Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Jeep Tour 2024
The Tiji festival starts from 24th May, 2025 and ends at 26th May, 2025 that bring the all the people together to celebrate the unique culture, customs and religious history.
Best Season
|
For 2024 (5th to 7th May) |
|---|---|
Trip Duration
|
12 Days & 11 Nights |
Trip Difficulty
|
Easy |
Accomodation
|
Hotel in city and tea houses & lodges during the tour |
Max. Elevation
|
4,065m (13,335 ft) |
Trip Highlights
- Feel the spiritual world of adventure and Buddhism beliefs.
- Embrace the adventurous off-road drive on the lap of the Himalayas.
- Experience the lively Tiji festival, the most renowned festival of the Upper Mustang.
- Explore the ancient and hidden Buddhist kingdom of Upper Mustang and the walled city of Lo Manthang.
- Visit the attractive and remote villages of Upper Mustang.
- Enjoy the warm hospitality of the inhabitants throughout the route.
- Travel to the remote and restricted region of the Upper Mustang full of natural beauty.
- Witness Tibetan-influenced lifestyle and culture.
- Drive through the deepest gorge of the world, Kali Gandaki River.
- The magnificent views of the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Bhirkuti, and Annapurna mountains will never leave your sight during the tour.
- Ancient caves, majestic monasteries, historical sites, colorful walls, stone mani walls with praying flags
- Visit Pokhara, a tourist capital and city of lakes, caves, and Davis Falls.
- Visit Muktinath, an important and sacred Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site.
- A scenic drive to the walled city of Lo Manthang.
- Savor the renowned Jomsom apples, apple pie, and apple wine (marpha).
Introduction
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Jeep Tour 2024 is a popular adventure trip in the remote and restricted region of Upper Mustang to witness the Tiji festival. It is a great way to experience a vigorous and unique Buddhist cultural event. The festival is a 3-day long event that marks the victory of good over evil. The event takes place annually in the walled c city of Lo Manthang. It is performed for the protection of the region and the prosperity of people and all living beings. And to drive away all negative energy of the region.
Locally known as Tenchi, the Tiji festival is the biggest festival of the Mustang region. In fact, it is a celebration every year during the month of May following the Tibetan Lunar Calendar. Moreover, the festival involves the collaboration of the locals and monks. Equally important, they perform colorful dances, music, and chanting prayers circling the stone streets and the courtyards of the Lo Manthang Royal Palace. Also, the monks of Chhode monastery perform the mask dance performed with the music of drums, cymbals, and horns. It is just captivating to watch. Likewise, the locals donning attractive ethnic attire around the region come to Lo Manthang. Further, they participate in and celebrate this auspicious event. Locals say that without the Tiji festival, they actually lose their culture and belief. On this joyous occasion, they chant prayers, dance, sing, and feast to honor their great and brave forefathers.
Continue ReadingCenturies ago, a demon invaded and attacked the Mustang region causing a water shortage and scarcity of resources. So, Dorje Jono, also known as Vajrakila or Vajrakumar, arrived in the kingdom as Lord Buddha’s reincarnation. He is a Vajrayana Buddhist deity. Guru Rimpoche or Padmasambhava is the tantric master of the 8th century. He introduced the Vajrakila practice of 3 days for Dorje Jono to fight the demon to safeguard the kingdom and its people.
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Jeep Tour 2024 commences with a scenic jeep ride from Kathmandu to Jomsom. Then it is followed by a trek to Lo Manthang via Kagbeni, Chele, Syangboche, and other beautiful villages in the region. Along the way, you’ll see stunning landscapes, ancient monasteries, and cultural landmarks that reflect the region’s rich history and traditions. The journey to Upper Mustang is an adventure in itself as the road and the trails pass through the rugged terrain and high mountain passes. It is a great opportunity for adventure enthusiasts and culture lovers wanting to experience the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Upper Mustang.
Read LessItinerary
Cost Includes
- All required airport arrivals and departure fees.
- 2 nights of twin-sharing hotel accommodations in Kathmandu under the BB plan.
- 2 nights of twin-sharing hotel accommodations in Pokhara under the BB plan.
- Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu flight or drive
- 4WD Jeep Pokhara to Lo-Mangthang to Pokhara by Toyota Landcruiser or Mahindra Scorpio.
- Annapurna conservation area permit.
- TIMS card Permit.
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit fee.
- 3 meals per day during the trip (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
- Tea, or coffee 3 times a day during the trek.
- Accommodation while trekking on a twin-sharing basis in guesthouses.
- English-speaking professional trekking guide with a government license and his pay.
- Porters to transport the baggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests).
- All the costs for lodging, flooding, transportation, flights, and other essential gear, and accidental insurance for the guides and porters.
- Assistance with organizing rescue efforts in case of complex medical conditions
- A basic medical kit.
- A trekking route map
- All municipal and state taxes.
Cost Excludes
- International flight costs to/ from Nepal.
- Sightseeing at Kathmandu. If you have leisure time and want to extend your stay by spending some time sightseeing in Kathmandu, we can manage it as well.
- Nepal Entry Visa fees for multiple entrances into Nepal upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.
- Accommodations and meals in Kathmandu.
- An additional night’s lodging in Kathmandu due to earlier arrival, departure, or return from the trek than as planned (for any reason).
- Travel insurance covers, medical, emergency rescue, evacuation, loss, etc.
- Personal expenses (shopping, snacks, boiled bottles of water, hot and cold beverages, a hot shower, alcohol, a phone call, Wi-Fi charge, a battery recharge price, additional porters, etc.)
- Extra costs for any causes that are not under management’s control, such as landslides, weather, route changes because of safety concerns, illness, new government regulations, strikes, etc.
- Tips and gratitude for guides and porters (recommended)
Train Yourself
The best physical condition is required to trek in Nepal’s high altitude. Without some pre-trek training or a good level of basic fitness, trekking can be hard. We suggest running, walking, hiking on the hill, and climbing stairs rather than elevators to prepare for the trek. Include swimming, rowing, and biking in your daily base training. The fitter you are before you depart, the easier the trek will be.
Basic further experience and strength are required for Trekking
- One should be able to hike for 6-7 hours a day.
- One should be able to carry 5 kg themselves in a backpack for preparation.
- We suggest you run about 2/3 miles in the home for the preparation with some load on your back for 1 to 2 months to make your climbing much easier. Or use a treadmill for everyday running and walking.
- If you have an uphill location/mountain then once a week you should go hiking with a loaded bag pack on your back. If you do not have mountains and high hills then use stairs to go up/down than the elevator.
- Regular swimming, biking, and rowing are also good ways to maintain your physical strength.
- Fuel your body well with small but frequent healthy foods and drink plenty of water.
- Go through a trek grading and know what type of trekking is suitable for you. The treks are graded as easy, moderate, hard, and challenging treks.
- Go after what you want and what your physical capabilities will allow you to. Do not push too hard yourself. Trekking is not a competition. It is relaxing and rewarding.
- Walk at a pace you are most comfortable with. An assistant guide will be always walking at the back of the group so you don’t have to rush to catch up with the faster walkers at the front.
- Using trekking poles reduces the body and backpack’s weight on the legs and makes walking more easier on inclines.
- Invest in the comfortable full trekking boot with ankle support and a sturdy Vibram sole that suit your foot to avoid blisters.
FAQs
-
When is the upcoming Tiji festival held?
The upcoming Tiji festival is celebrated according to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar and it will be held on the English dates of May 16, 17, and 18 in 2023. Tiji will be celebrated on May 6,7 and 8 in the year 2024.
-
What kind of vehicles are used for the overland jeep tour?
We use a luxurious and comfortable 4-wheeler Toyota Land Cruiser and Mahindra Scorpio for the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Jeep Tour. The drivers of the jeep are well experienced in off-road driving with 100 % safety records of smooth driving.
-
Will someone come after my arrival to pick me up at the airport?
Absolutely, a representative from Trekkers Paradise will be waiting to welcome you outside of Terminal Hall at the airport. He will be holding up a placard of Trekkers Paradise with your name on it. After that, you will be transferred to the designated hotel at Thamel, Kathmandu.
-
Do I need a visa to travel to Nepal?
All foreign nationals, except Indian Citizens, need visas to enter Nepal.
-
What is the cost of the visa application process and Visa? Should we apply for a visa from our home country or will we get it at a Nepalese Airport? Which documents are important that I should bring with me?
After landing, you can obtain a visa at Tribhuwan International Airport, furthermore, it will be easier if you are fill-up the visa form online (http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa) before taking the flight to Nepal. Entry Visa fees- at present are $ 30 for 15 days, $ 50 for 30 days, and $ 125 for a three-month visa on entry to Nepal.
In case of a visa extension for a longer stay in Nepal, the cost to extend a tourist visa is USD 45 for a minimum of 15 days, plus USD 3 for every extra day.
In the event of a delay, of less than 150 days, an additional $5 per day will be charged as a late fee.You should bring the following essential documents on the trip:
- Valid Passport: must be valid for up to 6 months.
- Travel insurance: you need to provide a copy of the insurance paper to Trekkers Paradise before you start the trek.
- Flight Tickets.
- Emergency contact numbers for T/C’s bank, insurance, family contacts
- COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing a full dose of vaccination
-
How long is the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour?
The Upper Mustang jeep tour can be covered within 12 days of driving. The duration of the tour also depends upon the route that you drive on.
-
What is the best time to do Upper Mustang trek?
Generally, March to November is the ideal month to explore Mustang, Nepal. With clear skies and moderate temperatures, Mustang’s weather is mild and pleasant throughout this time. The Himalayan region of Upper Mustang receives less rain during the monsoon season. So, Upper Mustang is accessible all year round even during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September. It remains quite dry and suitable enough to trek on. The region is covered with lush vegetation and blossoming flowers in the summer. The biggest factor is winter when most citizens flee the city to escape the chilly weather and snow.
-
What permits are required for the Upper Mustang trek?
You must receive authorization to access the restricted area if you intend to go trekking in the Upper Mustang. Solo trekking is prohibited in the Upper Mustang. You must have a qualified guide and a permit from a reputable travel company in Nepal. You need two kinds of permits for trekking in the Upper Mustang.
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit)
You will need a permit as you’ll be entering the Annapurna Conservation Area. The permit costs USD 20 per person for a single entry into the area and is valid for the duration of the trek. Both the ABC trek and the Annapurna Circuit require this permission.
RAP (Restricted Area Permit)
The time frame that someone can spend in the ACAP region is not limited. Moreover, a RAP (Restricted Area Permit) is mandatory for anyone traveling into Upper Mustang from Kagbeni onward.
A minimum of 2 trekkers are required to receive the permit. Each trekker must pay USD 500 for the first 10 days and then each additional day cost USD 50 per trekker beyond 10 days. There is no need for TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) because there is no TIMS check post on the way to Upper Mustang and all the details of the trekkers are included in RAP in case of any emergency or difficulty.
-
Is the jeep tour safe?
The only potential hazard during the tour is the possibility of altitude sickness. Most of the time you will be traveling on the jeep and you won’t be walking too much except a walk for the side trips during the tour. So there is comparatively less chance of altitude sickness. You will also be guided by an experienced trekking guide and assisted by drivers, who are there to take care of you during your trip.
-
What are the facilities available in case of emergencies during the trek?
In case you suffer from altitude sickness or any other problems, we will offer you the doctor’s prescribed medicines according to the type of problem facing you. We will descend you and incise of extreme cases, you will get rescued by helicopter or available means of transportation.
-
What are some basic Nepali customs that I should know about?
- Take off your shoes before entering a temple or one’s home
- Ask for permission before entering a Hindu temple
- Taking photographs inside most temples is considered illegal
- Ask for permission before taking photographs of objects, including Nepali people.
- Nepali people are friendly by nature. Have a genuine interest in them. Talk to them. Be friendly as you travel.
-
Are Trekkers Paradise’s staff insured?
Yes, all the staff of Trekkers Paradise including guides and porters are insured to recover any kind of casualties.
-
What is the climate like during the trek?
Mustang has a cool, semi-arid climate that is characteristic of the trans-Himalayan region. The average daytime temperature ranges from 18 to 28 °C. The temperature decreases to -2 to 0 °C at night. Mustang sits in the rain shadow area of the Annapurna region. Around 307 mm of rain falls annually on average.
-
Do you need a guide during the tour?
Upper Mustang Trek and tour lie in the restricted region of Nepal. So, it is compulsory to trek with an experienced guide. No one is allowed to trek solo or without a guide in this region.
-
Why is Upper Mustang restricted?
Foreigners were not allowed in the upper Mustang until 1992. The Nepali government continues to have control over the upper Mustang region due to the border issues and in order to protect its strategic location, unique nature, and traditional culture.
-
What Upper Mustang is famous for?
Mustang is one of the key tourist attractions In Nepal because of its unique nature, cultural heritage, and religious importance. It is a part of the popular treks that include the Upper Mustang Trek, the Muktinath Pilgrimage Tour, and the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Also, organic apples are what Mustang is famous for.
-
What are the toilet facilities like during the trek?
Basically, most hotels and lodges provide normal toilet facilities which are usually neat and clean. These days, toilet facilities are more improved with western flushed system toilets in some of the advanced hotels and lodges offering rooms with attached bathrooms.
-
How are the shower facilities during the trek?
There are hot water shower services available and in case of non-availability of such facility, the hotels and lodges will provide you with a hot water bucket. The payment has to be done by yourself for the hot water or shower and the cost varies as per the locations.
-
How do I charge my phones and cameras on treks and tours?
Most of the lodges and hotels offer charging facilities along the trekking routes. But you need to pay some hundred rupees for charging your electronic devices.
-
Is Wifi available during the tour?
The tea houses up to Jomsom provide the Wifi services at a certain price but the internet speed may slow down when it’s used by many people at the same time. After Jomsom, there is no internet available. So it is advised to buy a Namaste sim card and use 4G data service on your own mobile.
-
Is it possible to use ATMs and credit cards during the trek?
ATMs and credit card services are available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Jomsom. After Jomsom, you have to make cash payments for the personal expenses and extra services you need.
Equipments
Safety and Health Precaution during the trek
Besides geographical protection, Trekkers Paradise has taken safety in following things to make travel as safe as possible making the most out of it without any worry!
- Our guides have received extensive wilderness first-aid training.
- Trek leaders and guides have years of trekking experience and can help you if there is any kind of uneasiness and assure happiness & satisfaction are guaranteed.
- We’ll have High-quality masks & Gloves with sanitizers for everyday use throughout the journey for the Trekkers Paradise team assisting you.
- Encouragement and inspiration can be a regular occurrence.
- Food and accommodation in the mountains would be rechecked for additional hygiene.
Accommodation during the trek
For accommodation, we provide one room for two customers having either two single beds or a master bed in some of the best hotels in the cities.
Upper Mustang Trek is a teahouse trek so you can find some teahouses and lodges with good services on the trekking routes during your trekking days. But as you ascend higher they become more basic. Rooms are basic, almost every room consisting twin-bedded with two beds with a mattress, a pillow, and blankets. You can share a room with a fellow trekker with whom you feel at ease.
Although, each lodge has its own set of standards, please do not anticipate luxurious accommodations, particularly in the mountains. Most teahouses offer hot showers, boiled drinking water, extra blankets, charging stations, and WIFI for an additional fee. The price of teahouses is determined by the location and the facilities/services they offered.
Meals during the trek
In addition to accommodation, all the meals including breakfasts, lunch, and dinner are served during your stay in Kathmandu and the trekking journey. Usually, breakfast and dinner are served at the same hotel where we stay overnight and lunch is served en route to our destination during the trek.
The services are basic, with some of the popular western, Asian, or Nepalese menus being the most popular and consumed. The most popular and common menu items include the Dal-Bhat set, which consists of rice, lentils, and vegetables, as well as meat, rice, and noodle items, spaghetti, pasta, momo(dumplings), Tibetan bread, chapatti, local tsampa porridge, potatoes, sandwiches, macaroni dishes, pizza, Sherpa stew, steaks, vegetable curry and so forth.
However, you cannot compare them with the choices available in large cities. Usually, local agricultural products are used to prepare meals. Other ingredients are purchased from the market if they cannot grow at a particular elevation.
Breakfast and dinner orders are taken in advance to save time; breakfast orders are taken the night before and dinner orders are taken as soon as you arrive at the teahouse. Depending on your schedule for the day, your typical day will begin. Breakfast is served in your lodge each morning, after which you leave for the next stop. A guide will notify the next tea house or lodge of your arrival each day. Around noon, you’ll stop for lunch at any nearby lodge on the way. You will arrive at your destination shortly after lunch. You can unwind or explore the nearby attractions when you arrive. You will dine around 7 to 8 pm.
At high altitudes, we strongly advise drinking hot liquid drinks in addition to fresh vegetable foods and fruit drinks. Drink plenty of water, not all a once but regularly on a time intervals.
It is best to avoid smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol, non-vegetarian foods like meat, caffeine-containing foods, hot chocolate, and dairy and cheese products on high-altitude treks. These things increase the chances of getting altitude sickness and diarrhea.
Safe Drinking Water
The availability of drinking water is not an issue. Bottled mineral water is available in most places for purchase, but there is no provision to dispose of plastic bottles. We encourage guests to do what they can to protect the environment. We do not recommend purchasing single-use plastic bottles. You can buy or bring your own Nalgene bottles on the trek which makes the trail free from bottles and rubbish.
Filling your water bottles in tea houses is another option for getting drinking water. Several guesthouses have the Euro-guard filters water. Boiled filter water is also available in tea houses that are completely safe to drink but may be inexpensive for the duration of the trek.
River water is generally full of glaciers and sand and may be contaminated with animal urine and toilet run-off, so do not drink it. The tap water in the lodges is piped from high up, away from rivers and clean glaciers, so it is better, but it still must be treated.
Use iodine drops (3 per liter) locally known as Lugols solution, available at Thamel supermarkets in Kathmandu. The chlorine-based tablets are another choice, but they do transmit a taste to the water. Alternatively, you could purchase a Steripen, which uses UV to kill the bacteria but is a bit fragile to carry during the trek.
The best option is the water purification tablet Aquaprove, which uses cutting-edge technology. Most importantly, it works against all pathogens in impure water. It’s light, simple to use, has no taste, and is all-natural.
Waste Management during the trek
Leave No Traces, Only the Footprints! Pack out your own waste. We practice responsible eco-tourism and organize eco-friendly trips to support sustainable tourism.
The trekking trail in Nepal has suffered significant damage as a result of not having a strong policy on waste management. Act and travel responsibly. We prefer that all of our clients bring their trash and keep them in a container or bag, and dispose of it properly at a specific spot or dustbin.
How to avoid acute mountain sickness?
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the most deadly risk of trekking. Anyone can get a victim of this sickness when their body is exposed to a higher elevation in a short period of time and the body is unable to adapt to the changing atmospheric pressures. As you ascend higher, the oxygen and air pressure decrease. Our bodies are capable of handling the change, but they require time to gradually adapt. If it is not treated in time, it can be severe and result in death. You can take a few preventative measures to avoid it.
- Not to climb too high too fast.
- Climb slowly and attain the height gradually.
- Take it easy and climb at your own comfortable pace.
- Reduce your walking hours as you reach 2000 meters and walk slowly.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Get plenty of rest. If you feel like your body needs more rest, get it.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
- Meditation and warm-up exercise each day before starting the trek.
- Allow an acclimatization day for every 1000m of elevation gain.
There are two more serious but less common severe forms of altitude sickness. Both have the potential to be fatal. You must descend immediately to receive medical care.
High-altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) causes the lungs to swell with excess fluid, which makes breathing difficult even when at rest. You experience extreme exhaustion, weakness, and perhaps a sense of suffocation. A dry cough, nose breathing, shortness of breath, fever, chest tightness, rapid heart rates, congestion, swelling, and fainting are the symptoms of HAPE. If HAPE is not promptly treated by lowering the altitude or using oxygen, it can be fatal.
High-altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) is characterized by an accumulation of fluid on the brain that results in swelling. Confusion, poor coordination, and possibly violent behavior could occur. Hallucinations, loss of consciousness, fever and fatigue, photophobia, hypertension, coma, shortness of breath, and inability to walk are some more symptoms of HACE. HACE can result in death if it is not treated immediately.
The early signs of altitude sickness can be relieved by immediately descending. However, if you are experiencing severe acute mountain sickness symptoms, you should see a doctor.
The drug acetazolamide can ease heavy breathing and lessen the effects of altitude sickness. You may also be given the steroid Dexamethasone. But you are never recommended to take such drugs as far as possible until the situation is harsh.
Tipping
Tipping is not included in the salaries of your guides, porters, or crew, but it is greatly appreciated. In Nepalese culture, tips are accepted and a lovely way of saying thank you (“Dhanyabada”) for good service. Normally the tips are offered at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Most groups will give the trips on the last day of the trek.
Join some extra activities
- A unique Mountain Flight to Mt. Everest
- White water rafting on Nepal’s famous rivers
- A romantic overnight stay in a mountain resort
- A cultural show, with dinner
- A traditional Nepali Luxury Dinner
- The most spectacular Bungee Jump on the Planet
Book the dates for your next adventure
All our programs serve as just one example of what is possible. Trekkers’ Paradise, with years of experience in organising tailor-made tours, invites you to contact us to create your personalised dream program.
OR,
Book a Custom DateCustom trip dates are available for a bespoke and private experience, with prices that may vary accordingly.