Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

Overview

Tiji Festival 2013 - Starts from May 06 - Join Now

Mustang known for its extreme topographical variations and culture diversity has been able to lure the outer world from the past several years. Open to outer world since 1992 this forbidden Kingdom of Mustang is situated in the northern central part of Nepal above the Kali Gandaki River. Mustang is a land celebrated for its pristine small hamlets, eternal monasteries, friendly people and astonishing natural beauty. Mustang in the ancient used to be the trade route between Nepal and Tibet and many salt caravans passed through Mustang. While trekking through the region we will be introduced to unique architecture, language, culture and traditions which is second to none.

The area influenced by Tibetan culture which is situated in the north of Kagbeni is referred as Upper Mustang. Composed of deep valleys, arid and dry land with a desert like appearance similar to Tibetan plateau which is further characterized by eroded canyons and colorful stratified rock formations Upper Mustang has it all to make it the most happening destination all around the globe.

Tiji Festival is a three day ceremony also known as “Chasing of the Demons” which is centered on the Tiji myth. During the festival people from all over Mustang gather in Lo Manthang to celebrate victory of good over the bad deeds.  In the Tiji festival we will pay our homage to a deity named Dorje Jono who battled with his devil father to save the Kingdom of Mustang. The devil father caused havoc on Mustang by creating water shortage and Dorje Jono ultimately defeated the devil and banished from the land. The festival is celebrated asking god for water and good crops. During the festival the monks dress in traditional manner and masks and dance which supposedly drive the evil spirits away.

Itinerary Detail

Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Itinerary:

Day 1: Kathmandu Arrival
Our local representative will be receiving you in Tribhuwan International Airport and transfer to the hotel room. Get freshen up in the hotel and come to our office to finalize the formalities. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Today we will visit some of the world heritage site located in Kathmandu which includes Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa and Hindu temple of Pashupatinath. At the same time you will be handled your trekking permit. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Drive to Pokhara(823m); 7hours of drive
Early in the morning catch a drive to a beautiful lake city of Pokhara. The drive takes most of the morning and early afternoon leaving evening time to explore Pokhara. Pokhara is an ultimate tourist destination offering threshold of natural and cultural heritage sites which includes lakes, caves, temples, stupas and awe inspiring mountain vista. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Fly to Jomsom(2700m) and trek to Kagbeni(2810m); 4hours
Early in the morning after having breakfast take a 20minutes of scenic flight to Jomsom which is the district headquarter of Mustang. Jomsom is one of the largest town of the region which in the past was the Trans-Himalayan Salt trade route to Tibet. As soon as we get to Jomsom we will start the walk as the afternoons here are very windy. Starting the walk following the Kali Gandaki River bed we will arrive to Ekley bhatti village after a 3hours of continuous walk. After resting here for a while we will continue the trek which ultimately takes us to Kagbeni which lies at the bank of two rivers. Kagbeni is the gateway to Upper Mustang. Upon arrival we will check in the hotel and in the free afternoon time we will explore the village. In the evening we will visit a Tibetan Sakya Monastery. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Trek to Chele(3100m); 5-6hours
From Kagbeni the trail goes to the east of Kali gandaki and climb over the many ridges as it makes way to the north. Crossing some appealing caves, Gompa crossing place of Tangbe, Chhuksang we will finally arrive to Chele. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 6: Trek to Gilling(3875m); 6-7hours
From Chele the trail climbs to Samar. From Samar the trail climbs to a ridge and then descends to a gorge surrounded by chortens painted in red, white and yellow. From here we will enter another valley adorned with Juniper trees and then descends to Bhena(3800m). From Bhena the trail goes uphill to Gilling. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 7: Trek to Charang(3560m); 5-6hours
From Gilling the trail goes uphill through the field to the center of valley. Crossing the Tama goan with its imposing Chortens we will cross Tangmar Chu River and then finally to Charang. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 8: Trek to Lo Manthang(3840m); 3-4hours
From Charang the trail goes steeply downhill for around 125m and then climb steeply up the rock trail through the arid landscape which ultimately brings us to Lo Manthang. Lo Manthang is the capital of Upper Mustang. In the afternoon we will visit the historic Lo Manthang palace and Lo Manthang walled city.

Day 9: First Day of Tiji Festival
In the early afternoon the horns will be resounded welcoming the 12feet copper dunchens along with their elephantine blurting followed by two double reeled horns which are all accompanied by drum and cymbals. After this a huge three storied Thanka was rolled down in the south wall of the square. The Thanka has the portrayal of  Padma Sambhava( Guru Rimpoche) who had brought the tradition of celebrating this ceremony to Tibet in 8th century. In the mid afternoon eleven Lamas dressed in maroon and gold attire with high red hats will come from the palace and take their place beneath the Thanka along with Tashi Tenzing on the elevated seat just in the center. As the monks start to chant the prayers twelve more monks will come from the palace wearing maroon and royal blue and glittering gold brocade attire assisted by hats decked with upright peacock plumes. Soon after the chanting stops the mask dancers make their step in the center of the stage and start the portrayal of the Tiji myth. Dorje Jono drives back the demon through the power of his magical yet powerful dancing. He will dance fifty two different dances each of them in ten different bodies and with a different head. With the end of the dance the demon will be killed by the hands of Dorje Jono and he people are freed from the plague of misfortunes, water becomes sufficient again and the harmony is restored. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 10: Second day of Tiji Festival
On the second day numbers of Loba will be arrived from the nearby hamlets who had come there to participate in this joyous moment. The King Mustang wearing his royal crown made up of tiny river pearls set off by dozens of large red coralline tones interspersed with matched ornaments of turquoise will arrive in the square where the festive mood is at its threshold. Stay Overnight at camp.

Day 11: Third Day of Tiji Festival
Today the Tiji ends with the ceremonial destruction of the evil remains which is signified by long black Yak hair and red torma cakes minced to a dark red gurry. The red remnants of devil are set out in an old tiger skin where they are attacked by arrows, slings and old guns. With this the festival will be over by mid afternoon and you can visit to Chhosar Gompas which is one of the oldest gompa of the area. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 12: Trek to Dri(3600m); 3-4 hours
Leaving Lo Manthang behind us walk to south. Mount out of the valley following the ridgeline which takes us to the Dhi Pass (12,170ft) from where one can see the astonishing vista and topographical variations. From here, head steeply downhill to Dri for overnight stay.

Day 13: Lauri Gompa(3450m); 3-4hours excursion
Hike to Lauri Gompa which is situated in the 100m high cliff which is nestled among a number of large spires.  The inner chamber of the monastery is an enlarged cave with small south facing window and the entrance door on its southeast. The gompa is adorned with some of the finest artworks which date back to 13th or 14th century. Stay overnight at camp near the Gompa.

Day 14: Trek to Tange(3200m);5-6hours
Leaving Lauri Gompa the trail winds through the river for around 2hours and cross the river from Damodar Kunda one of the holy lake of the area. To cross the river there is no bridge so you need to soak yourself into the water which comes up to your knees. After crossing the river the trail goes uphill to the pass at the altitude of 3850m. From the pass the trail passes through a barren land and; ultimately to the village of Tange for overnight stay. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 15: Trek to Chhusang(2940m);5-6hours
Leaving Tange behind us the trail goes to the steep ridge of hills which offers the surreal vista of the wind carved hills. In the way we will pass through the village of Tetang which is situated between 2 hills and an ideal place for escaping the strong winds that flows through the whole Kali Gandaki valley. Just below Tetang there is village of Chhusang where we stay for overnight.

Day 15: Trek to Jomsom(2700m); 5-6hours
Today is the last day of trek and we will start very early. We will trek to Kagbeni where the Upper Mustang trail comes to an end and Normal Annapurna Curcuit trail starts. After having lunch in Kagbeni we will trek for Jomsom. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 16: Fly to Pokhara and take a rest
Take a morning flight of Pokhara. As you arrive to Pokhara check into the hotel room and get freshen up. In the afternoon you can rest as you have returned from such a long trek. In the evening you can walk around lakeside. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 17: Explore Pokhara
Early in the morning we will drive to Sarankot to witness the magical view of sunrise over the Himalayas. After this we will return to our hotel have breakfast and walk to lakeside to treat ourselves with the magical moment where the reflection of Machhapuchhare Himal is seen in Few Lake. After this we will have the lunch and explore the different site of the city like David’s fall, Gupteswor Cave, Bindabasini Temple, World Peace Pagoda and end with the boating in Fewa Lake. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 18: Drive back to Kathmandu
Witnessing the villages, terraced slopes, green hills and furiously galloping Rivers we will retrace our path back to Kathmandu. We will arrive Kathmandu in the evening. In the remaining time you can do some family shopping.  Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 19: Farewell
Drive to airport at the time of departure for your onward flight.

Cost Info

The Trip Cost Includes:

• All airport/hotel transfers
• Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
• 3 nights accommodation in 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (2 before trek, 1 after trek)
• 2 nights accommodation hotel in Pokhara (1 before trek, 1 after trek)
• Camping accommodation enroute
• Breakfast in Kathmandu
• All meals enroute and boiled water in mountain
• Welcome and farewell dinner
• All ground transportation as per the itinerary by private vehicles
• Salary for all expedition staff.
• All necessary paper work, including trekking permits
• Travel and rescue arrangements
• All government and local taxes
• Duffel bag, t-shirt, trekking map

The Trip Cost Does Not Include:

• Nepal Visa fee
• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Excess baggage charges (if you have more than 15 kg luggage, cargo charge is around $1.5 per kg)
• Extra nights accommodation in Kathmandu or Jomsom
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu
• Bottled beverages, including water
• Snacks such as energy bars, candy or chocolate
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses such as snacks, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters
• Optional trips and sightseeing
• Tips for guides and porters

Trek Info

Accommodation

Wildpath Adventure has chosen the best accommodation with your comfort and budget in mind. This includes staying in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu and camping in comfortable, two-person camping tents along the trekking route.

All accommodation is based on twin sharing but we will provide a single supplement if there is an odd number of participants. If you simply prefer a single room, this is available by paying an additional single supplement.

Meals

One of the joys of camping treks is the wonderful food prepared for you at each meal. From the first tea of the morning to the last meal of the day, you will be treated to meals that are nutritious, healthy, fresh and suitable for a mountain expedition.

The experienced and trained cooks will provide meals from a variety of cuisines such as Nepali, Sherpa, Tibetan, Continental, Italian and Indian cuisine. Breakfast and dinner will be taken at camp, while lunch will be prepared at a suitable rest spot along the way.

Note: Before arriving in Nepal, please advise Wildpath Adventureif you have any special dietary requirements or restrictions such that we can accommodate your request.

A Typical Day on the Trek

Soon after dawn breaks, you will be awakened and offered a steaming cup of tea or coffee by your Sherpa. A nutritious and appetizing breakfast awaits you after you dress for the day. Then you will trek for 3 or more hours before stopping for lunch at a scenic spot – often near a river or stream. You will have plenty of time to relax and take photos as you enjoy the lunch meal.

Throughout the day we will take rest breaks as needed and there will always be time to stop and admire the flowers, the scenery, a village or just to soak in the pleasure of being on an adventure in Nepal.

After lunch, we will usually trek for another 2-3 hours before reaching the campsite. On arrival you will have time to rest and enjoy another welcome hot mug of tea, coffee, or one of the trail favorites, hot lemon. There is usually time to explore a village or Gompa or the surrounding neighborhood, write in your journal or simply relax. After a delicious dinner .there will be a briefing on the next day’s program before you head off to the tent for a warm and snug sleep. You may be surprised to find that you are sleeping 10 to 12 hours per night, but that is normal on a strenuous trek.

The Trekking Group

For most treks there will be one guide, one assistant guide per 4 trekkers, one cook, and one Sherpa porter per 2 trekkers. This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group fall sick, the trip can still go ahead as planned.

The minimum group size is 2 and the maximum is 12. However, if you'd like to make a group booking for more than that, we will be happy to arrange this for you.

What to Know

Fitness Requirements

In order to maximize your enjoyment of this trek, you will need to be in good physical condition and you will need to be prepared for rough conditions. In general, trekking consists of many days of walking for at least 5-6 hours, some of it on rugged terrain. You should also be very comfortable walking with a small daypack and carrying up to 5kg of weight.

In addition to a good level of fitness, we believe you must possess: a willingness to tolerate difficult conditions, a flexible mindset, a sense of humor and good health.

Health & Safety

Your safety and well-being are of paramount concern to Wildpath Adventure. For that reason, the trek leader has the authority to change or cancel any part of the trek if it is deemed necessary for safety reasons. Wildpath Adventurewill make every effort to keep to the planned itinerary; however, we simply cannot guarantee it. Changes to the itinerary can occur due to weather conditions, the health of a team member or unexpected natural disasters. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please understand that these events are a possibility.

It is imperative that participants with pre-existing medical problems or conditions make these known to Wildpath Adventure when booking. Medical and evacuation expenses are the responsibility of the participant and must be covered by your personal travel insurance. It is also important that you consult your doctor for vaccinations and other medical requirements for your trip. Wildpath Adventure reserves the right to require a medical certificate prior to booking your trip.

Acclimatization

Any trek to high altitude carries with it the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness, or AMS. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness, generally caused by going up too fast. The higher the altitude, the less oxygen there is in the air. For example, at 6500m there is only half the oxygen that there is available at sea level.

Your body needs many days to adapt to this less-oxygen environment. Our itinerary is planned to allow sufficient time for acclimatization, by going up slowly and including acclimatization days as needed. It is not uncommon to experience mild headaches, loss of appetite or nausea when ascending, but these symptoms usually disappear with rest...

Although your appetite may diminish as you trek higher, it is very important to eat enough to maintain a good energy level. Similarly it is extremely important to drink sufficient water to stay hydrated. The trek leader will advise you on what is sufficient food and water and we ask that you follow his advice.

We also advise anyone with known heart, lungs or blood diseases to consult their doctor before traveling. Our itineraries are designed to prevent AMS as much as possible, but it is important to remember that some people are more vulnerable than others.

Our team will check very carefully to determine if anyone has a serious problem. If anyone is showing signs of AMS, they will not be permitted to trek higher and will be required to descend to a safe altitude with a member of the team. If the symptoms disappear at the lower altitude, the person may be permitted to rejoin the trek after a suitable rest period.

Please Allow Extra Time

We strongly recommend that you allow a few extra days at either end of your trip. In addition to the reasons mentioned above, flights in Nepal are notorious for being delayed anywhere from a few hours (common) to one week (rare) due to bad weather. This can occur even in the best trekking months.

If all goes well, you will then have extra days to enjoy in Nepal, taking in activities such as sightseeing near Kathmandu, river rafting, or perhaps relaxing at one of the nearby hilltop resorts.

In the event of bad weather, it may be possible to arrange a helicopter evacuation, which can vary in cost from USD $300 to $3500, depending on the demand.

What to Bring

The following list is a guideline of what you should bring with you for the trek. Please note that clothing for Kathmandu and other non-trekking destinations is not included in this list. While you can bring everything from your home country, it is also possible to rent or purchase almost everything in Kathmandu. Most of the gear for sale in Kathmandu is manufactured locally and thus considerably cheaper. However, it is also possible to buy brand name clothing and equipment at quality and prices that are comparable to home country prices.

At lower elevations on the trek it is likely to be very warm and the lightest of layers can be worn. However, at altitudes above 4000m it may be bitterly cold and windy, particularly after the sun disappears. The secret to staying warm and comfortable is to layer your clothing and to avoid cotton, as it becomes very cold when wet and is slow to dry. Pack with a minimalist view, as the load limit per person for porters and on domestic flights is 15kg.

Treks in Nepal are tough on gear and clothing. We recommend that you bring well-used items that can stand a fair bit of abuse. Many people bring gear that can be given away at the end of the trek to the porters or guides. Please check with Wildpath Adventureif you are uncertain about what to bring – we will be happy to advise you.

During the trek the porters will be carrying most of your gear. On the trail you can expect to carry in your daypack item such as 1 to 2 liters of water, your camera, a jacket for rest stops, sunscreen, tissue paper, a route map and binoculars.

CLOTHING

• T-shirts – 2 or 3, long-sleeved and short-sleeved, quick-drying
• Hiking shorts or capris
• Lightweight Long Hiking pants
• Lightweight thermal inner layer – top and bottom
• Fleece pants and jacket
• 2 pair inner liner socks
• 2 pair outer socks, wool, medium to heavy weight
• Shirt with collar

OUTERWEAR

• Lightweight gloves
• Heavyweight gloves or mittens and waterproof outer shell
• Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
• Waterproof, breathable jacket
• Down jacket
• Waterproof, breathable shell pants
• Warm hat or balaclava
• Gaiters (for high-elevation treks and passes)

FOOTWEAR

• Hiking boots
• Camp shoes such as sneakers or Teva-like sandals
• Down booties (optional, but very nice at high altitude camp)

MISCELLANEOUS

• Camera and extra battery and card
• Sun hat or bandana
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• 4 season sleeping bag (rated to -15 to -20 degree centigrade. Down is preferable)
• Sleeping bag liner (optional, but very useful)
• Trekking Bags/Duffel bag *
• Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
• Small lock
• Basic First Aid Kit (Wildpath Adventurestaff will also carry a team First Aid kit)
• Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
• Trekking Poles
• Water bottles (2) or camel back
• Ear Plugs
• Sewing and repair kit
• Sarong (optional, but very useful when washing)
• Energy bars, chocolate, candy
• Water-purifying tablets or water filter pump

TOILETRIES

• Sunscreen with high UV protection
• Lip balm for altitude (e.g. Labazan)
• Face and body moisturizer
• 1 medium sized quick drying towel
• Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
• Deodorant
• Nail clippers
• Feminine hygiene products
• Small mirror
• Wet wipes
• Toilet tissue
• Ant- bacterial hands wash

FIRST AID AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES

All of the items listed here can be purchased in Kathmandu, however you may prefer to bring trusted brands from home. Note also that Wildpath Adventure will carry an extensive first aid and medical kit, so please bring the minimum required. There are many good books and websites which carry extensive lists of recommended drugs and medical supplies. We suggest that you review this material before making any purchases.

• Plasters/Band aids
• Moleskin
• General-purpose antibiotic such as Cipro
• Headache medicine – (not Codein-based)
• Anti-inflammatory pills
• Antibiotic cream
• Eye drops
• Rehydration salts such as ORS
• Multi-vitamins
• Throat lozenges
• Anti-diarrheal medicine
• Anti-constipation medicine

And if your pack is still light:

• Binoculars
• Journal
• IPOD (note that recharging may not always be possible)
• Reading material
• Travel game or cards
• Photos from home

Travel Insurance

All participants in a Wildpath Adventure must have travel insurance. This will protect you against the risk of comprehensive expenses which may result due to medical emergencies or accidents. This insurance should include air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs. Please be noted that we don't arrange or sell insurance and it is best to arrange this in your home country.