Tiji Festival of the Forbidden Kingdom is a very important spiritual festival celebrated in Lo-Manthang, the forbidden kingdom. The festival usually falls in mid-May and last for 3 days. The harassment of Ma Tam Ru Ta (in a dance called "Tsa Chham" on the first day), the birth of Dorjee Sonnu as the demon's son (on the second day called "Nga Chham"), and the attempt to return the demon to Lord Buddha's realm (on the third and final day) are enacted during the performances. During the festival, many monks dress up and perform ritual dances. For 2018, the Tiji festival falls from  5th May to 7th May 2024.

LODGING LEVEL

4* Hotels

Kathmandu- Hotel Yatri Suites & Spa

TRIP GRADE

Moderate 

MEALS

Daily breakfast 

ATTRACTIONS

Tiji Festival

MAXIMUM ALTITUDE

4,000m/13,123ft

Upon your arrival at the Kathmandu airport, our representative will meet, greet and welcome you and transfer you to your confirmed hotel. You can rest relax and enjoy your time in the hotel or you can stroll around the city.

Overnight Hotel

After breakfast, get ready to drive towards Pokhara as the vehicle will come to pick you up at the hotel. And from Kathmandu, Pokhara is 207km far away and will take around 5 to 6 hours to reach. In between, you can stop to get fresh and to have lunch as well. After reaching Pokhara check in at the hotel and rest for a while and later on you can stroll around the lakeside of Pokhara. Overnight in Pokhara.

In the morning, you will start your day with 25 minutes flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. The early part of the flight to Jomsom is extremely breathtaking. Under clear weather conditions, one can witness the Annapurna (8091m), the Dhaulagiri (8167m), and many more radiant peaks peeking out from the clouds. After landing in Jomsom you can have your Breakfast and then travel to Chhuksang via jeep, heading to Kagbeni following the Kali Gandaki River. You will enjoy lovely views of mountains such as Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna. Overnight in Hotel/local lodge.

Today you will commence your journey from Chhuksang to Geling. The Nilgiri Peak continues to dominate the southern skyline. After reaching the village of Geling, take a rest and in the evening visit the old Upper Mustang Palace and Monastery. Overnight in local lodge.

We continue our journey after breakfast. Today, we travel to our destination i.e. Lo-Manthang which will take about 4 hours to reach it. Later, you can visit the Monastery of Mustang Lo Gager Ghar Gompa, visit Charang monastery, and Luri gompa. Also, explore the famous city of Lo-Manthang, and observe domestic Yaks and cattle caravans. Overnight in a local lodge in Lo Manthang.

Today is the first day of the festival and there is going to be a huge celebration. An ancient and enormous three stories high Thanka is unrolled down the entire south wall of the square. The thanka portrays Padma Sambhava or Guru Rimpoche who brought this ceremony to Tibet in the 8th century. Eleven lamas in maroon and gold, wearing high red hats, descend from the palace and take their places beneath the Thanka. The monks and lamas commence sacred chanting. Later, a masked dance starts that enacts the myth of Tiji festival. Dorje Jono, the incarnation of Buddha, repels the demon through the power of his magical dancing. As the dances end, Dorje Jono kills the demon, after which his people are free from demon clutches, water becomes plentiful once more, and the balance and harmony of existence are restored. Overnight in local lodge.

On the second day called “Nga Chham”, the festival tells the story of the birth of Dorjee Sonnu as the demon's son. On this day, you can see the attendance of the royal family of Lo-Manthang and most of the locals are dressed in traditional dresses. Overnight in local lodge.

Today is the final day of the festival. The Festival ends with the attempt to return the demon to Lord Buddha's realm ending the reign of the demon and people are now relieved, and happy for the good days to follow. Overnight in a local lodge.

We start early and make our way back to Jomsom. On the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery. Overnight in Jomsom.

We take an early morning 20min flight from Jomsom to Pokhara; we transfer you to the hotel. Today, you will have free time so we give you chance for exploring the beautiful valley of Pokhara with its Natural and cultural beauty. Overnight in Pokhara.

After breakfast, we drive back to Kathmandu in our private vehicle; we transfer you to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel and take a rest. In the evening, stroll around the streets of Thamel or other areas. Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu.

Today is your last day in Nepal. Have your breakfast and later on our office representative will come to receive you in the hotel and they will transfer you to the Tribhuwan airport to catch the flight back to your home according to your flight time. Have a safe journey onwards.