Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

Flying into Kathmandu and Jomsom is a memorable experience with the Himalaya spread out. Your flight will land at (TIA) Tribhuwan International Airport at 1350m after you will receive Nepal entry visa which can be obtained in advance or on entry and for the visa process at Kathmandu TIA, you will take around 45min, it depends on the number of people in a queue. For the Nepal entry visa information, have a visit this Nepal govt. official site Department of Immigration Nepal. After you will exit from the gate, where you will see our representative waiting for you withholding placard written with the company name. Representative welcome you by offering Tibetan scarf and transfer to the hotel in private vehicle. Trek briefing and afterward invited to a host family for welcome dinner.
[Included meals: Welcome drink]
Overnight at hotel

Early we drive to Pokhara. From Ktm we follow the Prithvi Highway that leads to Galchi and Mugling Bazaar. After (6hr) drive we reach at Pokhara (823m). Pokhara is the second largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu. It is the home to numerous lakes and caves. The peaks can be closely observed from Pokhara include Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu. It offers the surrounding panorama of nature and culture.
[Included meals: bed and breakfast]
Overnight at hotel

We fly to Jomsom. We will enjoy the spectacular view of Fishtail Mountain, Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Ranges with its some popular peaks on both side from the plane. We will experience the distinct changes in the geographical appearance as the plane approach higher to the northern side. After 30min of flight, the chilling weather will welcome us to Jomsom airport. Here we meet with the rest of the trekking staffs and we follow the Kali Gandaki valley to Kabeni. We will enjoy the majestic view of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Nilgiri and Tukche peak while walking against the direction. 3-4hr of the walk, the gateway to a restricted area of Lo-Manthang (Kagbeni).
[Included meals: Lunch+Dinner]
Overnight at teahouse

We start our trial from the east side of Kali Gandaki river bank with the spectacular morning sunrise. Our journey passing the high ridges, we will observe some remarkable caves and Gompa Kang on the west side of the Kali Gandaki River. Soon we arrive picturesque at Tangbe village by passing the trio of black, white and red Chorten that represents the Upper Mustang. The village is the labyrinth of narrow alleys among whitewashed houses, field of buckwheat, barley, wheat, and apple orchards. It manifests the conspicuous view of Mt Nilgiri on the southern part of the skyline. The typical village of Chugsang is half an hour beyond Tangbe situated at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki River and Narshing Khola. Up the Narshing Khola is Tetang where there are a Gompa and salt mine. After crossing the river of Chugsang, we see the spectacular sight of red eroded cave. The vast Kali Gandi valley gradually narrowed & more meditative caves are perceived over the high cliff where there is a tunnel through which Kaligadaki river flow out under the steel bridge. Further short ascend walk on rocky gully trail bring us to Chele. Chile is one of the pretty villages offer us comfort accommodation.
[Included meals: Lunch+Dinner]
Overnight at teahouse

Our next journey starts with a climb on loose rocky slope from where gradient ease. By leaving Chele, we have a wonderful sight of Gyakar village with its fields surrounded by the stone with mud covered wall which lies far away across the deep canyon. The trial continues to climb on the long, steep, treeless and waterless reach at the pass. After a long descent leads to some chorten and furthermore walk will reach Samar Village. The resting point for all travelers and the horse caravans where it provides horse stables and camping space. Next, we climb above the summer village to the ridge and after sometimes we descend from thick junipers trees and reach to Bhena. The trail climbs slightly up to Yamada, further climb some ridges and descends with an emerging spectacular view of landscape reaches Sangpoche. We will again slightly climb to a pass and reach to another valley. There is a junction of trial in the valley, from which left trial leads to Nyi la by passing Gelling and other descends to the beautiful village Gelling.
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mposing chorten. The trail regions the main route to the Nyi la after the continuous climb to the pass. This pass is the southern boundary of the Lo itself. We will have a wonderful and gentle descends from the Nyi La pass and after half an hour is a junction, the right trial is the direct route to Charang, the left trial lead to Ghami. The Charang trial descends to the Tangmar Chu River and it passes the steel bridge over there. After gentle climb is the long stretched red wall called Mani (the longest Mani wall in Nepal) is observed on the way. The red colored cliff to the northeast part from the Mani wall has a spectacular sight with its beautifully eroded shapes. Another pass has to ascend and the gently descends of the routes lead to Charang village.
[Included meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner]
Overnight at teahouse

Our initial section of the walk commences with gentle ascend & far ascends to the steep rocky trail to the cairn at ridges opposite to the Charang village. Further, we climb towards the north and passing the giant isolated chorten which marks a boundary between Tsarang & Lo-Manthang. Then the trail passes the stream and desert-like landscape with the hue of grey and yellow is crossed. The giant cliff with several caves on it is perceived on the right side while heading towards Lo la (pass). Following the trial for sometimes reach Lo la from where it views the spectacular sight of Lo-Manthang city and the neighboring villages. The muddy trial then descends from the Lo la reaches to the stream and climb up to Lo-Manthang plateau we have a marvelous site of the giant wall which encircles the city. The main entrance of the walled city exists to the northeast side. Inside the walled city, it contains the five-storied royal palace, three large monasteries. Himalayan Amchi Museum and local houses.
[Included meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner]
Overnight at teahouse

These 3 days you will engage in ritual activities of Jiji festival and along with this visit to following stated major attraction sites:

Choedey Monastery - is the main Gompa of the city which is located to the northwest part of the walled city. This Gompa carries all the monastic activities like Buddhist text schooling, Buddhist rituals performance, teaching Buddhist philosophy and so on. It also takes care of the preservation of the Buddhist ancient thanka paintings, precious religious text, and antiquity of monastics belongings, etc. This monastery belongs to the Igor Sakya clan of Tibetan Buddhism. There is a saying that in the 17th century, the king Sabdung Rapten invited his religious teacher Jamgong Ngawang Kunga Sonam to Lo-Manthag and later during his stay in Lo Manthang (in the Choedey Monastery) he introduced the popular festivals of Tiji (rituals dance perform by the Lama). The monastery also features the museum where one can visit the antique collection of art, sculptures, scriptures and copper wares related to an ancient civilization of Lo-Manthang as well as the whole Lo kingdom.

Jampa Lhakhang monastery - is located on the Jampa Thang area which lies within the Lo-Manthang city. It is the oldest Buddhist temple inside the Walled city which is dated between 1447 and 1449. The monastery was built by the Agon Zangpo (the son of the king Ama Pal) and consecrated by the Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo (the founder of Ngor sub school) during his third visit to Lo-Manthang. The three-storied complex which is highly decorated with the Mandala paintings on the wall depicting the masterpiece of wall painting arts of great artists from Kathmandu and Dolpo. The temple manifests the Newari art and architecture on its surrounding courtyard and paintings on the wall. This temple is also belonging to the Ngor clan of Sakyapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. As there lies the throne of the Maitreya Buddha (future Buddha) inside the temple, it is also known by Maitreya Bihar.

Thubchen Lhakhang - is one of the major temples of the Lo Manthang city which is located to the southwest of Jampa Lhakhang. It is a one-storied temple supported by 49 well-painted pillars. The building of this monastery was built during the time of the 3rd king of Lo-Manthang (Tashi Gon) in 1470. The arts, scriptures, and sculptures inside the temple have a huge influence of Newari art. Huge reddish colored hall with magnificent paintings of Kalachakra and various Mantras are portrayed on the wall. The temple also features the old wooden carving. This Lhakhang accommodates a huge hall and some small rooms for the purpose of a large gathering of Lamas for the ritual activities held during the occasion. It also carries daily puja inside the temple. One can experience a clear combination of tangible and intangible culture from this temple.

Tashi Lhundupling Palace - is the main palace of the king of Lo Manthang as there are several other palaces around the region. This palace was built by Ama Pal (the 1st king of Lo-Manthang) in 1440 AD after the declaration of the independent kingdom from the great kingdom of Ngari. Before the construction of this palace, the capital city of Lo was in Tsarang. Later on, the capital transfer to Lo-Manthang and constructed the Tashi Lhundupling Palace. The physical structure of the palace building is mostly resembling the local houses (a two-storied rectangular shape with white mud colored). The exception to that, the palace building has five storyed and the roof colored with black mud to indicate it as a palace. The royal family resides on the fifth floor and the fourth floor is used to keep the religious text, images, and other relevant artifacts. The fourth floor is also used during the popular Teji festivals. The palace building is decorated with huge windows and it is faced towards the east. Tashi Lhundupling Palace is very important monuments for the Lo-Manthang as well as the whole Lo to symbolize the unique cultural heritage of Lo.

Visit to Amchi Museum is the collection of Tibetan Medicinal Herbs that found from the environment of Himalayas. The museum also features the traditional method to cure the diseases with the special techniques followed from the generation. Amchi Gyatso, who established this museum in 2008 with the objectives to preserve the traditional medical treatment which has unique features of side affectless cure to patients. The origin of the Tibetan medical treatment is connected with the Medicinal Buddha (Buddha holding the fruit of aura on his right-hand side) who is believed to be taught the root of this method. This method of treatment mostly focuses on people’s spiritual factors while curing any illness. The medicine is also preparing with the proper ritual performance. It is not a new practice for the people of Himalayas to connect every activity with religion. However, one can experience the unique ancient method of treatment from this museum.

Dzong Phug Cave is one of the major cultural heritage sites of Chhoser village. The term Dzong Phug is the local name of the cave which senses to “fort cave”. The cave manifests the ancient civilization of the dwellers which is dated about 25,000 years ago. The construction of the cave based settlement can be assumed as the protection from other tribes. It has its own myth and stories among the local people. The residential area within the cave size is equal to five storied building in height which is clearly assumed from outside the cave by observing the holes. Inside the cave, there are more than 40 cabins which are well designed for different purposes as a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. The dust of the smoke is still on the wall and ceiling. There is a long corridor in every floor of the cave and the floors are connected with the ladder to pass up the next floor. The holes of the cave which work like the window have a spectacular view of Chhoser and surrounding village with their landscape. The management of the cave activities is done by the local Youth club of Chhoser village.

Nub Phug Ling monastery is also one of the main cultural heritage sites of the Chhoser village. The construction of the monastery is unique from other monasteries around the region. The term Nub Phug means “west cave” as the monastery lies to the west side cave of Chhoser village. The monastery is partially constructed with the cave base and half part gave a building structure. Entrance to the monastery is led by the straight up steps from where it views the magnificent sight of the surroundings. Inside the monastery, one can observe the Mandala paintings and the images of thousands Buddha but unfortunately those are in a deteriorating condition due to lack of proper conservation. The flower decoration of the Mandala paintings on the ceiling reflects the date of 12th and 13th century. The paintings of the walls are done in two different ways according to the nature of the wall (cave wall and the mud wall) which can be distinctly perceived. Nevertheless, Nub Phug Ling monastery manifest the gradual development of art in human civilization from its inclusive glance.

Gar Phug Gonpa is also one of the sacred monasteries in Chhoser village which has its own unique historical and cultural importance. The construction of the monastery was done by the series of Lamas. According to the scripture of the monastery, it was first built by the Lama Siji Gyatso who came from the Kham of Tibet in the 17th century. Subsequently, it was completed by the third Lama Rigzin Tsewang Norbu during the throne of King Tenzin Wangyal of LoManthang. The present state of the monastery was completely reconstructed and also shifted from its original location during the period of Lama Tenzin Nurbu. Previously the monastery was belonging to the Kagyu clan of Tibetan Buddhism and now it is associated with both the Kagyu and Nyingmapa School. The art, architecture, and sculpture which decorates the interior part of the monastery are from the different time frame. The sculptures found here can be dated to the 12th or 13th century. The statues of Buddha in this Gomba reflect the Newari style. Present physical structures of the building and the paintings can be date only to 180 to 200 years.
[Included meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner]
Overnight at teahouse

With indelible memory of Lo-Manthang, we return to southwest avoiding the route to Tsarang which go down towards the south. We follow the trail which leads through the fields of Lo -Manthang city and following the irrigated canal. The trial to Lo Gekar is not the main trading route as it follows the indistinct trail of herders which makes crisscrossed on the hills. We have to climb up straight to the cairn of a pass from where it gives a final glimpse to Lo Manthang, the trail climbs the ridges, reaches another huge cairn making a pass and furthermore climb will arrive the highest peak of the trek Cho Go La (4270m). Then we will enter the grassy valley where trials lead to a long ridge, furthermore descends from a short steep gully arrives Charang Khola and bypassing some Chorten arrived Ghar Gompa. After visiting the Gompa (8th century, oldest Gompa of the whole Himalayas including Tibet), we climb the ridges to cross the pass and enter the alpine meadow and steep down to the gully which is overshaded on the top with red color. There is a myth on a red cliff that the red color is the blood of Ogress which once vanquished by Guru Rinpoche. Now soon our journey brings us to a beautiful village of Drakmar.
[Included meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner]
Overnight at teahouse

With the astonishing site of landscape intensify by the morning sunrise we start our trek which goes down with the stream passing the stone walls and the fields of Drakmar. The trail then climbs the ridge to the chorten and again descend to another stream is small climb and we follow the trial till Ghami la which contouring to the Nyi la. Descending the steep trail to the Gelling valley but stay high by passing the Gelling village and later gently walk down the Chungar, a large Chorten, house and campsites. The trail passes the Mani wall and the three typical houses of Tama Gaon, which later leads down to the rocky canyon to the stream and turn up to the Shyangboche La. We will see huge painted Chorten before re-joining with Gelling trial. Our trek of the day ends after descending the Shyangboche la and reach to the village of Shyangboche.
[Included meals: Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner]
Overnight at teahouse

We start our trek after breakfast by retracing the upwards trial through Yamdo and Bhena to Samar. We will enjoy the downwards trail which is of less ascends. It is an hour of descends from Samar to Chele and still an hour to follow the bank of Kali Gandaki River.
[Included meals:Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner]
Overnight at teahouse

From Kagbeni to Pokhara, retrace our fly to PKR and next day drive to KTM following Prithvi Highway witnessing the rural landscapes dominated by lush vegetation and rushing rivers with full of fun throughout the drive. It takes about 6hr drive back to Kathmandu. After reaching there our representative will transfer you to the hotel. You can spend the rest of the by relaxing or shopping for gifts and souvenirs.
[Included meals: dinner in Ktm]
Overnight at hotel

A representative of IHSA will drop off you at the airport by private vehicle.
[Included meals: breakfast]