Lo Manthang Tiji Festival & Sacred Mask Dances
Lo Manthang / Mustang
- Duration
- 312h
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Group size
- Up to 8
- Min age
- 12+
About this experience
Annual spring festival celebrating victory of good over evil. Watch monks perform sacred Chham dances in ceremonial robes inside the royal palace courtyard of Lo Manthang.
What's included
- ✓Tiji festival special entry access
- ✓Upper Mustang RAP permit
- ✓Jeep & flight transfers
- ✓Teahouse stay & guide
What to bring
- ✓Warm windproof clothing
- ✓Camera with zoom lens
- ✓Sun hat
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Pokhara to Jomsom, trek to Kagbeni
Mountain flight to Jomsom (2,720m) and an afternoon walk into the gateway village of Kagbeni.
Day 2
Kagbeni to Chele
Upper Mustang permits checked at Kagbeni, then along the Kali Gandaki past Tangbe and Chhusang to Chele (3,050m).
Day 3
Chele to Syangboche
Cross the Taklam La and Dajori La, passing Samar and the Rangbyung cave shrine, to Syangboche (3,800m).
Day 4
Syangboche to Ghami
Over the Yamda La and Nyi La to Ghami (3,520m) and its 300m mani wall.
Day 5
Ghami to Tsarang
Climb the Tsarang La to the old royal village of Tsarang (3,560m) and its five-storey white dzong.
Day 6
Tsarang to Lo Manthang
Cross the Lo La and enter the walled capital (3,840m), timed to arrive before the festival opens.
Day 7
Tiji day one: Tsa Chham
Monks of Chodey Gompa perform the Tsa Chham, opening the three-day cycle that recounts Dorje Jono defeating his demon father.
Day 8
Tiji day two: Nga Chham
The Nga Chham drum dances fill the palace square, with the great thangka of Padmasambhava unfurled on the palace wall.
Day 9
Tiji day three: the exorcism
The final ritual carries the demon effigy out beyond the city walls, closing the festival with archery and horse events.
Day 10
Chhoser sky caves excursion
Quiet day after the crowds leave: the Jhong sky caves at Chhoser and Nyphu cave monastery.
Day 11
Lo Manthang to Ghami
Return south via Ghar Gompa and the red cliffs of Dhakmar to Ghami.
Day 12
Ghami to Jomsom
Long stage by trail and jeep back down the Kali Gandaki through Kagbeni to Jomsom.
Day 13
Fly Jomsom to Pokhara
Morning flight out of Mustang to Pokhara.
Things to know
- ✓Occurs annually in May according to Tibetan lunar calendar
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