North of Kagbeni generally known as upper Mustang looks similar to the Tibetan plateau with its yellow and gray rolling hills eroded by violent winds. It lies beyond the Annapurna massif and bordered on three sides by Tibet lies the ancient Kingdom of Lo, better known as Mustang. In local language, the name Mustang refers to the barren Tibet like region at the north end of the Kali Gandaki which is known to its inhabitants as Lo. Upper Mustang is the last of the untouched and ageless lands in the Himalaya, and here you will find Lo-Manathang, the only walled city in Nepal. Mustang is probably a Nepalese mispronunciation of the name of capital of Lo, the city of Manthang. The capital of Lo is named Manthang, which translates from the Tibetan as "plains of aspiration" Mustang's unofficial capital; the walled city of Lomanthang has its own King and thus is a Kingdom with in a Kingdom. Upper Mustang. The Land of the Loba people, was closed to non-Nepalese (except for a brief time in the 1950s) until 1992.
The Tiji Festival in Mustang's ancient walled capitol city of Lo Manthang will be the highlight. Thousand men, women and children participate in the annual elaborate re-enactment of the Tiji myth, telling of a deity named Dorje Jon who battles his demon father to save the kingdom from destruction. It will be our unique privilege to witness the same color, costume, dancing and ritual that were displayed by these people in this place more than six hundred years ago.
Tiji celebration is a festival and reaffirmation of the myth. Throughout the festival the events and story of the myth are re-enacted. The festival is timed to coincide with the end of the dry season (late winter/spring) and ushers in the wetter monsoon season. Tiji comes from the words "ten che" "tempa chirim' meaning "the hope of Buddhism prevailing in all worlds - Prayer for world peace" and is a spring renewal festival that also celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
Tiji is believed to have started around the time of Lowo khenchen and continued with great pomp and fervor in the few centuries thereafter. It thus became one of the main festivals of Lo. The country at that time was flourishing, food was plentiful, and Buddhist religion was practiced and followed by the Royal family as well as the lay people.
Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu.
Day 02: Trip arrangement, Kathmandu city tour
Day 03: Fly to Pokhara and tour
Day 04: POKHARA/ FLY TO JOMSOM/ TREK TO KAGBENI (2875 m.) WALK 3/4 HRS.
DAY 05: KAGBENI/ TREK TO CHELEY (3100 m.) WALK 5/6 HRS.
DAY 06: CHELEY/ SYANGMOCHEN WALK 5/6 HRS.
DAY 07: SYANGMOCHEN/GHAMI WALK 4/5 HRS.
DAY 08: GHAMI / TSARANG (3500 m.) WALK 4/ 5 HRS.
DAY 09:TSARANG/ LO-MANTHANG (3750 m.) WALK 3/4 HRS
Day 10/11/12: Tiji Festival celebration
DAY 13: LO-MANTHANG / TSARANG (3500 m.) WALK 4/5 HRS.
DAY 14: TSARANG / TANGE (3370 m) WALK 5/6 HRS.
DAY 15: TANGE / TETANG (2940 m) WALK 6/7 HRS
DAY 16:TETANG / MUKTINATH (3800 m.) WALK 5/6 HRS
DAY 17: MUKTINATH/ JOMSOM (2685 m.) WALK 3/4 HRS
DAY 18: JOMSOM/ fly POKHARA / fly KATHMANDU
DAY 19: FREE DAY ON YOUR OWN
DAY 20: DEPARTURE
Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu. Meet/Assist and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu
Day 02: Trip arrangement, day tour of Kathmandu + Swayambhunath + Pashupatinath + Boudhanath. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu
Day 03: Fly to Pokhara and then transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day tour of Pokhara city + One hour boat ride on Phewa Lake Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara
Day 04: POKHARA/ FLY TO JOMSOM/ TREK TO KAGBENI (2875 m.) WALK 3/4 HRS.
Fly Pokhara/ Jomsom by early morning flight. After a short preparation, the trek starts. Three and half hours of walking direct north of Jomsom is the little pretty village of Kagbeni. The trail is barren withrocks and sand and is mostly flat making is very easy, enjoyable as well as picturesque Dhaulagiri (8167 m.) and Tukuche (6920 m.) in the west, Nilgiri (6940 m.) and the entire Annapurna massif to the south and south west.
DAY 05: KAGBENI/ TREK TO CHELEY (3100 m.) WALK 5/6 HRS.
The “Restricted Area begins from this point. The five villages in this area: Chele, Gyakar, Chhuksang, Tangbe and Tetang, are a culturally unified group of people who call themselves Gurungs. Overnight at tented camp.
DAY 06: CHELEY/ SYANGMOCHEN WALK 5/6 HRS.
The climb from Chele is up a steep spur to a cairn at 3130 m. The climb continues, a long steep, treeless, waterless slog, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cairn of rocks at 3540 m. Here the trail makes a long gradual descent to some Chortens on a ridge, then descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in grove of popular trees at 3290 m. This is a major stopping place for horse caravan. The Annapurna Himal, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south.
Climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge past a Chorten painted in red, black, yellow and white - all pigments made from local rocks. The trail goes into another valley filled with juniper trees, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at 3800 m. and a cave with self-emanating statues of Guru Ringpoche and Padmasambhave. Snellgrove translate the cave’s Tibetan name as “self produced place of Promenade”. It is believed that if any part of statue is broken off it will grow back by itself. From the cave, it is possible to climb a steep gorge to Shyangmochen. Overnight camping at Syangbochen. Overnight at the Tented Camp
DAY 07: SYANGMOCHEN/GHAMI WALK 4/5 HRS.
From Syangmochen, the trail climbs gently through fields up the center of the valley, passing below the settlement of Tema Gung and an Chorten. It becomes an unrelenting climb across the bead of the valley to the Nyi La pass at 3950 m, the highest point reached on the trek. This pass is the southern boundary of LO itself. About a half hour from the pass is a trail junction, the left trail leads to Ghami. Overnight camping at Ghami. Overnight at Tented Camp
DAY 08: GHAMI / TSARANG (3500 m.) WALK 4/ 5 HRS.
From Ghami, the trail to Charang descends through the blue gray and red cliffs across the valley to a steel bridge across the Tangmar Chu then climbs past which is perhaps the longest and most spectacular stretch of mani wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600 meter the route makes a long gently descent to Tsarang which is situated at an altitude of 3520 m (11545 ft). Overnight camping at Tsarang. Overnight at Tented Camp
DAY 09:TSARANG/ LO-MANTHANG (3750 m.) WALK 3/4 HRS
The trail descends about 100 metres from Charang crosses the Charang Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge opposite the village at 3580 m, then enters the Thong valley. A short descent leads onto the “plain of Aspiration” at 3780 m. Cross a stream. Then climb up onto the plateau of LO Manthang itself, crossing an irrigation canal at the south wall of the city. Overnight at Tented Camp
Day 10/11/12: Tiji Festival celebration
DAY 13: LO-MANTHANG / TSARANG (3500 m.) WALK 4/5 HRS.
We trek down to Tsarang. Overnight Camping at Tsarang
DAY 14: TSARANG / TANGE (3370 m) WALK 5/6 HRS.
The trail passes through the river for around two hours and crosses a river from Damodar Kunda, One of the sacred lakes, there are no bridge on the river and we need to deep the bare feet in the water to cross this river. After crossing the river, the trail climbs up till high above a pass of 12628 ft. The trail goes through a grassless, treeless hill called Tange. Overnight Camping at Tange
DAY 15: TANGE / TETANG (2940 m) WALK 6/7 HRS
Today, our trek begins with a fine trail for around an hour then we have to cross a river which has no bridge. After crossing the river, the trail climbs high p till Cacho-La pass. From here, we can have a wide range view of mountains like Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Tilicho peak and Thorong Peak. On this elevation, we can also see varieties of flowers and blu ships. After the pass, the trail descends to Pa Khola from where we take a minor climb up and the again trail descends down to the Village of Tetang. The trail passes through a steep ridge with a beautiful views of wind caved hills. Continuing the trek, you can see the village of Tetang. Overnight Camping at Tegang
DAY 16:TETANG / MUKTINATH (3800 m.) WALK 5/6 HRS
From Tetang, our trekking trail climbs up till the Gnyu pass, which takes around three and half hours to cross. The entire route provides a fine panorama of the Himalayan range and green valley with many kinds of Himalayan flowers. From Gnyu pass, one can see the entire Muktinath area in a distance. After walking about two hours, we reach to Muktinath. Overnight Camping at Muktinath.
Muktinath is an important pilgrimage place for both Hindu & Buddhist. The holy shrine at Muktinath is in a grove of trees and includes a Buddhist Gompa and the pagoda style temple of Vishnu Mandir, Containing an Image of Vishnu. Around the temple is a wall from which 108 waterspouts, cast in the shape of cows' heads, pour fourth-sacred water. Even more sacred is the water that issues from rock inside the ancient Tibetan style Jwala Mai Temple, a short distance below the pagoda. Inside this Gompa, behind a tattered curtain, are small natural gas jest that produce a perpetual holy flame alongside a spring that is the source of the religious importance of Muktinath. It is often possible to see Tibetan woman with elaborate turquoise embedded headdresses, engaged in devotion at these shrine. Overnight at Tented Camp
DAY 17: MUKTINATH/ JOMSOM (2685 m.) WALK 3/4 HRS
Today is the last day of our trekking. After breakfast, our trail passses through the village of Jharkot where we can also visit Jharkot monastery, Tibetan herbal medical center and the old fortress of Jharkot.. Continuing the trek towards Jomsom, we can have a view of the Kaligandaki valley and Kagbeni village the entry point to Mustang. We pass through Eklo Bhatti tracing all the surprises of the human effort in this corner of the World of such an isolation and solitude. Arrive at Jomsom, celebrate the last day of the trekking with the trekking crew. Overnight Camping at Muktinath. Overnight at Tented Camp
DAY 18: JOMSOM/ fly POKHARA / fly KATHMANDU
After breakfast at Jomsom prepared by your Sherpa crew members, all your Trekking crew members including Sherpa assistant will bid you farewell. Then you will take a flight to Pokhara then to Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
DAY 19: FREE DAY ON YOUR OWN
Free day on your own for shopping/leisure/message etc. Also kept as buffer day for any delay along the way.
DAY 20: DEPARTURE
Departure transfer to the International airport to connect flight for onward destination.
Departure dates and itinerary arrangements are made according to festival date. Please contact us if you have any queries.
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