Talk To An Expert ( Prakash Lamsal )
Talk To An Expert ( Prakash Lamsal )
The Tiji Festival Trek 2026 in Mustang offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural celebration of Lo Manthang in the Himalayas. If you're curious about this festival, this blog will provide you with some valuable insights. The Tiji Festival for the year 2026 will be held on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of May.
Just like in previous years, Upper Mustang will observe this three-day festival with great dedication and devotion. It is a rare chance to explore, enjoy, and fully experience the ancient cultural traditions of Lo Manthang, and you will undoubtedly find it captivating.
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Jeep Tour 2026
It is a magnificent cultural and spiritual celebration set in the remote Himalayas of Upper Mustang, Nepal. This annual festival showcases timeless traditional myths and rituals that take place over three days in Lo Manthang. The festival holds great significance as it symbolizes the triumph of a god over a demon. According to the belief, the demon had been tormenting the region by causing storms and droughts, threatening the lives of the people.
To liberate the people from the demon's grasp, Lord Buddha incarnated as a fierce creature and defeated the demon. Originally known as Tenji, the festival's name has now become commonly known as Tiji. The term Tenji is derived from the Tibetan word "Tempa Chhirim," which translates to "prayer for world peace." The primary purpose of celebrating this festival is to pray for peace to prevail in the lives of the people in the region.
Our Tiji Festival Trek 2026 will take you to the Upper Mustang, where you can witness and participate in this beautiful cultural celebration.
The festival's origin lies in the Tibetan Buddhist myth. According to the belief, the legendary incarnation of Buddha, Dorjee Sonnu, engaged in a battle with a demon named Man Tam Ru to save the entire region from destruction. This three-day festival includes performances that depict the story of the troubles caused by the demon. The performances showcase the birth of Dorje Sonnu and his ultimate victory over the demon.
It is a special time of the year when the monks from the Choedhe monastery in Lo Manthang play a significant role in the festival's proceedings. Exploring the Upper Mustang during the Tiji festival offers a remarkable cultural getaway. It presents a rare chance to delve into the distinctive cultural traditions of this region. The Tiji festival typically takes place in May.
Here is the outline itinerary of the trekking plan for the festival in 2024.
27 April 2026 | Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
28 April 2026 | Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour
29 April 2026 | Day 03: Drive to Pokhara
30 April 2026 | Day 04: Fly to Jomsom and Trek to Kagbeni
01 April 20246| Day 05: Trek to Chele
02 May 2026 | Day 06: Trek to Geling
03 May 2026 | Day 07: Trek to Charang
04 May 2026 | Day 08: Trek to Lomanthang
05-07 May 2026 | Day 09-11: Tiji Festival Observation
08 May 2026 | Day 12: Trek to Dhakmar
09 May 2026 | Day 13: Trek to Syangbochen
10 May 2026 | Day 14: Trek to Chhusang
11 May 2026 | Day 15: Trek to Muktinath
12 May 2026 | Day 16: Trek to Jomsom
13 May 2026 | Day 17: Fly to Pokhara
14 May 2026 | Day 18: Drive to Kathmandu (Option to fly back)
15 May 2026 | Day 19: Departure Day
| Day | Date | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30th Apr 2024 | Arrival in Kathmandu | |
| 2 | 1st May 2024 | Fly/Drive to Pokhara | 25 min flight or 6 hrs drive |
| 3 | 2nd May 2024 | Drive to Tatopani | 5 hours, 110 Km |
| 4 | 3rd May 2024 | Jeep Drive to Kagbeni via Muktinath | 4-5 hours, around 80 km |
| 5 | 4th May 2024 | Drive to Charang | 7 hours, 40 km |
| 6 | 5th May 2024 | Drive to Lomanthang, explore first day of TIJI Festival | TIJI Festival starts |
| 7 | 6th May 2024 | Celebrate the second day of TIJI Festival | |
| 8 | 7th May 2024 | Third day of TIJI Festival (FESTIVAL END) | |
| 9 | 8th May 2024 | Drive back to Jomsom | 5-6 hours, around 70 km |
| 10 | 9th May 2024 | Drive back to Pokhara | 7-8 hours, 158 Km |
| 11 | 10th May 2024 | Fly/Drive back to Kathmandu | 25 min flight or 6 hours drive, 200 Km |
| 12 | 11th May 2024 | Final Departure |
Tiji Festival Trek 2024 is an extraordinary journey through the Kingdom of Lo, now known as Upper Mustang. This region is renowned for its unique culture and civilization, which still preserves its awe-inspiring traditions. Not only does Upper Mustang offer cultural wonders, but it also provides an incredible trekking adventure. The deserted landscape of the mountains holds a captivating charm, with its grey mountains, jagged cliffs, oasis-like settlements, and high passes along the trail. It truly is a beautiful adventure.
Before embarking on this trek, there are some important pieces of information that you should be aware of.
Tiji Festival Trek falls under the category of restricted regions in the Himalayas of Nepal. Therefore, a special permit is required to trek in this area, and group trekking is the only option allowed. Among all the restricted region treks, Upper Mustang Trek is a popular and stunning choice. The remoteness and vastness of the rugged mountainous landscapes in Upper Mustang offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is truly one of the most worthwhile restricted region treks that you should consider undertaking. In terms of permit costs, it is necessary to obtain a special permit to trek to Upper Mustang.
The permit cost for Tiji Festival Trek 2026 is USD 500 per person for a 10-day trekking adventure. If you wish to extend your stay in the region, each additional day costs USD 50 per person. Although the permit costs may seem expensive, the adventure and experience that await you are truly invaluable. You will undoubtedly create memories that will last a lifetime.
Group Trekking Adventure in Mustang is an incredible experience that requires a special permit due to the restricted area. Solo trekking is not allowed in this region for safety reasons, as it is a remote and potentially dangerous area. However, trekking in a group offers a beautiful and thrilling adventure. Upper Mustang is known for its fascinating and timeless culture and civilization.
Despite the influence of modernity, the civilization in this secluded region has remained untouched. Exploring the unique civilization of Upper Mustang is truly a wonder for the modern world. The capital of the region, Lo Manthang, used to have its own king, and the faith of the people in the monarchy has remained strong. While they follow the Nepali constitution and rules, their social norms and values continue to shape their lifestyle. The cultural richness of Upper Mustang is another remarkable aspect.
The strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism can be seen in the culture, which guides their way of life. Ancient Buddhist scriptures tell captivating stories about the origins of human settlement in this remote mountainous region. The timelessness of the culture practiced in Upper Mustang is truly fascinating and offers an incredible experience that is hard to believe in today's world.
If you are interested in the Upper Mustang Trek, you have the option to extend your trip by three days to partake in the festival celebration in Lo Manthang. Alternatively, you can choose to take an Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, which also includes three additional days in Lo Manthang for festival enjoyment, if you prefer a shorter duration.
Aside from the captivating trekking adventure, this journey offers a unique and rare cultural experience. Along the way, you will be treated to awe-inspiring mountain vistas, stunning landscapes, a picturesque blue skyline, intriguing wall caves, and charming settlements.
Let’s explore the Tiji Festival 2024 in the Upper Mustang. Feel free to reach out to us for more details.
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