The Mustang Tiji festival tour destination is one of the most popular and demanded tour packages among the clients of Himalaya Sacred Trek and Expedition. Tiji festival is a three-day ritual known as the chasing of the demons, observed in May. This festival is centred around the myth.
Tiji is a story of a deity named Dorje Jono who had battled against the demon father to save the kingdom of Mustang from destruction. The demon father wreaked havoc on Mustang by creating a water storage. Dorjo Jono eventually defeated the demon father and banished him from the land. This festival is observed by worshipping God to demand water and good crops.
During the Mustang Tiji festival, monks dress in their traditional costumes and masks, and perform dances and rituals to drive away evil spirits. Similarly, people from all over Mustang gather in Lo Manthang dressed in their finery and celebrate this festival.
The 12-day Upper Mustang Tiji Festival tour is designed not only to witness the festival but also to explore the mysterious culture, rituals, and lifestyle of the Mustang region. Located north of the Annapurna range along the Tibetan border, Mustang is famous for its dramatic landscapes, ancient monasteries, cave dwellings, and preserved Tibetan-influenced traditions. Highlights include the medieval village of Kagbeni and the ancient walled capital of Lo Manthang.
The Tiji festival is organised by Chhyoden Gomba, which is a monastery of the Sakyapa sect located in Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang. The abbot of the monastery is Kempo Tashi Tinjin Rinpoche, and there are around 35 others from Lo Manthang, Nenyol, and Chhoser in the monastery. Villagers from all over ‘Lho Tshu Dhyun’ (the ancient kingdom of Lo) come to watch the dance and participate in the accompanying festivities. They also contribute firewood and necessary materials to undertake the festival.
The Tiji Festival in 2026 will be celebrated from 14th to 16th May, and Himalaya Sacred Trek and Expedition carefully curates this special journey to offer an authentic cultural, spiritual, and once-in-a-lifetime Himalayan experience.
For travelers seeking a more adventurous approach, the same Tiji Festival can also be experienced through a specially designed Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek. This trekking itinerary combines scenic trails, remote villages, and cultural exploration with the vibrant festival celebrations in Lo Manthang, offering a deeper and more immersive way to experience Mustang’s living heritage.
Departure Location: Kathmandu
Return Location: Kathmandu
We complete our customs formalities at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Afterwards, there will be a representative from our company who will take you to your hotel. We can then spend the rest of the day resting. In the evening, we get to try Nepalese cuisine at a welcome dinner hosted by our company. Overnight in Kathmandu.
We start our day early in the morning to go to Pokhara. The view on the way offers Nepalese countryside offers green hills, rivers, farms, etc, around a 5-6 hour drive. A city that offers us the magnificent view of various mountains, namely Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapurche, and other mountains of the Annapurna range. Do some last-minute shopping and self-exploration around the town.
We depart from Pokhara and head to Jomsom by plane. Then you will land at the district headquarters of Mustang and begin our drive to Kagbeni, the starting point of the Upper Mustang, where you can keep your eyes busy with the spectacular views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, and Dhampus.
Along the way, we visit Marpha village, the local market of Jomsom, and Muktinath Temple. Muktinath is a revered religious site for Buddhists and Hindus. A famous sacred temple of Lord Vishnu is situated here with 108 stone taps. After exploring the places, we return to Kagbeni, the most interesting typical Tibetan village and the entry point of the Upper Mustang, for an overnight stop. Overnight at a lodge.
Today begins with the completion of permit and document formalities at Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang. After the checkpoint, we’ll head through a series of traditional Mustang villages such as Chele, Samar, and Geling, each offering a glimpse into the unique Tibetan-influenced lifestyle of the region. Along the way, we visit ancient monasteries.
By late afternoon, we arrive at Charang, one of the most important settlements in Upper Mustang. Overnight stay at a lodge in Charang.
Today’s drive leads to our destination at Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang. En route, we visit Lo Ghar Gompa, regarded as one of the oldest monasteries in the region. The journey offers spectacular views of the Tibetan Plateau, like terrain, with vast open valleys, dramatic cliffs, and fascinating sky caves carved high into the rock faces.
Upon arrival at Lo Manthang, we explore the historic settlement known for its ancient monasteries, royal palace, and mud-brick houses enclosed within medieval walls. The unique culture, architecture, and timeless atmosphere make this one of the most captivating destinations in the Himalayas. Overnight stay at a lodge in Lo Manthang.
Tiji Festival, a three-day ritual known as “The chasing of demons”, is centered in Tiji Myth.
1st Day: The monks perform a dance called ‘Tsa Chaam’. This tells the story of the birth of “Dorje Sonam or ‘Dorje Jono’- a reincarnated Buddha to a demon. This demon harassed the kingdom of Mustang and brought havoc to the country. You can witness the monks enacting the harassment of the said demon on the people of Mustang.
2nd Day: The monks perform ‘Ngachama’. During this performance, Dorje Sonam tries to return the demon to the Buddha realm.
3rd and Final Day: The ‘Rha Chham’ dance takes place. In this ceremony, Dorje Sonam triumphs over the evil demon and banishes him from Mustang.
The monk who plays the role of Dorje Sonam does this by throwing an effigy. This effigy made from Tsampa (Barley) represents the demon ‘Ma Tam Ru Ta’.
This defeat brings peace and prosperity to the land of Mustang. Every year, the Tiji festival takes place in the hope of spreading peace throughout the world.
After breakfast, we begin our return journey from Lo Manthang toward Jomsom, retracing the scenic route through the heart of Upper Mustang. The drive passes through the beautiful traditional villages of Tsarang (Charang), Ghami, Geling, and Samar.
Continuing our journey, we reach Kagbeni, where the special restricted-area permit check-out formalities are completed. Upon arrival in Jomsom, rooms will be assigned at the lodge. In the late afternoon, you may explore the local market area, visit nearby cafes, or simply relax and enjoy views of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri before dinner. Overnight stay at a lodge in Jomsom.
The flight time to Pokhara is normally scheduled in the morning because of the wind in the afternoon; flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reasons beyond our control. Depending upon the flight time, make way to the terminal for the security check. This scenic flight from Jomsom takes about 25 minutes to reach Pokhara, and a panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks can be seen from the plane. After arriving in Pokhara, stay overnight at a hotel.
Early in the morning, we drive back to Kathmandu, viewing beautiful scenarios of Pokhara and Kathmandu on the way, such as rivers, forests, hills, and many more. We take lunch on the way during the daytime, then start our journey to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, stay overnight at a hotel.
Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! We will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home, you will have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
Complementaries
| Date | Status | Group Size | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
|
56 Days
Start – 2026-04-25
End – 2026-06-03
|
Booking Open | 1 – 12 PAX |
