The Mustang Tiji Festival tour offers the unique opportunity to experience the Tiji festival while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Himalayas and the exploration of the unique geography of Upper Mustang. The itinerary includes visiting pilgrimage sites like Muktinath, Jeep Safari Adventures in the Mustang region, and exploration of the forbidden kingdom, Lo Manthang.
POV: Mustang Tiji Festival 2025 is an annual festival that is celebrated in Lo Manthang from May 24 to May 2.
Highlights of the Tour
- Breathtaking views of the mountains from the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
- Insights into the unique Tibetan culture and customs.
- Witnessing the sacred dances like Tsowa' and 'Nga performed by the monks in colorful costumes.
- Experiencing the spiritual ambiance through prayer, chanting, and religious rituals.
- Exploration of the forbidden Kingdom popularly known as Lo manthang.
- Interaction with the locals and taste the traditional Mustang cuisine.
- Exploration of the ancient monasteries like Jampa Lhakang, Lo Gekar, Thubchen, and so on.
- Beautiful display of the large scroll paintings depicting Padmasambhava on the south wall of the square.
- Traveling through the remote places, enjoying the views of the deep gorges and waterfalls.
- Participating in the prayer sessions at local monasteries or participating in communal blessings.
- Bathe in the natural hot springs in the Tatopani settlement.
- Explore the pilgrimage site, Muktinath Temple.
Overview of the tour
The Mustang Tiji Festival Tour itinerary starts with your arrival in Kathmandu. From Kathmandu, the journey then starts for Lo Manthang. During the drive, we will pass by several settlements like Pokhara, Tatopani, Jomsom, the Muktinath area, Kagbeni, and Charang.
In Lo Manthang, we will observe the Tiji festival for three days. The three days also include exploring the city, interacting with locals, nearby hiking, and so on. And then return to Kathmandu, following the same route.
During the Tiji festival tour, you will see the stunning vistas of the snow-capped peaks like Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Saribung Peak, Arniko Chuli, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, and so on. Furthermore, we will take a rest in the popular viewpoints from where the views can be seen more clearly.
On this tour, you will visit several traditional villages, including Jomsom and Tatopani. There, you will be exposed to the unique culture, get a chance to interact with the local communities, experience the rich hospitality, and taste the traditional and unique cuisines.
Furthermore, you will explore the ancient monasteries like Chhode Monastery, Thubchen Monastery, Ghar Gompa, and Neydo Monastery during the Tiji festival tour. These monasteries reflect the cultural and spiritual fabric of the Upper Mustang and give you the knowledge of spiritual knowledge.
About Upper Mustang's "The Tiji Festival"
The Tiji festival is going to be celebrated from May 24 to 26, 2025. There are various rituals and ceremonies performed by the Buddhist monks from the popular local monastery during the three-day events of the festival. Various dances are also performed during the celebration.
The Tiji festival celebrations start with the unveiling of the thanka, which has a painting of the deity Dorje Jono. As the thanka is a painting of deity, it holds great importance among the locals of the upper mustang region. The thank-you reveling ceremony is conducted in the courtyard of the Chhode Monastery.
In addition, a masked dance is performed that is called “Tsa Chaam” in the local language. The dance is performed, narrating the saga of Dorje Jono’s triumph over evil.
Moving on to the next day, the second day of the Tiji Festival 2025 is celebrated with another popular cultural dance called “Nga Chaam.” Female performers in traditional attire perform this dance, which showcases celestial palaces and deities.
The masked dancers dance to ceremonial music on the third and final day of the festival. The dance signifies the conquering of the evil by deity. The performers dance to the cultural music and firearms are shot into the sky, expressing joy.
Moreover, at the end, the sculpture made from the Tsampa barley is cast, and the rituals are ended. This symbolizes the defeat of the demon named “Ma Tam Ru Ta”.
Major Highlights of the tour
- Lo-Gekar Gompa
Lo Gekar gompa, also known as Lo Gekar Monastery, is an important Buddhist monastery in Upper Mustang, Nepal. This is one of the oldest monasteries in the region. It was built in the 8th century, and since then, the monastery has stood tall at an elevation level of 3,930 meters (12,894 feet).
This monastery features numerous chortens (stupas), prayer flags, and intricate murals depicting Buddhist teachings and figures. Furthermore, the pilgrims visit the gompa for spiritual knowledge and to observe the special rituals and ceremonies.
- Charang Palace
Charang Palace, also known as Tsarang Palace, is a historical site in the Mustang region. It was built in the 16th century and served as the residence of the King of Mustang. The palace is situated at an elevation of approximately 3,560 meters (11,680 feet) above sea level.
The palace is known for its traditional Tibetan architecture. As you explore the palace, you will see the intricate wooden carvings and colorful murals that reflect the artistic heritage of the region.
- Charang Monastery
Charang Monastery, also known as the Tsarang Monastery, is an old monastery located in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal. It is one of the largest monasteries in the region. This monastery was established in the 14th century and served as the center of worship as well as a place for community gathering and cultural preservation.
Tsarang Monastery features a five-story structure adorned with intricate murals, statues, and mandalas. These structures depict various deities and scenes from Buddhist teachings.
- Lo Manthang Royal Palace
The main event of the tour itinerary is in and around the Lo Manthang Royal Palace. The palace is the most important landmark located in the Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang region of Nepal. It initially served as the residence for the rulers of Mustang.
The royal palace features numerous artifacts, religious relics, and ancient thangka paintings. It is a five-storied structure made from mud, stone, and wood fortified with walls and includes over 130 rooms, shrines, and statues.
- Kali Gandaki River Valley
The Kali Gandaki river valley is a valley in the Mustang region. It is renowned for the dramatic geological features and rich cultural heritage. The valley is home to one of the deepest river gorges in the world, Kali Gandaki gorge.
It is an important destination of the tour itinerary. From the valley, you can enjoy the stunning vistas of snow-capped peaks, dense forests, terraced fields, and quaint villages. Pilgrims visit the ancient monasteries and temples that are dotted along the banks of the Kali Gandaki gorge and valley.
- Muktinath Temple
Muktinath Temple is an important pilgrimage site in the Mustang district of Nepal. It is situated at an altitude of approximately 3,710 meters (12,172 feet) at the base of the Thorong La mountain pass. You can see the peaks like Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Muktinath Peak, and so on from the temple premises.
The temple is dedicated to the lord vishnu and has great importance among hindus and buddhist. In the temple premises, there are 108 Divya Desams (holy places) and one of the eight Svayam Vyakta Kshetras in Vaishnavism.
Muktinath temple features a golden statue of Vishnu known as Shri Mukti Narayana and includes other deities such as Bhoodevi, Saraswati, and Janaki. For Buddhists, it is a sacred site associated with Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion.
WHY US?
3S: Safety, Success, and Satisfaction
Booking a Mustang Tiji Festival Tour package with Mystic Adventure Holidays offers superior service and benefits. Here's why:
- Client Safety: Our trips are organized with the utmost safety in mind.
- Best Price Guarantee: Ensuring you get the best value.
- Free Transfers: Complimentary airport-to-hotel and return transfers in a private vehicle.
- Expert Guides: Trained, government-licensed local guides with extensive route knowledge.
- Support for Locals: Helping local communities earn a living through tourism.
- Medical Preparedness: Guides equipped with medical kits to handle any situations that may arise.
- Essential Gear: Arrangements for sleeping bags and down jackets.
- Free Storage: Secure storage at our office for extra luggage during your tour
