kaligandaki River. It will take 5-6 hours drive to reach Tatopani. In Tatopani, there is hot spring where you can dive over there and there is a belief that all your skin related disease will be eradicated when you dive in that hot spring. Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 05: Tatopani – Muktinath (3800 m) - Kagbeni (2800m) 92 km
Early morning, after having breakfast, we’ll head towards Kagbeni passing along the world’s deepest gorge lying between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Mountain range and then we’ll reach beautiful village, Lete. It is surrounded by beautiful mountain views. On left right, you can see Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peak whereas on right side, you can see Nilgiri and Tilicho peak. After crossing this beautiful views and landscape, we’ll reach Kagbeni. From there we will head towards Muktinath to visit the holy temple of Hindus as well as Buddhist. It is better to visit Muktinath as it will be best for the acclimatization. On the way back we will visit the Jharkot monastery and return back to Kagbeni. Stay overnight at hotel / lodge.
Day 06: Kagbeni – Chele (3050m) - Geling (3570m) Approx. 5 hrs drive
After breakfast, we will drive towards Geling. On the way we will pass through the Tangbe (3040 m) village and then Chusang (3980 m). Then, by passing the Kaligandaki river we will reach at Chele. We will explore the Chele village and monastery and have lunch there. Along the way you can have good view over the Kali Gandaki Gorge. After lunch, we will drive to reach Geling by crossing the Samar, Behana and Syangbochen village (3800 m). We will also explore the monastery in Syangbochen. From here we will drive towards Geling. In evening, we will visit the Geling Monastery. Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 07: Geling – Ghemi (3520m) – Dhakmar (3570 m) - Lo-Ghyakar Gumba (3950 m) - Charang (3560m) 4 hrs
After breakfast, we will drive towards Lo Manthang. In between we will visit the monastery in Ghemi. In between we will visit the monastery in Ghemi and Dhakmar monastey. We can go by jeep to Dhakmar. It is an ancient historic popular monastery among Tibetan Buddhists. The actual name of the monastery is Lo-Ghyakar Gumba (3950 m). According to "Wangju" priest it is about 1300 years old (or built during 8th century). It is the only one Ngingmapa monastery of Upper Mustang whose patron was the former King Jigme Palbar Bista. Then we will drive towards Charang, visit Charang village and monastery. Overnight at lodge.
Day 08: Day 1 – Tiji Festival / Charang - Lo Manthang (3810m) Approx 2 hrs
After breakfast in the lodge we will drive to Lo Manthang. Here we can explore the wonderful treeless barren landscapes and the view of mountains. In evening, we will explore the Buddhist art school, King Palace, and Lo Manthang village. Also, we will see the Tiji Festival first day after the noon, as the festival begings. Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 09: Day 2 – Tiji Festival / Lo - Manthang
This is the second day of Tiji festival. We will see the rituals of the second day in Lo Manthang. Also, after festival we can explore around Chosar which is nearby the Lo Manthang. We will visit the famous Chosar Cave, Gharpu and other monasteries there which has very interesting history, and also have a chance to see religious ceremonies around monasteries. If we go by jeep then we can explore around Namgyal and Thingaar monastery. We will return back towards Lo Manthang in the evening. Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 10: Day 3 – Tiji Festival / Lo - Manthang
We will enjoy the last day of Tiji Festival. Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 11: Lo - Manthang – Jomsom
This day we will drive for 8 hours through the sideways of the Kaligandaki River to reach Jomsom. Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 12: Jomsom – Pokhara (820 m.) 155 km
Early morning after having breakfast, we’ll drive to Pokhara. It will take 8-9 hrs to reach Pokhara via private vehicle. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Pokhara
This day we’ll day full day sightseeing which includes visiting some famous places and landmarks such as World Peace Stupa, Gupteshore cave, David fall, Seti gorge, boating in Fewa lake, Visiting Tal Barahi temple, Pokhara Regional museum, Bindubasini temple and Tibeten refuse camp. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Pokhara – Kathmandu
This day we will have breakfast in Pokhara hotel. We will drive by private vehicles which takes 5 hours to reach Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Final departure day
Enjoy your last day on Kathmandu before departure. At your mentioned departure time our correspondent will pick you up from hotel and transfer to airport and depart you with warm hearts.
COST INCLUDES:
- Transfer from Airport – Hotel - Airport
- Hotel reservation as per client’s requirement in Kathmandu and Pokhara including breakfast
- All transportation by private jeep as per itinerary
- Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with license holder tour guide (language as per the client’s requirement)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit Fee + Restricted area Upper Mustang permit
- All meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner with tea/coffee) during the Upper Mustang tour
- Accommodation at hotel / lodge during the Upper Mustang tour
- Government license holder guide during the tour in Mustang (language as per client’s requirement)
- Guide all meal, accommodation, wages and insurance
- Farewell dinner
- Company service charge
- All necessary government taxes
COST EXCLUDES:
- Personal equipment
- Personal and medical insurance
- Entrance fees all temple, monastery and all historical places
- Emergency Rescue evacuation by helicopter incase needed
- Bar bills & beverage (like mineral, water, coke, beer and etc.)
- Lunch and dinner in Kahtmandu and Pokhara
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Any other services not mentioned above
Buddha Land Tours and Travels organizes the Tiji Festival Trek / Tour for the travelers interested to explore the majestic beauty of Upper Mustang along with the enriched Tiji Festival.