UPPER MUSTANG TIJI Festival Trek 2024 April-27th (Full-Board) - 20 Days

April-27^th -Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft)

Upon our arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, we will be greeted by a representative from Himalayan Traverse who will take us to star level hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

-Included meals: Breakfast

April-28^th -Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu and Brief discussion upon the trip

After breakfast in the morning, we start a small sightseeing in Kathmandu in the three famous UNESCO World heritage enlisted sites: “Pashupatinath Temple” the biggest temple for Hindus, “Swayambhunath Stupa” also known as the monkey temple which is one of the famous religious Stupa for Buddhists and “Boudhanath Stupa” the biggest Stupa in Nepal located in Kathmandu. After this short visit to religious sites, we make early preparations for our trip and make sure everything is okay. As it is the second day, we will make you brief introduction on your trip and your guide/s too. At the evening we will host a welcome dinner offering typical Nepalese cuisine in one of the finest Nepalese Restaurants in Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu Hotel.

-Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner.

April-29^th -Day 03: Fly Pokhara and overnight in Pokhara. (25 mins flight)

Early morning, you will fly to Pokhara from domestic terminal of Tribhuwan International Airport. Our office representative will pick you from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. You will have a half day sightseeing around Pokhara city. Things to do: Enjoy top view of capital city Kathmandu and 2nd largest city Pokhara with great Himalayas from the flight. Overnight in Kathmandu Hotel.

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

April-30^th -Day 04: Fly Jomsom, trek to Mukti Nath (3,710m)

The altitude of Jomsom is 2,743 m. After landing, we will have a trek to Kagbeni for the overnight. Kagbeni is at an elevation of 2,804 m. Things to do: - Admire beauty of the Himalayas from the flight. Witness the 7th highest peak of the world, Mt. Dhaulagiri, 10th highest peak Annapurna, Fishtail, Nilgiri and other mountain ranges. Kagbeni to Muktinath trek distance 12.4 kilometers / 7.7 mile via Khingar and Jharkot village. During this hiking venture you come across soothing natural beauty, vivid cultural Luxury, stunning Himalayan views, beautiful landscapes and pleasing climatic ambiance. Muktinath is a holy place for both Buddhists and Hindus, takes 3 to 4 hrs to reach from Kagbeni. Overnight in Muktinath Hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May 01^st -Day 05: Muktinath to Tetang(3,100m) to Chusang(2,980m)

Muktinath to Tetang distance is 14.7 kilometers / 9.1 miles. It takes 6 to 8 hrs to cross the up and down trail throw cold arid desert. The Highest point to cross in between Muktinath to Tetang is Gyu la 4677 meters above sea level. Then we head toward Chussang.  

Chusang is a village development committee in Mustang District in the Dhawalagiri Zone of northern Nepal. It is located on the Upper Mustang trekking route, between Tangbe and Chele, about an hour’s walk north of Tangbe. It lies at the junction of the Narshing River and the Kali Gandaki. Chusang is arrived from a descent while Tetang is reached by an ascent.  It is surrounded by gigantic red, orange and silver-gray cliffs spotted with cave dwellings. Overnight in Chusang Hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May 02^nd -Day 06: Chusang to Syangbochen(3,820m)

We head towards syangbochen. The way from Chusang to Syangbochen is quite difficult. It takes almost 6-7 hours to reach Chusang from Syangboche. A break to visit the caves (Chusang Cave) in the route. Overnight in Syangbochen Hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May 03^rd -Day 07: Syangbochen to Dhakmar(3,755m)

In the early morning, you can have a beautiful view of Dhaulagiri (8167m) standing with other surrounding mountains from Syangbochen. After having Breakfast, you will start walking for Dhakmar to the beautiful village named Ghami passing Syangmochen Pass at 3850 m altitude. You will have a lunch break in Ghami followed by some sightseeing involving the local monastery, the people, their cultures and their traditions. From Ghami you continue walking to Dhakmar. Dhakmar is the Himalayan village with the different landscape. The place is surrounded by red muddy rocks all around with the Buddhists Prayer flags fluttering due to the gushing wind. Overnight accommodation will be in a Local Lodge. Overnight in Dhakmar Hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May 04^th,05^th Day 08,09: Dhakmar to Lomathang(3650m) via visit to Ghar Gumba(1^st day of Tiji Festival)

Lomanthang to Dhakmar distance is 17.2 kilometers / 10.6 miles. It takes 6 to 7 hrs to reach Dhakmar from Lo Manthang.  Trekking set off by the side of high mountains and gorges along up and down barren territory to arrive at Lo Gekar & Dhakmar. The elevation of Dhakmar village is 3820 meters above sea level. Lo Manthang to Dhakmar trek pass throw Samduling, Marang la 4230 meters & Muila 4170 meters exploring beautiful sight of red cliffs glow brightly in the sun. Marang la known as Chogo la, it is the highest point that you reach during the trek. On the way the travelers can visit the Ghar Gumba. Ancient Ghar Gumba situated at an Elevation of 3931 meters above sea level. It was built in the 8th century by a Tibetan magician Guru Padmasambhava related to Nyingma sect of Buddhism.  After TIJI festival, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Things to do: Explore Namgyal monastery of Lomanthang. Observe the cultural dance of TIJI festival. Celebrate TIJI festival with the locals. Interact with the locals. 

 

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

 

May-06^th-Day 10: Celebrate second day TIJI Festival.

 

The festival will start usually from 12pm so in the morning, we will head towards Chhoser village. You are lucky, you will have a glimpse of blue sheep and other wildlife too. At Chhoser, you will explore sky cave and Buddhist school of the village. After exploring Chhoser, you will return to Lomanthang for the TIJI celebration. After TIJI, you will return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Things to do. Visit Chhoser. Explore Shija Jhong Cave. Visit Lowo Nyiphug Namdrol Norbuling monastery, monastery made on a cliff. Celebrate TIJI festival with the local people.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May-07^th-Day 11: Third day TIJI Festival. (FESTIVAL END).

 

 This is the last and final day of TIJI festival. You will explore the monasteries and Buddhist school of Lomanthang. You will have a good sightseeing around the village. After 12 pm, join the local to celebrate the final day of TIJI. Interact with the local and observe the rituals and dance. After celebration, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Things to do: Explore the monasteries of Lomanthang. Explore the lifestyle of people. Celebrate TIJI festival with the local people. Participates the ending ceremony of Tiji Festival.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May-08^th -Day 12: Lo-Mangthang to Yara (3,838m)

Lo Manthang to Yara trek distance is 16.6 kilometers / 10.3 miles. It takes 5 to 6 hrs to reach Yaragaon by foot. Yara village situated at the elevation of 3607 meters above sea level. As soon as leaving Lo-manthang you will cross Lo la 3960 meters pass. Overnight in Yara.

(Note: Luri Gumba(Monastery): stays optional for covering the special permit days. As we would have already attended the festival. Monastery are typically all similar. We would have already visited the major monasteries.)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May-09^th -Day 13: Yara to Tangbe(3100m)

Today we hike gradually east up to the east ridge of the plateau (3700m) then we the trail goes fairly level for an hour and walk goes slowly up and down to Pa and cross the river together with help of the peoples because no bridge to cross the the river and soon we gradually ascend for a while and descend to Tangbe village through wide plateau, quite windy valley to Tangbe.  Tangbe Looks one of the very hidden village, situated in bank of the river with contain of the Barley, Buckwheat and full of the forest around the tangbe.            

Overnight in Tangbe Hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May-10^th -Day 14: Tangbe to Chusang: 7-8 hrs

We start hike east from the village then soon cross the suspension bridge and onwards to Yak khola, Crossing the yak to south, we then we hit the trail right side- up to top for 2:30 hours (4200m) which is highest elevation in Upper mustang trail. The top provides you wide range range mountain views of the Dhamodar Himal, sirubung Himal, after reaching top we walk in fairly level walk for an hour and half hours, we then eat lunch in Pa actually there is no any settlement but enough water to drink and walk goes gradually down to the edge where we can see the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna range. We then walk really steep down to Chhusang through the rough and Zigzyag trail. to Chhusang.An long day.Time to rest with planty of drinks. Overnight in Chusang Hotel.

This day we have packed lunch as the journey is a bit longer and remote with no place to have lunch.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May-11^th -Day 15: Chhuksang to Kagbeni: 9.8 km

We Retrace to Kagbeni.

Overnight in Kagbeni Hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May-12^th -Day 16: Kagbeni to Jomsom

We Retrace to Jomsom.

Overnight in Kagbeni Hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May-13^th - Day 17^th Fly back Pokhara,Stay at Pokhara. (Rest Days at the day)

(Note: As These days are rest days you can utilize them for sightseeing purpose as given options below. The last of the stay at Pokhara is at Sarangkot(At Super View Lodge) as the sunrise and sunset view of the place is much popular there. We move there at the Evening for the sunset.)

Pokhara City Tour:

Gupteswor Cave -

Opposite of the Devi’s fall, there is a beautiful cave. The whole area of the cave is very big and needs well preparation to explore it. The cave also a popular pilgrimage site. There is a natural image of Lord Shiva, which was naturally found beneath the earth. Many devotees visit the cave every day. Well-maintained steps are constructed with sufficient lights to enter into the cave. There is a small tunnel behind the Shiva image that links the cave to the Devi’s fall. It takes about 10 minutes to reach Devi’s fall through the tunnel. It is an exciting part of the cave that adventure visitors have also the opportunity to enjoy the underground view of Devi’s Fall. Since the tunnel is a kind of adventurous aspect that one should take care while being in the tunnel.

 

Bindabasini Temple -

It is a wonderful and the most popular pilgrimage site located on a small beautiful hillok some 4 km. North of airport. Bindabasini is regarded as Shakti Pitha of goddess Bhagabati. The temple area is like a park and is ideal for sightseeing. There are also few more temples including one Shiva temple nearby Bindabasini Temple.

 

Tibetan Refugee Camp -

There are three Tibetan refugee camps. One is 2km. South from the airport near the Devi’s fall at Chhorepatan, the second is in Prithwichowk and the third is 7km. North of airport in Hemja. All the camps are worth visiting to know Tibetan culture, their tradition and living style. Within the camps there are handicraft centers.

 

Buddhist Monastery -

It is also called Nyeshang Monastery established in 1960 by Manangi Buddhists. This monastery is situated at Matepani about 4km east of the airport. It is built on a small hillock and one can enjoy nice view of Pokhara city as well as the mountain ranges.

 

Seti River -

It is another mysterious natural wonder of Pokhara. Originated from the Machhapuchre glacier, Setiriver runs through the main city area. The river provides a perfect view of its dreadful rush before it goes underground or disappears at Bagar into a deep gorge. The gorge is narrow but very deep that in some place it goes down to more than 60 meters deep. KI Sing Bridge, Mahendrapool and Prithvichowk are the main places to observe the underground river and its roaring sound. The surprising aspect of the river that even during the rainy season the swelling floodwater does not block into the narrow gorge. 

 

May 14^th -Day 18: Morning Sunrise view on Sarangkot, Fly to Kathmandu

We fly to Kathmandu in the afternoon. After arriving in Kathmandu, we will be escorted to our hotel. We enjoy the day leisurely or catch up on some last-minute shopping or explore any landmarks we missed during our first day in Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals: Breakfast

 

May 15^th -Day 19 Rest day in Kathmandu

 

When in Rest-day at the Kathmandu you can visit Patan durbar square as it is not covered initially. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals: Breakfast

May 16^th -Day 20: Final Departure

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with your travel companions and organize your photos. A representative will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

-Included meals: Breakfast

Departure Detail