Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek(3,800 m)

Trek at a glance

Trek highlights

About this trek

The Tiji Festival is one of Nepal's most vivid and spiritually rich celebrations, held annually within the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang, capital of Upper Mustang. This journey carries you from Kathmandu through Pokhara and into the remote, restricted region of Upper Mustang - a high-altitude desert landscape of eroded cliffs, whitewashed monasteries, and centuries-old trade routes along the Kali Gandaki River.

Trekking through villages such as Kagbeni, Chele, Syangbochen, and Ghiling, you'll experience the raw beauty and deep Tibetan cultural roots of the region before arriving in Lo Manthang in time for the festival's opening ceremony. Over three unforgettable days, you'll witness the sacred Tiji drama unfold, performed by monks of the Chhoede Monastery amid fluttering prayer flags and echoing horns. Following the celebration, the journey returns via Jomsom and Pokhara before concluding in Kathmandu, leaving you with a rare, unforgettable encounter with one of the Himalayas' most sacred living festivals.

About the Tiji Festival

The word "Tiji" is short for "Tenchi," meaning Prayer for World Peace. This three-day Tibetan Buddhist festival tells the story of Dorje Jono, a deity who saved Mustang from destruction by defeating a demon threatening the region. The festival showcases sacred masked dances known as "Cham," performed by monks of the Chhoede Monastery in Lo Manthang, with each day representing a different act of the legendary battle:

• Day 1 – Tsa Chham: Monks perform dances depicting the beginning of evil in the region

• Day 2 – Nga Chham: The dances portray Dorje Jono's attempts to defeat the demon

• Day 3 – Rha Chham: Victory is declared as the demon is banished and peace is restored

Surrounded by ancient monasteries and chanting lamas, the atmosphere is mystical, immersive, and unforgettable — a rare opportunity to witness a centuries-old spiritual performance in one of the most remote corners of the world.

Lo Manthang itself sits at around 3,800 meters and is known for its whitewashed mud-brick palaces, centuries-old monasteries, and distinct Tibetan architecture, largely unchanged for generations due to the region's isolation.

Tiji Festival 2027 dates: 1st–3rd June 2027 (as per the Tibetan lunar calendar)

Tentative Tiji Festival 2028 dates: 21st–23rd May 2028 (subject to confirmation by local monks)