Tiji Festival Trek

Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara (drive)

• Drive time: 8 hours
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Distance:  200 km  / 124 miles

After breakfast in your Kathmandu hotel, get on board a comfortable tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara.  All the tourist buses leave around 7am so you might prefer to take a packed breakfast with you or wait for the first stop, around three hours away.  At any rate, there are plenty of good places on route that the tourist bus will stop at for lunch / tea /  toilet breaks.

The road follows the Rapti River, and you may get a glimpse of some whitewater rafters as they go past. At a busy stop and junction, the road turns off and follows a flat road to Pokhara.

Reaching Pokhara in the afternoon, feel free to explore the walks around the lake, the shops, or restaurants.

Day 2: Pokhara to Jomsom (flight) Jomson to Kagbeni (trek)

• Flight time: 20 min
• Trek time: 4 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Trek Distance: 10.6 km /6 miles

Arriving at Pokhara Airport for the early morning flight to Jomson is quite exciting! There is a bustle in the domestic airport as many tourists and locals are heading up to Mustang for trekking, business, or reunion with family.

The flight itself is very short, only around 20 minutes, but is quite spectacular as it gives you a birds-eye view (literally) of the Annapurna mountains.  Flying into Jomson at 2,682 m / 8,800 ft, can be quite hair-raising and may be bumpy.  This is the reason for the early morning flight – by afternoon, the winds along the Kali Gandaki Gorge become too high for small planes to safely negotiate.

On arrival in Jomsom, collect your gear and start hiking!  First up is dropping into the Annapurna Conservation Area office to have your permit checked.  You may also wish to have a cup of tea before setting out too as you will have noticed a drop in temperature between Pokhara and Jomson and might feel a little cold.

Then trek along a dry river bed of the Kali Gandaki river until you reach the small settlement of Kagbeni. Kagbeni is home to Kag Chode Monastery and the Buddhist influence is seen throughout the village.  But oddly, within Kagbeni’s unique covered alleyways there can be found clay effigies  which are most likely protective deities from days gone by.

You will be in Kagbeni by lunchtime so there will be plenty of time after lunch to explore these alleys and visit the clay effigies, spin the prayer wheels and look up the river gorge into Upper Mustang.

Day 3: Kagbeni to Chele

• Drive time: 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Distance:  15 km  / 9.5 miles

After breakfast you say goodbye to Lower Mustang and hello to Upper Mustang.  You paid a lot of money for the restricted area permit, today you begin to understand the reason for this.  Upper Mustang is an area of Nepal that is still steeped in wonder and myths and looks very different from other parts of the country.

After you start hiking today you climb up a cliff on the side of the Kali Gandaki Gorge with the landscape below becoming more dramatic the higher you climb.  Nilgiri and Tukuche peaks are particularly stunning.

It is likely you will trek through the dry river bed again today to pass a monastery on the way to the Gurung village of Tangbe with its colorful chortens and whitewashed houses. 

Here there are apple orchards and fields of barley and buckwheat.  Moving on to the village of Chhusang you will stop here for lunch before hiking along a riverbed to a bridge that indicates you have reached Chele. 

Day 4: Chele to Syangmoche

• Drive time: 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Distance:  11.5 km / 7.1 miles

Today the going is a little tougher than yesterday as there are some steep climbs and descents with some patches of loose rocks. Altitude may be playing a part in making it much more difficult to hike at your usual pace. 

Going slowly and steadily is key when trekking at the higher altitudes you will experience from today onwards. But the views are just as dramatic as you follow the Kali Gandaki River. 

The landscape is much more arid now and the patches of cultivated land are  getting less.  Crossing the Takelma La Pass at 3,624 m / 11,880 ft, and Marjory La Pass at 3,735 m /   12,254 ft, it is beginning to feel like a real trek through the wild Himalayas!

Some of the interesting sites today are Ghar Gompa which is a monastery sitting on a cliffside, and the Upper Mustang Lo Manthang Viewpoint.  So called for the great panoramas of the Mustang Valley and Lo Manthang that you can see from here.

Day 5: Syangmoche to  Ghami

• Drive time: 5 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Distance:  9.3 km  / 5.8 miles

Today there are another two passes to cross before we can reach the village of Ghami.  Nyi La Pass is 4,020 m /  13,189 ft and Nyi Pass is around the same height.  You will be getting quite used to these passes and the stunning mountain scenery by now.

Day 6: Ghami to Charang

• Drive time: 4 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Distance:  10.7 km  / 6.6 miles

Although the overall time on the trail today is shorter than previously, you still need to take care in the high altitude and over the rough ground, which can be slippery in places. 

Descending to a suspension bridge over the Ghami Khola you pass mani walls (stones with Tibetan mantras carved into them) and head towards the Charang La Pass. 

At 3,870 m / 12,696.8 ft the view from the top of the pass is a fabulous panorama of the surrounding mountains.

In the village of Charang you will see  both a red gompa and an old fort or palace – both of which must have interesting histories to discuss with the locals.

To start you off – Charang, sometimes spelt Tsarang (which is closer to the Tibetan pronunciation of the name) is reported to have been founded in the 14^th century.

Rich in history, the Red Gompa was built around that time and has murals depicting the life of Buddha and other deities. 

A couple of centuries later Tsarang Palace was built.  This has wooden carvings and colorful murals within its traditional Tibetan architecture.

The rest of the village consists of white-washed houses and narrow alleys.  The locals are farmers and practice animal husbandry. 

With such history and remarkable architecture, it is fortunate there is so much time after lunch to explore the palace, gompa and surrounding village.

Day 7: Charang to Lo Manthang

• Drive time: 5 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Distance:  11 km /  6.8 miles

Another pass to cross today – Lo La Pass (3,950 m / 12, 959 ft).  From here we get great views of the walled city of Lo Manthang, center of the Kingdom of Lo.  The trail is not very difficult today with the start taking you through the Tsarang Chu Valley. You will see cultivated fields and traditional villages as well as the mountains of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I and Bhrikuti Peak.  

Finally, you reach Lo Manthang – let the festival begin!  But first let’s explore this unique walled city a bit. 

Lo Manthang was the capital of the Mustang Kingdom from around the 14^th century when it controlled, from the safety of inside its walls, the salt route between Tibet, Nepal and India.

By the 18^th century Lo Manthang became isolated as the country of Nepal came into being.  Through this isolation, Lo Manthang and surrounding areas were able to protect and continue its own culture, traditions and religion.   There was a King of Lo who ruled there until 2008 when the Nepal monarchy fell, and his reign was also outlawed. 

There is plenty to explore and discover in Lo Manthang before the main event – the Tiji Festival. Visitors can enter the palace with its courtyards and temples, and there are plenty of monasteries and gompas to visit. As for the walls themselves, they are earthen walls with four magnificent gates.  You can walk the walls to get an idea of what it was like to live here in the past.

Spend your time to slowly explore this incredibly interesting walled town before dinner when you can share your learned knowledge.  

Since the first day of the Tiji Festival is taking place, you may wish to observe some of the festivities.  Today the monks perform a dance ‘Tso Chham’ which tells of demons, particularly Man Tam Ru, who wreaked havoc on the people of Mustang. It also tells of the birth of Dorjee Sonam, a reincarnation of Buddha.

Day 8: Day Trip to Jong Cave, Chhoser

• Drive time: 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Distance:  11 km /  6.8 miles

After breakfast it is around a two hour hike to Chhoser where fascinating caves are found.

These sky caves remained pretty much a local secret as this area was only opened up to visiting foreigners in 1990.  And what a secret!  So much so that even today we do not really know why the caves were formed – they are man-made with 40 chambers inside Jong Cave, reached by a series of ladders. 

In the past, sky caves were used around the world to bury the dead.  Was this the purpose here? Bones from the 3^rd to 8^th centuries were found inside and perhaps they underwent some sort of sky burial. 

On the other hand, it is also believed the caves were used during the wars and conflicts between Mustang and Tibet, also in the distant past.  Whatever the reason, this is a very interesting place to visit.

After exploring the caves for some time, return to Lo Manthang and spend the afternoon watching the second day of Tiji where more sacred dances are performed as Dorjee Sonam tries to chase out the demon.  A type of meditation is also performed within these dances. 

Day 9: Lo Manthang – Tiji Festival Full Day

• Accommodation: Tea House

Day 3 of the festival is said to be the most powerful and colorful and today you can spend the whole day watching this hypnotic event. On the final day ‘Rha Chham’ dance takes place as Dorjee Sonam triumphs over the demon. 

There is a procession of villagers through the town as they help Dorjee Sonam banish the demon.  The festival ends with a huge bonfire.

Day 10: Lo Manthang to Dhakmar

• Drive time: 7 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Distance:  17.2 km / 10.6 mile

Perhaps a little sadly you head out of Lo Manthang as the festival has now come to an end.   Today you have the opportunity to visit the ancient Ghar Gompa, renowned for its rock paintings, and is situated in the village of Gyakar. 

There is another pass to cross – the Marang La Pass at 4,230 m / 13,878 ft after which you descend into an area of red cliffs.  Naturally, this being the Himalaya, there is another pass to cross before reaching your final destination.  The Mui La Pass is 4,170 m / 13,681 ft high. 

Finally, you reach Dhakmar which is situated among its own red cliffs.  Despite legend that says the red color is from the blood of a demon, the red is from iron oxide in the soil. The people in this village are from the Loba community, originally from Tibet and still with their own unique customs and language.

Day 11: Dhakmar to Ghiling

• Drive time: 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Distance:  11 km  /  6.8 miles

The trail starts today by following the Shyar Khola – which is now a dry river bed, until you reach Tange village set among buckwheat fields, the crop that grows best in this barren landscape. 

There are some good views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains today as well as more cliffs and strange rock formations.

On reaching Ghiling there is time to explore Rgyal Ri Monastery which sits just above the village.

Day 12: Ghiling to Chuksang

• Drive time: 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Distance:  17.2 km / 10.7 miles

Finally, today you are down to a much lower altitude and no doubt you can feel the difference in your breathing and hiking ability.  The villages and countryside remain pretty much as it has so far, with Tibetan influence in the architecture and feel of the settlements and the dry landscape where it is hard to carve out fields to cultivate crops.

It is possible to detour slightly today to see another  network of caves which we believe were used for meditation and religious practices.

Day 13: Chuksang to Jomsom

• Drive time: 6 hours
• Accommodation: Tea House
• Distance:  22 km /  13.6 miles

Today you leave behind the dry landscape of Upper Mustang and enter Lower Mustang.  Although the trail is mainly flat (for the Himalayas!) it is a long day following the Kali Gandaki River valley.  But first, re-visit Kagbeni, stopping here for lunch with menus more varied than you have seen for a very long time.  Yak Donald anyone?

After lunch it’s a relatively short hike along the dry river bed to Jomson.  As you know, this is a large market town has a small airport which serves this region.  Again, enjoy the varied menu and perhaps a beer or two over dinner!

Note: should you feel this is too long a day at the end of your fabulous trek and festival vist, there is the possibility of taking a jeep from Chuksang to Jomson.

Day 14: Jomsom to Pokhara (Flight)

• Flight time: 20 min
• Accommodation: Hotel

Catch the early morning flight to Pokhara then enjoy the rest of the day exploring this wonderful lakeside town.  Perhaps go boating on the lake for something completely different than what you have been doing these past two weeks!

Sadly, this is the end of your trip to the Tiji Festival.  Perhaps you will come back next year?

Overnight in Pokhara – hotel.  Dinner not included.  Next day breakfast included.

  

Tiji Festival  – What’s it all About?

Tiji is the biggest festival in Upper Mustang, and it is quite an experience!

Held every year during May (dates vary depending on the lunar calendar), this three-day colorful festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil.  Gloriously colorful costumes and masks are worn by monks who dance in accompaniment to drums, horns, and chanting.  Having started around 500 years ago, the festival was created to celebrate the reincarnation of Buddha as Dorje Sonom and his success over demons who were creating havoc for the people of Mustang. 

An ancient Thangka painting of Guru Rimpoche Padmasambhava is displayed during the festival.  This is the only time it is on public display.

People from all over Mustang gather for this festival to see the monks of Choedhe Monastery performing their amazing ritual dances. 

The third and final day of the festival is considered the most impressive as Dorje Sonam and the people of Lo Manthang finally banish the demon beyond the walls of the city.

Day 1: Monks perform the ‘Tso Chham’ dance telling the story of demons who terrified the people of Mustang.  They also describe, through dance, chants, and loud crashing of symbols and horns, the birth of Dorjee Sonam, a reincarnation of Buddha.

Day 2: Dorjee Sonam tries to chase out the demons with dance, meditation, and the waving of swords.

Day 3: Dorjee Sonam triumphs!  The ‘Rha Chham’ dance takes place to the victorious playing of instruments as the masked dances whirl and dive.  A procession of villagers accompanies Dorjee Sonam to the walls of the town to banish the demon.  The festival ends with lots of happy cheering and a bonfire to warm the victors, villagers, and visitors.

Cultural Significance of the Tiji Festival 

Culturally the festival demonstrated the triumph of good over evil, symbolizing the universal struggle between good and evil. It brings the local communities of Mustang together in a community celebration, strengthening their shared identity.  It also preserves the culture of this unique area through the rituals, prayers, and the costumes of the masked dances, which are handed down from generation to generation.  Finally, Tiji shows the strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism in Upper Mustang as the whole festival is rooted in Buddhist traditions and deities. 

It is a lot of fun for the younger community members and a respite from work for the elderly members!

Classic Upper Mustang Trek v Tiji Festival Trek

If you look at the itinerary for the Upper Mustang Trek and the Tiji Festival Trek, you will notice they visit the same locations: Kagbeni, Lo Manthang, Chhoser Cave, Jomson, Pokhara, and all the villages in between. In terms of actual trekking, they are the same. 

But what is different is the cultural experience and excitement of the Tiji Festival Trek.  During this trek, you will spend three nights in Lo Manthang, the walled city of the Kingdom of Lo, and experience this colorful, ancient, and culturally significant festival over three days.  While on the first two days of this three day festival you will be exploring other facets of the culture of Upper Mustang, including the Choser Cave, you will also have time to witness some of the goings on at the festival.  On the third day of the festival, the most colorful and powerful, you will be free for the entire day to watch and participate. 

There will be time to really get to know the walled city and talk, when possible, to the locals or sit down with your guide so he can explain some of the going-on in detail.

Typical Day on the Tiji Festival Trek

Breakfast in the teahouse is a busy affair as the staff prepare food for trekkers about to set out for the day. Your guide may update you on today’s ‘events’ if he didn’t fully do so the night before. Make sure you have everything packed and handed over to your porter (should you have one) and that you have stocked up on your water supply. Then, it’s around 8 a.m., and it’s time to head out.

Whether you are trekking through dry river beds, along ridges, or through valleys, there is plenty to be excited about as you stare again at the wonderful Himalayan mountains and wonder what is to be seen around the next bend in the trail.  Is it a waterfall, high cliffs or an interesting settlement with traditional architecture?

Lunch is taken on the trails at a small eatery. Some days, you may need to take a packed lunch in the more remote places. Either way, enjoy the chance to sit down, take a breath, and gaze at the countryside.

When you arrive at your next overnight teahouse, there is time to freshen up, perhaps drink a cup of hot tea, before dinner.  Remember to order dinner when you arrive, as everything is freshly prepared and can take time.  Over dinner in the warm dining room, you can interact with other trekkers, share stories, or quiz the guide on what you have seen that day. 

Bedtime is always early on a trek.

On Your Arrival in Nepal

If you are arriving shortly before your trek, we can collect you from the airport, should you mention this on the booking form.  This will definitely make things run more smoothly after your long flight.  We will then drop you to your chosen hotel.

Where to Stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara:

Hotels in Kathmandu are not included in your trek, and we suggest you check sites like booking.com or hostelworld.com for accommodation. The place where the majority of tourists stay is called Thamel. Here, you can find many hotels of different standards and prices, as well as many restaurants, cafes, and bars. You can also find our office.

If you decide to stay in Pokhara after your trek, you can find accommodation on the same websites.  The trekking package includes two nights in a hotel – one night at the beginning of the trek, and one night at the end.  Should you stay longer, please select and pay your chosen hotel directly.

What to See in Kathmandu:

There is so much to see in Kathmandu; you can spend a whole week on leisurely trips just inside the Kathmandu Valley.  If you have less time than that, we suggest you contact us for details of our one-day Kathmandu sightseeing trips or walk around.  Or both!  Simply walking through Thamel’s streets, through Ason’s traditional market area, and into Kathmandu Durbar Square, with its many temples, palaces, and even a living Goddess can be so rewarding.

If you book a trip with us, we can take you to some of the 7 UNESCO Heritage Sites, including Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Pashupati, and one or two (there are three in total) Durbar Squares.

Visa for Nepal

Visas on arrival are available for people from most countries via the Immigration Department of Nepal’s online site.   Complete the form, print it out, and bring it with you.  Bring USD cash (exact money) to make the payment upon arrival at the airport. 

Visa on arrival is valid for 15 days, 30 days, or 3 months and costs: 

• 15 Days – 30 USD
• 30 Days – 50 USD
• 90 Days – 125 USD

Trekking Permits Required for the Tiji Festival Trek

Permission is required for all the trekking routes in Nepal.  However, unlike many of the more classic routes, Upper Mustang (where the Tiji Festival is held) is in a restricted area (specifically to preserve the amazing culture and landscapes there). Thus, there is an additional, pretty large, permit fee.

For Mustang in general (Upper and Lower) you require an Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit.   This costs USD25 per person and is valid for the duration of your trek.

For Upper Mustang, you require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP).  This costs USD500 per person for the first 10 days, plus an additional USD50 per person per day thereafter.

For treks in Nepal, a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) permit is no longer required.

Note: We will arrange these permits for you on your arrival in Nepal.

Note: From 1 April 2023, taking a licensed guide for any treks in Nepal is mandatory.

Landscapes, Culture, and Wildlife of Upper Mustang

Landscapes: Starting at Kathmandu, you drive along a fast-running river.  Pokhara itself sits in a lush location, with Fewa Lake taking the prime spot.  Then disembark in Jomsom airport to be welcomed by much drier landscapes, albeit with astounding views of the Annapurna mountain range and the Kali Gandaki river and gorge.  Just a little up from Kagbeni, you officially leave Lower Mustang to enter Upper Mustang, and by then, the landscape is much dryer, and you feel you are light-years away from the lush forests and lakes of Pokhara.

During your trek, you will experience red cliff walls, strange rock formations, caves carved into rock walls, some cultivated land carved out of the dry landscape, mountains, and mountain passes.

Peoples: The majority of groups in this area located from Tibet hundreds of years ago; although there was also a migration during the 1950s. The people of Upper Mustang are mostly Tibetan Buddhists, still practicing their traditional culture and religion today. 

Wildlife: There are a number of small mammals such as Himalayan Tahr (a wild goat), goral (another type of wild goat), pika (a rabbit-like rodent), Himalayan marmots, and a great number of birds of prey.  You would have to be lucky to spot any of the area’s bigger mammals, including the Himalayan Black Bear and stunning Snow Leopard.

Food and Accommodation on the Trek

Meals on the Trek

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in your trek, as is breakfast in Pokhara. Although just a stone’s throw from the main Annapurna Circuit and Base Camp treks, Upper Mustang offers more basic accommodation and food in a more remote, secluded, and less traveled area.

On the trek, breakfast and dinner are taken in the teahouses (trekking lodges) where you sleep. Lunch will be taken in a smaller eatery on the trail or possibly a packed lunch from your overnight teahouse, depending on the availability of trail-side eateries.

The menus in the teahouses are highly influenced by the culture of the people of Upper Mustang, which is to say, Tibetan.  There will be Tibetan and Nepali food, with a few Western dishes.

Breakfast items:

• Porridge
• Eggs
• Toast
• Tibetan bread
• Buckwheat pancakes
• Rice dishes
• Noodles dishes
• Tea/ coffee

Dinner items:

• Soup
• Thukpa (Tibetan soup with flat noodles)
• Nepali Dal Bhat (vegetable curry and rice)
• Fried rice
• Noodles
• Momos (very popular Nepali steamed dumplings)
• Fried momos (similar to the steamed ones but fried)

Lunch items:

It is quite similar to the dinner items but with a more limited choice in some places.  If it’s a packed lunch it may be bread and boiled eggs.

Drinks:

Tea and coffee are included in the breakfast and dinner. 

Soft drinks, perhaps fruit juice in places, beer, and water are not included and must be paid for yourself.

Dietary restrictions:

Vegetarians are well catered for.  Vegans will have a harder time, i.e., no plant-based milk.  If you have a special diet, please advise us and your guide well beforehand so we can let the teahouses know in advance.  We recommend you provide us with a list of anything you cannot take because of allergies

Tips on Food:

• Dried fruit, nuts, and power or chocolate bars taste much better on the trail. Bring them from home or buy them in Kathmandu and carry them in your day pack. You will thank us later.
• Do not eat meat or chicken on a trek; you don’t want an upset stomach.
• Ask that your food not be made too spicy.  If you love spice there is always some spicy pickle on hand.
• Try not to skip meals even if you are exhausted from hiking.  You must keep your energy up.

Sources of Water on the Trek

Do not drink tap water on the trek unless you add your own purification drops or tablets or put it in a Lifestraw-type filter. Always wait 30 minutes after adding tablets or drops.

You can buy boiled water at the teahouses.

Tips on Water:

• Bring your reusable bottles/ water camel to store purified or boiled water daily.
• Drinking 4ltr of water daily on the trek is recommended to avoid dehydration.  That does not mean 3 liters of tea and a liter of soft drinks.  That means, 4ltrs of water!

Accommodation on the Tiji Festival Trek

Aside from Jomson and Kagbeni, the accommodation you are going to have on the trek itself is going to be quite basic.  A simple sleeping room, most likely with a shared toilet and shower facilities, and a communal dining room. 

In Lo Manthang there are homestays, and a few better lodges. When Tiji is taking place, people from all over Mustang and beyond gather here and accommodation is at a premium.  So, you may be in a homestay or a teahouse type lodge. As you will have become used to basic accommodation earlier on this trek, your expectations should not be too high!

Tips on Accommodation:

• There is no heating in the sleeping rooms.
• There is heating in the dining rooms.
• There may not be WiFi in some of the settlements.  If there is, you will be charged for using it.
• Do not enter the kitchen.
• Hot water showers and to charge your electronics are billable items.    Expect to pay around USD2 – 5 per time.
• Bathrooms may be shared with other guests.
• Bring your own sleeping bag for warmth, comfort and hygiene.
• During the festival, accommodation staff will be both extremely busy and keen to participate in the festival themselves.  Be understanding.
• On that note, since Lo Manthang will be crowded with locals from around Mustang, and visitors from overseas and other parts of Nepal, it is important to book this festival trek well in advance to secure accommodation. 

Should You Hire a Porter for the Tiji Festival Trek?

Leaving aside the festival part of this trip, this is still a two week trek through the high Himalayas and over several mountain passes with actual walking times being around 6 hours per day.  With altitudes of over 3,000 m / 9,842.5 ft for the majority of the time spent on the trek, you are walking and sleeping at what is considered high altitude.  High enough to start to feel some adverse effects on your health.  Do you really want to burden yourself with carrying your pack as well?

Unfortunately, a porter is not included in the cost of the trek (some clients do prefer to carry their own packs, so it is logistically hard to include a porter).  Should you wish to hire one, please tell us about this.

In order to reduce the cost of a porter, it is possible to share with another trekker.  In that case, each of you would have to keep your pack down to under 10 kg in weight. A porter can carry 20kg only. 

Tips on Hiring a Porter

• Maximum weight of 20kg per porter.  Less is better.
• We will give you a duffle bag which makes it easier for a porter to carry as it is especially designed for this purpose.
• Sharing with another trekker is cost-effective. But keep your own pack down to 10kg.  
• Your porter will be going ahead of the rest of the group.  Make sure you are carrying what you need for the day in your day pack.
• By hiring a porter, you are contributing to his family’s income and helping his community through his family spending these earnings locally.

Trek Difficulty           

This is a two-week adventure with 12 actual trekking / exploring days.  The majority of these days you will be at an altitude of over 3,000 m / 9,842.5 ft and for some it will be nearer 4,000 m /  13,123 ft. Those altitudes alone can cause some people to feel more tired than usual because of the lack of oxygen in the air.

Add in the ups and downs along trails and over small mountain passes… and although this is a ‘moderate’ trek, this is the Himalayas and even ‘moderate’ can be pretty exhausting if you have not prepared beforehand.

It is highly recommended therefore that you prepare for a few weeks in advance of this trek.  Increasing your cardio will help with breathing, while increasing weight lifting and walking will help with stamina.  Stamina is, in fact, the key to a successful trek.  No one expects you  to be a mountain goat – or a mountain Sherpa –taking your time and not rushing at any stage will definitely help you complete this amazing trek and be able to enjoy the Tiji Festival to its fullest.

Safety on the Trek

We can basically repeat what we said in the ‘Trek Difficulty’ section – take it slow and steady, stay hydrated and look out for any unusual symptoms you may feel – which could be related to altitude sickness.

Your guide is trained in what to do should anyone feel unwell, and he will be paying attention to your actions (severe altitude can make people uncoordinated as well as giving them headaches).  Stay hydrated and eat well – one of the golden rules of trekking.

Illness aside, do not wander off the main trails and do not go exploring on your own without telling your guide where you are going and when you will be back.  Don’t peer over cliff edges or stand on potentially unstable boulders.

Make sure your insurance covers you up to 5,000 m / 16,404 ft and for helicopter evacuation.

Having the right gear helps a lot.  What may be a minor hiccup in your home town can be a major inconvenience up a mountain.  Think great, well worn-in trekking boots v blisters or a sprained ankle!  Trekking poles help amazingly to stabilize you on rough and rocky ground.

Carry your normal medicines, if you take any, plus things like paracetamol, sunburn lotion etc.  See your great packing list for full details.

Be respectful:

The people in Upper Mustang are mainly Buddhist and very friendly and peaceful.  If at times you are tired or don’t understand why something is taking so long (perhaps your dinner is delayed), do not get angry with them.  Stay zen! 

At this altitude and in these rocky, cold conditions, we don’t think you can go wrong dress-wise.  Basic trekking gear will keep everything hidden and respectful!  Save the skimpier clothes for Lakeside or Thamel.

Weather During the Tiji Festival (vastly different temps online)

The Tiji Festival is held annually in May, which is considered late spring in Nepal.  It will be getting very warm in the likes of Pokhara at that time of year, but in the mountains, temperatures will range from cold at night to quite warm and pleasant during the day into the low 20s.  Of course, that warm period during the day can be very short depending on your area: are you crossing high passes, in the shadow of high cliffs, etc? Pack accordingly –  layers that can be stripped off after the sun rises far enough in the sky, to be layered again as you enter a high or shady place and after sunset.

In Lo Manthang, the scenario is basically the same – layer up!

Expenses

The trek cost is a fixed amount that includes a guide, accommodation, food, and public transport. However, you should note other expenses and bring rupees and dollars (or other currency) to cover them.

Nepali Rupees or Dollars?: Tipping your guide and porter is normal. You can tip them in US dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, etc.

Cold drinks, hot showers, items bought on the trail, etc must be paid in Nepali rupees.  There are no ATMs along this route so change money in Kathmandu.  If you run out, there are banks and ATMs in Pokhara on the return journey. 

Transport:  The tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara is pretty comfortable and included in the price of the trek. The flights from Pokhara to Jomson / return are early morning flights and take around 20 minutes, although there may be delays due to weather.

Food: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included while on the trail. In Pokhara, only breakfast is included, so you are free to explore and select whichever restaurant you would like. We can make recommendations, and you might want to eat as a group.

In the teahouse, you will be charged for a hot water shower (maybe you don’t need so many?), to charge your equipment, to use WiFi (where there is some), and for boiled drinking water. These should be paid by yourself, in Nepali rupees, when you check out in the morning. As a rough guide, each of these items will cost you between USD2 and USD5. 

Tips: Calculate the tips for your guide and porter.  These can be paid in USD or other currencies.

Other expenses on the trail: It is normal to give a small donation (USD1-2 in Nepali rupees ) at any monastery or temple you enter. There are quite a few on this trek, so be prepared! Note that locals will also give a small donation; it is not just a tourist thing.

How much do you bring for daily ‘extras’?:

We recommend you bring around USD10-12 per day. In Nepali rupees.  Nepali rupees are notoriously small in denominations.  Bringing Rs500 notes (approx. USD3.5) for use in the teahouses is fine, but bring Rs100s for monasteries and, if there is somewhere along the trail, to buy a cup of tea, etc.

What you don’t spend on the trail, we are sure you can manage to spend in the great restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, and shops in Pokhara or Kathmandu!

Remember to bring tips for the guide and porter (should you hire one), which can be paid in less bulky to carry foreign currency.

Before you come, expenses: You might want to join a gym or swimming pool to increase your fitness level.  Remember to calculate that expenditure – but the benefits will be there even after your trek!

Gear, including trekking boots, can be expensive. However, some gear, such as a sleeping bag and down jacket, can be hired in Kathmandu.

Then there is the flight ticket, visa, and insurance fee to add!

Tipping the Guide and Porter

Your guide is working 24/7 on a trek to ensure you enjoy your time and stay safe.  Showing your appreciation is equally highly appreciated.

Your porter is an amazing human being capable of carrying much more than we can up and down these rocky trails! Porters are definitely underrated as they tend to be out of sight—you will only see them first thing in the morning and perhaps in the evening. Tipping goes a long way to say ‘thank you.’

Whatever you tip, your guide and porter go 100% to them. We do not deduct anything from them—we highly appreciate them, too!

How much to tip the guide and porter:

It is normal to tip the guide 10% of the cost of your trek—for example, if you pay USD2,000, then you would tip the guide USD200, and so on. Please note that this amount is divided by the number of trekkers on the trip. For example, if there are four trekkers, the amount would be US50 each per trekker. 

If you have hired a porter, you should tip him around $100, depending on the length of the trek. Being more generous is always appreciated, especially by porters whose work is more seasonal. If you are sharing a porter with another trekker, obviously, that amount will be shared between the two of you. 

WiFi and Phone Networks on the Tiji Festival Trek

Networks are never guaranteed in the remote and high areas of Nepal. Where possible, there will be WiFi in the teahouses. You will be asked to pay for WiFi access if there is a network. 

Tips for Communication:

• On arrival at the international airport, you can buy an NTC or NCELL SIM card for data internet packages. While these work great in Pokhara, Kathmandu, and other lowland areas, they might not work well at higher elevations. On the other hand, sometimes we are surprised.

Travel Insurance

Your travel insurance should include trekking and trekking up to 5,000 m  /  16,404 ft. and should cover helicopter evacuation. 

Magical Nepal has insurance for our guides, porters, and other staff. However, we cannot buy insurance for our clients, and you cannot buy insurance in Nepal. Therefore, you should buy insurance in your own country before you come.

Group vs Private Trek 

What that means is you could be in a group with others interested in trekking in the same area, and in this case, attending the Tiji Festival, or you could be just yourself and your own friends in a private trek. 

As it is mandatory for two trekkers to go together in restricted areas, including Upper Mustang, you will need to be two trekkers to go there. If you have a few friends interested in joining you, that’s great—it can be arranged as a private trek with just your own friends. If you are single or if you only have one or two friends traveling with you, you may be in a group trek.  

At this busy time, it is likely even if you are two friends together, you may be asked to join a group trek if there isn’t enough staff to go around at this extremely busy and exciting festival time.  

But please ask us if you would like a private trek, and we can check guide availability. You might just be lucky, even at this busy time in Upper Mustang! 

Getting There and Away

The trek includes a tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara and flights in and out of Mustang (Jomson). The only other option is a private vehicle from Kathmandu to Pokhara, but we think the tourist bus is just as comfortable and stops at good rest stops.

If you do not wish to continue to hike down to Jomson at the end of your trek, it is possible to get a public jeep from Chuksang to Jomsom and there will be a small fee for that.

Other Ways to Experience the Tiji Festival

If you would love to experience the excitement of the Tiji Festival but are not keen to trek so far, it is possible to go there by jeep.  No, or little,  walking involved!

You would still take a tourist bus to Pokhara, overnight, then fly to Jomsom. From Jomsom, you could take a jeep all the way to Lo Manthang.  It is approximately 59 km /  37 miles of extremely bumpy unpaved road between the two towns. It is only suitable for off-the-road vehicles, preferably with very good suspension!  There are sharp turns and inclines in addition to the dirt track bumps which you should be prepared for.  Overall it will take around five (5) hours to drive there.

It is also possible to hire a jeep (which will be in better condition than the ones for hire in Jomsom) all the way from Pokhara or Kathmandu.  

This is the ideal way to see the festival without having to trek, but one thing you might want to consider is the altitude.  Pokhara lies 895 m / 2,936 ft while Lo Manthang is 3,770 m / 12,368 ft.  If you have not been at altitude before so do not know how your body will react, you may want to acclimatize at either Jomsom  (2,715m / 8,907 ft) or even Kagbeni ( 2,800 m / 9,186 ft), for a couple of days.  It is a 3-hour hike between Jomson and Kagbeni or a short jeep ride if you want to explore the amazing village of Kagbeni. This is something you can discuss with us.

If you think attending the Tiji Festival by jeep is a better option for you (you can also take a jeep one way and hike the other), we can talk about it. 

Packing Tips

We have a wonderful packing list PDF you can download here. Here are just a few tips:

Layering: It is never very warm in Upper Mustang, but if you are lucky enough to be in the sun during the day, you could feel quite warm while hiking. In the mornings, evenings, and the shade, it will be cold to very cold to almost freezing! If you can bring/ wear items of clothing that can be layered it is the best way to stay comfortable throughout the day.

Pack Smart: In the mountains, packing smart means packing light. If you elect to carry your own pack, we are sure you will pack light. Please be considerate if you are hiring a porter and pack light for him, too.

Toiletries: Soap, shampoo, etc., are not provided in teahouses, so bring your own in travel-size containers. Based on experience, we are sure you are not taking a shower every day.

Why Book with Magical Nepal

In a nutshell – value for money, fabulous overall experience, and knowledgeable guides!

Please take some time to read through reviews from past clients.  There, they talk about accurate, clear, and honest information we provide.  They also talk about their great experiences on our trek with our guides and other staff.

With our guides and porters, where possible, mainly coming from the areas we assign them to take clients through, it means they have detailed knowledge about these areas and can provide or locate local support around the clock should it be required. 

And finally, we have a price guarantee. If you find the same trek at a lower price, we will match it.