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Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

Mustang Tiji Festival Trek, Mustang Tiji Festival dates May 24th, 25th, and 26th - 2025.


Mustang Tiji Festival 2025 is a three-day annual event, the Traditional and Historical Buddhist Festival Tiji Festival is celebrated in the third month of the Tibetan Calendar.  The Mustang Tiji Festival date is announced for 2025, Tiji festival is celebrating the months of May 24, 25, and 26 in Upper Mustang (Lo -Manthang) 2025. Tiji festival is becoming more popular every year because it is a unique Buddhist festival celebrated only (Upper Mustang) walled city of Lo Manthang.

 

When is the Tiji Festival in Mustang 2025?


Mustang Tiji Festival Date 2025 - May 24, 25, and 26 - 2025. 
The year 2025 Tiji Festival starts on May 24 and ends on May 26 - 2025. Visit Himalaya Treks organized Mustang Tiji festival trek each year with departure guaranteed. Mustang Tiji Festival is celebrating the annual Tiji Festival in Upper Mustang Lo Manthang. Tiji Festival is a three-day event, always held in the third Tibetan Month (Month of May).


Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Highlights.

  • Three days annual Historical Buddhist Tiji Festival.
  • Explore the walled City of Lo Manthang known as the forbidden kingdom.
  • Visit the Historical Chossar Cave located close to the Tibet border.
  • Visit one of the ancient monasteries Ghar Gumpa built in the eighth century.
  • Ruins of Charang village old Buddhist monastery and breathtaking landscapes.


Mustang Tiji Festival is a fascinating annual three-day festival consisting of Tibetan rituals that celebrate the myth of a son who had to save the Mustang kingdom from destruction. The festival is indigenous to Lo-Manthang, Upper Mustang. "Tiji" the name is an abbreviation of the word "Tempa Chirim" which means "Prayer for World Peace". This festival commemorates the victory of Lord Buddha's incarnation Dorjee Sonnu over a demon called Man Tam Ru a vicious creature feeding on human beings and causing storms and droughts.

The Tiji festival usually takes place around May and lasts for 3 days. The monks of Lo Manthang's "Choedhe" monastery perform ritual dances during the celebration. The harassment of Ma Tam Ru Ta (in a dance called "Tsa Chham" on the first day), the birth of Dorjee Sonnu as the demon's son (on the second day called "Nga Chham"), and the attempt to return the demon to Lord Buddha's realm (on the third and final day) are enacted during the performances. Fresh Video of Mustang Tiji Festival celebration.  

 

When is the Tiji Festival? How to celebrate the Mustang Tiji Festival? Why is the Tiji festival celebrated? These are the questions always travelers are want to know, here we would like to share more information about the Mustang Tiji Festival and also would like to include short Clips of Videos about the Mustang Tiji Festival celebration. 


Mustang Tiji Festival is celebrating the annual Tiji Festival in Upper Mustang Lo Manthang. Tiji Festival is a three-day event, always held in the third Month of the Tibetan calendar (Month of May). In 2025, Tiji Festival will be celebrated on May 24, 25, and 26 - 2025. It is performed in the square in front of the (Mustang King’s Palace) Tashi Gephel Palace, within the walled city of Lo Manthang, Mustang. Mustang Tiji Festival Trek allows one to witness, celebrate, and take part in this significant festival of the people of Mustang.

Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Chaam Dance during Mustang Tiji festival in Lo Manthang.

Mustang Tiji festival is one of the most well-known and revered festivals in Upper Mustang. It is a time of celebration and religious pilgrimage for the people of Mustang. The festival initially began as a religious ceremony, to ward off obstacles and suffering that might befall the country. Later it also came to symbolize the hope and strength of the people of Mustang.


Mustang lies in the rain shadows of the Himalayas and has environmental difficulties, yet its situation along the main salt trade route made it a highly prized location regularly invaded by neighboring states. So, the Tiji Festival is a fervent prayer by the King and Queen for peace and stability in Mustang.  You can also read our blog about the history of the Tiji festival. The Mustang Tiji festival trek provides such a great opportunity to be involved with local peoples and see their culture, and traditions in this historical land.

How to celebrate the Tiji (Tinji) festival in Upper Mustang?


Mustang Tiji Festival first day:
The morning begins with the assembly of monks and offerings of Vajrakila prayers in Chode Gompa. The afternoon sees a flurry of activity in the square. Amidst the blare of traditional long copper horns or dungchen and the beating of drums and cymbals, an enormous scroll painting or thanka depicting Padmasambhava is unfurled on the south wall of the square.

This thangka is said to be more than 400 years old, and hand embroidered with an image of Padmasambhava and two Dakinis. After offering incense Ngagpas or tantric practitioners, Lo-Manthang offers six bowls of grain and torma on a wooden altar. This is followed by the arrival of monks in red pointed hats who take a seat beneath the unfurled thangka. The Khempo or abbot of the Chode Gompa is seated on a slightly higher dias in the center flanked at the far end by monks blowing the dungchen.

Amidst the chanting of hymns and offering of prayers the masked dances begin. This is eagerly watched by the people gathered in the square of the Palace. The masked dancers start the dance from the Mustang royal palace with a private audience for the King in his private room. The Tsowo who can be recognized by the most elaborate headgear, makes offerings and thus starts the ceremony. Together they then gradually leave the palace and move down the square where the public and travelers eagerly wait.

Over a period of about 2 hours, the Tsacham is performed; a gentle and slow masked dance featuring graceful movements and turns. The Tsowo dances in the center flanked all around by the other dancers in the form of a Mandala. A total of about 52 different forms of steps are performed. The masked dances represent the preparation or invoking of the gods and the purification and preparation of the soil on which the dances are performed. The Tsowo guides his fellow dancers into each form by signaling each change with a verbal command. To the untrained eye, such subtle changes and steps are seamless.

Mustang Tiji Festival second day:
The morning of the second day begins again with offerings of prayers to Vajrakila and an assembly in the monastery. The afternoon starts with the unfurling of another large thangka a near replica of the earlier one. The Masked dances on the second day are more active and are executed in a more aggressive style. Weapons and animal forms are seen in the dance sequence on this day, representing the various means used to drive away evil. The final act is the slaying of the demon. This is depicted by the piercing of the straw effigy by Tsowo with the religious dagger. This symbolizes the evil demon being slain by the deity Dorje Shunu. The straw effigy is then thrown into the air.

Mustang Tiji Festival Third day:
On the third and final day the morning begins again with offerings of prayers to Vajrakila by the monks in the monastery. In the afternoon, Tsowo offers ritualistic offerings of nectar as an appeal for help from all the gods. Before and after the effigy is cut, there are again dances by monks wearing masks depicting animals. Finally, the dances come to an end with the formation of a raucous procession led by the masked dancers and followed by the King and members of the royal family, representatives of the village development committees, and the local people.

In the Mustang King’s Palace, the final celebrations are made by offering prayers. There is much rejoicing with the offering of Tsampa to the gods amidst a whirl of white on the rooftop of the palace. Finally, there is an exchange of greetings between the King and Khempo and other monks. The peoples of Mustang express their great luck and fortune at being able to witness yet another Tiji Festival and they pray that many more good years follow. 

Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Monks Dance during the Tiji festival in Mustang Nepal.


Tiji Festival 2025 date and Itinerary,
May 14 - 2025: Arrive in Kathmandu. (1338 meters).
May 15 - 2025: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation.
May 16 - 2025: Drive to Pokhara. (900 meters).
May 17 - 2025: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni. (2800 meters).
May 18 - 2025: Trek to Chele. (3050 meters).
May 19 - 2025: Trek to Syangmochen. (3800 meters).
May 20 - 2025: Trek to Dhakmar. (3500 meters).
May 21 - 2025: Trek to Charang. (3600 meters).
May 22 - 2025: Trek to Lo-Manthang. (3720 meters
May 23 - 2025: Explore around Lo-Manthang.

May 24 - 2025: Tiji Festival (1st day). Tiji Festival Starts. (1st day)
May 25 - 2025: Tiji Festival (2nd day). Tiji Festival continues. (2nd day)
May 26 - 2025: Tiji Festival (3rd day). Tiji Festival Ends (3rd day)

May 27 - 2025: Trek to Ghami. (3510 meters).
May 28 - 2025: Trek to Samar. (3620 meters).
May 29 - 2025: Trek to Chhusang. (2980 meters
May 30 - 2025: Trek to Muktinath. (3700 meters).
May  31 - 2025: Trek to Jomsom. (2720 meters).
June 01 - 2025: Fly back to Kathmandu via Pokhara.
June 02 - 2025: Free day at Kathmandu.
June 03 - 2025: Departure.

Enjoy a short clip of the Mustang Tiji Festival video.

Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Detail Itinerary

DAY
  • 1

    A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. 

    Altitude 1350 m
    Meals Breakfast
    Accommodation Hotel
  • 2

    A full day guided tour to several of historical and spiritual attractions enlisted under the World Heritage Sites. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing on the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided. 

    Altitude 1350 m
    Meals Breakfast
    Accommodation Hotel
  • 3

    We drive to Pokhara through Prithivi Highway on a private vehicle. Pokhara is the lake city of the country and is less polluted and crowded compared to Kathmandu. Views of Annapurna range and the dominating figure of Machapuchhre (also known as Fishtail) (6997 meters) dominates both the sky and the beautiful Phewa Lake with its reflection in it. Afternoon can be enjoyed by the lake, as the hotel is located near to the lake. (5-6 hours drive) 

    Altitude 900 m
    Meals Breakfast & Lunch
    Accommodation Hotel
  • 4

    An early morning scenic flight to Jomsom (25 minutes) is followed by a leisurely breakfast at Jomsom. We meet up with our crew and after a brief introduction and a quick sorting of our daypack and the main bags, we start our trek. The trek heads into the Kali Gandaki Valley, following the Kali Gandaki River. Most part of the trekking is on newly built secondary road. The trail closely follows the river the whole day on the road and passes through Ekle Bhatti. The day ends at Kagbeni, one of the big settlements of the region. The restricted area starts after the village of Kagbeni. (3 hours) 

    Altitude 2800 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 5

    The trek continues on the road and moves further up in the valley with a good uphill climb and a brief drop near Tangbe Village. The medieval looking village also marks the trek’s entry into Upper Mustang region. Leaving the village, the trail continues to follow the river and passes through the village of Chhusang. The trek gets off the road and a brief steep ascent at the end of the day ends at Chele. (6 hours) 

    Altitude 3050 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 6

    A short climb starts the day and the trail gradually climbs through a narrow and deep gully. At the end of the gully, the trek gets back on to the road at Dajong La (3660 meters) and an easy walk leads through a small village of Samar. The trail once again leaves the road and drops into a small stream. After the stream, a steep uphill climb continues to the Bhena La (3830 meters) and once again meets the road. The trek continues on the road, passes through small teashops at Bhena, and continues to gradually ascend once again. The ascend ends at Syangmochen La (3800 meters) and the views of the valleys of the whole region opens up at the Syangmochen La. A steep drop finally ends at Syangmochen. (7 hours) 

    Altitude 3920 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 7

    The trek gets back on the road and after a brief climb in the morning; the trail again starts to descend. The trail continues to descend and heads towards Tamagaon instead of dropping to the villages of Ghiling. The trail undulates until the village of Jhaite and a zigzag climb leads to the top of Nyi La (4020 meters). Once again, fantastic views can be enjoyed from the top of the pass. Another descent lead to the Ghami village and the descent continues leaving the road to the bottom of the village. A steep climb followed by a brief downhill ends the day at Dhakmar. (7 hours) 

    Altitude 3820 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 8

    A climb continues the trek and leads to the top of the Muila Bhanjyang (4170 meters) and a downhill leads to the Ghar Gomba, the oldest monastery of the region. The trail now gets of the regular trail and descends down to Marang and then onto the village of Charang. (7 hours) 

    Altitude 4170 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 9

    A quick drop to the river is followed by a short climb. At the end of the climb, the trail gets back on the road and continues to be on the road for the most of the day. The trek gets off the road near Lo-Manthang and quickly undulates for a brief period and enters the capital of the Mustang, Lo-Manthang (the walled city). (5 hours) 

    Altitude 3840 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 10

    The day can be used to explore the interesting nearby villages of Chossar, Kimalang and Thinggar. There are centuries old caves at Chossar and similarly old monasteries in the villages of Kimalang and Chossar. The day could also be used to take a jeep ride to the Tibet border which boasts stunning views of the valleys of Mustang. 

    Altitude 3840 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 11

    Tiji Festival Starts. (1st day) (Overnight at Tea House) Attending to Tiji Festival first day.

    Altitude 3840 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 12

    Tiji Festival continues. (2nd day) (Overnight at Tea House)

    Altitude 3840 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 13

    Tiji Festival Ends (3rd day) (Overnight at Tea House)

    Altitude 3840 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 14

    The return trek starts and follows the previously trekked route. The trek passes through Charang village and crosses the Charang La. At the bottom of the Charang La, the trek heads into a different route and gradually descends passing the longest Mani Wall (555 meters) of the country. The downhill becomes a bit steeper as the trail drops into the river and again climbs up to the village of Ghami. (7 hours) 

    Altitude 3510 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 14

    The trek continues to return via the same route taken before. (6 hours) 

    Altitude 3620 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 16

    The trek continues to return via the same route taken before. (3 hours) 

    Altitude 2980 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 17

    The trek leaves the previously travelled route and starts to ascend to Gyu La (4077 meters). The top of Gyu La offers stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Ranges. The trail drops to the village of Chyanggur and gradually continues to go downhill to Muktinath. Muktinath is one of the most sacred sites to the Hindu people and attracts thousands of people each year. (7 hours) 

    Altitude 4077 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 18

    The trek again gets back on the road and slowly continues to go downhill. The road keeps losing height and meets the previously trekked route at Ekle Bhatti. Another easy walk finally ends the trek at Jomsom. (5 hours) 

    Altitude 2720 m
    Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation Tea House
  • 19

    An early morning flight to Pokhara is followed by another flight to Kathmandu and free day at Kathmandu.

    Altitude 1350 m
    Meals Breakfast
    Accommodation Hotel
  • 20

    A leisure day in Kathmandu which can used for an early morning mountain flights to Everest or can extended into further more tours to Chitwan, Lumbini etc. Further adventure activities like rock climbing, hiking, biking around the Kathmandu valley with bungee jumping, rafting near the valleys can be done on this free day. (This is also spare day in case of cancellation of flights) 

    Altitude 1335 m
    Meals Breakfast
    Accommodation Hotel
  • 21

    A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future. 

    Altitude 1350 m
    Meals Breakfast
    Accommodation No

Cost Includes

    • Arrivals and departure transportation by car (We will collect you from the Kathmandu international airport) and transfer to Hotel.
    • A full day sightseeing in Kathmandu city with a city guide and necessary transportation.
    • 5 nights accommodation (2 persons per room) in Kathmandu in a 3* standard Hotel with breakfast.
    • Private (car/bus) ride to Pokhara.
    • Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara - Kathmandu airfare including airport taxes.
    • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) while on trek.
    • Accommodation Best available tea House. 
    • Salary, insurance, food, and accommodation for guides and porters.
    • A porter to carry your luggage on treks (Per person 15-kilogram luggage).
    • Special Permit Fees, National Park Entry Fees, Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS).
    • First Aid Kit.
    • Government taxes and service charges.

Cost Excludes

    • Nepal entry Visa Fee.
    • Personal Travel Insurance (Compulsory).
    • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
    • Entry fee at the sightseeing sites.
    • Personal expenses like beverages (mineral water, alcohol, and soft drinks), telephone bills, laundry, bar bills, personal tips, etc.

Cost & Date

Start Dates are your arrival date in Nepal and End Dates are the returning date from Nepal.

The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.

Upcoming Trip Departure

  • Guaranteed - Trip is Guaranteed to run
  • Available - Trip is available to run if minimum group size is filled
  • Limited - Only few space available
  • Booking Closed - Maximum group size is filled

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Reviews ( 3 Reviews For This Package )

Anna Malone, From Australia

Upper Mustang To See The Yearly Tiji Festival.

Date: April 25 to May 15 – 2024.

An absolutely fantastic trip with VHT to the Upper Mustang to see the yearly Tiji Festival!

Organization was top-notch - especially important for me as I traveled alone. Communication with Himal and Raj was excellent and always immediate. I was guided by Rajan with Narayan as my porter. They were both extremely professional and caring! Of note, the trip cost included all meals whilst hiking, so it was great value and without the worry of budgeting!

The trip was complicated by bush fires causing a cancelled flight, but Raj and Rajan sorted a Jeep with no hassle. The whole thing was easy and seamless. I would highly recommend it as a bespoke small-group tour group.

Geert Beikes And Sjoekie Beikes, From - Italy

Mustang tiji festival Celebration trip with Visit Himalaya Treks

If you want to go for a trek in Nepal, visit the site of Visit Himalaya Treks. This company is one of the most reliable companies in Nepal. We went trekking in Upper Mustang in May during the Mustang Tiji Festival this year and we have been really surprised by the expertise and professionalism of the organization and our guide. We had a wonderful time and were deeply touched by the imposing places where our guide escorted us......so highly recommended! Geert Beikes and Sjoekie Beikes.

Sandy Osborne & Kathryn Blenkin, From - Australia

Mustang Tiji Festival Trek with Visit Himalaya Treks!!!

Namaste Himal and Team, I just wanted to say what a memorable time I had on the Mustang Valley - Tiji Festival Trek that I have just returned from. The whole cultural experience of attending this annual Buddhist festival was amazing. The absolutely stunning views of such a dry and unusual landscape with the snow-capped Himalayan Range as a backdrop meant that at every turn there was a jaw-dropping sight – making every step (and the wind) worth it! I could not speak highly enough of our guide and porter, Rajan and Krishan. They definitely made our trip the best, with their attentiveness, attention to detail, advice, sense of humor, card games, and conversation.

At all times our comfort and needs were of the highest importance and we had absolute trust in their abilities. As there was only myself, and my friend on the trek we were able to be flexible with some of our itinerary. The accommodation was great on the teahouse trek. We were often surprised with our own bathroom! The food was amazing throughout the trip. We were able to order all meals off the menus at the teahouses and it was all included in our trip cost. There were a variety of meals, from Nepalese to Mexican food. Never once over the 3 weeks did I have any problems with anything that I ate. We were spoilt each morning with our choice of ‘wake up’ tea or coffee brought to our room by Krishan.

It was reassuring to be met at Kathmandu airport by Himlal and Rajan. Other local transportation was always well organized. From our first emails, through the whole booking process, and throughout the trek, I had the utmost confidence in your company. Thank you so much! I have recommended you to so many people already. I wish you all a very happy and successful trekking season ahead and hope that I will be able to join you again sometime in your beautiful country – Nepal! Kind Regards, Sandra Osborne Wallabi Point. NSW Australia.

FAQs

The 3 days ritual Tiji festival is going to celebrate 16, 17 and 18 May 2023. This festival is celebrate according to the Tibetan Calendar which is always third month of Tibetan Calendar.

Holiday should never be about making it to the final point quickly. Along your trek, we can add days at your request with additional costs to cover guides, porters, accommodation, and food.

Weather in the mountains is notoriously difficult to predict. Generally, nights are chillingly cold, whereas, the days are warmer. Winter (December, January and February) will be a colder and there will be a snow during the month of December, January and February. Upper Mustang is desert land, located behind of the massif Himalayas, also known by Wendy valley so warm and wind protect clothes are highly recommended. The temperature could be as high as 20-degree c to 10 degree c low during the day time.

An average physical fitness should be maintained prior to booking a trek. Any sort of illness or recent medical problems should be mentioned while booking a trip. Most of our itineraries are prepared to give you maximum time to acclimatize and pace-setting on the treks would be done according to your convenience. If you are having regular medication then tell us before the trip started which would be better for us to give you the physical feedback.

Our main concern is your safety. We never compromised on your safety during the Trekking and all our guides are properly trained and well equipped to take care of our client's safety even in remote areas as well.

There would be always back support in case of an emergency situation like severe high-altitude sickness or accident (which is least expected), you will be sent to the nearest hospital, if possible, otherwise rescued by a helicopter and sent you to the hospital as soon as possible. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred for the use of such emergency services, please make sure that your travel insurance covers both- medical and emergency evacuation costs.

It is not a problem at all because in a mountain most of the tea houses/lodges serve vegetarian food as well and our guide will take care at the time of cooking and on a camping trek, our cook and staffs will care all about the food section.

Most of the lodges in the mountains are basic like a guest house or tea house style. In a few major settlements Lodges are upgraded, where are the possibilities we provide you with the best accommodation.

Lately, most of the teahouses have electricity supply even with solar panels. So, charging your gadgets is not a problem at all. But charging your battery some additional will be apply (US$ 1 to 3 approx. per hour.), in order to get your gadgets to be charged.

Now a day’s most of the major village has a cell phone network connection. However, in a remote area where cell phone does not work, and even if there is not any other communication access then we used satellite phone along with our guide so you can easily be in touch with your family.

Yes, either you can store at the same hotel as you stayed or we can store your goods with us safely in our office free of cost.

The luggage must not exceed up to 15 kilograms. A trekking helper (porter) carries the baggage of fewer than 15 kilograms. This bag can be received at the end of each day’s trek and you should carry the rest of the weight as a day bag with all your money and valuables inside it.

This is a difficult thing to gauge. We have seen everything from USD 25 to USD 900 per person for guides and porters. Tipping is not required, but a small gesture of thanks to your guides and local porters. The level of the tip should reflect the level of satisfaction from and personal involvement with your guide. However, we recommend you to spend a minimum of 10% of your total trip cost for tipping the entire local staff.

$ 2600 / Person
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21 Days Nepal
TRIP OVERVIEW
Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Altitude 3840 m
Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Region Upper Mustang Region
Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Difficulty Moderate
Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Group size 2+ Peoples
Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Best Season May
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