2025-11-10
9 min read
Picture an old walled city at 3,840 meters, surrounded by snow-covered mountains, where monks in ceremonial clothes perform rituals that have been going on for hundreds of years. You are in the right place if you want to see the Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang in 2026. This isn't just another festival.
The Tiji Festival will take place from May 14 to 16, 2026. The dates are a little different because they depend on the Tibetan lunar calendar and happen in the third Tibetan month. It is a three-day celebration that takes place in the middle of Lo Manthang, the old walled capital of Upper Mustang.
The word "Tenpa Chirim," which means "Prayer for World Peace," is where the name Tiji comes from. But this isn't about peace and prayers; it's about seeing a living legend come to life in one of the hardest-to-reach parts of the Himalayas.
It is a festival that tells the story of Dorje Jono, a god who saved Mustang from destruction by defeating a demon. The festival honours the defeat of a demon called Man Tam Ru, a terrible beast that ate people and caused storms and droughts.
When you walk through Lo Manthang during Tiji, it's like going back in time to the Middle Ages. The mud brick buildings are whitewashed, prayer flags flutter in the high-altitude wind, and Tibetan horns echo through narrow alleys.
What Happens During Tiji Festival 2026
Each day of the Tiji Festival represents a different chapter in this epic battle between good and evil. Let me walk you through what you'll witness.
Along with drums and cymbals, the first day begins with the sound of loud Tibetan horns, known as Dhungchen. After the monks arrive at the square and take a seat beneath a sizable Thangka painting that hangs on the southern wall, the Tsa Chaam masked dance begins.
Evil energies begin to manifest in the area with this first function. The royal palace's courtyard dramatically transforms into a sacred theatre as hundreds of locals in traditional attire make their presence known.
The Nga Cham dance, which is performed by monks on the second day, portrays Dorje Jono's attempts to return the demon to the Buddha realms. The already packed cultural show is made more colourful and rich by the appearance of female performers in the main square, who are lavishly dressed in traditional costumes and decorations.
You will witness intricate costumes, profound chanting, and the accumulation of spiritual energy leading up to the final day's climax as the dances become more intense on this day.
The masked dance known as Rha Chaam, which takes a lively beat and emphasises the end of evil, begins the third and last day with ceremonial music. All of the performers emerge for the closing ceremony, and the monk who is playing Dorjee Sonam tosses an effigy of Tsampa, which stands in for the demon.
Everyone waits for this moment. You'll hear gunfire, see dancers spinning, and experience pure joy as good defeats evil once more as the effigy is thrown, symbolising the demon's exile from the kingdom.
The thing is, Upper Mustang is not a place to which you could drive on impulse. This restricted region requires special permits, careful planning, and a sense of adventure. But trust me, every bit of effort is worth it.
The majority of trekkers choose to walk to Lo Manthang, and to be honest, this is the best way to truly experience Mustang's magic. Typically, the route passes through:
The entrance to Upper Mustang, where you will register your permits, is Jomsom to Kagbeni.
From Kagbeni to Chele: The scenery starts to take on an unearthly quality.
Via Syangbochen and Ghiling: historic settlements perched on precipices
Through the centuries-old monasteries of Ghami and Tsarang, you can experience real Tibetan culture.
Lastly, Lo Manthang: The desert mirage that is the walled city.
Depending on your schedule and acclimatisation requirements, the full trek typically takes 10 to 14 days.
If you are running out of time or don't like trekking, jeep tours are increasingly popular nowadays. You can fly to Pokhara from Kathmandu, then to Jomsom, and drive to Lo Manthang in a Four Wheel Drive vehicle. That cuts down the journey considerably, though you'll skip some of the intimate trail experiences.
Helicopter tours present a quick way to Lo Manthang for those short on time or with a bigger budget. You can fly directly from Kathmandu or Pokhara, catch a day or three of the festival, and fly back. It's the fastest way, though you'll sacrifice the journey that makes the destination so meaningful.
Upper Mustang is a restricted area in Nepal close to the Tibetan border, so you'll need special documentation.
You'll need an Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit, which is approximately USD 500 per person for 10 days. You need to trek with a registered guide and through a licensed trekking agency. Individual trekking is not allowed in this region.
You will need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, which is standard for all treks in the Annapurna region.
The Tiji Festival always falls in the third Tibetan month, which happens to be in the month of May. This timing is very appropriate because Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, receiving very little rainfall from the monsoon. The month of May has clear skies, warm days, and spectacular mountain views.
Daytime temperatures range from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, but at night they can drop to freezing. Pack layers, and lots of them.
Lo Manthang has very few accommodations, and they fill up quickly during the festival. Most visitors stay in basic tea houses or guesthouses run by local families. One must not expect luxury but authenticity.
Some guesthouses offer attached bathrooms with hot showers when the solar panels cooperate, while others have shared facilities. The hospitality, however, is universally warm. You'll share meals with your hosts, hear stories about life in this remote kingdom, and probably make friends you'll remember forever.
Book accommodation well in advance, preferably with the same agency that you are trekking with. During the Tiji Festival time, every bed in Lo Manthang is priceless.
Packing for Upper Mustang should be done thoughtfully. Here's what you absolutely need:
Layers for Variable Weather: Mornings are cold, midday sun is intense, and evenings are freezing.
Good Trekking Boots: If you're walking, your feet will thank you
Sun Protection: The high altitude sun is unforgiving; bring sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Camera with Extra Batteries: Cold weather depletes the batteries fast, and you want to catch every moment.
Respectful Clothing: This is a sacred religious festival. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
Cash: There are no ATMs in Upper Mustang. Bring enough Nepali rupees for your entire trip.
Personal Toiletries and Medications: There are no pharmacies here.
First and foremost, the Tiji Festival is a religious ceremony, not a show for tourists. It symbolizes a prayer for all humanity and has been performed since the 14th century. Respect is paramount.
Photography Guidelines
Ask for permission before photographing the monks or locals up close.
Never use flash during the ceremonies.
Hats and sunglasses off when entering monasteries
Do not touch sacred items, masks, or ritual objects.
Mind your position and don't obstruct the view of people from other places who have come a long way to watch the function.
Wear modest, respectful clothes
No entry into monastery courtyards without shoes
Avoid wearing revealing or tight-fitting clothes.
A scarf or shawl for covering the shoulders, if needed
Since Upper Mustang opened to foreigners in 1992, the Tiji Festival has become an important source of income for locals. Tourism, however, hasn't diluted the spiritual importance of the festival; if anything, it has helped preserve these traditions.
It was during the reign of the first king of Lo, Ama Pal, that this festival was introduced by Ngorchen Dorje Chang, the exalted being responsible for bringing Buddhism to Mustang. To the people of Lo Manthang, Tiji is not a source of entertainment but a cultural heartbeat, a link to their ancestors, and a prayer for peace in an uncertain world.
You attend the festival, and you are there not as a mere spectator but as part of a living tradition that has survived centuries of isolation, political changes, and modernization.
Here's a realistic timeline for planning your trip:
Six Months Before: Research and book with a reputable trekking agency
Three Months Before: Confirm the exact dates of the festival with your operator
Two Months Before: Book your international and domestic flights to Nepal
One Month Before: Finalize your packing list and complete your permit applications
Two Weeks Before: Buy travel insurance that includes coverage for high-altitude trekking
Arrival in Nepal: A day or two in Kathmandu will be spent for acclimatization and sightseeing.
It will require some time, money, and effort to attend the Tiji Festival, let me tell you that. You will walk through high-altitude terrain for days. Basic lodging will be provided for you. You will eat dal bhat more times than you can count. Your comfort zone will be severely tested, and your body will be exhausted.
What you will gain, though, is the opportunity to observe a spiritual tradition that hasn't changed much over the centuries. You will be in a walled city from the Middle Ages that seems to have stood the test of time. At that altitude, you will literally be blown away by the mountains you see. You will come across people whose friendliness and warmth will make you believe in people again. And you will return home transformed, with unbelievable tales to tell.
The Tiji Festival offers a glimpse into a world that few people will ever encounter, making it more than just a cultural event. You might have the opportunity to witness something truly remarkable in 2026 when the monks of Chhoede Monastery reenact the conflict between good and evil.
+
+
+
+
© 2025 5k Treks Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.
