Mustang Tiji Festival Jeep tour Nepal 18 Days

Nepal: 18 Days Mustang Tiji Festival Jeep tour

Group Info: 2-20

PDF Submit Your Testimonial View Testimonials

Highlights
Day to day
Dates & Prices
Photos & Videos

Moderate
3,800 M
11 Days Tea House
6 Days Hotel Days

The three-day Mustang Tiji festival is a ceremony called “The Chasing of the Demons.” And it is based on the story of Tiji. The story that Tiji tells is about the god Dorje Jono. Dorje Jono is the one who fights against his demon father to stop the destruction of the Kingdom of Mustang. The demon father causes trouble in Mustang by cutting off the water supply, which is the most important thing for life in this very dry land. In the end, Dorje Jono beats the demon and sends him away from the land.

Tiji celebrates and reaffirms this myth. During the Mustang Tiji festival, the myth’s events and the story played out. The festival takes place at the end of the dry season (late winter/spring) and at the start of the monsoon season, which is when it rains more. Tiji comes from the words “Ten Che,” which means “the hope that Buddha’s teachings will win out in every world.” It is also a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, and it takes place in the spring.

Similarly, Michel Peissel was the first person from the West to see the Mustang Tiji festival in 1964. At this time, foreigners still couldn’t go anywhere near the Mustang area. To get into the area, you had to get special permission from the government of Nepal. Even though he arrived on the last day of the celebration (he didn’t know about Tiji), the event made a big impression on him. “The things I saw were so strange and unexpected that I didn’t want to believe my eyes. Even now, I still have trouble believing that what I saw that day was real.”

Route Highlights for Mustang Tiji Festival:

Duration: 18 days
Best season: Oct-May
Jeep Tour: B (Moderate )
Altitude: 3,800 m.(Lomanthang)
Trek starting Point: Jeep drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Ending Point: Pokhara drive to Kathmandu
Culture: Different communities with a majority of Thakali, Tibetan Lobas and their unique culture.
Mode of Jeep Tour: Fully Organized Jeep, Lodge Tour.
Himalayan Sights: Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri ranges, Nilgiri, Tibetan plateau, etc. the most isolated and unexplored corners of the Himalayas.

Do You have a question about this trip?

Ask Now

Day to day schedule to Nepal: 18 Days Mustang Tiji Festival Jeep tour

May 09, Day 01: Arrival o/n in Hotel +D

We will pick you up at the international airport and transfer you to the hotel. After refreshment and visit around Kathmandu on your own. In the evening we welcome you with a typical Nepalese dinner and also we discuss the program, and route.
May 10, Day 02: Sightseeing around Kathmandu o/n in Hotel +B

The very next morning, after breakfast you will be taken for a full day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley. You can visit the center of pilgrimage Pashupatinath Temple and Swayambhunath, very ancient and essentially enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage sites. The biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhnath might make you feel calm and at peace. Till then our staff member will be busy in preparing special permit for mustang.
May 11, Day 03: Jeep drive to Pokhara (200km, 6hrs) o/n in a hotel +B

This morning you will drive to Pokhara (200km) En route we will see more of the countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms, and beautiful mountain sceneries. Afternoon, we reach Pokhara. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, the five peaks of Annapurna, and others. Pokhara is a city of lakes and has numerous beautiful lakes. We can explore the most accessible and beautiful, Fewa Lake.
May 12, Day 04: Jeep Drive to Marpha (2600m, 5-6hrs) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

Intensive exploration of the Marpha village including Kawaguchi House and Marpha Gompa.
May 13, Day 05: Jeep Drive to Samar (3620m, 5hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

Today our journey starts with a special permit check-up and onwards to the riverbank of Kaligandaki upstream. During the drive, we have scenic picturesque places to stop through the sandy and windy trails. This trail follows the up and downhill continues, along treeless and dry terrain, along the side of a spectacularly deep canyon to pass a cairn of rock at 3540m. The trail then makes a long gradual descent to some Chortens on a ridge and descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar. en-route visit Tiri Gaon, explore the Samar village and sourrounding incuding NEW TEMPLE.
May 14, Day 06: Trek and Drive to Ghami (3550m, 4-5hrs) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

Drive-by jeep to Gemi (3550 m), en-route visit Rangchyung Cave Chorten/cave temple, the village of Ghiling, here jeep will take another trial to Ghami. Geling with a walk through Chorten, we can explore and visit Sakya Gompa.
May 15, Day 07: Trek and drive to charang (3500m, 2hrs) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

Drive-by jeep to Tsarang/Charang, en route explore the village and visit Gompa. On this day we are crossing one of the longest Mani walls. If the jeep client is also interested to visit Dhakmar we can drive to Dhakmar which takes 30 minutes longer and they can explore around.

For Trek: trek to Dhakmar/Tramar about 2hrs including Red Cliffs, in Tsarang visit Lo Gekar Gompa, Thubten Shedrup Dhargyeling, Ruin of King’s palace, the jeep will wait till the crew reaches back from Dhakmar. Then we further drive to Charang. If time permits you can visit Ghar Ghumpa one of the oldest monasteries in the mustang and marang villages.
May 16, Day 08: Drive to Lo-Mangthang (3800m, 2hrs drive) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

Today, we head out to our final destination towards the capital of Mustang where the king of the mustang still resides. En-route visit Ghar Gompa and Sumdra Chorten, intensive exploration of Lo Manthang also Champa Lhakhang, Thubchen Lhakhang, Shakya Chyodi Gompa, and King’s Palace. Also, you can enjoy Starting day of the Tiji Festival.
May 17, Day 09: Explore Day in Lo-Mangthang o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

On this day we explore the surrounding areas of Lo-Manthang. This day will be spent in this mystical and isolated city. You will awake to the mystical sounds of monks chanting and the heady scent of temple candles. The King of Mustang wears a whole crown of tiny river pearls set off by dozens of large red coralline tones interspersed with matched ornaments of turquoise. Lo-Manthang is the western valley of Tingkhar, the site of the Raja’s summer palace and surrounding panoramic views of the Himalayas are worth exploring. Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Gompa of Namgyal (The Monastery of Victory is the newest and most active Gompa in Lo) are also here. In the eastern valley nestles the village of Chosar, also rich in Gompas, this valley is the main trading route to Lhasa. After exploring the lo-Manthang we are ready for the Tiji festivals from 2 pm to around 6pm.
May 18, Day 10: Explore Day in Lo-Mangthang o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

This day is the last day of the Tiji festival which ends with the ceremonial destruction of the evil remains, represented by some long black yak hair and red torma cakes minced into a dark red gurry. The demon’s red remnants are set out on an old tiger skin, where upon they are attacked by bow and arrow, slings, and the old guns. The poor devil remains are over-turned upon the ground, each time to a wild cannonade from the old muzzle-loaders and a wave of cheers and smoke.
May 19, Day 11: Jeep Drive to Yara and hike or drive to Luri Gompa and again drive back to Charang (4100m)(3700m, 5hrs drive 3hrs hike) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

Explore the village again and drive to Yara. then after reaching Yara Gaon we take a short trek to Luri Gompa. It is one of the oldest monasteries and the Holy sites of the Mustang region. Drive back to Charang and stay overnight in Charang.
May 20, Day 12: Drive to Chusang (3040m, 4hrs drive) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

Wake up in the morning enjoy your breakfast and drive back to Chusang.
May 21, Day 13: Trek and Drive to Muktinath (3785m, 5-6hrs drive) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

After breakfast we start driving to the Muktinath with the best panoramic views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Tukuche, the Muktinath is an important pilgrimage center for Hindus and Buddhists. The most well-known holy place is a Vishnu temple where are 108 spouts, fashioned in the shape of cows’ heads, pouring forth water that is considered to be holy. This water is channeled from a stream running above the temple. The temple is built in Tibetan style and contains huge brass idols of Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, and Kali.

For the trek: we start the trek from Jharkot to Muktinath, today also we trek around 2hrs.
May 22, Day 14: Drive to Tatopani via Lubra village (1100m, 6hrs drive) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

After a morning visit to the Temple of Muktinath and Buddhist Monastery nearby we start our drive to the Tatopani via lubra. Lubra valley is the last Bon village (pre-Buddhist practice). The place is full of legend and history. This cute little village is of special interest as it has a Bonpa-Monastery. Then drive further to Tatopani. You can enjoy a hot spring in Tatopani.
May 23, Day 15: Drive to Pokhara (827m, 5-6hrs drive) o/n in Hotel +B

After breakfast, we drive to Pokhara along the Kali Gandaki gorge and in the afternoon at leisure in Pokhara.
May 24, Day 16: Drive to Kathmandu o/n in Hotel +B+L+D

Morning breakfast we drive back to Kathmandu.
May 25, Day 17: Free day in Kathmandu o/n in Hotel +B
May 26, Day 18: Departure +B

What is included?

Transportation to and from the airport
Hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Government licensed guide for sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
Mustang special permit and conservation fee
Professional, Government license holder Trekking guide.
Accommodation in lodge during jeep Tour with 3 meals a day

What is excluded?

Monument entrance fees during sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
International flight ticket and airport tax
Travel insurance in case of emergency
Any extra services which is not included above
Tips for local staff
Domestic flight ticket
Monument and monasteries fee,
Personal expenses: like bar bills, soft and hard drinks

Trip Customization

All our programs are just one example of what is possible. Himalayan Leaders since 1989 (!) Experience in organizing tailor made tours. Therefore, contact us for your personal desire program! Send us an email and we are glad to help!