Experience the ultimate cultural journey with the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek, an extraordinary adventure into Nepal’s pristine, rain-shadowed desert realm, recognized by The New York Times as a must-visit destination. Centered around the vibrant 3-day Tiji Festival in the ancient walled city of Lo-Manthang, this spiritual trek lets you immerse yourself in age-old rituals, masked monk dances, and local traditions celebrating the triumph of good over evil. As you journey through dramatic Himalayan peaks, desolate landscapes, and ancient sky caves, you’ll discover a region preserved in time before descending through sacred pilgrimage sites like Muktinath. Perfect for culture seekers and intrepid hikers alike, this once-in-a-lifetime expedition combines mystical folklore with unmatched mountain scenery.
Tiji Festival In Mustang
Trip Highlights of Tiji Festival
- Live Cultural Immersion: Witness and participate in the vibrant 3-day Tiji Festival in Lo-Manthang, featuring elaborate costumed mask dances by Choedhe monastery monks.
- Ancient Walled Kingdom: Explore the walled city of Lo-Manthang, remote Buddhist monasteries, and historic sky caves set against a stunning Himalayan backdrop.
- Rain-Shadow Trekking: Enjoy ideal trekking conditions even during the early monsoon season, as Upper Mustang remains dry behind the Himalayas.
- Sacred Pilgrimage Sites: Visit the holy shrine of Muktinath and unwind in the picturesque mountain hub of Jomsom.
- Exclusive Himalayan Wilderness: Trek through one of the world's most well-preserved, high-altitude desert landscapes with restricted-area access.
There is no better time to visit the Mustang region than during the Tiji Festival! The whole district has a spiritual aura around it during this auspicious 3-day festival, which celebrates the victory of God over the demon and good over evil. While on the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek, you feel like you’re in some faraway land, frozen in time, participating in age-old rituals. Well, that’s not too far off from reality. Not to mention, the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek leads you through one of the most well-preserved landscapes in the world. The trail never ceases to amaze those seeking an unmatched trekking experience with its enormous Himalayan peaks, ancient sky caves, and desolate wilderness.
The allure of the Tiji Festival lies in the rich mythology and animated rituals that take place. The monks of Choedhe and surrounding monasteries in Lo-Manthang dress in elaborate costumes to re-enact the story and celebrate its significance. The story has it: the Mustang region was in trouble years ago. A demon was wreaking havoc on the area, spreading disease and taking away the people’s water. Then, Dorje Jono (an incarnation of Buddha) defeated the demon, sparing the Mustang region from destruction.
Upper Mustang is one of the must-go travel destinations, according to the New York Times.
While on the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek, you are not just an onlooker of the festival; you get to actively participate in it with the local people. Absorb the energy and excitement radiating from the monks and the Lobas (natives of the Mustang region). After three days of festivities in Lo-Manthang, we take our time descending. There are more remote monasteries to visit and ancient Buddhist monuments to see! The final destinations of the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek are Muktinath and Jomsom. Muktinath has a famous pilgrimage site with an incredible viewpoint, and Jomsom is a wonderful place to wind down and celebrate the end of a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual adventure.
Upcoming Mustang Valley Tiji Festival Dates: 2027
The 2027 Tiji Festival in Upper Mustang will be celebrated from June 1 to June 3, 2027. June is the beginning of the monsoon season in Nepal; don't worry! Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, so you will stay dry throughout your trek. The date for the Tiji Festival in 2028 has not yet been finalized.
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek & Tour Permits
Planning a trip to Upper Mustang has become much easier thanks to some recent updates to Nepal’s entry and permit processes. The Restricted Area Permit (RAP) now operates on a daily rate of USD 50 per person for the time you actually spend in the restricted zone, replacing the old block system. The whole process is far less tedious now—you no longer have to visit the immigration office in person with your physical passport. Following Nepal's launch of its full pre-arrival e-Visa and Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system on August 17, 2026, international travelers can handle their visa application, fee payment, and travel approval entirely online before leaving home. Once you have your online visa details, a passport photo, and proof of travel insurance (which is now mandatory), a registered agency can seamlessly issue your RAP permits for you. Lastly, since Upper Mustang falls inside the Annapurna region, you’ll still need the standard Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit—which costs about USD 20 and covers your entire stay—though you won't need a TIMS card for this route.
Mustang Tiji Festival at a Glance
On Day 1 of the festival, the monks perform a dance known as ‘Tsa Chaam,’ which represents the birth of Dorje Jono and the trouble that the demon brought to the Kingdom of Mustang. Monks dressed as demons pretend to harass the people of Mustang in an interactive performance.
On Day 2, things get interesting as "Nga Chaam’ is acted out. Dorje Jono attempts to bring the demon to the Buddha Realm.
On the third and final day, the ‘Rha Chaam’ ceremony happens. During this dance, Dorje Jono finally defeats the demon and expels him from Mustang, acted out by the monk playing Dorje Jono throwing an effigy of Ma Tam Ru Ta (the demon). The rituals bring great joy and peace to the people of Mustang, and in carrying out these rituals, they hope to spread peace throughout the world.
What You’ll Explore
Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu.
Upon your arrival at the Kathmandu airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Rugged Trails Nepal who will take you to your hotel. Welcome drinks upon arrival at the hotel and free time until 6 pm. Evening welcome dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant with authentic Nepali cuisine and a cultural program. Overnight in Kathmandu hotel.
Kathmandu Drive to Pokhara
Pokhara Drive to Tatopani
Tatopani Drive to Kagbeni via Muktinath 3800 M
Kagbeni Drive to Charang
Charang Drive to LoManthang (Tiji Festival First Day)
Tiji Festival Day 2nd
Last day of Tiji Festival
Lomanthang Drive to Jomsom
Drive to Kathmandu
Final Departure from Nepal
This is a standard 11-day tour itinerary for Upper Mustang, focusing on the region's most popular celebration, the Tiji Festival. The plan includes three full days dedicated to experiencing the festival and exploring around Lo Manthang. Since traveling by road has become much easier for everyone, this is designed as a Jeep drive tour rather than a trek—specifically tailored around the Tiji Festival. If you are short on time, this plan can also be customized into a shorter 7 to 8-day trip.
Trip Map & Altitude
Cost Details
What’s Included
- Full Board (breakfast, lunch, and Dinner) in Trekking
- Domestic Airfare Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara (both way) as per itinerary/price
- Accommodations during the trek.
- The government registered English-speaking local expert guides and porters.
- Annapurna National Park fees
- Upper Mustang trekking permit.
- Accommodations in Kathmandu and Pokhara include breakfast.
- Guided tour in the city with an expert tour guide.
- Welcome and farewell dinner in the city
- Insurance for all staff and porters.
- All transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek
- First Aid Kit for the Upper Mustang Trek.
- Updated Upper Mustang Trekking Map
- Salary, allowances, expenses and insurance for all staff, including porters
- All government taxes.
- Trip organized with safety protocols during the Covid-19 Pandemic
What’s Excluded
- Lunch and dinner during the hotel stay in Kathmandu
- Extra baggage charges
- Personal gear and clothing (available on hire)
- Tips for guide and porters,
- Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation or roadblock due to any reason,
- Personal travel insurance in case of an emergency.
- Services other than those mentioned above
- International airfare and airport taxes.
- Items of personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry, and mineral water
- Entrance fees during the sightseeing in the city
- Domestic flight tickets (Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu) for the optional plan only
Private Trip
Client Reviews
“Fantastic Trek,”
I went on a trek with Nirajan of Rugged Trails and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Very professional from the time he picked me up at the airport until he...
Similar Treks
