Attend the three-day Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang—an 16–18 day lodge-to-lodge trek through Upper Mustang’s arid canyons. Expect high-desert landscapes, Tibetan-Buddhist rituals, and long, altitude-tested walking days.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You arrive on a thin-bladed wind that sweeps up the Kali Gandaki gorge and into Lo Manthang’s walled streets, where prayer flags snap like clarion calls and the town’s flat-roofed houses crowd the square. The Tiji festival opens here in mid-May; masked dancers enact the myth of a hero who saves Mustang from destruction, and the dry air carries cymbals and chanting across a landscape that feels both alien and intimate.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
16–18 days
Fitness Level
Expect multiple consecutive 4–8 hour walking days at altitude; be in good aerobic shape and practice with loaded day hikes.
Wildlife
History
Lo Manthang was the capital of a semi-autonomous Mustang kingdom with strong Tibetan cultural ties; trade in salt and grain historically linked it to Tibetan plateaus.
Conservation
Upper Mustang’s fragile high-desert soils recover slowly; stick to existing trails, limit campfire use, and carry out all non-biodegradable waste.
Reserve your spot on the Tiji Festival Trek ( Upper Mustang) : The Festival of Lo Manthang today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Permit and restricted area
Upper Mustang requires a Restricted Area Permit; secure it before travel and carry ID at all times.
Acclimatize in stages
Spend a day in Jomsom or Kagbeni to adjust before pushing above 3,000 m to reduce altitude sickness risk.
Prepare for cold nights
Even in May temperatures can drop sharply after sunset—pack an insulating layer and warm hat for festival evenings.
Sun and dust management
High UV and dusty paths demand sun protection and a lightweight buff or bandana to cover face and nose on windy days.
Sturdy trekking boots
Support and sticky soles help on loose scree and steep village approaches.
Down jacket or warm insulating layer
Cold nights at 3,500–4,300 m require a reliable insulating layer.
winter
Sun hat, sunglasses & high-SPF sunscreen
High-altitude UV is intense on exposed ridgelines and plateau sections.
summer
Trekking poles
Poles reduce strain on knees during long descents and improve balance on scree.