Tiji Festival Trek 2024

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by a representative from Manaslu Tours who will transfer you to your hotel. To start your journey on a high note, we will be hosted for a welcome dinner in the evening, featuring authentic Nepalese cuisine and a warm welcome drink.

• SWOYAMBHUNATH, also known as the monkey temple, is climbed by a long set of steps and has great views of Kathmandu.
• BOUDHANATH STUPA has many traditional Gompas hung with strings of multi-colored prayer flags; it attracts many Sherpas and Tibetans for the circumambulations of the stupa (koras)
• PASHUPATINATH is a Hindu temple with burning Ghats on the banks of the Bagmati River.
• KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE, which is one of the old capitals of the Kathmandu valley, has a blend of Hindu and Buddhist temples

Early in the morning, you will embark on a scenic 6-hour drive to Pokhara, a beautiful city in Nepal renowned for its picturesque mountain views, tranquil lakes, and exciting adventure activities. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. In the evening, you can unwind and relax by either taking a boat ride on the Fewa Lake, where you can marvel at the breathtaking reflections of the Machhapuchhre and Annapurna mountain ranges on the tranquil waters. Overnight, you will be staying at a hotel in Pokhara.

You will take an approximately 20-minute flight to Jomsom (2720m), a beautiful town situated in the Kali Gandaki valley and the foothills of Nilgiri (7061m). Please note that flights to Jomsom may be subject to changes due to weather conditions. After landing, you will proceed to Kagbeni, a picturesque village renowned for its striking Tibetan architecture. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and unique atmosphere of the village upon arrival.

We will ascend the Kali Gandaki valley, traversing through arid landscapes to reach Thangbe, a large fortified village adorned with painted Chortens and dominated by its ancient ruins. Continuing our journey, we will further climb this high desert valley, passing through towering cliffs eroded by wind and adorned with caves. Afterward, we will pass through the scenic village of Chusang (2980m), and follow the river to reach the village of Chele. The final climb towards the village of Chele promises to be a remarkable experience, offering picturesque views of the surrounding landscape.

We leave the Kali Gandaki River by climbing through a deep canyon until we reach Chele La (3600m), which offers a beautiful view of the village of Gyakar (3562m) dominated by its "rock Sphinx." We then descend slowly to the village of Samar (3660m) before ascending to the Bhen La pass (3830m), which provides a stunning view of the Damodhar Himal to the east. Continuing our journey, we climb to the Yamda La pass (3870m), descend to the village of Syangmochen (3800m), and after crossing one last pass, begin the long descent to the village of Gelling. This village is distinguished by its fort, palace, and two monasteries, which dominate the area.

Continuing up the valley, we reach the village of Chungkhar (3750m) and its beautiful "Stupa". We then embark on a steep climb to the Nya La pass (3990m), and after crossing a second small pass, the Ghami pass (3770m), we arrive at Ghami (3510m), a charming village situated amidst a verdant oasis. Along the way, we pass a massive stone wall engraved with "mani" before entering another desert valley to the north, marked by stunning eroded cliffs. Our path leads us past several "stupas" before we finally reach the village of Dhakmar (3800m).

We ascend to the Mui La pass (4145m) and then descend to one of the oldest Tibetan monasteries in Nepal, the Ghar Gompa of the "Nyingma" sect (unreformed). The monastery, also known as the "Red School," is named after the color of the caps worn by its members. It was founded at the same time as the oldest Tibetan monastery, Samye. We marvel at the statues and frescoes before embarking on a long descent through the villages of Lo Gekar (home to an eleventh-century monastery) and Marang, finally arriving at Tsarang amidst fields of mustard, barley, or buckwheat. We visit Mustang's second city, where the palace and monastery are backed by a precipice.

We will hike through the great valley to reach Tholung Lo La pass (3945m), adorned with tens of prayer flags, and offering spectacular views of the "capital" of Mustang and its surroundings. After a short descent to Lo-Manthang (3820m), we will spend the afternoon exploring the walled city through its maze of alleys. We will visit the main sites and monuments of Lo-Manthang, including the Jhampa Lhakang, which houses a massive Buddha statue and huge mandalas, and the monasteries of Thubchen Chodey. If the "Raja" is in residence, we may also have the opportunity to visit the Grand Palace.

Today marks the beginning of the Tiji Festival, and we will spend the day observing the lively dances and celebrations. The major attractions of the festival are the horse racing and the giant tug-of-war. The vibrant atmosphere is enhanced by the colorful traditional clothing and jewelry worn by Tibetan women, as well as the robes of the monks and the elaborate costumes of the dancers. It is an unforgettable experience to witness such a vivid and vibrant celebration.

We have the opportunity to witness a vibrant ceremony accompanied by an unusual dance performed by Tibetan lamas. This ritual is meant to drive away any hungry or evil spirits from the village, and we can expect to see a multitude of people from the region participating in this purification and renewal ceremony. After the ceremony, we can explore the charming alleyways and courtyards of the city or even rent a horse to visit some of the nearby villages.

Today, we walked to Namgyal Gompa, a monastery situated on a hilltop. This important monastery serves as a local court for the community. After visiting the monastery, we continued our tour to Tingkhar, which is the last village to the northwest of Lomanthang. In the evening, we returned to Lomanthang to continue celebrating the Tiji festival.

We walked on dry ridges and then descended steeply to reach the river. We found ourselves in a narrow ravine before arriving at the village of Dhi (3400m), which is dominated by a beautiful, albeit ruined fort. After lunch, we crossed the Kali Gandaki River and continued through a gorge with immense, spectacular cliffs - a series of organ pipes pierced by a Nabatean city with seventeen floors. Finally, we reached the village of Yara (3400m) where we set up camp for the night.

We will hike to Lori Gompa, a monastery carved into the fairy chimneys, where we can view beautiful frescoes and visit the stunning "stupa." In the afternoon, we will rest at the camp.

After a long climb to a pass at 3,700m, we make a steep descent to the Dhi Khola river which we must cross. Though the scenery here may seem desert-like, there is always a grandiose sense of being in a world far removed from our daily lives. We then embark on a second ascent, reaching a pass at 3,900m before starting a gentle downhill descent. Although the initial descent is steep, we eventually reach the village of "Hidden" Tangye (3320m).

This is the longest and most beautiful day of the circuit! The stage is long due to the need to search for water along the way. We start with a long climb to a pass at 4100m, where we are treated to exceptional views of the Mustang region, set against a stunning red landscape that includes the Annapurna (8091m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m) peaks. After a short descent to Pa Ha, we pause for lunch. The terrain then slows us down with ridges, followed by a steeper but shorter descent that leads us to the villages of Chusang, where the houses tower high like fortresses.

We began our journey by climbing through the gorge of a river, which led us to Gyu La (4050m). After reaching the top, we descended toward the village of Muktinath, where we witnessed the convergence of Hindu and Buddhist shrines. The pagoda temple of Vishnu and a sacred spring with a natural gas flame were particularly awe-inspiring. The breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri (8,167m, the 7th highest summit in the world), Nilgiri (7,061m), and Tilicho Peak (7,134m) added to the charm of the place. It's worth mentioning that the name Dhaulagiri comes from the Sanskrit words "Dhaula Giri," which means "White Mountain."

Today, you will descend to the old fortified town of Jarkhot, a world of natural beauty with sculpted cliffs and cave dwellings. The trail continues on wilderness trails lined with groves of rosehips towards the village of Lupra, which is predominantly inhabited by the Thakali community and features a Bon monastery. The geological formations that you will witness on the way are truly spectacular. Along the way, children may offer to sell you black fossils called "Salligrams". Finally, you will arrive at the bustling village of Jomsom.

Early in the morning, we will take a short picturesque flight to Pokhara. The stunning view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains, as well as the world's deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki, will leave you spellbound. After arriving, you can spend the day relaxing at the hotel or wander around Lake Side, enjoying the fascinating mountain panorama view and the charming nature. Don't miss the opportunity to explore various interesting places in the area, such as the Mahendra Cave, David's fall, and the various lakes that surround the city.

After a delightful breakfast in the beautiful lake city of Pokhara, we will begin our journey toward Kathmandu. The drive will take us through scenic routes with picturesque landscapes and cultural highlights. We will make a few stops along the way to admire the stunning views of the Himalayan range and experience the local way of life. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we will have the rest of the day off to rest, relax or explore the vibrant city on our own. You may want to consider visiting the local markets and indulging in some souvenir shopping or simply enjoying the fascinating cultural and historical heritage of the city.

Today, we have a free day to explore the vibrant city of Kathmandu on our own. You may want to spend the day indulging in some souvenir shopping, wandering around the colorful streets and bazaars, or enjoying the local cuisine. You could also visit some of the popular tourist attractions in the city, such as the Bhaktapur, or Patan which showcase Nepal's rich cultural and historical heritage. Alternatively, you could engage in other activities like hiking, biking, or adventure sports, or simply relax and rejuvenate in one of the city’s many spas and wellness centers. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to soak up the unique sights, sounds, and flavors of this wonderful city.

Today, we will transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for our departure. After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we will gather our belongings and make our way to the airport. We will ensure that we reach the airport well in time to complete all the necessary formalities and board our flight. Before we bid adieu to this enchanting country, take one last look at the breathtaking views of the Himalayas and take a moment to appreciate the warm hospitality and kindness of the Nepalese people. This marks the end of our tour, and we hope you had a memorable and enjoyable time in Nepal.