Upper Mustang Tiji Festival – 16 Days

Hotel Welcome Dinner

You will be greeted warmly at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Nepal’s bustling capital by Mountain Delight’s representative. After your arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel, following the check-in process and some rest, you can explore Thamel, known for its trekking goods and handicrafts along with great restaurants. We will conduct a pre-trek briefing at our office. You will spend the night in a luxury hotel in Kathmandu.

1 Hotel Breakfast

Start your day with a warm breakfast at your hotel before beginning a guided tour of three culturally major UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Pashupatinath Temple: It is one of the most celebrated Hindu temples in South-Asia. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. This place is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. The Bagmati river flowing beside the temple is religiously and spiritually significant for Hindus where cremation of dead bodies takes place. Pashupatinath temple holds the most prominence during Shivaratri – Shiva’s birthday and thousands of pilgrims gather in the night to celebrate the day.

Boudhanath Stupa: It is one of the biggest Stupas in terms of size and height in Nepal and located in east of Kathmandu in the ancient trade route between India-Nepal and Tibet. The site is peaceful and culturally filled with intermixed influence of Tibetan and Sherpa roots. Stupa built in the trading route between Kathmandu and Tibet has four pairs of eyes directed towards all four directions. It is believed to be influenced by Mahayana Buddhist philosophy.

Swyambhunath: Swyambhunath, also known as “Monkey Temple,” is a stupa that is sacred to both Buddhist and Hindu devotees. It is situated on a hill at 1406 meters (4613 feet), where one can enjoy a full panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. The stupa is believed to be self-originated. The central stupa is encircled with prayer flags and small shrines. is The eye of the central stupa serves as the focal point for meditation and reflection.

After a short sightseeing tour, we return in order to prepare for the trek. You will spend the night at a luxury hotel.

7 hours drive Hotel Breakfast

After breakfast, you will have an opportunity to enjoy an overland trip across the country which is incredibly scenic. The drive to the town passes through green hills, vibrant local villages, and terraced fields, all of which offer stunning glimpses into the life of rural Nepal and are complemented by breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains.

After a short tour of the city, we will prepare for the trek. You will spend the night at a luxury hotel.

25 Min Flight/ 3 Hours Trek Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Start your day with a magnificent mountain flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, with splendid views of Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri ranges. Jomsom, the windy gateway to Mustang will be your starting point for the trek. You will follow the northward route along the windswept Kali Gandaki River Gorge. This will lead you to the ancient mud-brick houses village of Kagbeni, the official checkpoint to Upper Mustang, where you can also see the sprawling Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri panoramic peaks.

5 to 6 hours Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

After a delightful breakfast with stunning mountain views, we will head to Kagbeni for your further exploration of the Upper Mustang through high desert landscapes and traditional villages. Dramatic wind-sept landscapes, a traditional village, and a gradual shift in terrain will lead you to the famous cave dwellings in Chussang Red Cliffs, the gateway of the mystical remote Mustang region.

4 to 5 Hours Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Start the day by ascending through narrow gorges, Tibetan prayer flags, and chortens to reach the village of Samar. Samar is one of the first places to have probably fallen into the Tibetan Buddhist empire. You can enjoy the deeper Buddhist influences as you move farther into the heart of Mustang.

5 to 6 Hours Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Start your day with a climb up to Bhena La and Yamda La Pass and go for the culturally famed, breathtaking Geling village, known for whitewashed architecture and ancient monasteries and barley fields.

3 to 4 Hours Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

On this day, you will trek through the vast highland and colorful rock formations, which is home to Nepal's longest mani wall. Ghemi is a culturally rich village nestled beneath crumbling cliffs. This unique village is located quite well to feel the aroma of spirituality emanating from Mustang.

3 to 4 Hours Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Today's route passes through the legendary Mustang's spirituality, the towering red monastery of Charang Village, with the strong winds hitting the ridges. Explore the monastery, filled with old Thangkas and paintings, offering insight into the spiritual life of the region.

4 to 5 Hours Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

On this day, you will climb up to the Lo La Pass (3950 m) for your first grand view of Lo Manthang, the 'forbidden' kingdom brimming with whitewashed royal structures and monasteries is captured from Lo La Pass along with the walled city's breathtaking view.

Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Participate in the Tiji Festival for two days, which is ranked among the most sacred and vibrant festivals in Mustang. Watch as monks in masks dance in the royal square, depicting the tale of Dorje Jono and the victory of good over evil. The energy is high, the costumes are colorful, and the setting—surrounded by centuries-old monasteries—is unforgettable. The high Himalayas offer this sacred celebration to attend only once in a lifetime.

5 to 6 Hours Drive Lodge Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

The journey of trekking comes to an end today; return your way back to Jomsom, enjoying the mesmerizing landscape with a different perspective. Enjoy the aesthetically pleasing villages of Charang, Ghemi, Geling, Samar, and Kagbeni before reaching Jomsom. After reaching Jomsom, you can rest and reflect on the journey of this enchanting world.

20 Min Flight Hotel Breakfast

Once you've had breakfast, depart early for a domestic flight to Pokhara. You can enjoy a leisurely day of sightseeing. The place is a contrasting, beautiful sight compared to the Mustang desert with lakes and hilly areas. Sightseeing the International Mountain Museum, Davis Fall, Gupteshwor Cave, World Peace Pagoda, and Phewa Lake. End the day with a peaceful lake view dinner.

25 Min Flight Hotel Breakfast

Spend the whole morning enjoying the Phewa Lake view. Once you're done, take a flight back to Kathmandu. You can later spend the afternoon in Thamel for souvenirs, go to local stores, or visit any of the cultural sites you may have missed on Day 2. 

Breakfast

As per your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the international airport of Kathmandu three hours prior to the flight time, and your Tiji Festival tour ends here. It’s time to say goodbye to Nepal—until next time.