The Tiji (also pronounced “Teeji”) festival is an annual indigenous festival of Lo-Mangthang (Upper Mustang). The Teeji festival usually takes place during the last week of May and lasts for 3 days. Dances are performed by the monks of Lo Mangthang “choedhe” monastery during the celebration; the harassment of Ma Tam Ru Ta (in a dance called “TsaChham” on the first day), the birth of DorjeeSonnu, the demon’s son (on the second day called “NgaChham”), the attempt to return the demon to lord Buddha’s realm (on the third and final day). The Tiji festival dances are all organized by the Choedhe Monastery, which is of the Shakya section of Lo Mangthang.
This Tiji Festival trek brings you to the Mustang Region and will you will witness the rare and typical festival of people of Lo Mangthang. Lo Mangthang is also known as the Last Forbidden Kingdom which is also called ‘Kingdom behind the mountain. Mustang is the only place in Nepal which still has their own King or Tribe-leader, Jigme Palbar Bista. Even after Nepal was declared a republic in 2007, the Nepal Government took back the official recognition of the Bista as the Mustangi King. However, the people there still respect him as their King or tribe-leader. Bista also grants audience the visitor upon request.
Lo Mangthang is the capital of Mustang district and is located in the Himalayas with its borders extending northward onto the Tibetan plateau. Mustang region is rich in culture, tradition, unique lifestyle and many mysterious man-made caves. This trek brings you flying through the deepest gorge in the world, between the Dhaulagiri and the Nilgiri. The trail follows to Dhakmar where you can find the oldest Tibetan monastery in the world, the Lo Gekar Monastery. Lo Gekar Monastery was built in the 8th century by the famous Tibetan magician Guru Rimpoche. Legends have it that Guru Rimpoche had to kill a powerful demon first and the blood of the demon was used to paint the rocks around Dhakmar. This trek will also bring you to world’s deepest gorge Kali Gandaki Region and the world’s highest regions of Lo-Mangthang Valley that passes through dry barren landscape, a steep rocky trail up and down hill and panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several other peaks. The trek passes through high peaks, passes, glaciers, and alpine valleys. The thousands years of isolation has kept the culture, lifestyle and heritage remains unchanged from centuries to this date. The houses in Mustang are mostly made from stone and sun baked mud bricks.
Trip Highlights
- Interesting Tiji Festival
- Close watch of the original roots of Himalayan Buddhism
- Panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several other peaks
- The traditional city ‘Lo Mangthang’ influenced by Himalayan Buddhism, Tibet-influenced culture
- Amazing landscape with about 10,000 human made mysterious caves
- The diversity of landscapes, villages, ethnicities, lifestyles
- Surprising family- All the brothers in the family are married to a single girl
- Oldest Tibetan monastery in the world, the Lo Gekar Monastery
- Rare and legendary local King or Tribe-leader, Jigme Palbar Bista(even Nepal is democratic country)
- Panoramic flight over the world’s deepest gorge, The Kali Gandaki
Is this trek for you?
Trekking in Nepal are relatively easy, following well-paved paths and local village trails throughout. The maximum altitude reached on the trip is less than 3840 meters. By Himalayan standards this is fairly modest elevation and the altitude issues experienced on higher elevation trek should not be of concern to us on this trek. However, it should be noted that trekking at altitudes above 3000 meters requires greater demands on the body than walking at lower elevations, and is itself challenging even for fit hikers. Our itinerary is well staged and provides for a very gradual approach to the higher elevations encountered in the Annapurna Circuit. Camping is not required on this trip and we stay each night in well-appointed lodges with basic facilities. The trekking element of this trip is not long or sustained, however you will need to ensure you are physically prepared for the trek and you should be comfortable with walking for 5 to 7 hours each day. This trekking holiday should be well within the capabilities of all active hikers and hill-walkers.
Additional Information
If you wish to discuss any aspect of trekking or your suitability for it, please phone +977 (0)1 435 2145 or email at info@trekkingexperts.com.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of trekking or your suitability for it, please phone +977 (0)1 435 2145 or email at info@trekkingexperts.com.
Itinerary:
Day 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu (1300 m), O/N at star hotel
Day 2 | Flight: Kathmandu-Pokhara (alt. 800m/ 25 min flight). O/N at star hotel
Day 3 | Flight: Pokhara- Jomsom , drive to Chuksang (alt. 2890m/ 20 min flight and 2.5 hr drive). O/N at lodge
Day 4 | Trek: Chuksang- Syangboche (alt. 3800m/ walk 6/7 hrs). O/N at lodge
Day 5 | Trek: Syangboche- Ghami (alt. 3510m/ walk 6/7 hrs). O/N at lodge
Day 6 | Trek: Ghami – Tsarang (alt. 3560m/ walk 5/6 hrs). O/N at lodge
Day 7 | Trek: Tsarang- Lo Manthang (alt. 3840m/ walk 5/6 hrs). O/N at lodge
Day 8 | Lo Mangthang- Tiji Festival with Mask Dance (alt. 3840m). O/N at lodge
Day 9 | Lo Mangthang- End Tiji Festival (alt. 3840m). O/N at lodge
Day 10 | Trek: Lo Manthang- Drakmar (alt. 3810 m/ walk 6/7 hrs). O/N at lodge
Day 11 | Trek: Drakmar- Syangboche(alt. 3800m/ walk 6/7 hrs). O/N at lodge
Day 12 | Trek: Syangboche-Chhuksang and drive to Jomsom (alt. 2700m/ walk 5/6 hrs). O/N at lodge
Day 13 | Flight: Jomsom –Pokhara- Kathmandu (1310m). O/N at star hotel
Day 14 | Guided tour to UNESCO heritage sites (Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath and Bhaktapur). O/N at star hotel
Day 15 | Departure from Kathmandu, transfer to airport
Date of Tiji Festival for 2016 is 4,5 and 6th May.
