Mustang trek with Tiji Festival in Lomanthang - a great Himalayan festival
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productMay 24: Arrive in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, in KathmanduDuration: 1 dayLocation: Thamel, Kathmandu, Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Zone, Central RegionMay 25: In Kathmandu, sortout equipment, last minute shopping - Sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur city, Patan and Swyambhunath StupaDuration: 1 dayLocation: Thamel, Kathmandu, Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Zone, Central RegionMay 26: Drive to Pokhara by tourist bus. Overnight in Pokhara - Hotel. Explore Pokhara own.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Pokhara Museum, Pokhara, Gandaki Zone, Western RegionMay 27: Trek to Kagbeni (2900m)- Lodge/Tea House accommodationFrom Pokhara fly to Jomsom in the morning. The flight duration is 25 minutes. The plane takes you through the Kaligandaki valley with Dhaulagiri in the left and Annapurna on the right hand side. Jomsom has a STOL airstrip. Small 16 seater plane can only land at the airport. You start your journey from Jomsom following Kaligandaki-river to the north. The trail skirts right-bank of the river. You stop for lunch at Eklebhatti and continue the walk to Kagbeni. It is major junction for several villages around this area.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Jomsom Muktinath Trek, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western RegionMay 28: Chaile (3150m) Lodge/Tea House accommodationContinue to follow the Kaligandaki river towards north to Chusang. It is a large village on the east bank of the river; on the west bank little further north is Chaile. Except for crossing the river in monsoon the trail to Chaile is easy.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Thubchen Gompa, Lomanthang, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western RegionMay 29: Syangmochen (3800m) Lodge/Tea House accommodationFrom Chaile climb the steep path carved out of the mountain. On the ridge is a small village known as Sammar. Stop for rest, and walk on thee main trail that continually ascends to a ridge (3800), then descend to make another climb to a pass. Make a short descend to Syangboche. It is stopping place for traders and travelers. There is an alternative path that leads to a cave nestled deep in the valley where there are carvings of Many deities. The name of cave is Rongbyung Chorten. These cave is used by the Lamas (Buddhist priest) for meditation and prayer. From cave the walk to Syangbmochen is steep.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Thubchen Gompa, Lomanthang, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western RegionMay 30: Tsarang (3500m) Lodge/Tea House accommodationNext day descend to Ghilling. The trail becomes broader as you approach Ghilling. Ghilling village is about an hour walk from the main trail marked by a big chorten (Stupa). The wide path now becomes wider as you approach Nyi La-pass (3950m) and descend to Ghami (3440m). The pass is the highest elevation on this trek. At Ghami there are health and agriculture office of the government and a police check -post. Cross the bridge over a small river and continue the journey through a spectacular long stretch of Mani Stone, about 244 meter long. The trail gradually climbs to a ridge and descends to a relatively large and prosperous village. The marooned color structure of the monastery is visible as you reach Tsarang. Visit the monastery at Tsarang. There are several thanka painting hanging on the ceiling and pillars of the monastery. Fresco painting of Thousand-Buddha and large collection of Buddha and large collection of Buddhist text staked in the corner.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Thubchen Gompa, Lomanthang, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western RegionMay 31: Trek to Lo-Manthang (3730m) Lodge/Tea House accommodationMake a short descend to a small river that flows below Tsarang, and climb the short and steep trail that becomes leveled and brad as you approached Lo Manthang in the scorching heat. It is about 4 hours walk to the final destination. En- route stop to see caves high above the steep wall.You will see the unmistaken land mark- a red fort of Lo Manthang and , a big and distinct red structure of Namgyal monastery located in north-west direction as you climb up the ridge top in the final lap to the once forbidden city.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Thubchen Gompa, Lomanthang, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western RegionJune 01: In Lo-ManthangInside the fortress there are 3 monasteries. One of thm has image of a huge sitting-Buddha in meditation and the other has several statues of various deities including Buddha. Old and beautifully painted thanka paintings are hanging from the ceiling and pillars of the monastery. Inside walls are painted with stories of Buddha and other epics and beliefs. The gompas appears old and in original shape. The Lamas uses the third monastery located in the center. This is Thugchen-gompa. The monks uses this monastery for prayer and other functions. People in Lo Manthang believe that this monastery came into existence because of tantric power of an various Gods of Hindu mythology with different name but similar connotation. Inside the monastery, in addition to living quarters of the monks, there is a separate chamber that store masks and costumes. These costumes are worn at Lama-dance festival that take place every June. This festival continues for 3 days. King of Mustang attends this festival in his ceremonial dress. The story of Lama Dance is based on tantric legend.For return journey retrace the trail back to Jomsom. Though there is an alternative trail on the east Side of the plateau and we can organize upon your request. You can discuss with your guide about this during tour time in Lo-manthang or let us know when you are here in Kathmandu.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Thubchen Gompa, Lomanthang, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western RegionJune 02: In LomanthangIn Lomanthang - visit sorrounding villages like Namgyal, Chosar or Chornup or grace last day of the festival.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Thubchen Gompa, Lomanthang, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western RegionJune 03: Trek to Dhakmar (3820m) - Lodge/Tea House accommodationTrek leisurely to Dhakmar.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Thubchen Gompa, Lomanthang, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western RegionJune 04: Retrace trail to Samar - Lodge/Tea House accommodationTrek leisurely to Samar.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Thubchen Gompa, Lomanthang, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western RegionJune 05: Retrace trail to Chosang - Lodge/Tea House accommodationTrek leisurely to Chosang.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Thubchen Gompa, Lomanthang, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western RegionJune 06: Retrace trail to Jomsom - Lodge/Tea House accommodationTrek leisurely to Jomsom. This day you can visit to Thini and Museum at Jomsom or visit to nearby village Marpha.Duration: 1 dayLocation: Thubchen Gompa, Lomanthang, Mustang Region, Dhaulagiri Zone, Western Region June 07: Fly to Pokhara and to Kathmandu - HotelDuration: 1 dayLocation: Pokhara Museum, Pokhara, Gandaki Zone, Western RegionJune 08: In Kathmandu, free day - HotelDuration: 1 dayLocation: Thamel, Kathmandu, Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Zone, Central RegionJune 09: Transfer to airpot, depart KathmanduPass By: Thamel, Kathmandu, Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Zone, Central Region