Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Nepal · 14 Days · Moderate
Cultural Trek From US $2,300 Mantra Adventure
Trip at a Glance
Destination
Nepal
Duration
14 Days / 13 Nights
Difficulty
Moderate
Activity
Trekking
Transport
Flight KTM-Jomsom + Car
Group Size
Max 16 People
Accommodation
Tea House / Lodge
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Max Altitude
4,000m / Lo Manthang
Overview
Experience Upper Mustang during the spectacular Tiji Festival — the most important ceremony of the ancient Lo Kingdom.
Trip Highlights
- Maximum altitude: 4,000m / Lo Manthang
- Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Expert English-speaking certified guide
- All meals during the trekking
- All permits and TIMS card arranged
- Airport transfers included
- Mantra Adventure duffel bag provided
Package Pricing (Per Person)
| Package | Includes | Price / Person |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Quality accommodation & core services | US $1,950 |
| Comfort Recommended | Boutique hotels, private guides | US $2,300 |
| Luxury | Ultra-luxury, full butler service | US $2,830 |
Group Discount Pricing
| Group Size | Standard | Comfort | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Pax | US $1,950 | US $2,300 | US $2,830 |
| 2 - 3 Pax | US $1,760 | US $2,070 | US $2,550 |
| 4 - 7 Pax | US $1,620 | US $1,910 | US $2,350 |
| 8 - 13 Pax | US $1,480 | US $1,750 | US $2,150 |
| 14+ Pax | US $1,360 | US $1,610 | US $1,980 |
All prices are per person. Larger groups receive progressive discounts.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
📍 Kathmandu
Arrive at Kathmandu and meet your Mantra Adventure guide. This special itinerary is timed to coincide with the Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang — a three-day masked dance ceremony performed by monks of the Sakya sect that re-enacts the triumph of good over evil, performed exclusively within the walls of the ancient Mustang capital. Welcome dinner. Overnight: Kathmandu. Meals: Dinner.
Day 2
Day 2: Fly to Pokhara, Connect to Jomsom (2,720m)
📍 Jomsom
Morning flight to Pokhara and connecting flight through the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom. Afternoon acclimatisation walk in Jomsom and briefing on the Tiji Festival programme. Overnight: Jomsom hotel. Meals: All included.
Day 3
Day 3: Jomsom to Kagbeni (2,810m)
📍 Kagbeni
Walk through the Kali Gandaki gorge to medieval Kagbeni — the gateway to the Mustang restricted zone. Present permits at the checkpoint and enter the ancient kingdom. Walking time: 3–4 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 4
Day 4: Kagbeni to Chuksang (2,980m)
📍 Chuksang
Enter the rain-shadow desert of Upper Mustang. Eroded red and ochre cliffs, ancient cave dwellings, Tibetan Buddhist chortens and the vast silence of the plateau. Walking time: 4–5 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 5
Day 5: Chuksang to Ghiling (3,570m)
📍 Ghiling
Cross the plateau on ancient salt trading trails. The northern face of the Annapurna and Nilgiri ranges dominates the southern horizon. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 6
Day 6: Ghiling to Tsarang (3,900m)
📍 Tsarang
Trek to walled Tsarang and its monastery of extraordinary 14th-century Thangka paintings. The route crosses the characteristic eroded Mustang badlands. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 7
Day 7: Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3,840m) — Tiji Festival Day 1
📍 Lo Manthang
Arrive in Lo Manthang in time for the first day of the Tiji Festival. Masked monks perform the Chham dance in the main courtyard of the palace — colourful, hypnotic and ancient. The entire population of Lo Manthang gathers in traditional dress. Walking time: 3–4 hours + festival attendance. Meals: All included.
Day 8
Day 8: Lo Manthang — Tiji Festival Day 2
📍 Lo Manthang
The second and most dramatic day of the Tiji Festival. The performance reaches its climax as the protective deity Dorje Jono defeats the demon threatening the kingdom. Photographs are permitted; the experience is extraordinary. Afternoon free to explore Lo Manthang's monasteries and palace. Meals: All included.
Day 9
Day 9: Lo Manthang — Tiji Festival Day 3 and Exploration
📍 Lo Manthang
The final day of the Tiji Festival concludes the ceremony with prayers and blessings. Afternoon exploration of the cave complexes north of Lo Manthang and the Namgyal and Rongchen Monasteries. Meals: All included.
Day 10
Day 10: Lo Manthang to Ghami (3,520m)
📍 Ghami
Begin the return journey south. The Ghami chorten — vast and beautifully decorated — is a highlight of the descent. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 11
Day 11: Ghami to Kagbeni via Muktinath (3,800m)
📍 Kagbeni
Visit the sacred Muktinath temple before descending to Kagbeni. Both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims come here to bathe in the 108 sacred water spouts. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 12
Day 12: Kagbeni to Jomsom, Fly to Pokhara
📍 Pokhara
Walk back to Jomsom and take the afternoon flight to Pokhara. Dinner beside Phewa Lake. Overnight: Pokhara hotel. Meals: All included.
Day 13
Day 13: Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu
📍 Kathmandu
Morning flight to Kathmandu. Afternoon free. Celebration farewell dinner with your guide. Overnight: Kathmandu hotel. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 14
Day 14: Final Departure
📍 Kathmandu
Airport transfer for your international flight home. You have witnessed the Tiji Festival — one of the rarest and most extraordinary cultural spectacles in the Himalayan world. Meals: Breakfast.
What's Included & Excluded
✓ Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Domestic transport per itinerary
- All accommodation during the trip
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Experienced English-speaking certified guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers, max 15kg)
- All trekking permits and national park fees
- TIMS card
- Mantra Adventure duffel bag
- First aid kit
✗ Not Included
- International flights
- Nepal visa (USD 30-100 on arrival)
- Personal travel insurance (mandatory)
- Meals in Kathmandu/Pokhara
- Accommodation in Kathmandu (available on request)
- Alcoholic beverages, hot showers, personal items
- Personal trekking gear
- Tips for guide and porters
Travel Tips & Useful Information
➤ What is the best season for this trip?
The best seasons are Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November). Spring brings rhododendron blooms and stable weather; Autumn offers crystal-clear post-monsoon visibility. Nepal trips in these windows deliver optimal mountain views.
➤ How difficult is the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek?
This trip is rated Moderate. Suitable for beginners with basic fitness — walking 3-4 times per week for 4-6 weeks is adequate. No technical experience needed.
➤ Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities get Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport for USD 30 (30 days). Indian nationals do not require a visa.
➤ What permits are required?
Restricted Area Permit (USD 500–3,000) + relevant national park fees. Mantra Adventure handles everything. No extra hassle for you.
➤ What is included in the price?
Included: Airport transfers; domestic flights/transport per itinerary; all trek accommodation; all meals during trek; English-speaking guide; porters (1 per 2 trekkers); all trekking permits; Mantra Adventure duffel bag. Not included: International flights; Nepal visa; personal travel insurance (mandatory); personal gear; tips.
➤ What fitness level is required?
For Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek (Moderate): Regular walking or swimming 3×/week for 6 weeks is sufficient. You should be comfortable walking 5-6 hours on uneven terrain.
➤ Is altitude sickness a concern?
Maximum altitude is 4,000m / Lo Manthang. Altitude sickness is a real risk above 3,500m. Our itinerary includes acclimatisation days and our guides carry supplemental oxygen. Diamox can be taken as prophylaxis — consult your doctor. Emergency evacuation insurance is mandatory.