Tiji Festival Trek
Imagine flying over the majestic Himalayas, trekking through the rugged and beautiful landscapes of Upper Mustang, and witnessing a rare and ancient festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. This is what the Tiji festival trek in Nepal offers you!
The Tiji festival trek is one of the most exciting and unique treks in Nepal. It takes you to the remote and mysterious region of Mustang, where you can join the locals for the Tiji festival, a three-day festival that takes place in the walled city of Lo Manthang. The festival dates back to the 17th century and is based on a legend of Dorjee Sonam, a reincarnated Buddha, who defeats a demon that causes havoc in Mustang. The festival involves colorful and elaborate dances and rituals performed by the monks of the Choedhe monastery, who belong to the Sakya sect of Buddhism.
During the trek, you will experience many thrills and challenges. You will fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then to Jomsom, where you will start your trek. You will cross high passes, deep gorges, and windy valleys. You will walk through villages that have preserved their traditional culture and lifestyle for centuries. You will see snow-capped mountains, rocky cliffs, and desert-like terrain. You will visit sacred sites like Muktinath temple, Kagbeni monastery, Ghar Gompa, and Lo Gekar monastery. You will reach Lo Manthang, where you will watch the monks perform their dances and rituals in their colorful costumes and masks. You will feel the festive atmosphere and the spiritual energy of the place. You will learn about the history and legend of the festival and its significance for the people of Mustang.
The Tiji festival trek is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that showcases the rich heritage and spirituality of Mustang. It is a great opportunity to witness a rare and ancient festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
To join this amazing adventure, you need to invest some time and money. The trek lasts for 18 days, including 14 days of trekking and 4 days of sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The trek costs around $2500 per person, depending on the agency, itinerary, and services you choose. This includes your permit, guide, transportation, accommodation, meals, and entry fees. You also need to have a valid passport, visa, travel insurance, and health certificate.
The Tiji festival in 2023 will take place on 16th, 17th and 18th May according to the Tibetan lunar calendar. To attend the festival, you need to obtain a special permit from the Nepalese government. This permit can only be issued by an authorized trekking agency in Nepal. You also need to have at least two members in your group to get the permit.
To book your Tiji festival trek in 2023, you need to contact one of the authorized trekking agencies in Nepal as soon as possible. They will arrange everything for you and make sure you have a safe and enjoyable trip. You can find some trekking agencies in Nepal on these websites:
https://www.mustangtrekkinginnepal.com/trip/tiji-festival-trek/
https://www.nepalvisitors.com/tiji-festival/
https://hwwtreks.com/trip/tiji-festival-in-upper-mustang/
https://www.visithimalayastrek.com/mustang-tiji-festival-trek/