Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 2026 | Tiji Festival Trek Itinerary and Cost

The Mustang Tiji Festival is an annual Buddhist event that is celebrated for three days at the beginning of every harvest season in Lomanthang, Upper Mustang. The Tiji word came from the Tibetan word Ten Che – It means “The hopes of Buddhism prevailing in the world for love and consensus.” The theme of the celebration is the victory of God over the demons to protect the Mustang from devastation.

As the legend relates to the Tiji festival, a brave boy called Dorje Jono (Lord Buddha’s incarnation)fights to oppose his demonic father (Mha Tam Rhu). His father, Mha Tam Rhu, created devastation in Upper Mustang by causing thunderstorms and water shortages in the area. In the end, Dorje Jono wins the fight against his father and chases his father away from the Mustang region. Since then, this auspicious festival has been celebrated in the Kingdom of Lho Lomanthang as the Tiji Festival. 

To observe this festival, many foreign tourists go there as the Mustang Tiji Festival Trek and enjoy the authentic cultural and traditional celebration.

Upcoming Date of 2026 Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek in Lomanthang. 

• Upcoming Tiji Festival 2026 Date – 14th, 15th, and 16th May 2026
• Mustang Tiji Festival 2027 Date – 1st, 2nd, 3rd June 2027

The Tiji festival is performed for 3 days in the kingdom of the Lho, Upper Mustang, Lomanthang. Each day, the monks will perform various dance forms with a strong belief in tracking down the devil away from the region. All these dance forms represent different aspects of the celebration, and it’s very significant to do so accordingly. Otherwise, they believe that this region will face a catastrophe in that year. 

Usually, the Tiji Festival in Upper Mustang is celebrated during the summer season between May and June. So the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek is one of the best summer treks in Nepal. The summer season is not a good time to do other treks such as Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang Valley, etc. Do you want to see the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Photos before you plan to visit Mustang for the Tiji Festival? 

Day-by-day performance of the Mustang Tiji Festival

Day 1: Innovation and Beginning of the Ritual (The Tiji Festival)

Ceremonial Starts – The Tiji festival begins with the prayer of Dorje Jono (Known as Vajrakila), the main figure of the celebration. And monks perform vocalizing and tantric ceremonies inside the Chhode Monastery.  

Masked Dance (Cham Dance) Performance Begins – The monks emerge wearing decorated costumes and masks as they begin the Cham Dance, which represents the convene of the demons by the Dorie Jono. 

Ritual Instruments and Music – While celebrating the Tiji there will be used various types of traditional instruments like conch shells, drums, long and short horns, and music add ambiance to the festival. 

The Demon’s Appearance – At the end of the day, the demon who causes drought and suffering makes its figurative impression. And monks represent demons evil influence on the world. 

Day 2: The battle between Good and Evil

Continued Ritual Dance – The monks continue their performance with more intense scenes depicting the battle between Dorje Jono and the demon, and the people whose rendition becomes more dramatic and symbolic. 

Use of Sacred Props  – While performing, monks will use ritual items like Phurba (Daggers), symbolic effigies, and sacred ropes to assemble and demolish the demon. 

Community Gathering – On the second day, there will be a gathering of many locals and tourists in front of the royal palace inside the Lomanthang. Local people will wear traditional Mustang Attire that will create a lively and cheerful atmosphere. 

Blessing and Offering – The second day of the Mustang Tiji Festival ends with offerings made to deities for peace, rain, and prosperity, and Monks convey godsend to the attendees. 

Day 3: Banishment and Triumph

Final Confrontation – The main attraction and culmination of the Tiji festival, Dorje Jono debacles and banishes the devils. An embodiment of the demon will symbolically be destroyed or thrown away to symbolize the sanctification of evil. 

Purification Rituals – The monks will perform purification ceremonies to purify the land and community, and the devil is believed to be thrown away, bringing harmony. 

Joyful Celebration – Locals celebrate with singing, dancing, and sharing food. Pilgrims and visitors often receive blessings from high lamas, and the final day ends in triumph and feasting. 

Summary of Mustang Tiji Festival Themes: 

Day	Theme	Key Rituals
Day 1	Summoning	Introduction of Dorje Jono, Monks (Dancer) and evil
Day 2	Introduction of Dorje Jono, Monks (Dancer), and evil	Symbolic battle, Monks’ Performance, and use various traditional instruments.
Day 3	Victory	Win over the demon, purification, and community celebration

Permits and documents required for the Tiji Festival Trek

The Upper Mustang area is one of the restricted trekking areas of Nepal. And Tiji festival will be celebrated in Upper Mustang; therefore, it requires a special and normal ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) Permit. To grant permission to observe the Tiji Festival in Lomanthang.

The special permit will cost USD 500 per person, and it’s just for 10 days. After 10 days, there will be an extra USD 50 per day per person. On the other hand, a normal Annapurna Conservation Area Permit will cost USD 30 for unlimited days. But you need to mention how many days and which trek you want to do. 

To issue a special trekking permit requires a minimum of two persons. This special permit is only issued by registered trekking companies. And a licensed trekking guide is mandatory. So, you have to issue the Mustang Tiji Festival Trek permit from a company, as it is not possible for an individual. 

To obtain the Upper Mustang region trekking permit, an original passport is essential. With the details of the Nepal visa, such as the visa issue date, arrival date, and expiration date. The permit needs to be applied for through the online trekking company portfolio.

The Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Cost will be USD 1500 to USD 3000 Per person. Covering the trekking permits, guides, transportation, food, accommodation, poter, jeep, etc. Price is different in the different companies. Also, the budget will determine by the group size, what in included and excluded in the offer price. You have to check carefully before confirm the trek with that trekking company.

2026 Mutang Tiji Festival Trek Itinerary

The Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Itinerary is different from different trekking agencies and the types of treks you are doing. Some companies offer trekking up to Lomanthang and drive down from there. Due to the road, some trekking and tour companies are offering Jeep or Bike tours to explore the event. Therefore, there are no fixed itineraries available.

If you know the Tinji Festival Date when it is going to be celebrated, you can plan according to your time. Here is the normal Tiji Festival Trek Itinerary for 2026. Here, also not added your travel days to Kathmandu and Pokhara. So you need to have extra days as well. But you have to pay an extra 50 USD per day per person to extend the permit.

May 10, 2026	Day 1	Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2810M)
May 11, 2026	Day 2	Kagbeni to Chaile (3050M)
May 12, 2026	Day 3	Chaile to Syangbochen (3850M)
May 13, 2026	Day 4	Syangbochen to Tsarang (3560M)
May 14, 2026	Day 5	Tsarang to Lomanthang (3810M) and observe day 1 of the Tiji Festival
May 15, 2026	Day 6	Observe the second day of the Tiji Festival
May 16, 2026	Day 7	Observe the third day of the Tiji Festival
May 17, 2026	Day 9	Lomanthang to Dhakmar (3820M)
May 18, 2026	Day 10	Dhakmar to Syangbochen
May 19, 2026	Day 11	Samar to Chhusang (2980M)via Chunsi Cave
May 20, 2026	Day 12	Chhusang to Jomsom (2720M)
May 21, 2026	Day 13	Fly or Drive back to Pokhara (850M)

Food and drinking water during the Tiji Festival Trek

Culturally rich, the Mustang region has its unique foods and beverages that are available. Due to commercialization, there are available of Western, American, Chinese, and Indian menus are available in every hotel and guest house. So that as trekkers you can test the local food as well as your types of cousins. Here is what you can expect in terms of food and drinks during the Mustang Tiji Festival Trek

Serve and Available Food in the Mustang Region 

Breakfast Options 

• Tibetan Bread (Fried flatbread) with Jam or Honey
• Porridge (Oat, With Fruits, Cinnamon, or Milk)
• Pancakes (Plain, Apple, Banana, Chocolate, Lemon or Jam, or Honey)
• Tsampa Porridge (Local staple) Roasted barley flour
• Toast with Jam/Honey/ Butter
• Chapati with Jam, Honey

Lunch and Dinner Options 

Meals are almost similar for lunch and dinner in every place and guesthouse. 

• Dal Bhat (Lentil soup, rice, Seasonal vegetable, Pickles, Papadam). Rice, dal, and veggies are unlimited; best for big eaters.
• Fried Rice – Comes with vegetables, eggs, cheese, mixed
• Momo’s – Dumplings are usually served steamed or fried (Veg, Cheese, Meat, Mixed)
• Thukpa – Tibetan noodles soup with seasonal vegetables, Eggs, or Mixed
• Chowmain – Stir-Fried Noodle with Veg, Eggs, Cheese, and Mixed
• Potato Dishes – Fried, Curry, Mashed, Chilled,
• Spaghetti, Macaroni, or Pasta – Basic Sauces like tomato or cheese
• Pizzas – Basic pizzas with local flavors.
• Chapati or Tibetan Bread with curry or soup.

Drinks 

• Tea: Black, Milk, Masala, Mint, Or Local Butter Tea
• Coffee: Instant coffee or specific places have machine coffee as well.
• Bottle (Mineral) or boiled water
• Soft drinks: Coca-Cola, Fanta, Can Juice, etc
• Beers: Nepali beers (Gurkha, Nepal Ice, etc
• Local Alcohol: Raksi, Chhang

Regional specialist 

• Yak Cheese – fresh or dried
• Buckwheat Roti – A high-altitude grain (flatbreads or pancakes)
• Mustang apple products – Dried Apple, Apple Pie, Apple Brandy etc
• Butter Tea (Pong Chay) Salty tea made with Yak butter and tea leaves (Acquired Taste)

Important Tips for food and drinks 

• Hygiene Varies – Stick to freshly cooked food.
• Meat is rare / not recommended – All the meats are transferred from Jomsom or Pokhara.
• Vegetarian options are safer and widely available.
• Stay Hydrated – High altitude requires more water in your body, so always treat your body with water or some kind of drinks.

Water: Drinking directly from taps and streams is dangerous, so always use purification methods. Or bottled or boiled water. 

Extra Activities that can be done while staying in Lomanthang for 3 days for the Tiji Festival

The Lomanthang used to be the kingdom of the Upper Mustang, and while staying there,e you can do a lot of things. From here, you can explore many places inside the village and outside of the village as well. You are going to spend three nights there during the Tiji Festival. I suggest exploring more beautiful places nearby inside the Lomanthang. These are the 4 most important activities you can do besides enjoying the vibrant Tenji Festival celebrations.

1: Explore the ancient monasteries.

Inside the Lomanthang, there are three major ancient, historical, and religious monasteries located. Visiting those aged Buddhist Shirin will give you the value and importance of the Buddhist religion in Mustang. Also, these monasteries are proof of the history of the Upper Mustang. However, nowadays renovations are going on in those monasteries.

The first one is the Chode Gompa also called the Dragkar Thegchen Ling Gompa and this is the one where you have to buy an entry ticket to the monasteries. The second one to visit is the Jampa Monastery, and the third one is the Thupchen Monastery. It’s believed that these monasteries were built between the 13th to 14th centuries. 

Do not forget to visit the Gompa Museum to understand more about Mustang and the Mustangi people.

2: Visit Chhoser Village and the China border.

Most of the trekkers who do the Upper Mustang Trek will visit the Chhoser Village. In the Chooser village, there are many fascinating things to see, such as ancient caves, stupas, cave monasteries, and the daily lifestyle of the local people. 

Generally, trekkers don’t go to the China border, but I recommend that you visit there too. Because you can see the reality between the Nepal and China border. Normally, the Tiji festival celebration takes place after lunch, so before lunch, you can visit these places. Taking a Jeep or going horse riding are suitable options.

3: Buy souvenirs for your friends and family at Lomanthang.

The celebration doesn’t start quite early in the morning. While you waiting to participate in the Tiji festival each day and have nothing to do, you can go shopping there. Every Hotel and Guesthouse has a souvenir shop, and outside in the streets also tourist shops. They will all sell special Mustang items for tourists as souvenirs. Such as bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry items for men and women. 

Thanka is a Buddhist symbolic painting; it comes in various types of paintings. These Thankas are mostly dedicated to various Buddhist gods and goddesses. So, buying a Thangka painting while enjoying the festival and traveling in Nepal is better than buying in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Tibetan costumes and ornaments are also available in Lomanthang. It says that those clothes and ornaments are pure and original. The markets like Kathmandu and Pokhara have copied ones and modern styles.

4: Walk around the village, talk with locals, and drink coffee

Lomanthang is quite an impressive and typical walled village. Most of the residents are inside the wall, so walking inside the village presents an opportunity to observe the lifestyle of the local people. Nowadays, there are houses on the outside of the wall as well. It is because of the growing population of the village.

While walking, you can talk with the people sitting near the Royal Palace and understand their culture and tradition. And taking some good-quality portrait photos of the local people. Look and ask for permission before clicking the photos. Because some people don’t like to take their photographs.

Upper Mustang is no longer a remote area of Nepal. This place has already become modernized which is why you can consume modern luxury things. So don’t forget to drink a cup of coffee and taste locally made bakery items while exploring the village.

In the end,

The Mustang Tiji Festival is one of the oldest celebrations that takes place in the upper part of Mustang. Each year, it will be commemorated for three days at the Lomanthang. During this festival, thousands of local people and hundreds of foreigners will be in Lomanthang to witness the beauty of this festival. The main purpose of the celebration of this festival is to clear all the inauspicious and bring peace and prosperity to the whole region. So it will take place just before the harvest season of the entire Mustang region.

Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Celebration captured in video