Introduction:
The Tiji festival is a three-day ritual known as "The chasing of the Demons" and it is centered on the Tiji myth. Tiji tells the story of a deity named Dorje Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. The demon father wreaks havoc on Mustang by creating a water shortage which, in this extremely arid land, is the most precious life-sustaining resource. Dorje Jono eventually defeats the demon and banishes him from the land. Tiji is a celebration and reaffirmation of this myth. Throughout the festival the events and story of the myth are re-enacted. The festival is timed to coincide with the end of the dry season (late winter/spring) and ushers in the wetter monsoon season. Tiji comes from the words "ten che" meaning "the hope of Buddha Dharma prevailing in all worlds" and is a spring renewal festival that also celebrates the triumph of good over evil. In 1964 Michel Peissel was the first westerner to observe the Tiji festival. At this time, the Mustang region was still completely closed off to foreigners and he had to obtain special permission from the government of Nepal in order to enter the region. Despite his arrival on the last day of the celebration (he was unaware of the observance of Tiji, the experience left a lasting impression on him. "The scenes I witnessed were so extraordinary and so unexpected that I dared not believe my eyes and even today I have some trouble in believing in the reality of what I saw that day)
Note: B=Breakfast, L= Lunch, D=Dinner
Day by day itinerary
21/May/012, Day 01:Arrival and pick up from the international airport in Kathmandu, after some refreshment we will invite you for a traditional Nepali dinner.o/n in a hotel (D)
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley and processing for Mustang permit, o/n in a hotel (B)
Early rising for a lovely breakfast in the hotel and then it's time to visit Pashupatinath- the most venerated Hindu temple of Nepal and Boudhanth, the biggest Buddhist stupa architecture of the world. It really will impress you for sure. In the afternoon the trip continues to the famous sightseeing of Bhaktapur and Patan -the medire view principalities of Kathmandu valley. You will visit old royal palaces, temples, stupas, and monasteries and will see lots of striking intricate wood and stone works. In the late afternoon we return to your hotel in Kathmandu
Day 03: Fly to Pokhara o/n in a hotel +B
Early we leave for Pokhara, if you wish we can do it in 6 hours by overland or just 35 minutes by flight. It's your choice. But keep in memory that by overland you will experience the beautiful country sides. In any case, in the afternoon there is sightseeing of caves, the water fall, temples and bazaars of Pokhara.
Day 04: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (4hrs, 2810m) o/n in lodge +B+L+D
Early in the morning, after breakfast transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Jomsom, a super scenic flight of 20 minutes over the mountains with views of 8,000ers such as Annapurna & Dhaulagiri, brings you at Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang. This is a large town, headquarter of the Mustang region; it is also a major village on the Kaligandaki area linking the age old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route to Tibet. From Jomsom onwards it is very windy in the afternoon, Continue on the gradual path on the Kali Gandaki river bed for about 3 hrs and finally reaching at Ekley-bhatti village. After good stop here an hour of easy walk takes us to Kagbeni, which lies at the bank of two rivers. Kagbeni is an interesting windswept villages situated on the main age old Trans-himalayan salt trade route to Tibet via Upper Mustang area. In Kagbeni a major tributory, Kak Khola, coming from Muktinath, meets Mustang Khola, and from there the river is called the Kali Gandaki
Day 05: Trek to Chele (6hrs, 3050m) o/n in lodge +B+L+D
day at first, we will complete our paper work at police check post for entering in to upper mustang, Then continue trek, right up the river valley with combination of the high trail and the riverbank pathways. The trail then widens significantly revealing an endless stretch of sand but the path is kept interesting by the passing of mule trains bearing goods from Mustang and Tibet.
Day 06: Trek to Geling (6hrs, 3510m) o/n in lodge +B+L+D
Today after breakfast, start trek, there is a distinct change here, not only in the landscape but also in the culture, lifestyle and people, the settlements become more scattered, smaller and more basic, the trail climbs gently from Shyangmochen and we enter another huge valley before descending to Geling, with its extensive fields of barley. Like in all settlements of Mustang, the white and ochre-painted houses in Geling are constructed using mud and stones. The roofs are made of twigs, straw and a mixture of mire and pebbles.
Day 07: Trek to Charang via Dhakmar(7hrs, 3610m) o/n in lodge +B+L+D
Today after breakfast , we trek up hill passing through the driest part of Mustang, and much of our energy will be spent overcome the loose, dry soil. However, the magnificent views of the countryside, from the gentle contours of the north to the rugged mountains in the east and west, Charang, a large spread-out village at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. At the eastern end of the village are a huge fortress and a Red Gompa which houses an excellent collection of statues and thangkas.
Day 08: Trek Lo Manthang (6hrs, 3730m) o/n in lodge +B+L+D
In the morning after breakfast, we explore the village of Charang ,visit monastery, then uphill trek above the valley to large isolated chorten which marks the boundary between Charang and Lo Manthang, the trail then broadens and eventually we get our first view of walled city of Lo Manthang, the city has only one entrance so we circumambulate the wall to the gate on the north east corner.
Day 09: Lo-Manthang Day hiking o/n in lodge +B+L+D
Today we leave you here for explore the charming city of Lo - Manthang, the city contains about 150 houses, as well as residences for its many lamas. There are four major temples within the city and one of these, Champa Lhakang, contains a huge clay statue of Buddha as well as elaborates mandalas painted on the walls. The king's palace is an imposing building in the center of the city and is occupied by the current King and Queen. Although his duties are largely ceremonial, the King is respected by the people. It is also possible to hire horses and get different experience with horse riding instate of walking.
Day 10: Lo-Manthang - Tiji Festival ,o/n in lodge +B+L+D
Day 11: Lo- Manthang - Tiji Festival Ends, o/n in lodge +B+L+D
Day 12: Trek to Yara (7hrs, 3650m) o/n in local house +B+L+D
Today it is a challenging trail lead with trek up and downhill, The trek from Lo-Manthang to Yara is harder but more satisfying and interesting then the west side of the valley crossing through river with the panorama views of Throung peak, Damodhar Range, the Yara village is one of the best village of whole Lo-Manthang and it seems more successful and it is established in a very suitable place.
Day 13: Visit the Nuri Gompa and back to Yara (7/8 hrs) o/n in local house +B+L+D
Day 14: Trek to Tange (7hrs, 3200m) o/n in local house +B+L+D
After breakfast, get up and ready for trek, first few hours through River bank then after crossing River, the trail climbs up till the pass of 3850m then trail lead through grassless, bare hills, Tange is small village but most of the house are attached each other, on the roof tops can see piles of fry woods, which also reflect the prosperity in their society.
Day 15: Trek to Tetang (7/8 hrs, 3600m) o/n in local house +B+L+D
after breakfast, we trek downhill through river up to Paha then continue trek uphill about 6hrs to Tetang.
Day 16: Trek to Muktinath (6hrs, 3800m) o/n in lodge +B+L+D
Early in the morning after breakfast we are going to start, it is the hardest day today up to Gyula pass 4077m, after that continue trek to Muktinath with the best panoramic views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, the Muktinath is an important pilgrimage center for Hindus and Buddhist. The most well known holy place is a Vishnu temple where are 108 spouts, fashioned in the shape of cows' heads, pour 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.
Day 17: Trek to Jomsom (5/6hrs, 2700m) o/n in lodge +B+L+D
Today after breakfast we trek with some shining downhill, which will be more pleasurable with jeep tracks trails with a mostly downhill gradient! We have to start early as the wind gets up after 11 am making trek a bit more challenging. Chill out on this section and enjoy the views of many different mountain ranges, Jomsom itself called heart of Himalayas, it is also ours last day of the trekking tours and rest in afternoon, or perhaps enjoying with apple brandy, beers with local crews on the occasion of having huge tours.
Day 18: After breakfast we will fly back to Pokhara, day at leisure o/n in a hotel +B
Morning after breakfast, we take a spectacular early morning flight along the Kali Gandaki gorge to Pokhara and in afternoon at leisure
Day 19: Morning free in Pokhara and late afternoon fly to Kathmandu , o/n in a hotel +B
09/June/012, Day 20: Transfer to International airport in Kathmandu +B
Price: Euro 1945 per person
Included
- Arrival and transfer transport from international and domestic airport in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Government licensed cultural guide with private transport during sightseeing in Kathmandu
- 3 meals a day during the trekking in Mustang (B, L, D)
- Special Mustang permit and conservation fee
- Staff insurance, Pension fund and Equipment
- Domestic flight and tax (KTM-POK-JOM –POK-KTM)
- One Experience guide ,one porter and additional cook/tent for two pax
- One Experience guide ,two porters and additional cook/tent for four pax
- Accommodation in lodge, Local house & hotel
Not included
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Pokhara
- Personal insurance and helicopter rescue in case of emergency
- International flight ticket,Tips for local staff
- Domestic flight Kathmandu–Pokhara
- Nepal visa (at arrival at the international airport of Kathmandu, for USD 40 and 4 passport sized pictures
- Personal expenses
- Tips for local staff
- Monument entrance fees during sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Monastery entrance fees during trekking
Note: It is also possible to combine with some other activities such as Bungy Jumping, Canyoning, Paragliding, Mountainbike, River rafting and Wildlife safari. The program can be customized according to your duration.
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