Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 2024
Duration
21 days
Activities
Trekking and Tour
Group Size
02-08
Expedition Overview
Facts of the trip
-
-
Arrival On
25 April 2024
-
Departure From
Kathmandu, Nepal
-
Accommodation
2/3 * hotel hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and teahouses during the trek
-
Meals
Breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara, all meals in trekking
-
Best Time
April - Mayy
-
Transportation
Private Car / Domestic Flight
Mustang has been a destination for trekkers for many years and was only opened to foreign visitors recently. In March 1992, the previously ‘forbidden’ kingdom of Mustang was opened to the outside world. Now, for the first time in recent history, foreign travelers have the opportunity to visit Lo Manthang, the seat of an ancient kingdom dating back to the 15th century. The inhabitants of Upper Mustang are known as Bhotias, while those from Lo are called Lobas. They speak various Tibetan dialects. Historically, their art and culture thrived through interactions with traders, monks, and religious masters who traveled between Tibet and India, as well as between Ladakh and Bhutan.The walled city still stands as a testament to Lo-Mangtang’s prosperity and rich cultural heritage. This area is situated on the Tibetan plateau, known for its high-altitude, arid, and breathtaking landscapes. Visiting the region is only possible by joining an organized group.
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 “Tempa Chhirim,” meaning “prayer for world peace,” 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.
The Tiji festival is indeed a three-day ritual known as “The Chasing of the Demons,” celebrated in Mustang, Nepal. It centers around the Tiji myth, which tells the story of a deity named Dorje Jono who battles against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. The demon father creates a water shortage in Mustang, a particularly arid region, which is a crucial life-sustaining resource. Dorje Jono eventually defeats the demon and banishes him from the land.
Highlights of Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 2024:
- Explore the centuries-old heritage sites of the Kathmandu Valley.
- Immerse yourself in Buddhist spirituality and beliefs during the Tiji Festival in this naturally isolated region.
- Experience a taste of mini Tibet: interact with Tibetan people, immerse in their culture, and witness their ancient cave dwellings.
- Visit picturesque areas, including magnificent barren landscapes, ancient caves, century-old monasteries, and various archaeological sites.
- Marvel at breathtaking Himalayan views from the region’s pristine wilderness.
- Make a pilgrimage to Muktinath, an important religious site revered by both Hindus and Buddhists.
- Embark on a journey through the world’s deepest gorge, the Kaligandaki Gorge.
Itinerary
Check Available Dates
Cost Details
What's Included
- Airport/Hotel/Airport pick up & drop by private car/van/bus.
- Standard accommodation in star level hotel in Kathmandu breakfast included (4 nights).
- Standard accommodation in star level hotel in Pokhara breakfast included (2 nights).
- Kathmandu and Pokhara City Tours inclusive tour guide, private car/van/bus.
- Full board meal during camping, prepared by our cook with Tea & coffee.
- Tented accommodation and equipment during the camping trek. (We will provide two man tents, dinning tents, kitchen gears, toilet tents)
- A local government license holder Trekking Guide during the trek, a cook the required number of porters, their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and a general first aid kit.
- Boiled and purify drinking water for the trek.
- Special Trekking Permit US$ 500 per person for 10 days (the above price includes 10 days valid trekking permit from Kagbeni to Muktinath. If you would wish to stay more than 10 days in restricted area, you are subjected to extra charge for extra days (US$
- per day/per person / minimum 3 days we can buy after 10 days permit).
- Annapurna conservation permit, and all necessary permits.
- Flight fare from Pokhara to Jomsom to Pokhara including airport departure taxes in Pokhara and Jomsom.
- Surface Transfer to and from Kathmandu.
- All our government taxes.
- Tourist service charge, vat.
- Official expanse.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Lunch and dinner whilst in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Your travel insurance (compulsory).
- International airfare and airport departure tax.
- Nepal entry visa (US$ 40 per person) you obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu for 60 days from date of issue. You will require 2 passport size photos.
- Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry.
- Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry.
- Tips for trekking staff and driver. (Tipping is expected.)
- Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section.
What to Expect
Accommodation:
We will be staying at 2/3 star hotel in Kathmandu, and in tea-houses during the trek. All rooms are on twin-shared basis. Single bedroom will be arranged on request and will cost additional. Fourteen Summit will arrange rooms with attached washrooms; however, tea-houses at most places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. While trekking through remote area and during climbing we will arrange tented basis accommodation as well as shower tent, bathroom tent, kitchen tent and dining tent.
Meals:
All meals will be provided during trekking (On demand, we can arrange only breakfast during the trek and trekkers can order lunch and dinner individually from the tea-house menu). In Kathmandu, breakfast will be available . There will also be welcome and farewell dinners taking place for guests. While on trek, we have breakfast and dinner in the tea-houses/lodges where we spend the night and lunch on our way to next destination. Authentic Nepalese, Tibetan, continental meals and Indian cuisine are common choices in the menu.
Physical Condition & Experience Requirements:
Mustang Tiji Festival Trek is a moderate trek. Travelers who can walk up to 6-7 hours a day on an uphill and downhill trail will consider this trip fulfilling and enjoyable. It is a good idea to prepare for the Annapurna circuit trek by jogging and exercising regularly at least for a month prior to the start. Trekking to Upper Mustang should be relatively easy for those who have experience in walking/trekking in high altitudes. Determination, good physical health, positive attitude and average physical fitness are good preconditions for a successful accomplishment of the trek. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skills are required for this trip. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases should inform Himalayan Glacier before booking the trek.
Best Time to Travel:
The best time for trekking to Upper Mustang Tiji Festival trek is in May, which will be held from 13 may to 15 May 2018 . The temperature is moderate and guarantees amazing views throughout the trip.
Equipment List
Fourteen Summit has compiled a list of necessary equipment, personal medical supplies and symptoms of medical condition likely to face during trekking / peak climbing. Also, please do understand that items listed below should be considered as an essential summary.
We highly recommend you to be familiar with all of your equipment and basic understanding of medical Conditions related to high elevation.
Your document to travel to Nepal:
Valid passport, airline tickets
Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport)
Dollars in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport
Credit cards, bank/ATM/cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines
Accessories:
Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F
Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
Small pad or combination lock-to-lock trek bag
Basic First Aid Kit (see Health and Medicinal)
Large plastic bags – for keeping items dry inside trek bag
Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
Water bottles
Toiletries
Small wash towel
Rain coat
Personal Clothing items
Head:
Sun hat or scarf
Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
Sunglasses with UV protection
Upper Body:
T-shirts
Weight thermal tops
Fleece jacket or pullover
Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
Down vest and/or jacket (optional)
Hands:
Lightweight gloves
Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer
Lower Body:
Underwear
Hiking shorts
Lightweight cotton long pants
Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
Fleece or wool pants
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
Feet:
Thick, warm wool hiking socks
Hiking boots with spare laces
Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)
Personal Hygiene:
Personal hygiene supplies;
Two tubes lip sun cream, at least 1 large tube regular sun cream (min. factor 30), some after-sun lotion in case you do get a sunburn
One toothpaste/brush set;
One hand sanitizer gel
1 (fast drying) synthetic towel
Medical Supplies:
Personal prescription medications; Please let your leader know about any medical issues before the climb.
Small personal first-aid kit; (Simple and Light): first-aid tape, plasters (Band-Aids),alcohol-free wipes for cuts, personal medications, etc. (The leaders will have more extensive first-aid kits)
One skin blister repair kit
Anti-diarrhea pills (Imodium) (one regular package)
Anti-headache medication (Aspirin or Ibuprofen) (one regular package)
One small bottle cough and/or cold medicine.
One course antibiotics for chest infection, available locally at chemist shop or pharmacy with no doctor’s prescription.
One course antibiotics for stomach infection, available locally at chemist shop or pharmacy with no doctor’s prescription.
One small bottle anti-altitude sickness medication: Diamox (Acetylzolamide), available locally, for more about this medication, please contact us or your doctor
One small bottle of water purification tablets (needs to contain silver-ions AND chlorine) or a water filter or UV sterilizer.
Earplugs
Extra prescription glasses/contact lens. Contact lens wearers, please bring glasses in case of emergency.
Photo and Video
