Mustang Tiji Festival Trekking
Tiji Festival held annually during the monsoon season in the Kingdom of Mustang; Tiji festival of Lo Manthang also known as Mustang Tiji festival, is one of the most important and colorful three days rituals known as "The chasing of the Demons" centering on the Tiji myth. During the observation of Tiji festival in Upper Mustang you can also combine your Mustang Trekking program as Mustang Hidden Valley Trek. Jomsom Mustang trekking in Nepal is considered to be a legendary destination. Therefore trek to Mustang during this time is an unique opportunity to experience the attraction of Mustang festival.
Mustang: Located in Nepal's northwestern Himalayas is a land of intense and diverse vistas, a spectrum of flora and fauna, and a variety of ethnic groups. From the lush coniferous forests in the south to the desert wildflowers scattered across Mustang's northernmost plains, this area is unique. Caught in the rain shadow of Dhaulagiri Himal (8167m.) to the west and the Annapurna massif to the east, most of Mustang's 750 square-miles are trans-Himalayan desert. This boot-like piece of land juts north into the Tibetan plateau. At an elevation of fifteen thousand feet, the Mustang landscape reveals spires of ochre Earth and dramatic rock formations, as well as sandy flats and grassy plains surrounded by rolling hills-the hallmark of the Central Asian plateau.
Mustang Gate: Located between the villages of Chuksang and Tsele, the Mustang Gate is literally a huge conglomerate of rock that has fallen from the cliffs above and created a narrow passage way through which the entire flow of the Kali Gandaki squeezes itself. During the winter, one can pass through the gate and follow the river northwards but in the summer, this route is impossible to pass through the Mustang Gate.
Rangbyung Cave: In-between the villages of Syangbochan and Geling, a steep trail leads to Rangbyung cave, a monument that includes a large choten (reliquary) and self-emanating statues of Guru Rinpoche, the Tibetan name of Phadmasambhava, the 8th-century saint who is said to have brought Buddhism to Tibet. According to local beliefs, if any part of this monument is broken off, it will spontaneously regenerate.
Gehmi's Mani wall and Drakmar: Outside the village of Ghemi lies a mani(prayer) wall that is said to be the longest in Nepal. This over 300 meter stretch of stones inscribed with prayers and painted with stripes of charcoal and ivory, cadmium and burnt umber Earth. This monument is regaled as the intestines of a local demoness who was subdued by Guru Rimpoche as he flew from India northwards towards Tibet, conquering all enemies of Buddha Dharma along the way. The stunning red cliffs of Drakmar just northwest of Ghemi are said to be splattered with this demoness' blood.
Tsarang Palace: This five story palace, or kar, holds a vast collection of religious statues and thankas(scroll paintings), as well as volumes of historical and religious documents, including a complete collection of the Buddha's teachings written in gold. This structure itself is thought to predate the palace in Lo Monthang.
Monasteries of Lo Monthang: Inside the walled city of Monthang in this land of Lo lie Champa, Thugchen, and Chodyi gompas. Champa lha-khang ("god house") houses an enormous statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha. The walls are painted with elaborate mandalas nearly two meters in diameter. Thugchen gompa's expansive altar room is reminiscent in size and scope to some of the largest temples is Tibet, hinting at the historical importance Lo Monthang has played in the perpetuation of Tibetan religious culture. Chodyi gompa is the home of Tashi Tenzin Rimpoche, the Khenpo, the monastic spiritual authority of Lo. Chodyi's compound also includes a newly-established school for young monks.
Lo Gekhar: Poised on a ridge overlooking the village of Tsarang, this gompa(monastery) is a cornerstone of Lo's religious heritage. Guru Rimpoche is said to have placed sacred texts inside the monastery for discovery by later religious teachers. This monastery's history is also connected to the founding of Samye Gompa in Tibet: it is said that when the latter gompa was being built, each night the work of the previous day was torn down by a demon. In order to subdue this demon, Guru Rimpoche directed the monks of Samye to build another gompa- complete with 108 choten-at Lo Gekhar. Historical records suggest that LO Gekhar is one of the oldest gompas in Nepal that is still active.
Luri Gompa: Located east of Monthang above the villages of Yara and Gara, the gompa at Luri has been described by travel writers as a "jewel". The central chamber of the gompa is carved out of rock, creating a domed ceiling on which are painted a series of Mahasiddhas, the Holy men of Buddhist myth. The wall paintings of Luri are exquisite examples of Newari craftsmanship and classical Indian-style renderings of religious figures. Luri also includes a large choten, marking it as one of the most sacred sites in Mustang. Half a dozen of these reliquaries are said to exist in Mustang, though only a few of their locations are known.
Trip Fact:
| Trip Duration |
18 Days |
| Best Time |
Feb-Dec |
| Grade |
Moderate+ |
| Highest access of the trek |
Lo - Manthang (3,800 m) |
| Culture |
Mixed culture and purely Tibetan cultural |
| Mode of trekking tour |
Camping, Equipment and clothing Checklist |
| Himalayan sights |
Machhapuchhre 6993m, Annapurna I- 8091m., Annapurna II-7937m., Annapurna III-7855m, Annapurna IV- 7525m, Annapurna South 7819m, Varaha Shikhar 7847m, Himchuli 6441m, Dhaulagiri 1- 8163m, Dhaulagiri II- 7751m, Nilgiri 6940m, Thapa Peak 6015m, Tukche Peak 6920m, Mardi Himal 5588m. Singu Chuli 6500m, Tharpu Chuli 5663m. Gangapurna 7483m, Lamjung Himal 6931m. Weather in Nepal |
| Most Attraction of the trek |
Tibetan life style and the mystic Landscape. Cost includes / excludes |
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival In Kathmandu Transfer To The Hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing Tour In Kathmandu Pm Free.In The Hotel. O/N In Hotel Shanker.
Day 03: Drive To Pokhara O/N Hotel.
Day 04: Fly To Jomsom & Trek To Kagbeni (2810 M).
Day 05: Kagbeni To Chele (3,030 M).
Day 06: Chele To Geling (3,570 M).
Day 07: Geling To Charang (3560m).
Day 08: Charang To Lo Manthang (3,800).
Day 09: In Lo Manthang.
Day 10: Lo Manthang -Ghami.
Day 11: Ghami- Samar.
Day 12: Samar- Kagbeni.
Day 13: Kagbeni – Muktinath.
Day 14: Muktinath – Jomsom.
Day 15: Jomsom-Pokhara.
Day 16: Mountain Flight To Kathmandu.
Day 17: In Kathmandu.
Day 18: Departure/Trip Concludes.
Trip Cost : advnepal@wlink.com.np
Festival Trekking
Trekking Information
