Once-a-Year Tiji Festival: Upper Mustang Lo Manthang Jeep (9D)

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9 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

⏰ Bookings open May 10. Tour dates: May 10–18, 2026.

This package excludes Kathmandu arrival/departure days, so please arrive in Kathmandu by May 9.

• Private Tours: available for groups of 3+ people.
• Join-in Tour: departure is confirmed once a minimum of 3 participants is reached.

Tours run with our local team in Nepal. Your guide is trained in high-altitude safety and rescue and will manage the pace for a safe, comfortable trip.

Upper Mustang now has many road sections, so full trekking can mean dust and road traffic. That’s why this itinerary is jeep-based, with short walks only at key viewpoints and villages—less strain, more highlights.

We stay in well-maintained mountain lodges (twin-share), chosen for location and comfort. Private jeep transfers and a paced horseback experience reduce fatigue while adding depth.

Ideal for travelers who want the Himalayan highlands without long trekking, and to see Mustang’s core highlights in 9 days.

What's Included

Basic First-Aid Kit – Guides carry a first-aid kit at all times.
Horseback Riding (Approx. 2 Hours) – Horseback ride at Narshing Khola River.
Lunch (Optional[9])
Lunch
High-Altitude Safety Support – Emergency response and safe descent support.
Dinner (Optional[8])
Dinner
Free duffel bag rental to store your luggage during the trek.
Private Jeep Transfers – Private jeeps provided throughout the trek.
a dedicated licensed local guide with cultural expertise and high-altitude safety experience
Breakfast (Optional[8])
Breakfast
Upper Mustang permit fee and all required government fees for the itinerary.
Upper Mustang lodging+meals included ; flexible meals, vegetarian options available.
International airfare
Nepal entry visa fee: USD 30 per person for a 15-day visa.
Personal travel insurance (mandatory)
Personal expenses (water, snacks, souvenirs, alcohol, laundry etc.)
Guide and porter tips
Day 1: breakfast is not included. Day 09: dinner are not included.
Itinerary extension due to weather/closures may incur extra costs (lodging/meals/transport).
Kathmandu/Pokhara hotels not included. Book yourself, or we can arrange 3–5★.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

If you book a private tour, we will pick you up directly from your hotel on the departure day. The exact pickup time on the tour start day will be provided the day before.

OR
Meeting point
Thamel

If you join the Join-in Tour, we will inform you of the meeting point and departure time in advance.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 9 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Kathmandu → Pokhara (822m)

    1 stop
  • 1
    Pokhara

    Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by private jeep, enjoying Nepal’s diverse scenery in comfort. In the evening, enjoy dinner while watching a traditional Nepali dance performance, and settle into your first night in Pokhara—warm, memorable, and relaxing.

    1 day • Admission ticket free
    • Day 2

    Pokhara → Jomsom (2,720m)

    1 stop
  • 2
    Jomsom

    Drive from Pokhara to Jomsom by vehicle, passing through the dramatic landscapes of the northern Himalayas. As you follow the Kali Gandaki valley route, rugged canyons and highland terrain unfold, and the atmosphere of Upper Mustang begins in earnest. After arriving in Jomsom, take a short walk around the town, rest, and prepare for the next day.

    1 day • Admission ticket free
    • Day 3

    Jomsom → Explore Muktinath & Kagbeni → Drive to Charang (3,570m)

    1 stop
  • 3

    In the morning, visit the sacred site of Muktinath and experience its unique atmosphere where Hindu and Buddhist cultures coexist. Afterwards, explore Kagbeni—the gateway village of Mustang—strolling through quiet alleys and traditional houses while feeling the village’s long history. In the afternoon, drive to Charang and spend the evening in a peaceful mountain village surrounded by Upper Mustang’s red cliffs and vast highland scenery. Upon arrival, discover the quiet charm of Marpha village, with its whitewashed houses, stone lanes, apple orchards, and ancient monastery. From the village, enjoy open views of the Annapurna range and Nilgiri peaks, completing an authentic Himalayan experience.

    1 day • Admission ticket free
    • Day 4

    Charang → Lo Manthang (3,840m)

    1 stop
  • 4
    Lo Manthang

    Today, travel to Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang. Along the way, you’ll see layered cliffs carved by nature and desert-like plateaus—scenery that feels almost otherworldly. After arriving, take a gentle walk inside the walled city and get your first taste of the festive atmosphere ahead.

    1 day • Admission ticket free
    • Day 5

    Lo Manthang City Tour & Tiji Festival Opening

    1 stop
  • 5
    Lo Manthang

    Today is dedicated to fully exploring Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang. Visit the former royal palace inside the city walls, then admire thangka paintings and mandalas at Jampa Gompa, the oldest monastery in Lo Manthang. You’ll also visit Thubchen Gompa with its striking red exterior, and Choprang Gompa, a smaller monastery known for its old relics. In the afternoon, watch the first ceremony of the Tiji Festival. The masked rituals performed by monks symbolize driving away evil and praying for peace, as the entire village begins to fill with festival energy.

    1 day • Admission ticket free
    • Day 6

    Tiji Festival Main Rituals & Lo Manthang Cultural Experience

    1 stop
  • 6
    Lo Manthang

    This is the most important day of the Tiji Festival. Watch the main masked dances and sacred rituals held in the monastery courtyard, experiencing Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the symbolic story of good and evil up close. After the festival, walk slowly through the village to observe the daily life of Lo Manthang residents and the living Tibetan culture that remains here. You’ll also visit the Amchi Museum to learn about traditional Tibetan medicine and local herbal practices.

    1 day • Admission ticket free
    • Day 7

    Tiji Festival Closing & Lo Manthang Outskirts Exploration

    1 stop
  • 7
    Lo Manthang

    Today is the final day of the Tiji Festival, with a calm closing ceremony held to pray for well-being throughout the year. Afterwards, travel outside Lo Manthang to visit ancient cave dwellings where people once lived, and observe remaining murals and traces of the past. You may ride a horse to an outer monastery or viewpoint, taking in the quiet high-altitude landscape and panoramic views of Lo Manthang. By combining the festival and exploration, you’ll conclude the day with a deeper understanding of Mustang’s history, faith, and the lives of its people.

    1 day • Admission ticket free
    • Day 8

    Lo Manthang → Marpha (2,566m)

    1 stop
  • 8

    Drive from Lo Manthang to Marpha, descending again along the Kali Gandaki valley. During the journey, you’ll feel the scenery shift—from Upper Mustang’s dry highland landscape to greener valley views. After arriving, take a walk through Marpha, famous as an “apple village,” and enjoy its traditional houses and charming alleyways at a relaxed pace.

    1 day • Admission ticket free
    • Day 9

    Marpha → Pokhara

    1 stop
  • 9
    Pokhara

    Today, drive from Marpha back to Pokhara, leaving the northern Himalayan highlands behind and returning to the lakeside city. After arrival, stroll around Phewa Lake and enjoy free time to rest and unwind. Spend a comfortable evening reflecting on the powerful landscapes of Mustang and the unforgettable memories of the Tiji Festival. Extending your stay in Pokhara is entirely up to you, and we can arrange your transportation back to Kathmandu for the next day if needed.

    1 day • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour includes high-altitude areas above 3,000m.
  • The itinerary includes hiking/walking sections.
  • Internet/Wi-Fi may be limited during the tour.
Supplied by Achieve Treks & Expedition
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Hiking Tours
Nature and Wildlife Tours
Multi-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
4WD Tours
Pack Animal Tours
Adventure Tours
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Additional fees

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

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