Tour Itinerary
Join CSNep for an adventure trip to the fabled Kingdom of Mustang timed for the beginning of the harvest season and the spectacular three-day Tiji Festival. Located in the Himalayas of Nepal on the border with Tibet, this miniature royal domain answers to its own king even as its host country has rejected a national monarchy.
Deepak Lama, founder of CSNep he who served as trekking guide over 14 years leads the way and the profits generated from tour goes to the Care Society Nepal, a non- government organization fully committed to help the poor and deprived people by providing the various types of skill development and income generating programs… further information please contact: info@caresociety.org.np
Mustang's culture has descended in its pure form from the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism (contrasting to the Yellow Hat sect to which the Dalai Lama belongs.) and it remains one of the only spots on earth where Tibetans live according to their own unimpeded traditions. We will walk amidst stunning sculpted rock formations backed by snow-capped peaks. We will visit homes, villages and active monasteries, and the welcome will be warm.
The Tiji Festival in Mustang's ancient walled capital city of Lo Manthang will be the highlight. A 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.
Itinerary
May 06 Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu
May 07 Day 02 Half day city tour
May 08 Day 03 Drive Pokhara
May 09 Day 04 Fly Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni
May 10 Day 05 Chele
May 11 Day 06 Ghiling
May 12 Day 07 Charang
May 13 Day 08 Lo Manthang
May 14 Day 09 Tiji Festival
May 15 Day 10 Tiji Festival
May 16 Day 11 Ghemi
May 17 Day 12 Samar
May 18 Day 13 Kagbeni
May 19 Day 14 Jomsom
May 20 Day 15 Fly to Pohara/ Kathmandu
May 21 Day 16 Depart
May 13, we'll move slowly but steadly up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge opposite the village at 11,841 feet. The trail turns north and climbs gently to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. After a rest break we'll travel across a desert-like landscape painted in every hue of grey and yellow. Finally, we reach our destination- the whitewashed walls of the city of Lo, which sits among fields filled with horses and yaks. We may even have time to see the start of the Tiji festival.
May 14, we spend the better part of the day at the Tiji Festival watching all the dances and celebrations that take place, including horse racing and a giant tug-of-war. We’ll see Tibetan women in their traditional clothing and colorful jewelry, monks in their robes and dancers in elaborate costumes. This is an almost unknown festival that most Nepal trekkers never experience. Definitely bring your cameras along today!
May 15, In addition to the festival, there are many other activities in Lo Manthang from which you can choose. Spend today exploring the intimate alleyways and courtyards of the city, or you can rent a horse and visit some of the other villages in the area.
