Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek itinerary cannot be customized according to your choice. Please write to us for the individual travel Itinerary. The price varies depending on hotel category, transportation, private vehicle, and flight service.

The Tiji festival in the upper Mustang of Nepal is the most promising, and It is celebrated in the Lo-Mangthang. Local legends hold that the great Buddhist guru Padmasambhava came to Mustang and fought against the forces of evil that claimed to destroy Buddhism. Mustangs have their different lifestyle, which is quite surprising to many foreigners.

The most important festival in the region is the Tiji Festival, influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. The Tiji festival offers a three-day ritual known as the “demon hunt.” The festival is scheduled to coincide with the end of the dry season. The exact date of the festival varies every year because Lamas calculate the time of the celebration according to their lunar calendar.

The three-day festival commemorates the triumph of the Buddhist deity Dorje Shonnu over the demon that was devastating to the Kingdom. During the three-day festival, the Lama monks put on various masks and perform a ritual dance that is said to cast out demons. Therefore, the ritual dance of the monks is also known as “The Hunt for Demons.” The dance is accompanied by the music of traditional drums, bells, and horns. In a more profound sense, the celebration of the festival each year symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

There is an interesting story that took place during the reign of the 15th King of Mustang. When the Kingdom suffered various problems, and the Queen could not have a child either. Then a great Sakyapa teacher was invited from Tibet. Master Sakyapa performed as the principal dancer at the Tiji Festival.

On the first day, the monks perform a dance called “Tsa Chaam.” It tells the story of the birth of “Dorji Sonam,” a Buddha reincarnated as a demon. This demon harassed the Mustang kingdom and wreaked havoc on the country. You can see the monks decreeing the harassment of this demon against the inhabitants of Mustang.

The Monks perform NgaCham on the second day. During the performance, Dorjee Sonam tries to bring the demon back to the Kingdom of Buddha.

On the third and last day of the festival, the “Rha Chham” dance takes place. Throughout this ritual, Dorjee Sonam triumphs over the evil devil and banishes him from Mustang.

Food and Accommodation

During Mustang Tiji Festival Trek, We arrange a tea house lodge to accommodate the trekkers. Mustang Trekking has not been for long time as the Annapurna or Everest region, so there are generally fewer standard lodges. However, they are all comfortable and at least have functional bathrooms, dining rooms, beds, and often showers and even Wi-Fi. Shelters can sometimes fill up quickly in high season, so large groups often bring camping supplies just in case. However, as the region gains popularity, more pavilions are being built.

Trekking in the remote Mustang region is also an opportunity to live a simple life far from the pleasures of the world in the lap of the Himalayas. It is an experience in itself to stay in tea houses that offer minimalist food like soup, noodles, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, dal Bhat, fried rice, eggs, etc. and simple accommodation. We will provide Three meals in one day. During this stay, you can also observe the lifestyle and traditions of the inhabitants.

Climate and the best time to trek

Upper Mustang is in the rain shadow area, so you can go to this region during the monsoon season also because there is little or no precipitation. Some places in this region are so heavenly with the blossoming Alpine monsoon flowers. The average temperature of the area is around 10 degrees centigrade. However, it can drop to -15 ° C in winter, making the trip almost impossible.

All major festivals, cultural programs take place in summer in this region. Trekking in summer, therefore, offers you an excellent opportunity to explore the culture and way of life of the local population. If you can bear the cold, you can also walk in other seasons.

Spring and fall are the most popular times to visit Upper Mustang. In the spring, many foreign visitors enjoy going to spring festivals in the region. At the same time, fall is the most popular hiking season in all of Nepal because after the monsoon, the weather is dry, and temperatures are very comfortable. Summer is a lesser-known but ideal alternative time to visit Upper Mustang. Mountains surround mustang area so block storms, the Mustang is said to be in a “rain shadow” and is therefore dry most of the year.

Culture and festivals in the Mustang region

Upper Mustang is well known for its many monasteries, caves, and magnificent palaces. Lo Mangthang has two of the most famous monasteries, Thubchen and Jampa, which was built in the 15th century. Luri Gompa, another famous monastery in the region, is believed to be even older. Luri Gompa is a troglodyte monastery, a unique attraction in the Upper Mustang. It is estimated that there are more than 10,000 caves in the upper Mustang region; some of them should be more than 2,000 years old. Many caves have been used and are still used today, as meditation chambers or small monasteries. Others have historically served as storage spaces, military lookouts, and war shelters. However, others are complete mysteries, and archaeologists come to Upper Mustang to investigate the caves and try to discover their purpose and their ancient inhabitants. Many caves are somehow dug hundreds of feet off the ground in loose, brittle rocks, and the mystery is what continues to bring National Geographic archaeological missions to the region.

One of the largest festivals held in the region is the Tiji Festival, which takes place in the spring, often in early May. The festival is celebrated on the occasion of the victory of incarnations of Lord Buddha over a demon. It takes place for a few days with dances and various religious rituals in the center of Lo Manthang. It is very popular with tourists for its colorful shows, dances, and elaborate costumes. Yarthum is another famous festival in the region, held in August / September at the end of summer. Also known as the horse festival, the yarthum takes place over approximately three days with various horse sporting events, parties, and dances. Lo Manthang yarthum is the most famous in the region, but in recent years other villages have started to organize their Yarthum festivals, namely Ghami.

Trekking guide (s) and staff arrangements

The most important thing that makes your Mustang Tiji Festival Trek successful, enjoyable, and memorable is the qualified, experienced, courteous, and helpful guide and crew members capable of spending your days in the mountains with no hassle. The best and most professional leaders will lead your walk. Our entire trekking leaders are carefully selected based on their appropriate experience, leadership skills, and personal skills. To support local communities, we only employ local staff who have adequate knowledge of the region’s culture (s), flora, fauna, geography, and history.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance for any itinerary of our company is a condition for the holiday reservation. At a minimum, you must have emergency medical and repatriation insurance, which should include the cost of the mountain rescue. Please carefully review the general conditions of your insurers; In particular, you should ensure that the following are covered: 1) Activity (i.e., hiking, trekking, or mountaineering) 2) Maximum altitude reached during the trek 3) Evacuation of the helicopter in an emergency. You should understand that you will be responsible for all expenses incurred in evacuation and repatriation procedures, and that is your responsibility to pay all costs incurred in the event of an evacuation or medical treatment. You must be fully aware of the implications of organizing your travel insurance and understand the limitations and exclusions of your policy. Please note that in certain circumstances, our company guide can initiate helicopter rescue procedures in medical emergencies without first contacting your insurance company for approval.

Physical condition and experience requirements

Upper Mustang Trek falls into the Moderate Plus classification. You must walk on the terrain in high-altitude regions, and the trail can be difficult and steep in places. You have to walk 5-6 hours a day on barren rocky terrain. Some days you may even have to walk for 8 to 9 hours. Trekking at Elevation is more physically difficult than walking at low elevations; however, if you are in excellent health with average fitness, a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination, you can complete the trip. So you have to be physically and mentally capable of doing this hike. Exercising and running regularly for a few months before the trip is a good idea, as it will improve your strength and stability. Previous hiking experience is preferred, but technical skill is not necessary. You should consult your doctor before booking this trip.

Suggested preparation

• • Cardiovascular exercises such as running, cycling, jogging, and push-ups for approximately 4 to 5 days a week for three months before your trip will be beneficial.
  • You should also participate in the development of core strength and muscular endurance in bodybuilding.
  • Walking on the hills in different weather conditions will be proper preparation for this trip.
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If you have access, kayaking and swimming can be a very beneficial way to develop the strength and endurance necessary for this journey.