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 has rejected 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 canyons and among stunning sculpted rock formations backed by snow-capped peaks. You will visit homes, villages, and active monasteries set in ethereal landscapes on the fringe of the Tibetan Plateau. Much of the hiking is at altitudes above 10,000' so a good level of fitness and mountain hiking experience are required.
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 600 years ago.
Call to reserve your space on this one-time experience!
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