Tiji Festival Trip 2018

This trip coincides with the end of the dry season and thus overlaps with the Tiji Festival, a spring-renewal party that ushers in the monsoons while celebrating the triumph of good over evil in a ritual locals call “the chasing of the demons.” Tiji comes from the words ten che, meaning the “hope of the dharma prevailing in all worlds,” the message Guru Rinpoche carried through this region over a thousand years ago. Tiji consists of three-day of Tibetan rituals. The Tiji centers around a myth, which tells of a deity named Dorje Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. Tiji comes from the word “ten che” meaning the hope of Buddha Dharma prevailing in all worlds and is effectively a spring renewal festival. The trek to Mustang is a spectacular walk through Himalayan terrain that contrasts wildly with the lush fertile hills and valleys located to the south of the main Himalayan chain. Mustang is a barren landscape with only a few small green fields dotting a lunar landscape, but boasts a remarkable spiritual heritage. Tiji Festival Trek combines through Mustang’s fascinating villages, alongside Buddhist shrines and temples and in the shadows of the Himalayas most iconic mountains, before arriving at the fabled walled city of Lo Manthang for 3 days of dancing at Festival. The terrain is rough and the altitude can be hard going but you will be in the safe hands of ADVENTURE 14 PEAKS and his team of sherpas.with a few lodges and hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara for good measure. During the Tiji Festival Trekking, the town square fills with characters clad as demons in flamboyant robes and hideous masks dancing about, slashing at the air with their swords and intoning spells over onlookers. Spend the day steeped in the sights, sounds, and movements of this once-in-a-lifetime cultural marvel. This three-day ceremony is lit up with colorful custom dress, dancing, music, and reenactments from the story of a deity and his demon father. Date for Tiji Festival 2018 in Lo-Manthang is announced. The Teji festival will be celebrate 12 , 13 and 14 May 2018 in Upper Mustang

Upper Mustang trekking  is an isolated and desert-like area that lies north of Annapurna region. From Kagbeni to Lo Manthang is usually referred as Upper mustang region .Trekking to Upper Mustang is not so difficult these days due to construction of road. However, a foreigner requires a special permit from the department immigration of Nepal to enter to Upper mustang region.The landscape of Mustang is unique having naturally carved sandstone footholds and disconnected moraine terraces made up of a variety of color – earthen red, yellow and brown together. One can see rock formations with many cave dwellings high up in the cliffs while hiking in the arid and dry Mustang valley.

Passing through the trail up to Lo Manthang which was considered to be an unofficial capital of former upper Mustang kingdom, travelers come across colorful Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries, Chorten and villages set against a backdrop of the distant snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. Most of the houses in Lo Manthang are made from stone and sun baked mud bricks.

Lo Manthang is enclosed by the stone wall. The history of Lo Manthang is rooted in myth and legend rather than the recorded information. Mustang has preserved its prominence as a separate territory within Nepal   until 1951. The king of Lo Manthang lives in beautifully built a four- storey architectural palace in Lo-Manthang. Uninfluenced by modern civilization, life in Mustang is still primitive and traditional. Here, you will be allowed a day tour to explore the popular spots of tourist interest.

The trekking route passes through an almost treeless landscape and infertile areas and the trekkers can feel a strong wind howling during the mid-day. As Mustang region lies in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, it gets much less rainfall as compared to the rest of Nepal. During the trek you can enjoy spectacular mountain scenery ranging from Dhaulagiri base camp trek (8167 meters) and Annapurna I ( 8091 meters ) and more than 35 peaks over 6000 meters high

In addition, experiencing the culture, religion and lifestyle of the people of Manang is another social aspect highly remarkable.

upper Mustang trek begins in Kathmandu with a drive to Pokhara and then 20 minutes mountain flight to Jomsom with views of 8,000m high Annapurna & Dhaulagiri mountain range.