Tiji Festival of Upper Mustang: A celebration of culture, faith and tradition

Three days of sacred celebration of Tiji Festival

Day 1:  The beginning of the Ritual - Lamas horns resounded, announcing the two twelve-foot copper bunches, with their elephantine blurting, followed by two double-reeled horns, all accompanied by drum and cymbals then an ancient and enormous thanka three stories high is unrolled down the entire south wall of the square. Late afternoon, in high wind and blowing dust, eleven lamas in maroon and gold, wearing high red hats, came from the palace and take their places along the wall beneath the thanka, with Tashi Tenzing on the elevated seat just in the center. The masked dancers start the portrayal of the Tiji myth then Dorje Jono repels the demon through the power of his magical dancing.

Day 2: The battle against Evil - numbers of Loba arrive from the outlying hamlets, and the small square is thronged with wild beautiful people, with all of the women and children, at least, in traditional dress. The King of Mustang “wears a whole crown of tiny river pearls set off by dozens of large red coralline tones interspersed with matched ornaments of turquoise. The costumes and masks, the twelve-foot horns, the gold cups of wheat, the butter cakes, the snow peaks and wind and dust and sun, the mehti, snow leopard, snow pigeons, saligrams, the dying glacier and the desert ruins, the drunks and rajas and foreigners, the dogs and yaks Tantra.

Day 3: Victory of good over Evil - the Tiji festival ends with the ceremonial destruction of the evil remains, represented by some long black yak hair and red torma cakes minced into dark red furry. The demons red remnants are set out on an old tiger skin, whereupon they are attacked by bow and arrow, slings, and the old guns. The poor devil's remains are over- turned upon the ground, each time to a wild cann.

How to reach the Tiji Festival 

The journey an adventure in itself to Lo-Manthang, most visitors begin from Kathmandu with flight or overland driving to Pokhsra and then to Jomsom with flight or overland driving through rocky and narrow road. From Jomsom, the journey goes continues walking or driving through Kagbeni, Chele, Syangboche, Ghami Charang and Lo-Manthang

Why to participate the Tiji Festival

Witness centuries old Buddhist rituals and masked dances

Visit ancient Monasteries, caves and traditional mud-brick villages

Discover the fascination history of the ancient kingdom of mustang

Experience the traditional lifestyle of the local Loba community

Capture unforgettable culture and landscape photography

Permit and Guide Regulations

Mustang is a restricted area which is border with Tibet so navigating the regulatory framework is a strict requirement to trek in.

Recently revised trekking regulations allow a solo traveller to obtain the Restricted Area Permit individually but the requirement to be accompanied by a licensed guide remains mandatory.

Mandatory Guide Rule: Independent trekking is strictly prohibited so you legally must hire a licensed trekking guide through a registered trekking agency.

Now digital and biometric tracking checkpoints are active at Kagbeni or at the entry check in points and your guide will do all entry formalities but keep your physical passport just in case needed.

Visitors need to pay restricted area permit fee of 500 for first 10 days and $ 50 per day afterword.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) fee of $ 23 for the entire trip.

Daily trekking expenses with lodge based (tea-house) trek is cheaper compare to tented camp organise.

Most of all are inclusive agency packages depending on group size, porter allocation, and transport (private jeep, tourist/public bus) or flights.

Crucial Tipping is somehow compulsory so you have to carry plenty of cash in Nepalese Rupees for personal extras expenses. There are no ATMs on the trail, and tea-houses charge out-of-pocket cash fees for Wi-Fi access, hot showers, device charging, and snacks. Make sure your travel insurance explicitly covers high-altitude helicopter evacuation rescues.

The outline trek Itinerary normally 10 vs. 19 Days

While itineraries can theoretically stretch from 10 to 14 days depending on side-trips and route, walking or using jeep drive. Most trekkers choose 12 days walking options which is physically demanding own pace enjoying sceneries and meeting locals along the way.

Day by day itinerary

Best time for Mustang trek and Tiji festival

Autumn (September to November) - Offers the most stable weather, crisp alpine air, crystal visibility of the peaks and teahouses operate with full capacity all the way.

Spring (March to May) - Features warmer temperatures in the lower valleys and spectacular blooming rhododendron forests, though afternoon clouds are more common and teahouses operate with full capacity all the way.

Monsoon (June to August) – Mustang region is rain shadow with less rain so trekking to Mustang is fairly okay with good weather and temperature. Roads and tea-house are open all around and it is even better as the less tourist flow.

Required packing checklists

Tea-houses are with basic facilities of warm blankets so your packing list should focus on modular layering, or good sleeping bag, headlamp and power bank.

Comfortable and good trekking boots, woollen and cotton socks, camp shoes/sandal.

Thermal base layers, lightweight down jacket, rain/wind shell and convertible trekking pants/long sleep shirts/t-shirts.

Water purification tablets or a UV sterilizer as using single-use plastic bottles on the trail is not advised.