Tiji Festival tour 2025, one of the auspicious festivals to celebrate in Lo Manthang of Upper Mustang, usually celebrated every year in the month of May for 3 days. Himalayan Mentor arranges a trip for travelers to attend the festival every year and for 2025 the dates are 24th, 25th, and 26th of May. Tiji is a greatest festival among the Lowa community to keep the region peaceful. Tiji festival celebrates the victory of Lord Buddha’s incarnation Dorjee Zon (some people called Soon or Sannu too) over a demon Man Tam Ru (Dorjee Zon’s father) which was a vicious critter feeding on human beings and caused pandemics and natural calamities.
During the Tiji festival tour in Upper Mustang, the monks from Choedhe monastery in Lo Manthang perform ritual dances and offerings as a part of celebration. During the whole ceremony, one can observe the performances of Tsa Chham (harassment of demon) on the first day, Nga Chham (The birth of Dorjee Zon as the demon's son) on the second day and then attempt to return the demon to Lord Buddha's realm on the final day.
Beside these tradition cultural ceremony of Upper Mustang Kingdom, amazing landscape, various other monasteries, Tibetan Buddhism culture, nomadic people are the other attraction of Tiji festival jeep tour. The tour will be fully overland on the private jeep for your comfortable holiday. Expert guide from Himalayan Mentor will lead your trip to the Upper Mustang and you will get quality services during the trip. You will enjoy breathtaking Mountain views of Mt. Annapurna, Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri along the 4WD drive, we will stop each and every villages and monasteries to have a look and learn about the Tibetan Buddhism. Tiji festival jeep tour will be one of the best ways to explore the Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang villages NOT only to enjoy the natural paradise of that region but also make the lifetime memory of the people, culture, tradition, and livelihoods. Tiji festival overland tour can be done as a group joining tour or private guided tour as per your choice.
Tiji Festival overland tour highlights
- 2 weeks guided tour to Upper Mustang
- Learn about the Tibetan Buddhism and local festival
- Witness the whole ceremony of Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang
- Explore the wonderful mountain villages of Upper Mustang
- Experience the lifestyle of local people
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival tour itinerary
17 May 2025, Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal
Arrival in Kathmandu airport of Nepal, meet Himalayan Mentor’s representative and drive to the hotel.
18 May 2025, Day 02: Free day in Kathmandu, Permit day
Morning we will provide brief about the tour in details. Then our representative will take your passports to obtain the permit to Upper Mustang region this day. If you want to enjoy visiting historical sites around Kathmandu valley, we will arrange upon your request.
19 May 2025, Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara by a car (6 hours)
After breakfast drive to Pokhara by a private car with your guide. You will drive through beautiful mountains, hamlets and bank of rivers.
20 May 2025, Day 04: Drive from Pokhara - Beni - Tatopani (1268 m).
We will drive through beautiful scenery and mountain views to reach Beni. After the lunch break, we will continue drive towards Tatopani, where you can relish yourself in a natural hot springs.
21 May 2025, Day 05: Drive from Tatopani to Kagbeni (2800m) & Visit Muktinath Temple
We will drive after the breakfast to Kagbeni. Kagbeni is a beautiful village in the Lower Mustang with a great history. Then we will drive to Muktinath temple for a short visit. Then drive back to Kagbeni for overnight stay.
22 May 2025, Day 06: Drive from Kagbeni to Ghami (3510m) via Syngboche Pass (4200m)
Today we will enter to restricted area of Upper Mustang. We will drive through many small villages through a spectacular valley of rocky outcrops and cliffs where we will find the ancient Chungsi cave monastery. After the monastery visit continue drive to beautiful village of Ghami.
23 May 2025, Day 07: Drive from Ghami to Lo Manthang (3840m)
Leaving Ghami we will pass the longest Mani Wall in the world stretching out as far as you can see of carved stones. We will also pass sets of ancient clay Buddhist stupa that look as old as the hills around them. Continue drive enjoying the red cliffs of Dhakmar. Then to Tsarang that is home to the most beautiful monastery and palace. The 8th century Ghar Gompa is a major attraction of Tsarang. Then drive to the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang.
24 May 2025, Day 08: First day of Tiji Festival
Today, we observe the first day of the fascinating Tiji festival. The first day of this festival is full of colorful dances by the monks depicting the harassment of Ma Tam Ru Ta in a dance called "Tsa Chham".
25 May 2025, Day 09: Second day of Tiji Festival
On the second day of the Tiji festival - the performers enact the birth of Dorjee Zon as the demon's son.
26 May 2025, Day 10: Third Day of Tiji Festival
The last day of Tiji festival depicts the attempt to return the demon to Lord Buddha's realm. With the death of the demon the festival ends.
27 May 2025, Day 11: Drive from Lo Manthang - Jomsom (2743m)
We'll take a drive via Kagbeni to Jomsom and get a chance to enjoy the last views of amazing landscapes, architecture and culture.
28 May 2025, Day 12: Drive from Jomsom (2743m) to Pokhara (820m)
After breakfast drive to Pokhara through beautiful mountain villages like; Marpha, Ghasa, Tatopani, Beni etc. Evening enjoy a relaxing time in Pokhara around the Lakeside.
29 May 2025, Day 13: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1400m).
Drive to Kathmandu along the Trishuli River and roadside towns for about 6-7 hrs
30 May 2025, Day 14: Final Departure
Transfer to the airport for final departure. Trip concludes.
Note: The Tiji festival dates for 2024 are 5th, 6th and 7th of May. If you want to book a last minute tour, please feel free to let us know!
