Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek – 18 Days
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Accommodation Hotel in Kathmandu & Tea House/Lodge during Trek
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Duration 18
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Trip Difficulty Moderate
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Activities Trekking, Cultural Sightseeing & Festival Experience
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Best Time Spring (Tiji Festival) & Autumn
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Max. Elevation Lo Manthang ≈ 3,840 m
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Group Size Min-02 pax
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Transportation Private Tourist Bus, Private Vehicle & Domestic Flight
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Meals Breakfast in Kathmandu; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (BLD) During the Trek
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Start/End Kathmandu
Overview
The Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek is an 18-day cultural adventure that takes you into the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang during the Tiji Festival, one of Nepal’s most remarkable Tibetan Buddhist celebrations. This 18-day trek combines high desert Himalayan scenery, centuries-old monasteries, and three days of sacred masked dances performed by Buddhist monks. Upper Mustang was closed to the outside world until 1992, and much of it still feels frozen in time: mud-brick villages, wind-carved cliffs, and a living Tibetan Buddhist culture that has barely changed in generations.
What is the Tiji Festival?
The Tiji Festival (its full name is Tenchi, short for Tempa Chirim, “prayer for world peace” in the local Lo-pa language) is a three-day ritual held every year in the courtyard in front of the King’s Palace in Lo Manthang. Monks from Chode Monastery perform it, and it follows the Tibetan lunar calendar, so the exact dates shift each year — usually landing somewhere between mid-May and early June.
The festival reenacts the story of Dorje Jono, a deity connected to Vajrakila in Tibetan Buddhism, who battles his own demon father. The demon, blamed for bringing drought and hardship to the kingdom, is defeated over the course of three days:
- Day 1 (Tsa Chham): Monks summon protective forces and begin the ritual with masked dances and horn music.
- Day 2 (Nga Chham): The dances intensify, showing Dorje Jono actively battling the demon.
- Day 3 (Rha Chham): The demon is symbolically destroyed — often as a straw or dough effigy — and the festival closes with blessings for peace, rain, and prosperity in the coming year.
This isn’t a staged show for tourists. It’s a living religious event, and villagers from across the old kingdom travel to Lo Manthang to take part.
Why Join the Tiji Festival Trek?
Most treks in Nepal show you mountains. This one shows you a living culture as well. The Tiji Festival only happens once a year, over three days, so timing your trip around it is the only way to see it. You’ll sit alongside Loba villagers and Buddhist pilgrims who’ve traveled from across the old kingdom for their most important annual event not a performance staged for visitors. Add in the region’s short opening to the outside world (only since 1992) and its stark, high-desert landscape found nowhere else on the standard Nepal trekking routes, and this trek offers something genuinely different from Everest or Annapurna.
Trip Highlights
- Three days inside the Tiji Festival: Watch the full cycle of ritual mask dances (Cham) in the walled city of Lo Manthang.
- A region that opened only in 1992: Upper Mustang was sealed off from outsiders for decades, so its Tibetan Buddhist traditions survived largely untouched.
- High desert scenery: Trek through the Kali Gandaki valley past ochre cliffs, canyons, and wide views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri.
- Lo Gekar Monastery: Visit one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas, believed to date to the 8th century — older than Samye Monastery in Tibet.
Planning Notes
Festival dates change every year. Because Tiji follows the Tibetan lunar calendar, we confirm exact dates with local monasteries once they’re announced and adjust this itinerary so you arrive right as the festival opens.
The route: You’ll fly from Pokhara to Jomsom, then trek north along the old salt trade route through Kagbeni, Chele, Syangboche, Ghami, and Charang before reaching Lo Manthang.
Permits have changed recently. Nepal’s government dropped the old flat fee for the Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit. As of early 2026, trekkers pay USD 50 per person per day instead of a flat USD 500 for the first 10 days, so shorter visits now cost less than before. You’ll also need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs about USD 30.
A licensed guide is still required, though the old rule requiring a minimum of two trekkers has been dropped, so solo travelers can now join. We handle all the permit paperwork for you.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu Land at Tribhuvan International Airport, where our team meets you and transfers you to your hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing A day exploring Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath.
Day 3: Drive to Pokhara [823 m] A scenic 6-hour drive west to Pokhara, with Himalayan views along the way.
Day 4: Fly to Jomsom, trek to Kagbeni [2,858 m] — 3-4 hrs A short mountain flight drops you in Jomsom. From there, an easy afternoon walk brings you to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang.
Day 5: Kagbeni to Chele [3,050 m] — 5-6 hrs You’ll cross into the restricted area here. The trail follows the Kali Gandaki River through increasingly dry, wind-swept terrain.
Day 6: Chele to Syangboche [3,475 m] — 6-7 hrs A longer day over two passes, with your first real views of the high desert landscape Upper Mustang is known for.
Day 7: Syangboche to Ghami [3,520 m] — 5-6 hrs Pass through canyons and small villages before reaching Ghami, home to one of the longest mani (prayer) walls in the region.
Day 8: Ghami to Charang [3,500 m] — 4-5 hrs A shorter day, ending at Charang, where you can visit the old royal palace ruins and monastery.
Day 9: Charang to Lo Manthang [3,700 m] — 5-6 hrs — Festival Day 1 Arrive in the walled city of Lo Manthang in time for the opening day of the Tiji Festival.
Day 10: Lo Manthang — Festival Day 2 A full day watching the festival’s central rituals, with free time to explore the old city between ceremonies.
Day 11: Lo Manthang — Festival Day 3 The festival closes today with its final rituals and blessings.
Day 12: Lo Manthang to Drakmar [3,810 m] — 6-7 hrs Head back south, with a possible side trip to Lo Gekar Monastery along the way.
Day 13: Drakmar to Ghiling [3,806 m] — 5-6 hrs A quieter day retracing part of the route through smaller villages.
Day 14: Ghiling to Chhuksang [3,050 m] — 5-6 hrs Continue south, descending gradually back toward Jomsom.
Day 15: Chhuksang to Jomsom [2,700 m] — 6-7 hrs The final trekking day, ending back where the trek began.
Day 16: Fly back to Pokhara A short flight returns you to Pokhara for rest and a hot shower.
Day 17: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu Return to Kathmandu by road, or by domestic flight if preferred.
Day 18: Final departure Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Tiji Festival?
The Tiji Festival is a three-day Tibetan Buddhist celebration held annually in Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil through sacred masked dances, rituals, and prayers performed by monks from Chode Monastery. The festival is one of the most important cultural events in Nepal’s Mustang region.
2. When is the Tiji Festival held?
The Tiji Festival takes place once a year in Lo Manthang, usually between May and early June. Since the festival follows the Tibetan lunar calendar, the exact dates change each year. We update our departures according to the official festival schedule.
3. Where is the Tiji Festival celebrated?
The festival is celebrated in the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang, the former capital of the Kingdom of Mustang in northwestern Nepal. Most ceremonies take place in the courtyard of the Royal Palace.
4. How difficult is the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek?
The trek is considered moderate. You’ll walk approximately 5–7 hours each day through high-altitude desert terrain. A reasonable level of fitness and some previous hiking experience are recommended to enjoy the journey comfortably.
5. What permits are required for the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek?
To enter Upper Mustang, you’ll need an Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Our team arranges all the necessary permits before the trek begins.
6. What is the highest altitude on this trek?
The highest point of the trek is Lo Manthang, located at approximately 3,840 meters (12,598 feet) above sea level. Although the altitude is lower than many Everest-region treks, proper acclimatization is still important.
7. Is the Tiji Festival suitable for photographers?
Yes. The Tiji Festival offers excellent opportunities to photograph colorful masked dances, traditional Tibetan architecture, ancient monasteries, and the dramatic landscapes of Upper Mustang. Visitors are encouraged to respect local customs and follow any photography guidelines during religious ceremonies.
Join our 18-day Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek and witness one of Nepal’s most extraordinary cultural celebrations. Contact Snow Bank Adventure to customize your departure, permits, and travel arrangements.
Detailed Itinerary
After arriving in Kathmandu, a delegate from Snow Bank Adventure will pick you up and take you to your hotel. At night, there will be an appreciated supper hosted by this Company.
- Accommodation: Overnight at Star Hotel
- Meals: D
After breakfast we start our voyage through four astonishing UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These incorporate the compositionally rich Durbar Square, the hallowed Hindu sanctuary of Pashupati Nath, the fascinating 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambunath), and Bauddha Nath Stupa which is probably the most enthralling stupa on the planet.
- Accommodation: Overnight at Star hotel
- Meals: B
Early morning at around 7 am, we set off for Pokhara on visitor transport. On the way, we will see a greater amount of wide-open Nepal that offers greeneries, waterways, towns, ranches, and wonderful mountain views. Evening, we reach Pokhara. Pokhara offers grand perspectives on Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, the five pinnacles of Annapurna, and others. Pokhara is a city of lakes and has various delightful lakes. We can investigate the most available and wonderful, Fewa Lake during the evening - appreciate sailing as well. Investigate, unwind, and eat by quiet Lake Fewa. You can even do some shopping during night hours.
- Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
- Meals: B
Day 04: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni [2,858m/9,375ft]: 3-4 hours
After an early breakfast move to the air terminal for a morning trip to Jomsom, an excessively picturesque trip of 20 minutes over the mountains with perspectives on 8,000ers, for example, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, brings you to Jomsom, the locale headquarters of Mustang. This is an enormous town, headquarter of the Mustang district; it is likewise a noteworthy town on the Kaligandaki zone connecting the well-established Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade course to Tibet. From Jomsom onwards it is breezy toward the evening, Continue on the progressive way on the Kali Gandaki stream bed for around 3 hrs lastly coming to Ekley-Bhatti town. After a great stop here an hour of the simple walk takes us to Kagbeni, which lies at the bank of two waterways. Kagbeni is a fascinating desolate town arranged on the fundamental age-old Trans-Himalayan salt exchange course to Tibet by means of the Upper Mustang region. In Kagbeni a noteworthy tributary, Kak Khola, originating from Muktinath, meets Mustang Khola, and from that point, the stream is known as the Kali Gandaki.- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
Our voyage begins with a unique grant examination and onwards to the riverbank of Kaligandaki upstream. During the walk, we have a grand pleasant spot to stop through the sandy and blustery trails. This trail pursues the up and downhill. Right off the bat, we reach Tangbe town with thin back streets among whitewashed houses, fields of buckwheat, grain, wheat, and apple plantations. From that point we trek forward to Chhusang and in the wake of intersection the stream head up to the tremendous red lump of aggregate that has tumbled from the bluff above, framing a passage through which the Kaligandaki pursues. We head on to little edges reach Chele town.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
Today, we begin our trek again and walk further to Eklo Bhatti. We move to Taklam La Pass (3,624m/11,923 ft) through levels and thin stretches with perspectives on Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang, and Damodar Danda. Further, dive a little to the town of Samar. Climb the trail that goes above Samar town to the edge at that point dropping steeply to a stream. Another 3 hrs comparable walk takes us to Syanbochen. In transit, we unwind along with the encompassing of cool streams and juniper trees. Local people utilize the dried leaves of junipers as incenses to welcome divinities and begin any promising work. We likewise go by a cavern broadly known as Ramchung Cave.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
After breakfast, we trek tough to the Yamada La (3,850m/12,667ft) passing a couple of teahouses, chortens, and neighboring towns that resemble Tibetan-style houses with open Varanda. We cross mountain passes and a road of poplar trees and fields of Barley. The move to Nyi Pass (4,010m/13,193ft) would be somewhat more. Slide to our medium-term stop at Ghaymi. the third biggest town in the Lo area, Ghayami is encompassed by huge fields a large portion of which are fruitless.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
Begin the trek after breakfast with a lovely walk. Subsequent to the intersection of Ghaymi Khola, the trail moves to a level and goes next to a long Mani divider, a holy stone divider made by the adherents of Buddhism. From the finish of the divider, the trail travels east to the town of Charang with a labyrinth of fields, willow trees, and houses isolated by stone dividers at the highest point of the Tsarang Chu ravine. There is likewise a gigantic white dzong and red Gompa to get to our teahouse for today around evening time's stop.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
Today, we trek to Lo-Mangthang with a great perspective on Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I, and Bhrikuti crest. The trail initially plunges to Charang Chu Canyon and afterward climbs steeply in the wake of the intersection of the stream. Further, the trail climbs delicately to the 3,850m breezy go of Lo, from where you can see the Lo-Mangthang Valley. While diving to Lo-Mangthang, perspectives on the walled city seem superb with its slopes on the Tibetan Border. This day is the first day of the Tiji Festival. Enjoy traditional masked dances performed by Buddhist monks in the courtyard of the Royal Palace. The Lamas and priests of the Nyingmapa people group play the music. The Mustang individuals who resemble the Tibetans accompany their own conventional dress and adornments. There will likewise be pony dashing and back-and-forth.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
Today is the second day of the celebration. There will be ceremonial parades like the first day. Other than viewing the celebration, you may likewise prefer to investigate the town lanes. We additionally investigate encompassing zones. Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. Namgyal Gompa arranged on a peak fills in as a significant religious community of the neighborhood network and furthermore as a nearby court. Subsequent to visiting Namgyal Gompa proceed with the visit to Tingkhar, the last fundamental town toward the northwest of Lo-Mangthang, and walk around to lodging. Or then again you may have another alternative to visiting the Tall Champa Lakhang "God house" the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and the Entrance Hall which are the primary fascination of this town. Another fascination is the four-story working of the Raja's royal residence just as the encompassing all-encompassing perspectives on the Himalayas.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
Today is the second day of the celebration. There will be ceremonial parades like the first day. Other than viewing the celebration, you may likewise prefer to investigate the town avenues. We additionally investigate encompassing territories. Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. Namgyal Gompa arranged on a ridge fills in as a significant religious community of the neighborhood network and as a nearby court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa proceed with the visit to Tingkhar, the last fundamental town toward the northwest of Lo-Mangthang, and walk around to the inn. Or then again you may have another choice to visit the Tall Champa Lakhang "God house" the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and the Entrance Hall which are the primary fascination of this town. Another fascination is the four-story working of the Raja's royal residence just as the encompassing all-encompassing perspectives on the Himalayas.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
While coming back from Lo-Mangthang, we take an unexpected course in comparison to that we stopped by. Trek to Drakmar by means of Gyakar with over 1200 years of age Ghar Oompa with Guru Rinpoche as the essential figure. The Gompa is likewise well known for its stone canvases. As indicated by the legend, any individual who makes one wish at the Ghar Oompa, their desire is satisfied. Investigate the neighborhood. There is a probability of a dusty breeze, so we recommended strolling in the first part of the day.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
Today, we return to Ghiling as our voyage for our medium-term remainder after a long walk takes 5-6 hrs. After landing and lunch appreciate the day investigating the zone, however, it will be a dusty breeze toward the evening, better to stroll in the nighttime.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
We re-track back to Ghiling for the medium-term stop after 5 hours walk. You will have a superb landscape during the voyage with a Himalayan view. Make the most of your trek and medium-term at the teahouse.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
Better to walk ambitious, start as in the past, and trek to Kagbeni. Completing the upper Mustang trails we join the ordinary Annapurna circuit trek. After lunch at Kagbeni, we will make a beeline for Jomsom for the medium-term stop. On the other hand, if you can save one more day, our guide will take you to Muktinath too.
- Accommodation: Overnight at tea house
- Meals: B L D
After morning breakfast we check in at the airplane terminal to fly back to Pokhara. On landing at the Pokhara airplane terminal guide will move to the lakeside lodging. The rest of the time investigates the lake and the medium-term at the inn.
- Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
- Meals: B
After breakfast, we begin our 200-kilometer drive back to Kathmandu. Better to hang on the left sheet of the vehicle to appreciate the landscapes throughout the course. Upon landing in Kathmandu, you will be moved to your lodging. There is nothing to do except exchange messages with movement friends and arrange the photographs. You can go through the night restful, maybe make up for lost time with some very late shopping and praise supper together with Snow Bank Adventure staff.
- Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
- Meals: B D
Our adventure in Nepal is coming to an end today! A Snow Bank Adventure delegate will drop you off at the air terminal roughly 3 hours before your booked flight. On our approach to home, you will have a lot of time to design your next experience in the magnificent nation of Nepal.
- Accommodation:
- Meals: B
Includes & Excludes
Includes
- Airport transportation
- Farewell dinner
- Kathmandu sightseeing by private vehicle
- Professional government registered tourist guide
- Accommodation 3 nights in Kathmandu and 2 nights in Pokhara with Bed and breakfast
- Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu by Private vehicle
- Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara by domestic flight
- Transportation from the starting and ending point of trekking by private vehicle
- Three meals and tea, coffee during the trek
- Safe drinking water( treated with chlorine and iodine)
- Permit of the trek(TIMS, Conservation and National park fee, Special permit from Immigration for Upper Mustang)
- All types of necessary government paperwork and government taxes
- Guide and porter(meals, wages, Insurance & transpiration )
- An English speaking government registered guide and porter
- Trekking equipment (sleeping bag, down jacket, and walking pole, Duffel bag)
Excludes
- Personal expenses
- Personal & medical insurance
- Rescue evacuation by Helicopter in Emergency case
- Beverage and Bar bills( soft drinks, hard drinks, and mineral water)
- Boiled water
- Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu except for welcome and farewell dinner
- Electronic devise recharge
- Wi-fi during the trek
- Tips for Guide and Porter
