| Trip code | NET-FT-TJ1 |
| Package name | Tiji Festival Trek in Upper Mustang |
| Duration | 15 |
| Max. elevation | 3795 m |
| Level | DIFFICULT |
| Transportation | Drive & Flight |
| Accomodation | 2-3 Star Accommodation in Kathmandu. Lodge Accommodation during Trek. Standard Hotel Accommodation in Pokhara |
| Starts at | Kathmandu |
| Ends at | Kathmandu |
| Trip route | Kathmandu - Pokhara - Jomsom - Kagbeni - Chuksang - Samar - Gelin - Ghami - Tsarang- Lo Manthang (Mustang) - Ghami - Samar - Kagbeni - Jomsom - Pokhara - Kathmandu |
| Cost | USD 0 per person |
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about seven hours. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to explore the various sites of Pokhara.
Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Stay overnight at hotel.
Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2700m.) takes about 25 minutes and trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni (2810 m.) takes another four hours. You take the spectacular early morning flight to Jomsom. The trail is quite barren with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat, which makes it very easy going. It is also very picturesque, with views of big peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri, Tukuche and Nilgiri, whilst to the south can be seen the entire Annapurna Massif. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Kagbeni to Chuksang (2900m.) takes about five hours. You trek right up to the river valley, but you use a combination of the high trail and the riverbank pathways. The trail then widens significantly revealing an endless stretch of sand. Chusang village is only about a 2hrs walk beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Chuksang to Samar (3150m.) takes about three and half hours. The trek now leaves the valley and climbs steeply up a rocky alley to the village of Chele. From Chele you climb a steep spur and then continue ascending along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass. Beyond the pass you descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in a grove of poplar trees. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Samar to Geling (3510 m.) takes about five hours. You climb above Samar to a ridge and then descend into a large gorge past a chorten before entering another valley filled with juniper trees. You then cross a stream and after climbing to a pass, you descend along a ridge to Shyangmochen a tiny settlement with a few tea shops. The trail climbs gently from Shyangmochen and you enter another huge valley before descending to Geling with its extensive fields of barley. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Geling to Ghami (3490 m.) via Ghami La (3520m.) takes about five hours. From Geling the trail climbs gently through fields, up to the center of the valley, passing above the settlement of Tama Gun and an imposing chorten. You then begin a taxing climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La [3840m]. The descent from the pass is quite gentle and about half an hour further on we come to a trail junction; the right trail is the direct route to Charang, the left trail leads to Ghami. Ghami is a large white-washed village sheltered by overhanging cliffs. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Ghami to Tsarang (36200 m.) takes about five hours. Today's walk is perhaps through the driest part of Mustang. Finally, you come to Charang, a large spread-out village at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. At the eastern end of the village are a huge dzong [fortress] and a red Gompa which houses an excellent collection of statues and thangkas. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Tsarang to Lo-Manthang [Mustang] (3730m.) takes about three hours. You will spend part of the morning exploring the interesting village of Charang and its large monastery, before setting out for Lo Manthang. You climb gently above the valley to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. The trail then broadens and eventually you get your first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance so you circumambulate the wall to the gate on the north east corner. Stay overnight at lodge.
Rest at Lo-Manthang. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Lo-Manthang to Ghami (3490 m.) takes about six hours. You continue your journey on the highland route, crossing alpine meadows before dropping down a steep eroded alley to Dhakmar for lunch. After lunch, you walk through the pretty valley, climb to a ridge and descend from there back to Ghami. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Ghami to Samar takes about six hours. Leaving Ghami you begin to follow narrow winding path until you reach Geling crossing a small stream. Samar is a small village with terraces, Tibetan style houses, Mani walls, monastery, and prayer flags and here you find people following Tibetan life styles and traditions. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Samar to Kagbeni takes about seven hours. Following a descending path you reach Chuksang crossing a suspension bridge over Kali Gandaki. You walk along the bank of Kali Gandaki with views of natural vegetation and apple orchards. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2713m.) takes about three hours. Your trail passes through the bank of Kali Gandaki passing through Ekle Bhatti. Jomsom is the headquarters of Mustang. From here you can have access to the internet and banking facilities. Stay overnight at hotel.
Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara takes about 35 minutes. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where Nepal's first cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city, Kathmandu.