Day 1: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel.  Trip Briefing. Welcome Dinner.

Your Upper Mustang Tiji Festival adventure begins in Kathmandu, Nepal’s vibrant capital. After arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Take some time to relax after your international journey, or explore the colorful streets of Kathmandu if your arrival time allows. Depending on your schedule, you may visit nearby cultural sites, enjoy traditional Nepali cuisine, or simply rest before the journey into the Himalayas.

In the evening, meet your trekking team for a trip briefing. Your guide will review the itinerary, trekking conditions, permits, packing requirements, and preparations for the high-altitude journey ahead.

Day 2: Special Permit Preparation. Free time to explore around Kathmandu

While we prepare special trekking permit of Upper Mustang, you can have free time to explore the city on your own. Here are some best options to consider:

Explore around Thamel – a colorful tourist hub of Nepal. You will spot numbers of hotels, money exchange, hotels, shops to buy all kinds of souvenirs, trekking gears, etc and many restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali cuisines.
Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is a great place to start your exploration, where you will walk(about 10-15 min) through narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, temples, and local restaurants.

If you want to stretch your legs, Swoyambhunath, the white stupa rising above the valley, is the perfect spot to catch the sunset over the valley. You can also take a cab which is approximately about 15 minutes drive from Thamel if you are too tired to walk.
Visit the Garden of dreams, which is a classical historical garden located at Thamel(about 5-10 min walk) with an exquisite ensemble of pavilions, fountains, decorative garden furniture, and beautiful flowers and trees.

Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

The approximately 25-minute flight takes you from the Kathmandu Valley toward the spectacular Himalayan landscape of central Nepal. On clear days, you may catch glimpses of the Himalayan range along the way.

Pokhara sits beside beautiful Phewa Lake and is surrounded by some of Nepal’s most impressive mountains. After checking into your hotel, enjoy a relaxed day preparing for the trek.

You can stroll along the lakeside, enjoy views of the Annapurna range, or simply relax before heading deeper into the Mustang region.

Day 4: Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom. Trek to Kagbeni ( 2810 m / about 4 hrs)

Early morning, we will take an adventurous flight from Pokhara to Jomsom with spectacular views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna ranges including several other peaks from the point. After reaching Jomsom, the headquarter of Mustang our trek starts the gradual path on the Kali Gandaki river bed to Ekley Bhatti village experiencing windy air. After some walk from Ekley Bhatti we’ll reach to Kagbeni village which lies on the bank of two rivers.

As you approach Kagbeni, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and Tibetan in character. Ancient mud-brick houses, narrow alleys, prayer wheels, chortens, and monasteries create a striking contrast with the surrounding barren mountains.

Kagbeni is more than a stopping point—it is the threshold between the Lower and Upper Mustang worlds.

Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge in Kagbeni

Day 5: Kagbeni to Chele ( 3,080m /4-5hrs)

Leaving Kagbeni behind, the trail follows the Kali Gandaki River through a spectacular landscape of barren cliffs and wind-shaped rock formations. The contrast between the blue Himalayan sky and the deep red, brown, and golden cliffs creates one of the most distinctive landscapes in Nepal.

Along the way, you will encounter traditional villages, ancient chortens, prayer walls, and dramatic rock formations that reveal the unique geological and cultural character of Mustang. The landscape gradually becomes drier and more remote as you gain altitude.

Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge in Chele

Day 6: Trek from Chele to Shyanbochen ( 3,800m /5-6hrs)

Our trail pass through Eklo Bhatti to Taklam Pass(3624m). We have to climb to reach Taklam La Pass from where views of Tilicho peaks, Damodar Danda etc can be observed. Then our trail descends towards Samar village. After 3 hrs hike with cool streams and juniper trees on the way we’ll be at Shyangboche. Overnight in Shyangboche.

Day 7: Trek from Shyanbochen to Ghaymi  ( 35200m /5-6 hrs)

We will ascend towards Yamda La (3850m). We will passes through Tibetan style houses, chortens, mountains, fields of Barley and climb to

Day 8: Ghyami to Charang via Ghar Gompa, then Lo Manthang ( 3,840m/6-7 hrs)

Today is one of the most memorable days of the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek.

The trail leads toward Ghar Gompa, one of the important monasteries of the region, before continuing toward Tsarang (Charang). The landscape becomes increasingly dramatic as you approach the historic heart of Mustang.

From Tsarang, continue toward Lo Manthang, the legendary walled city that once served as the capital of the Kingdom of Mustang.

As the walls of Lo Manthang appear on the horizon, you know you have reached the heart of the journey.

Because the Tiji Festival begins on June 1, the itinerary is designed to bring you into Lo Manthang in time to settle into your accommodation, rest, and prepare for the three extraordinary days ahead.

Explore the ancient streets in the evening and feel the atmosphere building throughout the town as locals and visitors prepare for the festival.

Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge in Lo Manthang

Days 9–11: Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang — June 1–3, 2027

Day 9: June 1 — First Day of Tiji Festival

Today, the trek becomes a cultural pilgrimage.

Instead of walking long distances, you spend the day in Lo Manthang, witnessing the opening ceremonies of the three-day Tiji Festival.

The historic palace courtyard becomes the center of the celebration. Monks dressed in elaborate costumes and traditional masks perform sacred dances accompanied by ceremonial music, prayers, and rituals.

The festival is deeply connected with Tibetan Buddhist traditions and is associated with the symbolic triumph of positive forces over destructive ones and the protection of the Mustang community.

Take time to observe respectfully, photograph the colorful costumes and surroundings where permitted, and appreciate the living traditions that have been preserved here for generations.

Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge in Lo Manthang

Day 10: June 2 — Second Day of Tiji Festival

The second day offers another opportunity to immerse yourself in the spiritual and cultural atmosphere of Lo Manthang.

Return to the festival area to witness further masked dances and ceremonial performances by the monks. The colors, music, costumes, incense, prayers, and ancient architecture combine to create an experience unlike anything found on an ordinary Himalayan trek.

Between ceremonies, explore the historic streets of Lo Manthang.

You can visit traditional monasteries, admire the distinctive architecture, walk around the ancient city walls, and meet local people participating in the celebrations.

This is also an excellent day for photography and cultural observation.

Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge in Lo Manthang

Day 11: June 3 — Final Day of Tiji Festival

The final day of the Tiji Festival is the culmination of the three-day celebration.

Gather with local residents, pilgrims, monks, and fellow travelers to witness the final rituals and dramatic masked dances in the palace courtyard.

The closing ceremonies carry particular significance, bringing the festival’s spiritual narrative toward its conclusion.

After the ceremonies, take time to enjoy your final evening in Lo Manthang. Walk through the quiet medieval streets, watch the evening light fall across the ancient walls, and reflect on the remarkable journey that brought you here.

You have not simply visited a festival—you have experienced a living part of Mustang’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge in Lo Manthang

Day 12: Lo Manthang to Dhakmar (3810 m/6-7 hrs)

After three memorable days of Tiji Festival celebrations, it is time to begin the return journey.

Leaving Lo Manthang behind, you retrace sections of the Upper Mustang trail through the spectacular high-desert landscape.

Depending on the final trekking arrangement and trail conditions, today’s destination will be Dhakmar or Ghami.

The return journey offers a different perspective on landscapes you experienced on the way up. Take time to appreciate the enormous cliffs, colorful rock formations, traditional villages, and mountain scenery.

Overnight: Teahouse/Lodge in Dhakmar or Ghami

Day 13: Trek from Drakmar to Ghiling (3806 m / 5-6 hrs)
Today is a rough walk up and down hill along the high and windy road. We will walk down to Ghiling valley passing through mostly barren land and brown hills on the way. Overnight in Ghiling.

Day 14: Trek from Ghiling to Chhuksang (2980 m/5-6 hrs)

We will continue our trek from Ghiling to Chhuksang passing through the ancient villages and breathtaking landscapes.The trail will also lead you to popular Chungsi cave on the way followed by Samar village.

Day 15: Trek from Chhuksang to Jomsom (2800 m/6-7 hrs)

The last day of our trek would be the longest walk for the trek. We’ll star our trail early in the morning and ahead towards Jomsom via Kagbeni. Arriving in Jomsom marks the completion of the trekking portion of your Tiji Festival Trek.Enjoy a well-deserved evening in town and celebrate the completion of your journey through the former Kingdom of Mustang.

Note:- If we would like to visit Muktinath we have to spend one more day at Jomsom.

Overnight: Hotel/Lodge in Jomsom

Day 16: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara — 820m

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara.

The flight offers another opportunity to appreciate the dramatic Himalayan scenery of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri regions.

Upon arrival in Pokhara, check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing free afternoon.

After days of trekking, this is your opportunity to slow down. Walk beside Phewa Lake, enjoy a peaceful boat ride, explore Lakeside Pokhara, or simply relax at your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Pokhara

Day 17: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Transfer to Patan

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be received by one of our representative and transfer to your hotel in Patan. Today you will be staying in beautiful traditional style hotel in Patan- the city of fine arts and architecture.

If you missed important cultural sites at the beginning of your trip, this is a good opportunity to explore Kathmandu’s historic neighborhoods or purchase traditional handicrafts and souvenirs. Or you can visit some of the closest places around Patan city  including Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum ,Golden temple, Mahaboudha temple etc.

Overnight: Hotel in Patan

Day 18: Final Departure from Nepal

As the final morning arrives, your bags are packed , your camera full of beautiful memories and your heart a little heavier than when you arrive.  It’s hard to say goodbye to a place that’s given you so much beautiful memories.

But don’t worry as we will be there with you till the very end. You will be transferred to the airport 3 hours before your flight time, ensuring you have smooth, stress-free departure.

Until next time- Nepal will be eagerly waiting for you.

As you leave Nepal, you take with you memories of ancient monasteries, dramatic Himalayan landscapes, remote villages, Lo Manthang’s historic streets, and three unforgettable days of the sacred Tiji Festival.