Mustang Tiji Festival Trek and Tour is an exclusive trip that Blossom Expeditions organize every year. Tiji is the biggest festival that is celebrating in Upper Mustang. Every year hundreds of tourists and locals around the valley gather at Lo-Manthang to see this respected and auspicious occasion. The festival is celebrating for three days. It is also known as the chasing of the Demons. The myth of the Tiji festival is a deity named Dorje Jono (Dorje Shunu), who fought against his demon father and saved the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. It was believed that Dorje Jono (Dorje Shunu) had the power to banish all forms of obstacles. The demon father was destroying the Upper Mustang region by bringing a shortage of water (a highly needed resource in that dry land) and caused many resulting disasters including loss of human life and animals. Dorje Jono finally defeated his demon father and threw him out from the Kingdom.
Tiji festival has believed to have started during the time of Lama Lowo Khenchen (1456-1532). Then the ceremony continued the glorious celebration and favor in the few centuries. Today this festival has become one of the main festivities of Lo-Manthang.
The country during that time was flourishing. The food was plentiful. The Buddhist religion was practicing and followed by both the Royal family and the people of the Upper Mustang. Large beautiful monasteries had built, and many great teachers were born. The evidence of this golden age of religion and prosperity still can be seen in most villages in the form of Monasteries, Dzongs, and large houses. Today the colorful religious Tiji festival is still celebrated as a joy of victory over the demon and defeated all the evil spirits and praying for good fortunes and well-being of the entire valley and benefit all the living being. During that colorful traditional festival, the entire villagers gather in Lo-Manthang. Monks wear traditional colorful dresses, masks, and perform the dance, which is supposed to drive the evil spirits away.
A Trek/Tour into this forbidden kingdom of Lo-Manthang, during the Tiji festival, is truly one of the most rewarding experiences in all of Nepal. Only very few people get the opportunity to observe this special occasion. Upper Mustang was only opened to foreigners in 1992 and has been strictly regulated ever since and requires a special permit (permit cost per person U.S. $500 for ten days) to visit the Upper Mustang (3730 m). Still, the 14th-century monasteries remain active to preserve the magnificent Trans-Himalayan kingdom with their unrivaled Buddhist shrines, cliff-hanging Monasteries, Thangkas, Mandalas, deities, and Dwelling caves. The spectacular landscape of unreal color and beauty, ruggedly carved mountains reach up to deep blue skies while icy peaks glimmer majestically to the south.
Mustang Tiji Festival Trek and Tour to Upper Mustang begin from Jomsom after a 25m mountain flight from Pokhara, and we follow the old trade route towards Kaligandaki valley. We enter the restricted area from Kagbeni and exit the same place. We trek through several beautiful Trans-Himalayan villages and landscapes to the walled city of Lo-Manthang where we will have an opportunity to see the Tiji festival.
Day-01 Arriving in KTM and transfer to Hotel (1300m)
Day-02 Preparation and Sightseeing around Kathamndu
Day-03 Fly to Pokhara (820m)
Day-04 Fly early morning to Jomsom (2729m) and Drive to Chhuksang (2980m) Time: 3-4 hours
Day-05 Drive to Samar, Trek to Tamagaon via Chungsi Cave and Drive to Ghiling (3710m) Time 7-8 Hours
Day-06 Drive to Ghami and Trek to Dhakmar (3840m.) Time 5-6 Hours
Day-07 Trek to Ghar Gumba and Drive to Lo-Manthan (3755m) via Charang Time 5-6 Hours
Day-08 Opening Day of the Tiji Festival, Monks perform a dance called “Tsa Chham”.
Day-09 Second day of Tiji Fastivel, Monks wear elaborated colorful dress and perform a dance called “Nga Chham” In the morning visit Namgyal and Thinggar villages.
Day-10 The third day of the Tiji Festival Monks perform a dance called “Rha Chham” and aslo the day to banished Demons. These three days, you visit Chosar area (Nyaphu and Garphu villages including Jhong Cave and Monasteries)
Day-11 Trek to Yara (3650m) Time 6-7 hours
Day-12 Day Hike to Luri Gumba Time 5-6 hours
Day-13 Trek to Dhi and Drive to Jomsom
Day-14 Fly back to Pokhara and Rest (820m.)
Day-15 Sightseeing around Pokhara
Day-16 Fly to Kathmandu (1300m.)
Day-17 Departure to Home
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