Tiji Festival Trek – 12 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

On your arrival at Kathmandu, welcome by our representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel. You’ll have the remainder of the day to relax or explore vibrant Kathmandu’s dynamic streets and ancient temples. Tonight, we will give you a short briefing about the trek and the next days.

Tips:

• This is advice we can take on pre-flight and during your flight if you want to avoid that dreaded jet lag.
• Take a leisurely walk around Thamel to get a sense of the area.
• On the first day, avoid heavy activities for you to get used to the environment.

After breakfast, we will start our drive to Pokhara along scenic surroundings of green hills, and the Trishuli River. The drive will take you about 6-7 hours and will let you take in a scenic sights along the way. In Pokhara, you can wander around Phewa Lake and enjoy the tranquillity.

Tips:

• Bring snacks and water for the long drive.
• Dress for the trip, be comfortable.
• In the evening, there's a nice, short walk around the edge of the lake to get out the car and stretch your legs after the drive.

We fly short distance to Jomsom, a little town at the foot of the giant Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs in the morning. The flight presents breathtaking views of the mountains and the Kali Gandaki River valley. Normally based on destination Jomsom we start our trek to Kagbeni about after 3 to 4 hours aprox. The trail leads along the Kali Gandaki River, through barren land and local villages. Kagbeni is an ancient little village with traditional Tibetan-style architecture, often called the gateway to Upper Mustang. Particularly based on village mystical atmosphere, it developed spiritual significance.

In Kagbeni, you can visit an ancient monastery and stroll around the village, witnessing local life. The village is also known for views of the Nilgiri Mountains. You'll sleep in a tea house, where you can partake hot meals and bask in the silence.

Tips:

• Prepare your camera for some breathtaking mountain views on the trip.
• You need to bring warm clothes because evening at higher altitudes can be neither utopian nor tropical!
• Drink lots of water to adapt and prevent altitude sickness.

After breakfast, we start our walk we will walk to the village   Chele in 5 to 6 hours of distance from Kagbeni. As we move forward this part of the trek, we enter deeper into the Mustang area, witnessing in real-time the drastic transition of the landscape from green-filled valleys to desert-like scenes. The trail begins to ascend, and we cross several ridges that present stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

On the way, we go through several Tibetan villages where the locals still observe the traditional Buddhist practices and lead a simple life. Along the trail, you will also spot some monasteries which date back many centuries, making the area all the more sacred. By mid afternoon, we reach Chele, a small but lively village with views of the surrounding mountains.

Chele is an ideal location to utilize a break and enjoy the sights of the Upper Mustang district. The lodges are pretty basic, but they are comfortable and give you a chance to rest after a day of trekking.

Tips:

• You should take it easy today to acclimatise to the altitude.
• Bring so many snacks and some water, the terrain is pretty remote.
• Please remember the local culture when meeting locals.

Today you will continue deeper and deeper in the heart of Mustang to Syanbochen. It takes 5 to 6 hours of brisk walking where 3 4 steep elevations come in way. We cross a couple of passes that afford spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Now, the environment is rocky, with tall cliffs and desert-like terrain.

Along the way, we pass by small herder villages and meet farmers and herders on their way to work. The architecture has traditional overtones, with whitewashed houses and monasteries speckling the landscape. We should be so lucky and walking towards Syanbochen we are rewarded with glimpses of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, including the Annapurna range and supersized Dhaulagiri.

Syanbochen is a tiny village with minimum tea house facilities to stay in, yet there is an amazing chance to experience the unique culture and hospitality of the Mustang area.

Tips:

• Wear solid shoes because the pathway might be rocky and uneven.
• Pause often to avoid tiring from the altitude.
• Be sure to have your camera out for beautiful mountain views.

After breakfast, we start our hike to Ghami, a lovely village located at an altitude of 3520 meters. It takes around 5 to 6 hours to trek this route and its a combination of several hours of uphills and downhills. We traverse a few more passes, each giving way to breathtaking views of the snow capped summits and the valley below.

As we draw closer to Ghami, the landscape grows more arid still, but it is not without a smattering of villages and ancient monasteries. Ghami, one of the biggest villages of Upper Mustang, is a place of historical importance. Apple orchards surround the village, and locals cultivate various crops even in these difficult conditions.

In Ghami, we will be able to relax and explore the area. The village is highly Tibetan influenced, and you may visit local monasteries to witness people's spiritual practices.

Tips:

• Be careful with altitude sickness, do not force yourself too much.
• Observe the local traditions and respect the culture.
• Bring a headlamp or flashlight; the evenings can be very dark in these remote villages.

One of the most exciting days of the entire trek is today as we make our way to Lo Manthang, the capital city of Upper Mustang. The journey is roughly 6 to 7 hours long & the route is moderately challenging owing to the higher altitude & rugged landscape. But the payoff is well worth it.

The trail leads through narrow canyons, rocky paths and high-altitude meadows. As we draw closer towards Lo Manthang, the views begin to open up, exposing the stunning walled city that encases centuries of history in its Buddhist temples and Tibetan-style architecture. Lo Manthang is a different world where you can dive into the traditional lifestyle, and be surrounded by Tibetan Buddhist culture.

After our arrival in Lo Manthang, we would tour some important sites like ancient monasteries and the royal palace. Lo Manthang is a cultural and spiritual center of the region and offers visitors a rare insight into the traditions and customs of the Upper Mustang people.

One of the most exciting days of the entire trek is today as we make our way to Lo Manthang, the capital city of Upper Mustang. The journey is roughly 6 to 7 hours long & the route is moderately challenging owing to the higher altitude & rugged landscape. But the payoff is well worth it.

The trail leads through narrow canyons, rocky paths and high-altitude meadows. As we draw closer towards Lo Manthang, the views begin to open up, exposing the stunning walled city that encases centuries of history in its Buddhist temples and Tibetan-style architecture. Lo Manthang is a different world where you can dive into the traditional lifestyle, and be surrounded by Tibetan Buddhist culture.

After our arrival in Lo Manthang, we would tour some important sites like ancient monasteries and the royal palace. Lo Manthang is a cultural and spiritual center of the region and offers visitors a rare insight into the traditions and customs of the Upper Mustang people.

Tips:

• Be sure to pace yourself on the final ascent to Lo Manthang to avoid over-exertion.
• Use sunscreen and a hat, as the sun can be strong at altitude.
• Don't forget to carry a good camera to click beautiful sights of Lo Manthang.
• Be sure to pace yourself on the final ascent to Lo Manthang to avoid over-exertion.
• Use sunscreen and a hat, as the sun can be strong at altitude.
• Don't forget to carry a good camera to click beautiful sights of Lo Manthang.

It’s a day trip to explore Lo Manthang and attend Tiji Festival. One of the most important events in Upper Mustang is the Tiji Festival, which is celebrated through traditional Tibetan dance, ritual, and prayers. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is part of local culture.

You'll spend the day enjoying some colorful cultural experiences, as you watch the elaborate ceremonies, chants and dances performed by local monks and villagers. There is ample opportunity to mingle with the locals, discover their traditions and participate in the festivities.

Tips:

• Be respectful of and do not disturb ceremonies.
• Do take your photographs but maintain a safe distance.
• Gotta stay hydrated because the festival excitement can make you lose track!

With Tiji festival experience in Lo Manthang, we start descending today. This takes around 6 hours and you will enjoy the beautiful side of the Mustang in the way of Ghiling from the Lo Manthang. Then the trail will slowly start to descend and you will literally feel a transition in the landscape as you will leave the dry highland and now go through greener valleys.

Ghiling is a quiet place to pause after the festival excitement. In Roban, you will have a chance to visit some local monasteries and also walk around the village. Instead spend the evening with tea sipping down at the teahouse and review the trek so far.

Tips:

• The descent is easier but still requires care to avoid injury.
• Take it easy and enjoy the views while walking down.
• Try to relax in the afternoon.

From Ghiling, we will walk for about 5 hours back down to the Kali Gandaki River valley to Chuksang. The trail retraces our earlier steps, but in reverse, so we can view the same gorgeous landscape from different angles. Chuksang is a small village surrounded by beauty and is perfect for that much-needed rest.

You will have time to visit the local monasteries in Chuksang village and enjoy a relaxing evening in your teahouse.

Tips:

• As you navigate back, get reacquainted with your surroundings.
• Be aware of the altitude changes to stay comfortable.
• Get ready for the next leg of the journey by reviewing the map and upcoming destinations.

The last day of our trek takes us 5 hours on foot back to Jomsom through the Kali Gandaki River valley. The path is relatively flat, and allows some time for us to reflect upon the remarkable odyssey we have shared. We walk past the other little villages and monasteries we passed earlier in the trek.

After reaching Jomsom we simply relax and celebrate completing the trek. You will have time some last-minute souvenir shopping or a stroll around the village before returning to Kathmandu.

Tips:

• Sip and Breathe Slow, it is the final leg of the trek.
• Think about your moments from the trail and swap tales with other trekkers.
• Get ready for the flight to Pokhara.

We have breakfast and fly back to Pokhara from Jomsom and take our way back to Kathmandu either by road or by airfare. Day 29: KatmanduRest day for shopping and sightseeing in Katmandu to prepare for your departure.

Tips:

• Get there early so you can do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing.
• Be ready for the plane: have your travel documents at hand.
• This is a post about the best trek in Nepal.