The 14-days Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trekking, begins at Kathmandu. Embark on a scenic half-day long road journey to Pokhara, followed by an equally scenic flight to Jomsom Town in Mustang. Enjoy the aerial tour of the lush Annapurna Valley and Annapurna massif along with the flight. The trek gradually advances along the Kali Gandaki River and goes north towards the wilderness of Upper Mustang. Explore the Tibetan-styled villages of Chele, Syangboche, Ghami, and Tsarang en route to Lo Manthang.
At Syangboche, you may witness centuries-old human-made caves. Lo Manthang or the walled city, is where you’ll witness the three-days Tiji Festival. Witness the local monks participating in the masked dance. Upon completion of the festival, you’ll begin retracing your path back to Jomsom. Catch the mesmerizing sights of Annapurna I (8091m), Dhaulagiri Peak (8167m), Nilgiri Central (6940m), and Tukuche (6,920m) along the trek. The trek concedes upon your return to Kathmandu via Pokhara.
Background
Tiji Festival is endemic to Upper Mustang. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. Started in the 17th Century, Tiji traces the folk history of Dorje Jono and Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche. Dorje Jono or Vajrakila was a deity in Vajrayana Buddhism who defeated evil forces and brought prosperity in the region.
Every year during May, Chode Monastery at Lo Manthang performs the special Vajrakila ritual. Instructed by Padmasambhava, the festival takes in the form of prayer chants and colorful dances, enacting the exact history of the battle. The festival is marked with performers dancing in disguise as demons and gods in eccentric masks and horns.
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