Tiji Festival is the Buddhist festival celebrated in the Lo-Manthang City of Upper Mustang. The festival remains prevalent to the people of Upper Mustang. The term "Tiji" stands for “Tenchi." Both of these are the short forms of Tenpa Chirim, which means prayer for world peace. The festival started over 300 years ago as a celebration of the victory of good over evil. The festival traces the folk history of Dorje Jono and Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche, directly linked to Tibetan Buddhism. Dorje Jono (Vajrakila) is a popular deity in Vajrayana Buddhism.
He defeated the evil forces to bring prosperity and acted on the instruction provided by Padmasambhava himself. Every year, in May, the monks of Chhode monastery perform the special Vajrakila ritual in Lo Manthang. The festival started by the inhabitants of Lo Manthang honors the legacy of Dorje Jono and Padmasambhava. The festival undertakes an extensive ritual that consists of prayer chants and colorful masked dances. The dances enact the historical battle between Dorje Jono and the evil forces. The three-day festival begins with a peaceful dance, which escalates to a lively performance representing the winning of the good over the evil.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01Arrival in Kathmandu transfer to Hotel
- Day 02Special Permits process and afternoon flight to Pokhara 820m, Flight time 25 minutes
- Day 03Pokhara to Jomsom 2720m by flight and trek to Kagbeni 3-4 hrs.
- Day 04Trek from Kagbeni to Chele 5 hrs.
- Day 05Trek from Chele to Syangboche via Guru Rinburtse Cave 7 hrs.
- Day 06Trek from Shyangbochen to Drakmar 6 hrs.
- Day 07Trek from Drakmar to Lo-Manthang 7 hrs. Via Ghar Gompa.
- Day 08Tiji Festival at Lo-Manthang 27th May 2022.
- Day 09Tiji Festival 28th May 2022.
- Day 10Tiji Festival 29th May 2022.
- Day 11Drive from Lo-Manthang to Jomsom 6-7 hrs.
- Day 12Jomsom to Pokhara 820m 25 minutes by flight.
- Day 13Full day sightseeing in Pokhara.
- Day 14Flight to Kathmandu in the morning and sightseeing in the afternoon.
- Day 15Transfer to airport for Departure.
Cost Details
Cost Includes
- Airport/Hotel/Airport drops and picks up
- Hotel 4 nights in Kathmandu and 2 nights in Pokhara (Bed and breakfast)
- 3 times meal tea, coffee and lodge accommodation
- Special entry Permit for Upper Mustang trek 10 days
- other necessary Permits
- Flight tickets for guides
- Kathmandu to Pokhara by flight
- Pokhara to Kagbeni by Jeep
- Lo-manthang, Jomsom Pokhara by jeep
- Pokhara to Kathmandu by Tourist bus.
- Other land transportation by Jeep or bus according to the itinerary.
- Food, accommodation, salary, insurance for guide, Sherpa and Porters.
- Luggage transportation manages by Jeep or porter as available.
- First Aid Medical Kit box.
- Office Service charge.
Cost Excludes
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Your travel insurance (compulsory)
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Personal expenses such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, mineral water, etc.
- Personal trekking equipment
- Tips for trekking staff and driver etc.
- Entry fee for monasteries, museums, Historical places, and caves
- Unexpected expenses like rescue and flight delayed, cancel health emergency evacuation, etc.
- Hire a horse during the trek in Mustang
- All expenses which are not mentioned in the price include section.
