Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 2026

Himalayan Dream Team will pick you up at the international airport in kathmandu for your transfer to the hotel. As a welcome you will have a typical Nepalese dinner with some of the staff members. Learn about momo's and Dal bhat and do not forget to try our typical Nepalese drink with great mood of cheers.

2nd day - Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 
After a hearty breakfast, you will be involved with a guided tour of the main attractions of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites which uniquely show the country’s culture and religiosity.

• Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple): This is an ancient Buddhist stupa, located on top of a hill which is admired and sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. It has stunning views of the Kathmandu Valley, and quite a few people from both religions visit the site.
• Pashupatinath Temple: Nepal’s most sacred Hindu Temple, where you can experience Hindu rituals and rituals of cremation along the Bagmati, and learn more about the local customs and practices.
• Kathmandu Durbar Square: Once a royal palace complex of the Malla Kings, and still home to superb Newari architecture, this site contains temples, courtyards, and the famous Kumari Ghar - the residence of the Living Goddess.
• Local Markets: End the day by wandering around and taking in the atmosphere of the busy vegetable and spice bazaars of Kathmandu, while capturing colorful photography of the local streets.

Return to your hotel in the evening and prepare for the scenic flight to Pokhara the next morning, the gateway to the Annapurna region and onward to the mystical landscapes of Upper Mustang.

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the domestic airport for a scenic 25-minute flight to Pokhara, the enchanting “City of Lakes,” located about 200 km driving way west of Kathmandu. The flight itself is a highlight, offering sweeping aerial views of the Langtang, Manaslu, and Annapurna ranges, along with glimpses of lush green hills, river valleys, and sparkling snowcapped peaks.

Upon arrival in Pokhara, you’ll notice the change in atmosphere this laid-back lakeside city is surrounded by serene waters and dramatic Himalayan backdrops. The afternoon is yours to relax and explore at your own pace. Stroll along Phewa Lake, enjoy the reflection of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Peak) shimmering on the water, or simply unwind at a lakeside café.

In the evening, soak in the lively yet peaceful vibe of Pokhara’s Lakeside area, with its colorful shops, restaurants and sunset views over the Annapurna range.

After an early morning breakfast, you board a scenic 25-minute flight from Pokhara to Jomsom (2,740m), soaring above dramatic landscapes and through the world’s deepest gorge carved by the Kali Gandaki River. The flight offers breathtaking aerial views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges before landing in Jomsom, the windswept headquarters of Mustang.

From Jomsom, the trek begins on a gentle trail along the Kali Gandaki riverbed. The path is easy to follow and gradually leads you north toward Kagbeni. Along the way, enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and the Nilgiri range (7,061m) towering above the barren Mustang valley.

After about 3–4 hours of trekking, you arrive at Kagbeni (2,850m), the historic gateway to Upper Mustang. Kagbeni is a charming medieval village with narrow cobblestone alleyways, whitewashed houses, and ruins of an ancient fortress that once controlled the trade routes between Tibet and Nepal. The village also holds deep spiritual significance, with a unique blend of Tibetan culture, monasteries, and traditional lifestyle that transports visitors back in time. 

Our journey starts with the usual permit check up and then we are really off onwards to the riverbank of Kaligandaki. During this walk we will stop at scenic picturesque places along the sandy and windy trails. First we reach the village of Tangbe with its narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. From there we trek forward to Chhusang and after crossing the river head up till we see the huge red chunk of conglomerate , that once broke from the cliff above, and now forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki flows. We head on over small ridges to arrive in Chele.

Morning after breakfast, we leave the village and climb up the unstable pebble road and will come to a plateau. We keep climbing the gentle slope and enter an area with the big canyons. We follow the trail that cut out of the cliff and after passing the canyons we will reach a small pass. Then, we move to a gentle mountain flank and continue the slightly descent and will reach Samar village surrounded by a poplar grove. We will have our lunch here. After lunch, we descend steeply to a stream, then climb up and descend steeply to another stream, then climb up to a plateau. We keep climbing up the right fork to the Chungsi-La and countering through the amazing canyons until reaching Ranchung Cave whose large stalactites resemble Rangchung (self-arisen; ie not man-made) chhorten. The Buddhist saint Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated here in 8th century during his traveling in Mustang. Himalayan griffons nest in the surrounding cliffs. After visiting the cave, we climb gradually past pasture to Syangmochen. Again we climb up to a small pass where there is a colorfully painted square chhorten. We will see a large valley of Ghiling spreading out in front of us. We continue descending to the right towards Ghiling, cross a stream and move on along the stone walls in the farm fields. Here is two ancient monasteries and big huge chhortens and we will visit in the evening. 

In the morning after breakfast, we walk through the big village and climb up the gentle slope with shrubberies and will join in mail trail. From here, a long ascent continues to Nyi-La. When we cross over this pass, we will enter the center of the Mustang, which used to be called the Lo Region. We descend the gentle slope and go around the valley ahead towards the left. We will be overlooking Ghami village and we descend steep zigzag slope and will reach the village. We will have our lunch here. After lunch, we leave the village and cross a river using the suspension bridge. We climb onto the terrace and pass along the longest Mani Wall in Mustang. The effect of the erosion on the cliff ahead attracts attention by its strange forms and the varieties of colors such as red, blue, white, etc. it is like a Mandala painted on the cliff. We keep going in level trail passing the big chhortens and cross a stream. Then, we keep walking along the upstream through the terraced fields until reaching Drakmar.

After breakfast, we leave the village and begin a steep ascent through a gully that opens into alpine meadows and a wide plateau. The trail continues across a valley, gradually climbing to a ridge before descending towards Ghar Gompa (Lo Gyaker). This sacred monastery, linked to the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, is believed to be one of the oldest in Mustang and carries deep spiritual significance. After visiting the Gompa and experiencing its peaceful atmosphere, we descend to a wooden bridge and climb once again towards an open plateau.

From here, the trail leads us into a grassy valley before steadily ascending to Chogo La Pass (the highest point of this route). Crossing the pass, the path descends along cairns and ridges, gradually revealing the first breathtaking views of Lo-Manthang, the legendary walled capital of Upper Mustang. Following herders’ trails across open pastures, we finally arrive at the ancient city of Lo-Manthang, a timeless settlement filled with history, monasteries, and palaces.

Today marks the opening of the Tiji Festival, the most vibrant and spiritual celebration of Upper Mustang. The day begins with the grand unfurling of a huge three-storied Thanka of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), transforming the royal courtyard into a sacred stage. Locals arrive in their finest attire—women adorned with turquoise and coral jewelry, monks in ceremonial robes, and villagers in traditional costumes.

The day’s highlight is the sacred masked dance, narrating the ancient story of Dorje Jono, a divine figure who defeats demons and restores balance to the land. The chants, horns, and drums create a powerful atmosphere, immersing you in a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience.

Overnight at a lodge in Lo-Manthang.

The second day of Tiji continues with elaborate ritual dances performed by Tibetan Lamas, symbolizing the expulsion of hunger, disease, and negative forces. Colorful masks, flowing robes, and dramatic movements fill the courtyard, accompanied by the deep sounds of 12-foot horns, drums, and ritual chants.

This day emphasizes the communal spirit of Mustang, as villagers from across the region gather in Lo-Manthang to celebrate. With traditional offerings such as butter cakes and symbolic animals, the rituals preserve age-old traditions that connect generations. For visitors, it is an extraordinary chance to witness living Tibetan Buddhist culture.

In the morning, we take a short hike to Namgyal Gompa, a striking hilltop monastery that also serves as the local community court. After the visit, we return to Lo-Manthang to witness the closing rituals of the Tiji Festival. On this final day, the symbolic remains of the demons are laid out on an old tiger skin and dramatically destroyed using bows and arrows, antique guns, and catapults. This powerful ritual represents the triumph of good over evil, marking the end of the festival with joy and renewal.

In the afternoon, we begin our trek towards Tsarang (3,560m). The trail crosses a stream and climbs a sandy slope to Lo-La Pass, offering a last panoramic view of the walled city of Lo-Manthang. From here, we traverse across wide plains, passing caves carved into cliffs and a solitary chhorten that marks the boundary between Lo-Manthang and Tsarang. Descending to the Tsarang Khola, we cross by iron bridge and climb to reach the village.

After lunch, we explore the five-storey Tsarang Palace, once a fortified residence of Mustang’s rulers, and the nearby 14th-century Tsarang Gompa, perched dramatically on the edge of the Kali Gandaki Gorge. Both sites reveal the deep cultural and spiritual heritage of this region.

Morning after breakfast, we start our trek from our camp site and exit from the village passing huge chhorten. The trail goes a long gentle ascent until reaching to a ridge and after traverse the route down a rocky gully until reaching in Ghami passing again spectacular Mani Wall in Nepal. We will have our lunch here. After lunch, the trails continue steep up till Ghami-La and again a long gentle ascent brings to us on Nyi-La. Then, we climb down to Tamagaon and continue a steep set of switchbacks down a rocky canyon leads to a stream, then the trail climbs to a huge painted chhorten before rejoining the Ghiling trail near the ridge. We cross the small pass and descend to a Syangmochen.

In the morning after breakfast, we walk short level trail and steep climb up until reaching Yamdo-La. Then, we slightly climb down to Bhena. After passing the hamlets, namely Yamdo and Bhena, a long descent start to Samar crossing small streams. We will have our lunch here. After lunch, we continue the trail passing the big canyons and we reach in Tsaile. After that, we steep descend to the Kaligandaki River and cross by an iron bridge, then continue the trail along the Kaligandaki River until reaching Chhusang and drive to Jomsom.

After breakfast, we head to the airport for our flight back to Pokhara. This 30-minute scenic journey flies between the towering Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. Upon landing in Pokhara, our guide will take us to a lakeside hotel. There, we'll relax by the lake and reflect on the incredible memories from our trek.

On the 15th day of your Mustang Tiji Festival Trek, you’ll begin a scenic flight back to Nepal’s vibrant capital, Kathmandu. As you soar over the majestic landscapes, keep an eye out for one last glimpse of the towering Himalayas—a perfect farewell to your breathtaking adventure.

After the serene beauty of Pokhara, returning to Kathmandu offers a striking contrast, showcasing Nepal’s diverse charm. Upon landing, the rest of the day is yours to unwind, reflect on your incredible journey, or dive back into the city’s lively markets for some last-minute shopping. Take this time to soak in the energy of Kathmandu before your departure.

After breakfast or lunch, depending on your flight time, we will transfer you to the international airport or if you leave by evening, you can put your luggage at the Hotel and enjoy the city one final day