Best Time to Visit Upper Mustang for the Tiji Festival
Most treks in Nepal avoid the monsoon season. Upper Mustang works differently. The region sits behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, which block most of the monsoon rain before it reaches Mustang. This is called a rain shadow area. It means Upper Mustang stays mostly dry even during the monsoon months of June to August.
This is why the Tiji Festival, which falls in early June, is one of the best times to trek in this region. Trekkers get clear trails, dry weather, and open mountain views, while most other parts of Nepal are dealing with heavy monsoon rainfall at the same time.
Spring, from March to May, is another good season to visit Upper Mustang. Days stay mild, and the weather remains stable for trekking. Autumn, from September to November, also offers strong visibility and comfortable trekking conditions, if you plan to visit outside the festival dates.
Winter, from December to February, brings cold temperatures and strong winds to Upper Mustang, and most trekkers avoid this season. If you are experienced with high-altitude winter trekking and still want to visit, we can arrange and manage this trek for you during these months as well.
How Difficult Is the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek?
The Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek is graded as a moderate trek. It does not require any technical climbing skills, ropes, or previous mountaineering experience. Most days involve five to eight hours of walking on clear trails. One day, between Tengbe and Chuksang, runs longer at eight to nine hours, and this is the toughest day of the whole trek.
The highest point on this trek is Mui-La Pass at 4,353m. This altitude is reached gradually over the first week of the trek, not all at once. Our guides have led groups through this exact route since 2012, and this experience shapes how each day is planned. Walking speed, rest breaks, and daily altitude gain are all managed carefully, since a slow, steady climb gives your body the time it needs to adjust naturally.
Mild symptoms like a headache or shortness of breath are possible in the first few days above 3,000m. This is normal for most trekkers at this altitude and is not usually a sign of a serious problem. Drinking enough water, walking at a steady pace, and telling your guide about any symptoms right away are the best ways to stay comfortable throughout the trek.
Is the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Suitable for Beginners?
Yes, this trek is suitable for beginners who have a reasonable level of general fitness. You do not need previous high-altitude trekking experience to join. Some background in hiking or regular walking is helpful, but it is not required.
A few weeks of regular walking, light cardio, or stair climbing before the trek is enough preparation for most people. This kind of simple training builds the stamina needed for five to eight hours of walking a day.
Every group on this trek is supported by an experienced guide who understands how to pace a group with mixed fitness levels. Our guides walk at a steady pace, build in rest stops along the trail, and adjust the day's pace based on how the group is doing. This kind of hands-on, experience-based guiding is what makes a moderate high altitude trek like this one approachable for beginners, not just for experienced trekkers.
Permits Required for the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Three permits are mandatory for the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek, since the route enters a restricted area of Nepal within the Annapurna Conservation Area. The Nepal government enforces these permits to protect the region's natural and cultural heritage, including Lo-Manthang and the communities that call it home.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
- Issued by: Department of Immigration, Nepal, through a registered trekking agency
- Cost: USD 50 per person, per day
- Required: Mandatory for all trekkers entering Upper Mustang, only issued through a licensed trekking company
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Issued by: National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Kathmandu or Pokhara
- Cost: NPR 3,000 per person (approximately USD 22-25)
- Required: Mandatory for all trekkers entering the Annapurna Conservation Area
TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System)
- Issued by: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) or TAAN offices, Kathmandu or Pokhara
- Cost: USD 10-20 per person, depending on trekking type
- Required: Mandatory for all trekkers in Nepal
We arrange all three permits on your behalf before the trek begins. Bring your passport and two passport-size photos for permit processing.
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Cost 2027
The cost of the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek depends on the type of departure you choose and the size of your group. Fixed group departures are built around the confirmed Tiji Festival dates and offer a more affordable per-person rate, while private departures give you full flexibility over your schedule and exclusive use of your guide and support crew. All prices include the Restricted Area Permit, ACAP permit, TIMS Card, guide, porter, teahouse and hotel accommodation, trail meals, and domestic flights between Pokhara and Jomsom. We give you one clear price before you book, with no hidden fees or last-minute additions.
For group bookings, customized itineraries, or last-minute availability, contact us directly, and we will build the right package around your schedule and budget.
Types of Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek Service
Fixed Group Departure
If you want the most budget-friendly way to attend the Tiji Festival, joining our fixed group departure is your best option. Since this departure is planned around the confirmed 2027 festival dates, you share trek costs with fellow travelers, which lowers the per-person price compared to booking privately.
This option works well for solo travelers who want to meet others along the trail, as well as couples or small groups of friends whose travel dates can align with the festival window. Group size on this departure ranges from 2 to 18 people.
Private Departure
If you want full control over your trip, you can book this trek privately. Your group gets exclusive access to your own guide, porter, and support crew for the entire journey, without matching the pace or schedule of other travelers.
This option lets you adjust daily start times, walking pace, and rest stops to fit your group. It also allows for custom additions along the route, such as extra time in Lo-Manthang or a different return route through Jomsom. We recommend this option for families, couples looking for a more personal trip, or small groups who want the Tiji Festival experience entirely on their own terms.
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Jeep Ride Tour
If your priority is reaching the festival without a multi-day trek, our Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Jeep Ride Tour covers the same general route by vehicle. This option suits travelers with limited time, limited mobility, or a preference for comfort over daily walking, while still bringing you to Lo-Manthang for all three days of the festival.
Customized Package
If you want to extend your time in the Mustang region, this trek can be combined with other routes and experiences in the area. Instead of the standard itinerary, you can add extensions such as:
- Muktinath and Jomsom Extension: Spend extra time exploring the Muktinath Temple area and the town of Jomsom before returning to Pokhara.
- Mani Rimdu Festival Trek: Combine this trip with our Mani Rimdu Festival Trek in the Everest region for a broader look at Himalayan festival culture, on a separate departure.
- Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing: Add extra days in Kathmandu to explore the valley's heritage sites before or after your trek.
This is the most complete way to experience both the Tiji Festival and the wider culture of Nepal in a single journey.
Accommodation on the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
You get to stay in tea house lodges throughout the trek, including during your time in Lo-Manthang for the Tiji Festival itself. These lodges offer simple twin rooms, warm meals, and a place to rest after each day of walking or watching the festival. Since Lo-Manthang has limited rooms available and the festival draws visitors from across the region, accommodation here gets booked early, and we plan our fixed departure around the confirmed festival dates to secure your rooms well in advance.
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you get to stay in three-star hotels on a bed and breakfast basis, giving you a comfortable base before and after the trekking portion of your trip. Rooms in Upper Mustang are basic compared to city hotels, with shared bathrooms common in most teahouses along the route, but you still get hot meals, warm blankets, and a genuinely welcoming stay at every stop, even in this remote part of Nepal.
What Documents You Need Before You Travel to Nepal
Passport & Visa
All foreign nationals, except Indian citizens, need visas to enter Nepal. Getting a visa must be the easiest one, though. You just have to go to the Nepalese Embassy/consulate in your country, or it can also be obtained upon your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. To get a visa, you need to bring 2 pp size photos, visa fees, and a valid passport.
Tourist Visa Fees: 3-day transit visa - Free of Cost
15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD
For more information, please contact the Department of Immigration.
Kalikasthan, Kathmandu
Tel: 00977-1- 4429660 | 4438862 | 4438868 | 4433934
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must when you travel abroad. Therefore, before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you, since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip, or if your belongings are lost or stolen.
Essential Gear and Packing List for the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
After booking with the Nepal Adventure Team, please pack the necessary items as listed:
- Travel documents: passport, visa (If you have one), travel insurance, air tickets, voucher, passport photo (x 2)
- Bank cards or credit cards, travelers' cheques, etc
- Comfortable boots and runners/sports shoes.
- 6-8 pairs of socks, woolen/cotton. Fleece jacket, Down / Duvet Jacket, and Rain / windproof jacket.
- Gloves: 2 pairs.
- T-shirts: 4-6 pcs, shirts (woolen/cotton).
- A cap for the day and a woolen hat or Balaclava for evening/morning wear.
- Trousers.
- Shorts and tracksuits.
- Sleeping bag (4 seasons) with inner liner.
- Large and small towels.
- Toiletries.
- Water bottle.
- Sun /snow glass.
- Ski/walking poles (optional but useful).
- First Aid/medical kit.
- Rucksack/backpack.
- Duffel Bags (carried by porters or animals).
- Torch / Flashlights with spare batteries.
- Pen knife/ Swiss knife.
- Scarf/mask (for dust and wind).
- Personal hygiene stuff.
- Any other extras you feel are necessary, like binoculars, cameras, books, journals, and more.
Safety on the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
A trained guide stays with you throughout the trek, watching for any signs of altitude discomfort, especially on the days approaching Mui-La Pass.
Altitude Awareness
The Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek reaches a maximum of 4,353 metres at Mui-La Pass. This is a moderate altitude for the Himalayas, but altitude sickness can still affect trekkers at this height. The route climbs gradually through Kagbeni, Chele, and Syangbochen before reaching the pass, giving your body time to adjust and lowering the risk of altitude sickness.
Signs of Altitude Sickness to Watch For
Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness level. Watch for these early signs:
- Persistent headache
- Nausea or loss of appetite
- Dizziness or fatigue
- Shortness of breath at rest
- Trouble sleeping
If you notice any of these, don't keep climbing. Tell your guide right away. Descending 300 to 500 metres almost always brings quick relief.
How We Keep You Safe
- All our guides are Wilderness First Aid certified and carry a pulse oximeter
- We keep a slow, steady pace throughout the trek
- Helicopter evacuation is available for medical emergencies, covered by proper travel insurance
- All trekkers must carry travel insurance that includes high altitude coverage and emergency evacuation
- We cover altitude sickness basics in your trek briefing before departure
A Few General Safety Tips
- Drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day to stay hydrated
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives at altitude
- Eat regular meals, even if your appetite drops
- Walk at your own pace, never push through warning signs
- Always trek with your assigned guide
A Few Rules to Follow During Your Trek
The possession or use of any illegal drugs is not tolerated on this trek. Nepal's laws around this are strict, and following them is part of respecting the local people and their culture. Any trekker found in violation will be expelled from the group.
Responsible Travel in Upper Mustang Tiji Festival
We strongly believe that everyone shares responsibility for acting in favor of the local people and the surrounding environment. As our client, you also play an important role during your trek.
- Respect local laws, customs, and religious beliefs throughout your trek and during the Tiji Festival
- Walk clockwise around monasteries, stupas, and mani walls, following local Buddhist tradition
- Ask permission before photographing monks, locals, or private ceremonies during the festival
- Do not touch sacred objects, thangkas, or ritual items without permission
- Always ask before doing something local, or consult your guide first
- Keep the area the same as you found it, wherever you go, and dispose of your rubbish properly
- Support local skills and businesses by buying from local artisans and eating at local teahouses in Lo-Manthang
- Possession or use of illegal drugs is not tolerated on this trek, out of respect for local laws and culture, and results in expulsion from the group
Feedback and Reviews
This is very important for us. After your trip, we want your feedback, whether it is good or bad, since that's the way we can thrive further. To motivate you to finish the review or feedback online, we are going to give you an 8% discount on your next trip with us. Outstanding, isn’t it?
Additional Information
For all additional information, go to Contact Us, send a message, or call directly to Mr. Jeevan Thapa Magar +977 9851234322 (Viber/WhatsApp)
