Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

The first day marks your arrival day in Kathmandu. Clear all the visa requirements and customs clearance, if any, at the arrival section of the airport. As you come out, you will find a representative from World Alpine Treks waiting for you holding a board with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. The representative will shortly inform you about the plans ahead.

In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for a drive to the lakeside city of Pokhara. Today, we take a scenic drive along the Prithvi highway for around six to seven hours to Pokhara. We pass through some amazing landscapes throughout the journey. In the first half, we will be able to get some stunning views of the Trishuli River, along with hills and villages. In the second half, the countryside landscape and the greenery will keep you engaged. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a hotel in Pokhara. Check into the hotel and rest for a while. In the evening, we can walk down the lakeside and enjoy some fascinating views of lakes and mountains. Tonight, we stay at a hotel in Pokhara (inclusive of breakfast and lunch)

Early in the morning, you will be escorted to the Pokhara airport for an early flight to Jomsom. The flight to Jomsom is filled with magnificent mountain views. You will be rewarded with the astonishing views of the Annapurna massif that rise above eight thousand meters. Jomsom is a beautiful town famous for its apple orchards, picturesque landscape, and hospitable people. We begin our trek today from Jomsom. We follow the trail that opens up to a Kagbeni. Kagbeni is a beautiful village and the main gate to Upper Mustang. In the 14th century, it used to be a checkpoint for traders. Now, there is a checkpoint that records the trekkers traveling to Muktinath andthe  Mustang region. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Kagbeni. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

After breakfast in the guesthouse, we follow a trail that goes through the eastern bank of the Kaligandaki River. We traverse several ridges on the way to Tangbe village. It is a beautiful village with narrow alleys and traditional whitewashed houses. We walk through the fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat, etc., as we pass the village. The view of the Nilgiri Himal from the village is stunning. Leaving Tangbe, we pass the village of Chhusang and climb up a huge rock. We ascend to come out of the Kaligandaki valley and further climb up steeply to Chele. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Chele. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Following the trail to Upper Mustang, we leave the village of Chele and climb up towards Samar village. As we move ahead, we can notice a change in the atmosphere. As we move up, we traverse into a dry, arid, and treeless area. We climb up steeply to a rock cairn, enjoying some wonderful views of the Mustang region. A long descent from the cairn leads us to Samar village. From the village, we climb up to a ridge, enjoying the majestic views of the Nilgiri Himalaya. Further, we descend and continue towards a valley. We follow a route that goes up to another ridge and descends to Shyangmochen. We keep walking until we reach the village of Gelling. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Gelling. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Leaving Geling, we climb up to the pass of NYI and descend to the cliffs. We cross a steel bridge over the Tangmar Chu River and continue our walk until we come across a long mani wall in the Mustang. We ascend to a pass at an elevation of 3600 meters and make a long descent to the Charang village. In the town, we can visit an old five-story dzong and a red gompa. The collection of statues, thangkas, and paintings in these dzongs and gompas is fascinating. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Charang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

From Charang, the trail ascends steeply to Lo Gekar. In Lo Gekar, there is an old gompa whose existence is older than the Samye Gompa in Tibet. We visit this old gompa and continue our journey up towards the upper Mustang. Today, we take a trail to Lo Manthang along a well-defined path with some minor climbing on the way. Lo Manthang is marked by a long wall at the entrance. From the entrance, we take a short descent and cross a small stream on the way. We further climb up to the plateau of Lo Manthang. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Lo Manthang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we walk to a place in the village where the Tiji festival is conducted. It is a wonderful sight to observe the delightful dances, dramas, plays, and acts. We can see the monks chanting the holy prayers. Horse racing, giant tug of war, and people dressed in the traditional attire are some of the attractions of the day. The whole environment is so vivid and pleasing. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Lo Manthang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

We enjoy another day being a part of the delightful Tiji festival. We can see some unique cultural dances today. People are dressed in their traditional attire. The monks/ Tibetan Lamas dressed in their red robes. An exciting thing was done today. Lamas, with their prayers, chase away the demons, and people celebrate with the rejoicing moment of chasing away the demons. It is a tradition that is being performed for ages. After finishing the traditional ritual, we book a horse and explore the alleys and courtyards of the Lo Manthang. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Lo Manthang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Today, we spend our day exploring the village of Lo Manthang. After breakfast, we walk up to a hilltop to visit Namgyal Gompa. It is an important monastery in the village that serves as a local court. After visiting the gompa, we head towards Tingkar. It is the last village that lies northwest of Lo Manthang. The village has about 40 houses. The villages resemble those of the Tibetan villages. We can even notice the dominance of the Tibetan Buddhist religion and culture in this place.  In the evening, we come back to Lo Manthang to be a part of the Tiji festival. Tonight, we return to our guesthouse in Lo Manthang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Leaving Lo Manthang, we take a trail that ascends steadily to Chogo La. As we climb up, we can enjoy some stunning views of the entire Lo Manthang. The Chogo La at an elevation of 4210 meters is the highest point of this trek. From the pass, we descend to the Charang River and cross a bridge over the river. We further climb up to Lo Gekar and head towards Ghar Gompa. It is a small old monastery on the way. We then climb up a ridge and cross a valley to alpine meadows. The trail further drops down along an eroded path to Dhakmar. Tonight, we return to our guesthouse in Dhakmar (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

From Drakmar, we follow a trail that drops down and passes some stone walls and fields along the village. We climb up a ridge and again descend to the lower part of Ghami and then to Jaite. We again descend to Chhung Kah via Jaite. Finally, we start walking to Tama Gaon and continue our descend until we reach Shyangmochen. Tonight, at a guesthouse in Syangmochen. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

After all the long day walks down, we follow a stream that flows down to Chhusang. There is an alternative route to Chhusang via Samar village. You can take that route if interested. You will be able to visit a Ranchung cave if you choose that route. However, you will have to walk more for around half an hour if you opt for that route.

Today, we leave Chhusang and descend to Jomsom. Tonight, enjoy your time in Jomsom with the warm hospitality of the local people. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Today, we take an early flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. Enjoy your time at the hotel in Pokhara. In the evening, you can walk to the lakeside and enjoy the serenity of the environment. (Inclusive of breakfast)

Concluding our trip, we drive back via the same route along the Prithvi Highway to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Tonight, we stay at a hotel in Kathmandu. (Inclusive of breakfast and lunch)

Before a few hours of your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to the international terminal of Tribhuwan International Airport. (Inclusive of Breakfast)