Trip Details

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trip Style: Tour
  • Transport: Private Vehicle / Aeroplane
  • Food: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel + Tea House Lodge
  • Group Size: 4
  • Max Elevation: 4353 m

Highlights

  • World’s Top 10 monk leads the Tiji Festival
  • Classic and Authentic exposure to century-old ceremonies and rituals
  • Panorama View of the world’s 7th highest mountain-Dhaulagiri and Gangapurnna, Tukuche, Manaslu, Thorang
  • Kali Gandaki George, World’s Deepest George
  • Muktinath Temple- high value for Buddhists and Hindus
  • Traditional Palaces, Monasteries, and caves formed on high cliffs
  • Ghar Gumba- oldest monasteries
  • Hills with vibrant shades of pink, brown, grey, and glaciers
  • Desert landscape with spires and cliffs as well as dense green hills and woods
  • Kagbeni - Holy Kaligandaki river valley 

Tiji Festival Jeep Ride Tour, the package is an alternative to the Tiji Festival trekking to attend a fascinating annual three-day festival consisting of Tibetan rituals that celebrate the myth of a son who had to save the Mustang kingdom from destruction. The Tiji festival is on the 5th, 6th, and 7th May of 2024.

The Tiji festival, which locals call Tenchi Festival is a monk dance festival celebrated every year in Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang. According to Tempa Chhirim, Tenji: commonly pronounced Teeji or Tiji means “ Prayer for World Peace” Upper Mustang, is a place highly influenced by Tibetan- Buddhism and the only untouched preserved safe zone for Tibetan Buddhism. According to His Highness Dalai Lama, “Authentic Tibetan culture survives only in exile in a few places like Mustang, which has had long historical and cultural ties with Tibet.” The main priest of the Tiji Festival is one of the Top 10 Buddhist priests in the World.

The festival is only celebrated in indigenous Lo-Manthang, Upper Mustang. Over the Mustang during the Tiji festival time, monks dressed in elaborate costumes and masks perform dances and rituals that are supposed to drive away evil spirits. The Tiji festival dances are all organized by the Choedhe Monastery and led by the monks, which belong to the Sakya sect of Buddhism. The monastery is headed by a Rimpoche, the Top 10 Buddhist priests in the World. About 65 monks from Lo Manthang, Nhenyul, and Chhosyer reside in this monastery. They practice religious and traditional dances for months just to perform at Tiji Festival.

The Tiji Festival begins with the opening of the 400-year-old banner of the respective Lord who conquered the demons and brought peace. The Tiji Festival gets held in the town’s main square. On the first day, monks integrate the dances and complex ceremonies to lead the world towards peace, evoke God, and purify the ground for further days of the Tiji Festival. The second day is lit as different dances are performed with drums, masks, attitude, swords, and the ragging of demons. The king of Lo comes to the town’s main square and settles on the throne for the ongoing Tiji Festival. The third day is all about winning over demons and destruction and welcoming peace.

Kali Gandaki Gorge, the Deepest Gorge in the World

Kali Gandaki Gorge is the narrow valley between Mt Dhaulagiri, the 7th-highest mountain in the world, and Mt.Annapurna I, the 10th-highest mountain in the world. Kali Gandaki Gorge separates the major peaks of Dhaulagiri (8,167m / 26,795ft) on the west and Annapurna I (8,091m / 26,545 ft) on the east. When one measures the depth of the canyon by the difference between the river height and the heights of the peaks on either side, the gorge is the world’s deepest.

During the 19th century, it was termed Kora La (La means pass) which was highly used as Tibet-India Trade Route. Besides, Kali Gandaki Gorge is within the Annapurna Conservation Area and part of Annapurna Circuit, the famous trekking route. Kali Gandaki River source coincides with the Tibetan border and the Ganges-Brahmaputra watershed divide. It flows through a deep canyon south of Lo Manthang and widens up as it approaches Kagbeni. Then, continues southward passing Jomsom, Marpha, and Tukuche to the deepest part of the gorge about 7km south of the Tukuche peak around Lete. Further, the Kali Gandaki River flows through Dana and Tatopani toward Beni. You can also find the valuable Saligram fossils in the bank of Kali Gandaki which is regarded as Lord Vishnu per Hindu mythology. Tiji Festival Jeep Ride Tour enables you to encounter and observe the deepest gorge in the world.

Dumba Lake at (2900 m/9515 ft)

Dumba Lake reflects the pureness and beauty of nature and its surrounding through its crystal clear and pristine water. The lake is fenced with prayer flags and the water of the lake is used by the local stupa as a religious offering. Some myth is related to Dumba Lake which makes it religiously valuable along with its natural attractiveness. It is believed the lake turned red and after religious ceremonies by Tibetan Buddhists, it returned to be as greenish and clear as it was. Locals do not fish at the lake and come for prayers whereas travelers visit Dumba Lake to enjoy the tranquility as well as a view of the mountains and Jomsom Bazaar. 

Explore Apple Garden at Marpha, Thakali Village

Marpha village made Mustang widely famous by supplying apples and apricot products in Nepal. Though Mustang widely practices apple and apricot farming and produces products like juice, wine, and dry fruit, Marpha is solely famous for its Apple and Apricot garden along with its typical Thakali culture. Marpha village took the hype due to the beautiful mixture of culture and nature. Marpha is the residence of the Thakali (one of the indigenous communities of Nepal) community which showcases the ancient traditions yet managed to introduce the apple business in the Mustang Region.  When you choose Tiji Festival Jeep Ride Tour, you grab the opportunity to explore the famous Apple garden of Nepal on the way to Upper Mustang/Lo-Manthang. Not just at Marpha village but as you enter the Mustang district you can observe the apple garden on the roadside till you reach Kagbeni.

Muktinath Temple at (3800 m/12,468 ft)

When you pick Tiji Festival Jeep Ride Tour, the package ensures you the tour of Muktinath Temple situated at an elevation of 3800m/ 12,468 ft. Whereas, in the Tiji Festival Trekking you may not be able to explore Muktinath Temple as it requires much time and energy to climb up the hill and visit Muktinath Temple.

Muktinath Temple is a Lord Vishnu temple sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. Literally, Muktinath means a place of liberation. Muktinath Temple is situated on the lap of the Himalayas offering a heart-pleasing view of mountains, hills, and settlements. It has 108 holy water streams and two holy ponds and bathing in them is believed to be blissful, valuable, a blessing, and a way of salvation. Pilgrims believe it makes them pure. The temple surrounding is peacefully decorated with streams and trees which showcase the unique spot of religious belief and nature’s creation.  

Off-road Adventure Trip  

Tiji Festival Jeep Ride Tour leads to the off-road adventure trip. The entire road is not bumpy and off-road but few days you have to ride through the thrilling off-road. The jeep ride on unsurfaced roads or tracks made of materials such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, rocks, and other natural terrains. The road crosses the streams and rivers without bridges as well as the highway goes through the Kali Gandaki river bank which makes it more thrilling and adventurous. However, there is no risk in this off-road ride and an everyday number of vehicles travel. The off-road begins from Beni and lasts up to Jomsom.

With all these benefits of exploring places from deep down the gorge to high up temples, lake views to garden views, and catching up on off-road adventure, the Nepal Adventure Team arranges the fixed departure for the Tiji Festival Jeep Ride Tour as per the other customized requirements for the attainment of Tiji festival. You can also check out the option of the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 2024.

Nepal Adventure Team arranges the fixed departure for the Tiji Festival Jeep Ride Tour on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of May 2024 for 15 Days or less than 12 days as per the customized requirements for the attainment of the Tiji festival.  Nepal Adventure Team arranges the fixed departure for the Tiji festival by jeep ride as per the other customized requirements for the attainment of the Tiji festival. The Nepal adventure team has a well-organized package for Tiji Festival Jeep Ride 2024, which starts from Kathmandu allowing visitors to prepare as well as enjoy Kathmandu. The next day leaves for Pokhara on the jeep and then bumpy off-road begins towards Marpha, Jomsom. Further few kilometers of the newly pitched and dusty ride to Lo-Manthang (Upper Mustang) through Ghami.

Upper Mustang Jeep Ride Tour

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 1Arrival to Kathmandu (1350m) Tribhuvan International Airport
  • Day 2Preparation in Kathmandu (1350m)
  • Day 3Drive to Pokhara (860m) - 8 Hours
  • Day 4Drive to Kalopani (2300m) - 6/7 Hours
  • Day 5Drive to Kagbeni via Dhumba lake (2858m) - 4/5 Hours
  • Day 6Drive to Ghami (3475m) - 5 Hours
  • Day 7Drive to Lo-Manthang (3700m) - 5 Hours
  • Day 8First Day of Tiji Festival (3700m)
  • Day 9Second Day of Tiji Festival (3700m)
  • Day 10Third Day of Tiji Festival (3700m)
  • Day 11Drive to Chhuksang (3050m) 5/6 Hours
  • Day 12Drive to Jomsom (2743m) via Muktinath 5/6 Hours
  • Day 13Fly to Pokhara (860m) 30 Minutes
  • Day 14Drive to Kathmandu (1350m) - 8 Hours
  • Day 15International Departure

What's Included

  • Airport pick up and drop by private vehicle
  • Welcome and farewell dinner at typical Nepali Restaurant with cultural dance
  • 3 night 3-Star Level Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on a twin sharing basis on BB plan.
  • 2 night’s 3-Star Level Hotel accommodation in Pokhara on a twin sharing basis on BB plan.
  • Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu ground transportation by Deluxe tourist bus
  • 4WD Jeep Pokhara to Lo-Manthan to Pokhara by Jeep
  • 3 meals a day during the trip (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) as mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Accommodation while trekking on a twin-sharing basis in guesthouses.
  • Jomsom to Pokhara by Flight
  • Annapurna conservation area permit and (TIMS) card.
  • Upper Mustang special restricted area permit fee.
  • Professional government license holder English speaking trekking guide, one assistance
  • Salary, Food, Drinks, Accommodation, Transportation, and Insurance for the Guide and driver.
  • Sleeping bag and duffel bag during the trek. (Refundable after finishing the trip, If needed)
  • Company T-shirt, appreciation letter, and Trip map
  • Medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
  • All government VAT, Entrance monument fees, and local taxes.
  • International airfare to/ from Nepal.
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Insurance covers, medical, emergency evacuation, loss, etc.
  • Beverages, alcoholic drinks, mineral water, boiled water during the trekking.
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
  • Personal gear and expenses.
  • Tips and gratitude are provided to staff.

PRICES & DATES

Useful Information

Passport and Visa

All foreign nationals, except Indian citizens, need visas to enter Nepal. Getting a visa must be the easiest one though. You just have to go to the Nepalese Embassy/consulate in your country or it can also be obtained upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu To get a visa, you need to bring 2 pp size photos, visa fees, and a valid passport.

Tourist Visa Fees: 3 days transit visa - Free of Cost

15 Days – 30 USD

30 Days – 50 USD

90 Days – 125 USD

For more information, please contact the Department of Immigration.
Kalikasthan, Kathmandu
Tel: 00977-1- 4429660 | 4438862 | 4438868 | 4433934
E-mail: [email protected].
Website: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/

Tiji Festival Jeep Ride Tour Transportation 

For this trip, we will use a deluxe tourist bus to Pokhara and Kathmandu and to Lo-Manthang 4WD Jeep and walk. All the cost is already included unless otherwise noted.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a must when you travel abroad. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen.

Foods and Accommodations

All meals are provided during the tour while only breakfast will be available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Generally, traditional Nepalese(daal, Bhat, curry, and pickle), Tibetan, Continental, Indian and other cuisines are available in the local lodges/teahouses. There will also be a welcome and farewell dinner for guests in Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, you'll be staying in the best quality standard hotel, on a twin-sharing basis. On trekking, accommodations are simple yet comfortable on-mountain lodges. Toilets and bathrooms need to be shared in some teahouses.
Note: Single room is always available but only on special requests and spending extra bucks.

Health and Fitness required

No previous experience is required since it's a moderate trek. But you being a healthy person, physically and mentally is very important. It is better if we prepare ourselves a few days/weeks prior to the start of the trek by jogging and running regularly since will be walking a lot of ups and downs in the hills, ridges, villages, and mountains. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions should inform us beforehand.

First Aid Kit/High Altitude Sickness

Nepal Adventure Team strongly suggests that you have your own personal first aid or medical kit. This trip takes you to some high altitudes though not much but the slow walks and regular stops between the walks will help you acclimatize to high altitude saving you from the high altitude sickness called AMS(acute mountain sickness). Gaining altitude without proper consideration of AMS is fatal.

Your Guide and Porter

Since mountain trekking takes you to remote places over high altitudes, the leader should have a piece of significant knowledge in the field so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you there clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nepal Adventure Team can proudly say that our guides are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced, and licensed. They have undergone a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.
Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow a maximum weight of 25 kg to be carried by one porter. We make sure that they are well-paid and well-treated.

Best Time to Travel

Tiji Festival Jeep Ride tour 2023 is in May (The date do not fix yet) so there, is no other best time and season although May month is the best time to trek/travel to Upper Mustang.

Equipment and Packing Lists

After booking with Nepal Adventure Team, please pack the necessary items as listed:

  • Travel documents: passport, visa(if you have one), travel insurance, air tickets, voucher, passport photo (x 2)
  • Bank cards or credit cards, travelers' cheques, etc
  • Comfortable boots and runners/sports shoes.
  • 6-8 pairs of socks woolen/cotton.
  • Fleece jacket, Down / Duvet Jacket, and Rain / windproof jacket.
  • Gloves- 2 pairs.
  • T-shirts 4-6 pcs, shirts(woolen/cotton).
  • A cap for the day and a woolen hat or Balaclava for evening/morning wear.
  • Trousers.
  • Short and tracksuits.
  • Sleeping bag (4 seasons) with inner liner.
  • Large and small towels.
  • Toiletries.
  • Water bottle.
  • Sun /snow glass.
  • Ski/walking poles(optional but useful).
  • First Aid/medical kit.
  • Rucksack/backpack.
  • Duffel Bags(carried by porters or animals).
  • Torch / Flashlights with spare batteries.
  • Pen knife/ Swiss knife.
  • Scarf/mask (for dust and wind).
  • Personal hygiene stuff.
  • Any other extras you feel are necessary like binoculars, cameras, books, journals, and more.

Precautionary Note:

Trekking has been long established in Nepal, so the itineraries are modified and moderated in such a way that you can take it easy and slow. DO NOT RUSH AND ENJOY. There is plenty of time and the guide will keep track of you all the time. It might be a bit harder or a bit colder but you will get used to it.

Additional Money

Every traveler is different and they spend their own way. Some spend on food and drinks while others on souvenirs. Either way, consider your own spending habits and also tipping, emergency fund($200), etc before you pack up and leave.

Trip Specific Safety

Your guide is always there for your safety concerns and looking after your valuables. But you have to be equally careful. Carry some sort of wallet or belt for your important documents and money. The hotels have a safety deposit box where the lock is recommended before passing the luggage.

A Couple of Rules

Possession or using any illegal drugs is totally intolerable. It is because of the law that respects the local people and their culture. The group will be expelled in such a case.

Responsible Tourism

Nepal Adventure Team strongly believes that we all are equally responsible to act in favor of the local people and the surrounding environment. Our clients too have an important role to

  • Respect the local laws, customs, and beliefs
  • Always ask for permission before doing something local or consult the leader
  • Keep the area the same as you found it, wherever you go, and dispose of rubbish
  • Support local skills to encourage positive sides of tourism.


Feedback and Reviews

This is very very important for us. After your travel, we want your feedback whether it is good or bad since that's the way we can thrive further. To motivate you to finish the review or feedback online, we are going to give you an 8% discount on your next trip with us. Outstanding, ain't it?

Additional Information

For all the additional information, go to Contact Us.

Tel: +977 9841486322

Cell: +977 9851234322 (WhatsApp/Viber)

Email: [email protected]
[email protected]

Client Reviews

  • noimage
    Rating Review by: Hannah, Germany

    The Jeep Ride tour, and Amazing Festival

    Tiji festival is an amazing Tibetan festival celebrating in Lomangthan in Upper Mustang. We had such a wonderful time with Mr. Jeeban Managing Director of the Nepal Adventure Team.

    I have very less time but we have got Nepal Adventure Team on google. At the last moment, they organized the trip so we would like to special thanks to NAT. 

    We highly recommend this company for trekking in Nepal.