‘experience the colorful Tije Festival of exciting Lo Manthang’
Highlights:
“Experience the picturesque country landscapes of beautiful scenery. Walk through dramatic terrains outlined by great canyon walls and eroded cliffs. Explore the magical, mystical and colorful religious land of Upper Mustang. Enjoy the lively colorful Tije Festival of Lo Manthang as it were for centuries. An ever exciting adventures around Nepal Far North West to Upper Mustang.”
Short Tour Summary:
Trekking Mode: In the best available Tea-House and Lodges.
Trekking Grade: Moderate and Adventurous.
Highest Altitude gain: On top Nyi-La Pass 3,932 m / 12, 900 feet.
Trekking Region: Nepal Far North West, around Mustang district.
Duration of Tour: 15 Nights and 16 Days from Pokhara to Pokhara.
Total Trip in Nepal: 19 Nights and 20 Days from arrival to final departures.
Total Driving distance: Approx. 182 k.m./113 miles. From Pokhara to Pokhara.
BEST SEASONS FOR UPPER MUSTANG TIJE FESTIVAL TOUR:
The Tije festival of Upper Mustang is held inside the former walled kingdom of Lo Manthang. During May, the end of late spring, but the journey end till pre- summer of June. The spring season starts from March till May, most days are fine and clear with longer sunshine hours until the late afternoon from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. But can get overcast during afternoon sometimes, with chances of light snowfalls. Cold morning and in the late afternoon till nighttime. Depending upon the altitude, and in designated overnight stops en route Lo Manthang.
CULTURE AND RELIGION AROUND UPPER MUSTANG:
Nepal is a country of great diversity of landscape and people with their age-old religions, cultures, and heritage. The mid-hill people around Upper Mustang are known as the Lobas. Which means people of Lo or Upper Mustang region, the natives of Upper Mustang are of strong Tibetan origin.
Interwoven with the Tibetan Buddhist religion of Mahayana sects of Buddhism, similar cultural heritage of their Tibetan predecessors.
The walk leads across many Buddhist monuments and shrines, as well as the famous monasteries of Ghami, Charang and Lo Manthang. The religious monuments include a series of prayer walls and spinning wheels with impressive monasteries of great religious and cultural interest. The highlanders of Tibetan origin celebrate various festivals, the main occasion is Losar, New Year. This year 2024 is the year of a Dragon. The major festival of Lo Manthang is the Tije, fall during May as per Tibetan Buddhist Calendar.
FOODS, ACCOMMODATION AND LODGES FACILTIES:
The food and lodge accommodations around Upper Mustang are from simple, basic to standard. From Kalapani to Kagbeni, Ghami and Lo Manthang offers good lodge rooms and food. The rest of the areas offer excellent rooms with a comprehensive food menu from Continental, Chinese, Indian, Nepali, and Tibetan main course with a choice of soups. The lodge accommodation and food are best in Jomsom and Lo Manthang. The lodge accommodations on this tour are simple with nice rooms. The rooms are on a shared basis with common bathrooms and toilets due to harsh terrain conditions.
The plumbing systems for running water freeze in the morning, evening, and nighttime. Due to freezing temperatures above 3,000 m higher, using hot showers is at an extra cost.
All lodges have electricity to light the large dining room powered by local hydro or solar power. For charging electronic items, at an extra cost per hour and for each gadget. Internet and Wi-Fi are available, but it is slow and disturbing in some places due to weather conditions. In a large group with more than 4 people, it is best to order a set meal for all. It saves time and fuels energy, which is important around remote areas of the Himalayas. Following the norms and rules as Responsible Tourism is a good practice for Eco-Tourism. As well as taking care of garbage and litter during the whole trip.
PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENT AND INSURANCE:
For exciting Tije Festival of Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang, the journey includes driving through high passes. All members must be physically fit and in sound health. For a person with a medical history and special dietary, please inform the company on booking. So that the company can make necessary arrangements, on booking for this adventures. Minimum age of 12 to a maximum of 70 years old. For minimum age of under 18 must be accompanied by parents or guardians, as well for elderly persons. All need to obtain Travel and Medical Insurance in case of unfortunate incidents and accidents. If some members get seriously ill, need immediate evacuation.
Using fastest means of transportation including services of Helicopter to transfer the sick to the nearest hospital. In this condition, the client have to bear all the extra expenses as well as for accompanying staff. The extra expenses should be claimed from the insurance company. The company, and medical doctors will provide a supporting letter so that you can claim for the reimbursement from your insurance.
To stay physically fit, one needs to exercise, like walking, jogging, or any other good physical exercise to keep fitness level. It is best to check up with your doctor on booking the trip for this long high-altitude trekking.
OVERVIEWS:
Mustang Tije Festival is an exciting tour via overland taking the comfort of 4WD Jeep or similar vehicle. Suitable for the rough country dirt road heading through lovely mountain villages and serene woodland. Overlooking spectacular views of towering snow-capped peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges. The journey takes you to fascinating and impressive areas on the foothills of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himal. The drive also leads through the world’s deepest gorge of Kaligandaki River formed by the staggering Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. As it slumps down to 6,000 meters from the height of above 8,000 m of Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri summits.
As the ride continues heading from lower warm farm areas to cooler alpine hills covered in lush green forest. Lined with tall fir, blue pines, oaks and rhododendron trees, makes a great contrast with the white snow-capped peaks.
Mustang Tilje Festival starts from the scenic city in Pokhara, a renowned tourist destination in Nepal. The road follows on the main highway towards west reaching the town of Beni. As the drive progresses reaching beautiful farm villages Nto enter Lower Mustang areas around Kaligandaki River Valley.
Then slowly the adventure takes you higher above the tree lines reaching Jomsom, the headquarters town of Mustang district. After Jomsom Town then enters Upper Mustang through old traditional Kagbeni Village, enjoy the dramatic scenery. As the drive follows around picturesque and wild country outlined by towering canyon walls and windblown eroded high cliff. Slowly the drive heads to cross few smaller passes facing spectacular panorama of the Upper Mustang landscapes. Upper Mustang is also an extension of Tibetan South West Plateau of windswept dry terrains. But makes this country photogenic with vast wide desert like country with close views of snow-capped peaks. The journey heads through serval nice villages with huge farm land adorned with age-old prayer monument of Buddhism religion. Then finally the drive enters the former forbidden walled kingdom of Lo Manthang, an amazing mountain town. Enjoy the land of colorful Tije Festival celebrated with pomp and fervor since past centuries. The Tiji Festival started from 15th King of Mustang, the Raja/king Ahang Jamba Dadul. As the country of upper Mustang known as Lo, was on the brink of
unrest with economic downfall. So the people appeased the holy spirits for good harvest and for better living. Then Tiji festival was held from then on and continues till present. The interesting folklore, is that a great master used an arrow to wade evil spirits and demons away.
The Tiji festival has regained its popularity and prior glory, and flourished yielding good harvest. From then on Buddhist religion was practiced, followed by the Royal family and natives of Mustang regions. Large monasteries were built and great teachers were born, traces and evidence of the golden era of Buddhist religion. As well as prosperity of the land can be witnessed around the villages in the form of monasteries. Including the Dzong (fort wall), large houses and private chapels, the main monasteries are the Namgyal Gompa, Champa Lhakhang (God House).
Includes the Red Thubchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and the great Entrance Hall, where Tije a religious colorful festival is held. Himalayan Heritage reserves 4-5 days to enjoy and participate on this lively colorful Tije Festival. After an exciting time in Lo Manthang, observing the priest and monks dancing to the tune of spiritual chanting. The return journey leads on the same scenic route visiting the cultural villages until the drive comes to an end. Reaching at scenic Pokhara with time to explore the lovely renowned city of lakes and snow-mountains. Finally the adventure concludes reaching back at Kathmandu, after a marvelous
experience on Mustang Tiji Festival.