Celebrate Tiji Festival 2024 at Upper Mustang. Unexpected components of a regular trek include color, splendor, chanting, and dancing. You will, however, get to experience all of these and more on the Mustang Tiji Festival trek. Tenpa Chirim is the local term for the Tiji celebration, also known as the Tenchi festival. Tiji is a much-anticipated celebration that consists of prayers for a plentiful crop and commemorates the end of a protracted drought. It is thought that a demon that caused sickness and drought once afflicted the historic walled kingdom of Lo Manthang. According to mythology, Lo experienced prosperity after the Buddhist god Vajrakila, often referred to as Dorje Jono, slew the demon.
One of Nepal’s most intriguing bordering regions with Tibet is Mustang, which is mostly populated by people of Tibetan ancestry. The whole Mustang region has been divided into Lower Mustang and Upper Mustang due to its sensitivity. Visitors must get a special permit to enter the Upper Mustang region, which has been designated as a restricted area. Natural resources, especially uranium, and scenic beauty are abundant across the region. Aside from this, the main draws of Mustang include the Himalayas, the source of the Kaligandaki River, which is well-known for fossils and ammonite and is considered sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus, as well as a plethora of monasteries and caves.
Upper Mustang, commonly referred to as the last forbidden kingdom of Nepal, is a desolate region in the Himalayas and the oldest route for commerce with Tibet. With awe-inspiring views of the massif Himalayas, including Dhaulagiri (8091m/26545ft), Annapurna (8091m/26545ft), and Nilgiri (7061m/23166ft), Mustang is a highly sought-after destination for trekkers.
What makes the Tiji festival trek worthwhile?
The monks of Chhode monastery perform a unique Vajrakila rite in commemoration of a Buddhist miracle, which is intended to remove all bad aspects in Mustang and promote the well-being of all sentient creatures. Thus, sacred dances are presented annually in the Mustang Royal Palace courtyard over three days in the third month of the Tibetan calendar.
About three months in advance, festival preparations begin. On the other hand, you will witness the once-forbidden kingdom of Lo Manthang uniting to celebrate this magnificent Buddhist festival whilst on your Tiji festival trip. You’ll be enthralled by the three days of festivities and Mustang’s distinct terrain.
Dates of the Tiji Festival in 2024
Nepal uses a lunar calendar; hence, the dates of religious or traditional celebrations might change based on the moon cycle of that particular year. It is customary to celebrate the event on the 27th, 28th, and 29th day of the third Tibetan month. These are the approximate dates, converted to the Gregorian calendar:
05 May 2024: First Day of the Tiji Festival 06 May 2024: Second day of the Tiji Festival 07 May 2024: Third day of the Tiji Festival
How do get there?
Located in the Gandaki area of western Nepal, Lo Manthang is nestled in the northernmost corner of Mustang.
1. Take a ride on the bus.
Rumbling over the dusty countryside, the glorious Himalayas are always in the background. Currently, there is an even more affordable and enlightening option available: bus transportation to Upper Mustang. Opt for the ease of direct bus travel from Kathmandu to Muktinath, located around 45km south of Lo Manthang, and immerse yourself in the stunning sceneries along the route.
Making the trip in two halves would be far more comfortable.
- Travel to Pokhara by bus from Kathmandu (approximately 6-7 hours)
- Jomsom to Pokhara (about 7 hours)
- Travel through Ghami for around 7-8 hours to get from Jomsom to Lo Manthang.
2. Take a Jeep ride
Hiring a vehicle would be a more comfortable and pleasant way to get to Lo Manthang. There are also public jeeps available, but a little bit busier. Still, it’s among the easiest routes to reach the barren and rocky Upper Mustang.
The jeep trip will take many days to complete. This is a general synopsis of the Jeep trip:
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (6-7 hrs drive). Drive from Pokhara to Jomsom (6-7 hrs drive). Chuksang to Jomsom 6-hour drive) Chuksang to Lo Manthang via Samar and Tsarang (about a 6-hour drive)
Combine the best of both worlds by flying and trekking.
Trek across the parched valleys and discover the captivating enchantment of the Upper Mustang Trek. Take in the expansiveness of the Himalayas, which makes it possible to thoroughly explore Upper Mustang, Nepal’s final Forbidden Kingdom. This is a sample of what to anticipate from these incredible treks:
Flying to Pokhara from Kathmandu (30-minute flight) Jomsom to Pokhara flight (approx. 30 min) Trek for around 4 hours from Jomsom to Kagbeni Chele to Kagbeni (around a 6-hour trek) Syanbochen to Chele (about a seven-hour trek) Syanbochen hikes to Ghami, around six hours. Ghami to Tsarang (approx. 6-hour trek) Lo-Manthang to Tsarang (about a 4-hour trek)
Things to be aware of before traveling for the Tiji festival:
Technicalities, delays, and ways to prepare.
Flights to Mustang are known to be often delayed due to topographical and climate-related challenges. Still, it is preferable to take off a bit later than to have an unfavorable outcome. Be careful to pack light food and comfy clothing in case you have to wait longer than you anticipated at the airport.
Discover more about Mustang
The majority of people in Upper Mustang are Thakali and Tibetan in origin. They belong to one of the rare groups of people who practice authentic Tibetan Buddhism. Aside from religious rites, certain antiquated societal rituals are still in place. Specifically, there is the custom of fraternal polyandry, which involves brothers from the same family getting married to the same female. It’s still a widely accepted tradition.
Make a friendship with locals!
The majority of people living in the dry valley speak Nepali, while there are few forgotten dialects. To get to know the people, you may use any of the following greeting expressions:
Namastey: Hello/Greetings Dhanyabaad: Thank you Kasto cha?: How are you? Huncha / Hudaina: Yes/no Mitho cha: It’s tasty Vetera khusee laagyo: nice to meet you maaf garnu hos: Sorry
Climb to breathtaking altitudes
In your desire to see the festival, don’t rush to get to Lo! At 3,730 meters (12,238 feet) above sea level, Lo Manthang is located in Upper Mustang. If you have never trekked at a high altitude in Nepal, make sure you take the appropriate safety measures. Remember to take your time while you soar! Acclimatize well!
The Hidden Kingdom’s mystery
Founded in 1380 AD, Lo Mathang is regarded as Nepal’s secret kingdom. Lo remained off-limits to tourists until the early 1990s. Replete with the enchantment of Tibetan Buddhism and the mystery of its people, it continues to be one of Nepal’s most exclusive trekking destinations even now. Just about 1,000 individuals are allowed to visit Lo Manthang every year due to the admission permission requirement only being granted to small, planned parties.
The Tiji Festival’s highlights
Walk through white-washed mountain towns and past vibrant Buddhist shrines and temples as you make your way to Mustang Pass in the shadows of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna along the Kali Gandaki River.
After five days of trekking, arrive to Mustang’s renowned walled city, Lo Manthang.
Attend the Tije Festival, a colorful Buddhist event with dance and traditional music, for three days while in Lo Manthang.
Discover other people’s lifestyles.
OUTLINE ITINERARY BY DRIVE/FLIGHT
01 May 2024: Fly or Drive to Pokhara - 30 min / 8 hrs 02 May 2024: 4WD Jeep Drive to Tatopani 1,341m (4,400 feet) – 5 hours 03 May 2024: Jeep Drive to Muktinath to Kagbeni 2,804m (9,199 ft) -5 hours 04 May 2024: Morning drive to ( Tsarang) Charang 3,570 m (11,710 ft) -6.5 hours 05 May 2024: Drive to LOMANTHANG and explore the day-first TIJI Festival. (FESTIVAL BEGINNING) 3,840 m (12,600 ft) - 06 May 2024: Observe and experience a full-day TIJI Festival. 07 May 2024: Day 3rd of TIJI Festival. (officially festival closing ceremony). 08 May 2024: Drive back to Jomsom 2,736 m (8,976 feet) - 5 hours 09 May 2024: Drive back to Pokhara - 7 hours 10 May 2024: Fly / Drive back to Kathmandu - 30 min / 8 hours
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