Join a small JOURNEYS group on a trek in the fabled Kingdom of Mustang of northern Nepal timed for the beginning of the harvest season and the spectacular three-day Tiji Festival. Located in the Himalayas of Nepal on the border with Tibet, this miniature royal domain reveres its own king even as Nepal quiet a national monarchy. Mustang's culture has descended in its pure form from the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism (contrasting to the Yellow Hat sect to which the Dalai Lama belongs.) and it remains one of the only spots on earth where Tibetans live according to their own unimpeded traditions. You will hike through deep canayons and among stunning sculpted rock formations backed by snow-capped peaks. You will visit homes, villages, and ancient monasteries set in ethereal landscapes on the fringe of the Tibetan Plateau. Most of the hiking is at altitudes above 3000masl. So a good live of fitness and mountain hiking experience are necessary.

The Tiji Festival in Mustang's ancient walled capital city of Lo Manthang will be the highlight. A thousand men, women and children participate in the annual elaborate re-enactment of the Tiji myth, telling of a deity named Dorje Jon who battles his demon father to save the kingdom from destruction. It will be a unique privilege to witness the same color, costume, dancing and ritual that were displayed by these people in this place more than five hundred years ago.

Mail us reserve your space on this life time experience!!

May 12-30, 2010

Duration of the trek:	19 Days
Group Size:	02 - 10 people
Specialty Categories:	Hiking, Trekking, Ecotourism
Max. Elevation:	4600m
Trek Grade:	Farily Strenuous
Mode of trek:	Tented Camp
Best Season :	Aug to Nov. and April to may.
Airfare Included:	No
Tour Customizable:	Yes
Maximum Walking:	7 - 8hours
Mode of travel:	Land and Air.
Cost Per Person:	3905 US Dollar (USD)

Day 01:	Arrive Kathmandu - May 12 Namasté. Welcome to Nepal! The adventure begins once you arrive at the airport in Kathmandu, a city that seamlessly combines the medieval and the modern, and which also boasts more World Heritage sights than any other city in the world. You will be met by our company’s representative, (mostly your guide for the trek). He has been guiding for JOURNEYS for over a decade and is loved by all our costumers. We will transfer you to our centrally located hotel. On the drive we’ll have our senses challenged by the sights, people and smells, all of which are so different from those you are used to. We all will be available to help with anything from last minute packing advice for the trek to suggesting places to see, shop or eat in Kathmandu. In the evening, we offer you to have a delicious welcome dinner and briefing session, at which time our senior staff will explain arrangements, logistics and schedules for the coming trek. Meals: Dinner Lodging: Three star Hotel in KTM.
Day 02:	Kathmandu - May 13 This extra day in Kathmandu is very helpful for overcoming jet-lag, acquiring necessary permits and beginning your appreciation for the Nepali culture and customs. We have included a tour of Kathmandu and surrounding sites, including Swayambhunath (the “Monkey Temple”), Boddhanath, Patan (an ancient city), and the Old Bazaar. The rest of the day is free for every one to explore the Thamel area on their own. This unique neighborhood is home to hundreds of little shops and restaurants. Meals: Breakfast Lodging: Same Hotel.
Day 03:	Kathmandu/Pokhara - May 14 In the morning take a flight to Pokhara, a nice little tourist town with some wonderful restaurants and mountain scenery. It is known as a place of leisure and trading, as well as a starting point for many different treks. Time permitting you can visit the Tibetan Refugee center. In the late afternoon there will be free time to explore around the lake area. Meals: Breakfast Lodging: Good Hotel
Day 04:	Pokhara/Jomsom - May 15 Early morning catch a breathtaking 25 minute flight to Jomsom. The flight takes you up through the Kali Gandaki gorge, the world’s largest and deepest, with its towering snow-capped peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. It will seem as though you can reach out and touch the peaks! Below will be magnificent views of waterfalls, canyons, and terraced fields. This is truly one of the most spectacular flights! Upon arrival in Jomsom, you'll meet the rest of our trekking staff for lunch. Rest of the day is free to relax or explore the village. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Guest House
Day 05:	Jomsom/Kagbeni (3.5 hrs) - May16 Today you start your trek by doing a fairly easy section of the trail along the Kali Gandaki River to Kagbeni, the gateway to the restricted zone of Mustang and one of the major trading routes between Tibet and India. The traders brought salt from Tibet and barley, spices and clothes from India. After the Chinese invasion of Tibet, trade came to a halt and many of the rich villages lost their revenue and later, many of their people. Nowadays, though there is again some trade, the majority of village income comes from tourism. Upon enter the dusty village, legend says you should think good thoughts, leaving all bad ones outside the town gates. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Tent or Guest House
Day 06:	Kagbeni/Chele (5-6 hrs) - May 17 From Kagbeni to Tangbe, the trail winds along the east riverbank and occasionally ventures out into the rocky river bed. Initially, the trail climbs steeply to the top of the hill but we'll be rewarded with a spectacular view of prayer flags, stupas, and villages. After crossing several windblown plains and passing through a canyon, you arrive at the Mustang village of Tanbe. This small village is filled with whitewashed adobe houses nestled against each other and is surrounded by beautifully terraced fields of wheat, barley, and buckwheat, as well as small apple orchards. On the lower side of Tangbe, we'll see three elegant chortens and the remnants of an old abandoned fort. As you continue your walk, be on the lookout for black ammonites, small fossils of coiled sea mollusks that inhabited the Tethys Sea and covered the Tibetan plateau millions of years before the Himalayas were formed. They are considered to be holy by many local people. Continue on to Chele, where you overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Tent
Day 07:	Chele/Geling ( 5 hrs) - May 18 The climb from Chele is up a fairly steep spur to a cairn at 10,329 feet, from which there is a view of the village of Gyagar across the canyon.The trail, which is literally carved into the side of this spectacular canyon, continually offers spectacular views. After crossing a mountain pass, the trail makes a long gradual descent on a pleasant trail to Samer. Finally after passing through several small canyons that are home to cool streams and shady juniper trees, you arrivie in Geling at 11,880 feet. Though the largest village before entering Upper Mustang, is a rarely visited gem. The town, set among numerous poplar groves and a central stream, boasts one of the oldest Gompas in Mustang. Spend the evening relaxing in front of the central field, where you can observe grain being threshed, animals grazing, and children playing. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Tent
Day 08:	Geling/Charang (6 hrs) - May 19 From Geling, the trail climbs gently through fields of barley and groves of poplar trees up the center of the valley, passing below the settlement of Tama Gaun and an imposing chorten. After rejoining the direct trail, it becomes a steep slow climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La pass at 13,035 feet, the highest point reached on the trek. Charang is a maze of fields, willow trees and houses separated by stone walls at the top of the large Charang Cho Canyon. The huge five story white dzong and red gompa are perched on the edge of the Kali Gandagi gorge on the east end of the valley. Overnight in Charang. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Tent
Day 09:	Charang/Lo Manthang (5 hrs) - May 20 Today you'll move slowly but steadly up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge opposite the village at 11,841 feet. The trail turns north and climbs gently to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. After a rest break you'll travel across a desert-like landscape painted in every hue of grey and yellow. Finally, you reach your destination- the whitewashed walls of the city of Lo, which sits among fields filled with horses and yaks. You may even have time to see the start of the Tiji festival. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Tent
Day 10:	Tiji Festival - May 21 Spend the better part of the day at the Tiji Festival watching all the dances and celebrations that take place, including horse racing and a giant tug-of-war. You’ll see Tibetan women in their traditional clothing and colorful jewelry, monks in their robes and dancers in elaborate costumes. This is an almost unknown festival that most Nepal trekkers never experience. Definitely bring your cameras along today! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Tent or Guest House
Day 11:	Lo Manthang - May 22 In addition to the festival, there are many other activities in Lo Manthang from which you can choose. Spend today exploring the intimate alleyways and courtyards of the city, or you can rent a horse and visit some of the other villages in the area. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Tent or Guest House
Day 12:	Lo Manthang/Ghemi (via Lo Gekar)-May 23 You will have the opportunity to vary your return route and visit Gar gompa, the oldest active gompa in Nepal. Ghemi village is the location of Gar Gompa, and is known for its many hectres of beautiful fields and for its white- washed houses. The trail to Ghemi is not a main trading route and is crisscrossed with herders trails. Today trek will cross several valleys, some lush and others barren. Near the end of the hike the trail then makes a long rocky descent down a ravine to a grassy valley, where Gar Ghompa is situated within a group of large trees by a stream. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Tent
Day 13-15:	Heading back to Jomsom - May 23-26 These last days again will bring beautifully rich scenery and great hiking on your way back to Jomsom. The trek will take you thru Samar and Kagbeni before ending in Jomson Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners Lodging: Tent and Guesthouse
Day 16:	Jomsom/Kathmandu - May 27 Depart early in the morning (by flight) to Pokhara, and then continue on to Kathmandu. Or, if you wish to spend more time in Pokhara, this can be arranged. Meals: Breakfast Lodging: Same hotel like before
Day 17:	Kathmandu - May 28 We consider today an “prevention day” just in case the flight can’t land due to weather or other concerns on the 29th. Otherwise, you will go to see the ancient city of Bhaktaphur, once a separate kingdom. The city still retains an architectural and design spirit of a feudal state focused on artistic and religious glorification. You will feel you are walking back in time strolling through the core of the old city now preserved and interpreted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take some time to look in the shops to observe potters, weavers, brass-makers, religious artisans, Brahmin priests and spice merchants carrying out their professions as they have done here for hundreds of years. End your journey with a traditional farewell dinner this evening. Meals: Breakfast Lodging: same hotel.
Day 18:	Kathmandu - Onward - May 29 Today we’ll say goodbye to Nepal and our wonderful staff before being transferred to the airport for our onward flights. If you wish, you can continue your travels with either an extension within Nepal to Chitwan National Park or to other Asian countries. Meals: Breakfast

International Airfare is not included in the tour price. 10 Days restricted area permit.

01.	National Park entry permit
02.	Trekking permit/ Special Permit for Mustang
03.	TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System)
04.	Land transportation to and from
05.	Accommodation in lodges/ Tented Camping during the trek
06.	Three meals a day during the trek.
07.	Airport pick up/ drop
08.	2 nights accommodation in pokhara in tourist stranded hotels on twin sharing basis (Bed and Breakfast)
09.	A guide and required number of porters
10.	Essential equipment.

01.	Personal expenses
02.	Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
03.	Personal gears and clothing (available on hire)
04.	Insurance, Tips
05.	Sightseeing in Kathmandu
06.	Emergency evacuation by Helicopter
07.	Expedition cargo custom clearance
08.	Airport tax and custom clearance
09.	Alternative transportation in case of heavy rain, landslide, strike, road blockade etc.