Upper Mustang TIJI Festival Tour- 2026

After breakfast in the hotel, we start the Mustang Tiji Festival journey by driving a four-wheel Jeep from Pokhara. Driving along the winding road enjoying the view of mountains, local lifestyle, farms, rivers gorges etc. Later in the evening, you can enjoy and relax at Jomsom.

Breakfast in Jomsom in our hotel starts with driving by four-wheel jeep to Kagbeni and Muktinath Temple (3800m). Muktinath happens to be a religious place for both Hindu and Buddhist communities, reflecting religious harmony amongst the people of Nepal and India. After exploring the area around Muktinath temple and town, we return to Kagbeni, which is at an elevation of 2,900 m, Your identification and special authorization are scrutinized at Kagbeni before you are allowed to visit the monasteries and Buddhist schools there. You will then go in the direction of Ghami. The dwellings made of stone and mud in Ghami are typically thought to be whitewashed.

Learn about the locals’ beliefs and way of life by interacting with them and exploring the little passages that line the roadway. To go to Tsarang, you have to bridge the Kali Gandaki River, go through Chhusang, Chelle, Samar, Syanboche, Ghiling, and Ghami, and then over a number of Mani walls. You can see a walled hamlet and a vast mountain range from Charang.

After a traditional breakfast, you will continue your Upper Mustang Tour during the Tiji Festival 2026 from Charang to Lo-Manthang. As you go farther, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Annapurna I, Tilicho, Nilgiri, and other mountain ranges. As you approach the legendary walled city, you will pass by Upper Mustang’s longest mani wall. Along the route, you will pass by a number of Tibetan plateaus, cliffs, and sky caves.

Your eyes will be captivated by the desert-like setting. The Upper Mustang Kingdom’s administrative center, Lo-Manthang, is now open to you. Elegant and ancient white-washed homes on dry ground will welcome you. You will head to the king’s palace to enjoy the TIJI festival tomorrow.

Overnight stay in Lo manthang.

According to the Tiji Festival Jeep Tour Itinerary 2026, this is the first/day of the festival’s celebration. After breakfast, you will visit many notable monasteries and temples. Lo Manthang faithfully captures the wonderful Tibetan Buddhist culture and traditions. Hiking is the best way to explore the hidden areas of this amazing city that was built among desolate terrain. The event typically begins around noon, so you can drive to Chhoser village in the morning.

From Lo-Manthang, the trip takes only an hour. You could catch sight of Blue sheep and other animals if you are lucky. You will visit the village’s Buddhist school and the sky cave at Chhoser. You will return to Lo-Manthang for the TIJI festival after exploring Chhoser.

The first day of the Tiji festival begins in the afternoon with Tibetan horn sounds from the Chhode Monastery, followed by prayers and Vajrakilaya rituals by the local monks. Monks then perform the ‘Tsa Chaam’ masked dance, narrating the story of Dorje Jono’s victory over a demon that was harassing the people of Lo Manthang. The monks’ early morning preparations and the revelation of a large, ancient Thangka (scroll painting) under which they sit are also key aspects of this opening day, setting the stage for the ensuing festival events.

Rituals and Preparations

Morning Prayers: The festival officially commences with monks performing early morning prayers and rituals at the Chhode Monastery.

Thangka Revelation: A highlight is the ceremonial unveiling of a 400-year-old, hand-embroidered Thangka depicting deities, under which monks will sit.

Offerings: Sacred offerings, including grain, butter lamps, and symbolic torma (ritual cakes), are arranged on a wooden altar.

Sounds and Atmosphere

Music and Horns: The festival begins with loud sounds from long Tibetan horns, cymbals, and drums, welcoming the proceedings.

Procession to the Square: Monks and performers emerge from the monastery and proceed to the palace square, carrying sacred items and the Thangka.

The ‘Tsa Chaam’ Dance

Symbolic Dance: The masked ‘Tsa Chaam’ dance is performed in the square after the monks have taken their seats.

Storytelling: The dance reenacts the birth of Dorje Jono and his battle against a powerful demon that threatened the people of the region.

Subtle Gestures: The lead dancer, known as the Tsowo, uses subtle gestures to direct the performers, signifying the coming awakening of the gods and purification of the land.

Day 1st of Tiji Festival 2026

Overnight stay in Lo Manthang.

The second day of the Tiji Festival focuses on the Na Cham dance, which dramatizes Dorje Jono’s efforts to send a demon to the Buddha realm by generating celestial palaces and deities through ritualistic masked performances. Monks from the Choedhe Monastery perform the vigorous dances, featuring female performers in traditional costumes, as the event culminates in the symbolic rejection of evil spirits to establish peace and prosperity.

Key Highlights of the Second Day

Na Cham Dance: This is the main event of the second day, where masked monks portray Dorje Jono’s sacred battle with the demon, an event that involves both a ritualistic battle and a display of power to banish evil.

Female Performers: Women dressed in traditional costumes and jewelry participate in the dance by joining the monks in the main square.

Symbolism of Celestial Palaces: The dance is said to demonstrate the generation of celestial palaces and the presence of Buddhist deities.

Reinforcement of the Story: The dances depict the story of the demon being returned to the Buddha realm, a crucial step in restoring harmony to the valley.

Context and Purpose

Overcoming Evil: The Tiji Festival is a religious event held to remove negative energy and maintain peace, and the second day’s performance is integral to this purpose.

Dorje Jono’s Role: The dance represents Dorje Jono, an embodiment of the powerful Buddhist protector deity Vajrakilaya, who works to banish evil and ensure prosperity.

Cultural Significance: As a significant cultural attraction, the festival brings locals and visitors together to celebrate life, community, and culture.

Day 2nd of Tiji Festival 2026

Overnight stay in Lo Manthang.

The third day of the Tiji Festival culminates the three-day event with the energetic Rha Chaam masked dance, which depicts the victory of Dorje Jono (or Dorje Sonam) over the evil demon Ma Tam Ru Ta, symbolizing the banishment of evil spirits and the bringer of peace and prosperity to the region of Mustang. Monks, dressed in elaborate masks representing deities and demons, perform the dance, which is accompanied by ceremonial music and the sound of musket firings. The ceremony concludes when the monk playing Dorje Sonam throws an effigy made of tsampa (barley) to symbolize the demon’s exile, followed by the ritual of walking over a hay fire at the city gate to purify and bless the people.

Key aspects of the third day:

Rha Chaam Dance: A vibrant and powerful masked dance that is the focal point of the day, signifying the demon’s final defeat.

Symbolic Banishment: The dance culminates in the throwing of a tsampa (barley) effigy, a symbolic act of casting the demon out of the region.

Spiritual Significance: The ritual is believed to ensure peace, prosperity, and harmony for the people of Mustang by dispelling negative forces.

Spectacle and Sound: The performance is enhanced by the use of eccentric masks, ceremonial music, and the loud firing of muskets, creating a memorable and intense atmosphere.

Final Rituals: The day’s events conclude with blessings for all those who have witnessed the rituals, and the community gathers to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

Day 3rd of Tiji Festival 2026

Overnight stay in Lo Manthang.

After exploring Lo Manthang, you will gradually bid farewell to the ethereal region of the Upper Mustang and proceed to the famed location known as Jomsom. Following a sumptuous breakfast, your Tiji Festival Jeep Tour in Upper Mustang will retrace your steps back to Jomsom. To go to Kagbeni, you will cross the same lovely villages of Tsarang, Ghami, Ghiling, and Samar. At Kagbeni, your paperwork and special Tiji Festival Jeep Tour permit will be scrutinized. From Kagbeni continue drive then you will reach in Marpha village.

Marpha is a picturesque village in Nepal’s Mustang district, renowned as the “apple capital” for its abundant apple orchards and famous apple products like brandy and pie. Located in the Kali Gandaki Valley at 2,650 meters, it is a popular stop on the Annapurna Circuit Trek, known for its unique stone-built houses with flat roofs, clean cobblestone alleys, and a serene atmosphere. The village also features a prominent Nyingma monastery and is home to Thakali culture and a Tibetan refugee camp.
Overnight in Marpha

After breakfast, we start our journey to Pokhara.

To travel from Marpha to Pokhara, you can take a short flight from Jomsom  to Pokhara, or travel by road, typically using a jeep or car. The journey from Marpha involves descending from the Mustang region through the Kali Gandaki Valley, passing through charming villages and offering scenic views as you approach the lower Annapurna ranges and ultimately reach the bustling tourist town of Pokhara.

You will board a private jeep this morning after waking up in Pokhara to travel back to Kathmandu. The 205 kilometers that separate Pokhara from Kathmandu follows the enthralling Marsyangdi River and then the Trishuli River. The route from Pokhara to Kathmandu passes through various attractive market areas, including Damauli bazaar, Dumre bazaar, Mugling Bazaar, and others. The route also offers breathtaking vistas of hills, rivers, and mountains covered in snow. When you arrive in the Kathmandu valley, Driver bring you in the hotel so you can freshen up before spending your final evening in Nepal shopping or touring Thamel, which finally concludes your Upper Mustang Tiji Festival 2026 trip successfully.

Next day Three hours prior to departure, we arrange an airport shuttle service based on your scheduled departure time. If you have more time, we can arrange for you to do some side trips, or you may go exploring on your own.