Mustang

Mustang: Festivals in the Forbidden Kingdom

Upper Mustang Trek - Tiji Festival Special (18 days) Itinerary from 2^nd - 19^th May 2011

Introduction

Mustang is one of the few places in the Himalayan region that has been able to retain its traditional Tibetan culture unmolested… authentic Tibetan culture now survives only in exile and a few places like Mustang, which have had long historical and cultural ties with Tibet."

The Dalai Lama

The small kingdom of Mustang closed [The gate to Tsarang] to westerners until 1992, is an enchanting land of windswept vistas, red walled monasteries, and feudal towns. This tiny kingdom was not only a major corridor of trade from the 1400's to before the Chinese occupation of Tibet, but also figured importantly into early Buddhism in Tibet. Local legend tells the tale of the great founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Padmasambhava, who before building Samye (the oldest monastery in Tibet) came to Mustang to stand guard against and do battle with the evil powers out to destroy Buddhism. The temple of Lo Gekhar in eastern Mustang was built by Padmasambhava after his triumphant battle and still stands guard today. Our route will take us across the vast Kali Gandaki riverbed, up over windswept passes at 14,000 ft. and across the 'Plain of Aspirations' to the walled capital city of Lo-Manthang. All this through a landscape of indescribable vastness and beauty, home to the infamous snow leopard, the endangered bharal (blue sheep), and the mythical mehti (abominable snowman). Rimmed by 20,000+ snowcapped peaks and bathed in hues of orange and red rocks with sporadic fields of vibrant green, yellow and red of barley, maize, and buckwheat, Mustang is a step back to a simpler time. This is a special trip with many extra days to explore the rarely visited East Side of Mustang and the annual Tiji festival, one of the last great Himalayan festivals not inundated by westerners. A Short History of Mustang Portions of he following account of the Tiji Festival are excerpted from: East of Lo Manthang: In the land of Mustang. Peter Matthiessen and Thomas Laird, Shambhala Press, Boston, 1995.We found ourselves in the midst of a festival in which over a thousand men, women and children were taking part. Before us spread a sea of weatherbeaten brown faces that contrasted with those of the beaming, dirty little children who clung like grapes upon the rooftops of the houses" " The women… looked superb in hand woven sleeveless Chubas (a bath-robe style dress made of thick wool) over bright, loose silk blouses. Around their wast bands were tucked two aprons, a short one that hung down in front, the other caught in the belt and hanging down behind to the ground. These were gaily striped in bright, narrow bands of blue, red, green and yellow. Many women were literally smothered with ornaments of silver and precious stones…necklaces of bright orange corralline stones alternateing with turquoises…ivory-white bracelts made of truncated conch shell (and)..head-dresses…studded with turquoises..ran along the central parting of their hair and fell down their backs.

The Tiji festival is a three-day ritual known as "The chasing of the Demons" that centers on the Tiji myth. The myth tells of a deity named Dorje Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. The demon father wreaked havoc on Mustang by bringing a shortage of water (a highly precious resource in this very dry land) and causing many resulting disasters from famine to animal loss. Dorje Jono eventually beats the demon and banishes him from the land. Tiji is a celebration and reaffirmation of this myth and throughout the festival the various scenes of the myth will be enacted. It is of course timed to coincide with the end of the dry winter/spring season and will usher in the wetter monsoon season (the growing season for Mustang). Tiji comes from the word "ten che" meaning ‘the hope of Buddha Dharma prevailing in all worlds’ and is effectively a spring renewal festival. Peter Matheissan wrote the following account of the three-day festival:

More on the Tiji Festival:

"The Tiji Ceremony began on the month of May or Jun (it depends on Tibetan colander ) mostly in between med may to med Jun) in the main square east of the palace, under snappeting prayer flags, white cracked walls, and blue-framed windows. "

Early in the afternoon, horns resounded — the short horn or kagyling, which announces the two twelve-foot copper dunchens, with their elephantine blartings, followed by two double-reeded horns (the player is trained to blow with a peculiar technique of double-breathing), all accompanied by drum and cymbals. " Next, an ancient and enormous tanka three stories high was unrolled down the entire south wall of the square. The tanka portrayed Padma Sambhava (or "Guru Rimpoche") who brought this ceremony to Tibet in the 8th century (it is said to have originated in Afghanistan) and founded the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Following incense purification…

Crown Prince Jigme of Mustang or the reperisantive with tailored traditional dress, made an offering of six brass bowls of grain, set out on a wood altar with the painted cakes made from butter and (flour)."At mid-afternoon, in high wind and blowing dust, eleven lamas in maroon and gold, wearing high red hats, came from the palace and took their places along the wall beneath the tanka, with Tashi Tenzing on the elevated seat just in the center. At one end of the line, big Ri-Dorje and an older monk commence a sonorous overture on the twelve-foot horns, which arc supported at the open end by a carved wood stand. Horns and drums are accompanied by cymbals struck more or less casually by all the lamas."As the monks and lamas commence chanting, twelve more monks come from the palace in maroon and royal blue and glittering gold brocade, with cymbal-shaped hats decked with upright peacock plumes. Soon they withdraw, to be replaced by the masked dancers who" start the portrayal of the Tiji myth. "Dorje Jono repels the demon through the power of his magical dancing — he dances fifty-two separate dances, one of them in ten different bodies, each with a different head in the course of which he finds time to poke fun at the clownish figures of a Hindu yogi and a Chinese Chan (Zen) master. As the dances end, Dorje Jono kills the demon, after which his people are relieved of their plague of misfortunes, water becomes plentiful once more, and the balance and harmony of existence are restored.

"For the second day of Tiji, numbers of Loba have arrived from the outlying hamlets, and the small square is thronged with wild beautiful people, with all of the women and children, at least, in traditional dress." "On the south wall the great ancient tanka has been replaced by another no less than a century old, a tapestry of fine silk brocade, embroidered in Tibet in the last days of the old regime and brought by the rajas father from Lhasa. "Eventually the raja appears in turquoise-green wool boots and regal purple robe, and Rani Sahib, also in purple, wears a whole crown of tiny river pearls set off by dozens of large red coralline tones interspersed with matched ornaments of turquoise. The crown prince, too, wears purple, as well as a shirt of fire-gold over neat Western trousers and black leather boots. All are attended by royal relatives and nobles, the men in peaked hats of gold brocade, the women in imperial displays of turquoise and silver."

"Fortunately we outsiders are very few, all but lost in the horde of undefended merry faces. The costumes and masks, the twelve-foot horns, the gold cups of wheat, the butter cakes, the snow peaks and wind and dust and sun, the mehti, snow leopard, snow pigeons, saligrams, the dying glacier and the desert ruins, the drunks and rajas and foreigners, the dogs and yaks. Tantra! the rites to a cloth doll (representing the demon who is symbolically being cast out) perhaps two feet long. Into this figure was thrust in an interminable ceremony a series of blue daggers, until just at dark, the demon's pitiful remains were borne away into the palace, and the line of cold wind-swept lamas under the huge tanka became free to leave."

The Third Day of Tiji

"On the third day, Tiji ends with the ceremonial destruction of the evil remains, represented by some long black yak hair and red torma cakes minced to a dark red gurry. The remainsare chanted over by a lama, as his assistants burn juniper and frankincense, and two lines of monks strike hand drums while those against the wall blow horns. Eventually a procession forms, led by three victory banners, red and white, then the bearers of five braziers bearing the demon's remains, then the horn blowers and monks, then lamas, then court musicians, then the raja and the crown prince and their attendants. The procession pauses for chanting and ceremony at the chortens outside of the main gate, then repeats the ceremonials at the grain-threshing platforms east of the walls, arriving finally at the edge of the town fields." "The demons red remnants are set out on an old tiger skin, where-upon they are attacked by bow and arrow, slings, and the old guns. One by one, the braziers filled with the poor devils remains are over- turned upon the ground, each time to a wild cannonade from the old muzzle-loaders and a wave of cheers and smoke. Finally the emptied braziers are removed and the sad remains flailed with the tiger skin to satisfy the crowd that nothing has been overlooked in dispelling the forces of evil from Lo Manthang. Tiji is over, and tomorrow the people will go home to their own villages."

Upper Mustang Trek - Tiji Festival Special (18 days) Itinerary from 2^nd - 19^th May 2011

This trek takes you to the once hidden kingdom of Lo-Mangthang and offers you a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the ancient and colorful festival of Tiji.

The region of Mustang lies north of the main Himalayan range in the area known as the trans-Himalaya. Called by the locals Lo, Mustang was only opened to trekkers in March 1992. The Tibetan influenced area north of Kagbeni is known as Upper Mustang. A vast high valley, arid and dry, it has a barren desert-like appearance similar to the Tibetan Plateau and is characterized by eroded canyons and colorful stratified rock formations. Mustang was once an important route for crossing the Himalaya between Tibet and Nepal, and many of the old salt caravans passed through Mustang. It is this area which we will trek to, discovering the wonders of the architecture, language, culture and traditions which are almost purely Tibetan in this once-upon-a-time mystical kingdom.

Once you reach Lo Manthang, you get to witness Tiji Festival one of the most sacred and colorful festivals in this whole region. The festival features a three day ritual known as the 'chasing of demons'. Monks donning masks and colorful costumes enact the story of Dorje Jono who fought against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from falling apart. The festival is held annually at the onset of Spring season. As Spring season symbolizes regeneration of life, this festival is also about hope, revival and affirmation of life.

The festival is held at the walled city of Lo Manthang (3730m), the capital of Mustang. Lo Manthang is also home to Mustang's former King Jigme Dorjee Palbar Bista who lost his royal title in 2008 after Nepal became a republic. But he is still highly regarded and respected by the locals.

Program Code: Tiji Festival Specia

Program Grading: Moderate

Itinerary

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu.

Day 02: Sight seeing at Kathmandu

Day 03: Fly to Pokhara. Evening sight seeing at Pokhara

Day 04: Fly to Jomsom & Trek to Kagbeni [2780m]

Day 05: Trek to Chele [3050m]

Day 06: Trek to Geling (Via chungse Gompa) [3440m]

Day 07: Trek to Charang [3490m]

Day 08: Trek to Lo-Manthang (via Lho-gekar, Ghar Gompa) [3730m]

Day 09: Lo-Manthang [3730m] – Day hiking - (Start Tiji Festival)

Day 10: Lo-Manthang [3730m] - Tiji Festival

Day 11: Lo-Manthang [3730m] - Tiji Festival Ends

Day 12: Trek to Ghami [3460m)

Day 13: Trek to Samar [3290m]

Day 14: Trek to Chhuksang [2920m]

Day 15: Trek to Jomsom [2710m]

Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu

Day 17: Free Day or (optional) Sightseeing at Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan

Day 18: Depart Kathmandu

Itinerary Detail

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu Meet and transfer to hotel.

The Kathmandu Valley:

It is surrounded by a tier of green mountain wall above which tower mighty snow-

Capped peaks. It consists of three main towns of great historic, artistic and culture interest. (Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur). The Kathmandu valley covers an area of 218 sq. miles. It is actuated 4223 ft. above sea-level. The ancient Swasthani scriptures tell of Lord Shiva, supreme among Hindu gods, who came down to the Kathmandu valley to escape boredom. He came as a tourist, if that is the appropriate word, but he was neither among the first nor the last of the gods to visit the Valley. Visitors have come to Nepal since time forgotten. And though the country is much deferent today then it was in ancient times, it has not diminished in charm; the increase in the number of visitors over the years is a living proof. Those who came to the Valley today will appreciate a lot more then Lord Shiva did in his tour. The architecture started here by the Lichhavi and Malla Kings is one such example. Much of the greenery that Lord Shiva is gone, but the forest surrounding Pashupati, where he stayed, are still intact. The seven World heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and cultural Organization (UNESCO) are the highlights of the Valley.

Day 02: Sightseeing at Kathmandu

Boudhanath:

Boudhanath is among the largest stupa in south Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many of them decided to live around Boudhanath. They established many gompas, and the “Lit the Tibet” of Nepal was born. This “Little Tibet” is still the best place in the valley to observe Tibetan lifestyle. Monks walk about in maroon robes. Tibetans walk with prayer wheels in their hands and the rituals of prostration are presented to the Buddha as worshippers circumambulate the stupa on their hands and knees, bowing down to their lord.

Pashupatinath:

One-day lord Shiva got tired of this glittering palace on Mt. Kailash, his armies of ghosts and spirits, and even Parbati – his beautiful wife. Through his cosmic powers, he searched for a perfect place where he could holiday. Without telling anyone, he ran away from his palace and came to live in Slesmantak forest in the Kathmandu valley. He gained great fame here as Pashupati – Lord of the Animals – before other gods discovered his hiding place and came to fetch him. The Pashupati where he stayed has received the attention of worshippers for at least fifteen hundred years; it is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. There are linga images of Shiva along with statues, shrines, and temples dedicated to other deities in the complex. A temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in AD 879. However, the present temple was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1697. A gold – plated roof, silver doors, and woodcarving of the finest quality decorate the pagoda construction. Guheswori Temple, restored in AD 1653, represents the female “force”. It is dedicated to Satidevi, Shiva’s first wife, who gave up her life in the flames of her father’s fire ritual.

Swoyambhunath:

The history of the Valley, according to the legends, begins with Swoyambhunath, or the “the self-existent”. In times uncharted by history, Bodhisattva Manjusri came across a beautiful lake during his travel. He saw a lotus that emitted brilliant light at the lake’s center, so he cut a gorge in a southern hill and drained the waters to worship the lotus. Men called it the Kathmandu Valley. From then on, the hilltop of the Self-existent Lord has been a holy place.

Kathmandu Durbar Square:

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the seemingly uncountable monuments in the durbar square, the house of the Living goddess, the ferocious Kal Bhairab, the red monkey god, and hundreds of erotic carvings are a few examples of the sights at the square! The building here is the greatest achievements of the Malla dynasty, and they resulted from the great rivalry between the three palaces of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The valley was divided among the children of Yaksya Malla. For visitors today, and for the Nepalese, it was serendipitous that they, and later their off springs, began artistic warfare trying to outdo each other in splendid constructions. Kings copied every thing their neighbors built in an even grander style. A visitor who wanders around the Square will see a round temple in the Pagoda architectural style, the temple of goddess Taleju (who played dice with King Jaya Prakash Malla), and an image of Shiva and Parbati sitting together among the many monuments.

The Square is teeming with colorful life. Vendors sell vegetables, curios, flutes, and other crafts around the Kathmandu rest house. This rest house is said to have been built with the wood of a single tree and is the source from which the Kathmandu valley got its name. Nearby are great drums which were beaten to announce royal decrees. All woodcarvings, statues, and architecture in this aria are exceptionally fine, and Durbar Square is among the must important sights for Travelers to see.

Day 03: Fly to Pokhara/ Evening sightseeing at Pokhara

POKHARA

Pokhara is a rare combination of the long arrays of snowclad peaks, crystal clear lakes, turbulent rivers with deep gorges and picturesque villages inhabited by simple and friendly ethnic people. Situated at the lap of the panoramic Annapurna Himal, the climate of Pokhara remains favourable all the year round neither too warm nor too cold. The monsoon rains are strongest during June to August. Other months are relatively dry.

The moment you step into any part of Pokhara the first thing that takes you to immediate delight is the gorgeous view of the gigantic mountains. Pokhara is infact, the first and foremost convenient point for mountain-oriented sightseeing. Mt. Annapurna, literally meaning the Goddess of Abundant Harvest, lies at a horizontal distance of 40 km. from the valley of Pokhara which is at an elevation of just 900 metre above main sea level.

We take the short but scenic 30 minute flight to Pokhara in the morning , enjoying the views of Ganesh, Manaslu and the Annapurnas along the way. Pokhara, known as the ‘Lakeside City’ is popular for its beautiful and serene lakes: Phewa, Begnas and Rupa. Our trip includes visits to all these exotic places. We go for boating on Lake Phewa on whose tranquil waters the fishtail-like spire of MachaPucchure (Fishtail) Peak is mirrored. We visit the Bindyabasini Temple located in an island,in the middle of the lake. Afterwards we take a guided tour to Davis fall, the gorge of the Seti River and Tibetan refugee camp.

Day 04: Fly to Jomsom & Trek to Kagbeni [2780m]
flight from Pokhara to Jomson & Trek to Kagbeni over night Kagbeni.

Early morning flight. The flight starts with a climb up out of the Pokhara valley, cresting over the hill town of Ghorepani only a few hundred meters below into the Kali Gandaki valley. We slowly ascend as we cruise up the world’s deepest gorge with the Himalayan giants Nilgiri (7061m/23160ft) and Dhaulagiri (8167m) to either side. If the weather is clear the high peaks will appear almost close enough to reach out and touch. If the monsoon is early (spring trips) or hasn’t quite left yet (fall trips) then we may fly the low route, hugging the valley walls offering spectacular views of waterfalls, deep canyons, and terraced fields. The flight is a total of 20-25 minutes, culminating in a hair-raising but uneventful landing at the airstrip in Jomsom (2720m/8900ft). Jomsom is a relatively new town that is now home to the local government and an army base, and clear our permits. After crossing the suspension bridge to the east side of the Kali Gandaki we pass through the older section of Jomsom before following the trail into the riverbed. Eventually the trail joins the bank, undulating over small hills for the next 1 to 1.5 hours. The trail rises up a small hill before finally descending to the town of Eklobhatti, which is a new town of 3-4 hotels/lodges located directly on the river. Kagbeni 2850m/ 9400ft) is now visible and takes another 30 min. to reach. This dusty town is relatively unchanged by trekkers, and sits at the border of the restricted Mustang region on the Tibetan Plateau. This is a short day, but good for altitude adjustment as Kagbeni is at almost 3,000 meters. There will be plenty of time to climb up into the barley fields above the town to get a glimpse into Mustang or perhaps of the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range. The newer part of Kagbeni is on the south side and will be our first view. 3 minutes into town we will cross a wooden bridge and enter the old part of Kagbeni, with its winding streets, Gompa, and town entrance gate. Legend says that one should think good thoughts when going through the gate, leaving all bad will outside the town. The Gompa has a new wing that was added on quite recently, however the older section is open for viewing if you can locate the keeper of the key (often not an easy task). This is well worth the visit as it has many fresco style wall paintings depicting the life and teachings of the Buddha and is quite similar to many of the older Gompas we will see further north in upper Mustang. Also note the architecture of the buildings; mud brick/adobe walls, flat roofs, and often-large piles of wood piled along the tops of the walls. These are characteristic features of the dryer regions in the rain shadow (i.e. North) of the Himalaya.

Day 05: Trek to Chele(3050m)
On the trek from Kagbeni to Chele we pass the beautiful village of Tangbe, with its picturesque traditional houses and fields of barley, buckwheat and apple orchards. We enjoy views of the magnificent Nilgiri peak and cross several ridges. After Chhusang village, we cross a stream and leave the Kaligandaki valley behind and reach the village of Chele.

Day 06: Trek to Geling [3440m]
Following a trail on the arid Tibet like landscape, we climb above the village of Samar to a ridge and then descend into a large gorge past a Chorten before entering another valley filled with juniper trees. We then cross a stream and after climbing to a pass, we descend along a ridge to Shyangmochen, a tiny settlement with a few tea shops. Nearby is Rangbyung, a cave containing stalagmites in the form of a Chorten and one of the holiest places in Mustang. The trail climbs gently from Shyangmochen and we enter another huge valley before descending to Geling, with its extensive fields of barley. Like in all settlements of Mustang, the white and ochre painted houses in Geling are constructed using mud and stones. The roofs are made of twigs, straw and a mixture of mud and pebbles.

Day 07: Trek to Charang [3490m]
Today’s walk is through perhaps the driest part of Mustang, and much of our energy will be spent negotiating the loose, dry soil. However, the magnificent views of the countryside, from the gentle contours of the north to the rugged mountains in the east and west, more than compensates for the hard climb. Finally, we come to Charang, a large spread-out village at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. At the eastern end of the village are a huge dzong [fortress] and a red gompa (monastery) which houses an excellent collection of statues and thangkas.

Day 08: Trek to Lo-Manthang (3730m0 - (via Lho-gekar, Ghar Gompa)
We will spend part of the morning exploring the interesting village of Charang and its large monastery, before setting out for Lo Manthang. We climb gently above the valley to a large isolated Chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo Manthang. The trail then broadens and eventually we get our first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance so we circumambulate the wall to the gate on the north-east corner. We begin our return journey from Lo Manthang, taking the upper highland route. This highland route offers dramatic views of Lo Manthang and the Charang Valley, with snow clad peaks in the background. Just past the settlement of Lo Gekar, we reach the oldest monastery in Mustang, the Ghare Gompa.

Day 09: Lo-Manthang [3730m] –Day hiking- (Start Tiji Festival)
Today, you are free to explore the fascinating city of Lo Manthang. The city contains about 150 houses, as well as residences for its many lamas. There are four major temples within the city and one of these, Champa Lhakang, contains a huge clay statue of Buddha as well as elaborates mandalas painted on the walls. Lo Manthang is also home to Mustang's former King Jigme Dorjee Palbar Bista who lost his royal title in 2008 after Nepal became a republic.The king's palace is an imposing building in the center of the city and is occupied by the ex-King. He is still respected by the people. Today also marks the commencement of the Tiji Festival. Monks don colorful costumes and masks representing divine beings and perform ritual dances. Sit out with the locals dressed in their traditional finery to witness this sacred ritual dance. The setting is most spectacular.

Day 10: Lo- Manthang [3730m] - Tiji Festival

Day 11: Lo-Manthang[3730m] - Tiji Festival Ends

Day 12: Trek to Ghami[3460m]
We continue our journey on the highland route, crossing alpine meadows before dropping down a steep eroded gully to Dhakmar for lunch. After lunch, we walk through the pretty valley, climb to a ridge and descend from there back to Ghami.

Day 13: Trek to Samar[3290m]
we descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in a grove of poplar trees. This is a major place to stop for horse and mule caravans.

Day 14: Trek to Chhuksang[2920m]
Now we must retrace our route back to Chhuksang.

Day 15: Trek to Jomsom[2710m]
Exit Restricted Area. It's a long and sad final day, passing back through Kagbeni to Jomsom where we end our trek. It's now time for us to take a nice hot shower. In the evening, we celebrate with the Sherpas and porters, whom we have come to know so well over the last 2 weeks.

Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu
We take a spectacular early morning flight along the Kali Gandaki gorge to Pokhara airport and catch a connecting flight back to Kathmand and rest in the hotel or self visit.

Day 17: Free day or (optional) Guided Sightseeing at Patan, Khokana and Bungmuti and rest and shopping and preparation for trek.

Patan:

Patan, the second-largest city in the valley, lies just across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu, but it's a much quieter and less frenetic place to visit. The city is justly proud of its temples and artisans and it is their handiwork that provides the focus of the stunning Durbar Square (choc) a-block with the largest display of Newari architecture in Nepal. It includes the Royal Palace, which contains a richly decorated bathtub, and the two-tiered brick Jagannarayan Temple. Look up to the roof struts to see carvings of figures engaged in quite athletic acts of intercourse. A few minutes' walk north of the square is the Golden Temple, a Buddhist monastery guarded by sacred tortoises that potter around the courtyard; and the Kumbeshawar, reputedly the oldest (1392) temple in Patan. South of the square is an area of charming streets lined with metal smiths and brassware shops?

Bungmati and Khokana:

The twin villages of Bungmati & Khokana date from the 16th century and are located south of Kathmandu, down a rutty road dotted with Chaityas. Bungmati is the winter home of lord Rato Machhendranath, the protector God of Patan. The shrine of Karya Binayak is located between the two villages. At Khokana ancient oil presses can be seen at work in village houses.

About 6km. South of Patan lies the two medieval village of Bungmati and Khokana. To reach these villages one has to follow the straight road from the Tibetan refugee Camp on Jawalakhel. About 5700 people live in Bungmati and 3170 inhabitants in Khonkana. Most of the people are Newars. From Khokana, and Bungmati is 15 minutes walk. This village is one of the typical Newari houses in Kathmandu Valley. Also these villages are popular for chilly and mustard oil, most of the business on this village are from mustard oil, so when you visit this place you can visit the inside of the Newari house. The best time to visit Bungmati and Khokana is in October and November because at that time the whole village looks colorful with the Chilly hanging in front of house. They hand red chilly garland from the top floor to the ground floor in the whole village. Most of the farmers in these villages are either involved in spinning or oil pressing business. The Organic mustard oil of Khokana is still popular in Kathmandu valley and surrounding Nepal.

Day 18: Depart Kathmandu

Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. On the other hand, if you prefer to stay longer, you can go for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc).\

Include / Exclude

Cost Include

Tour Package Includes:

Meeting & Assistance by a Office Representative on Open arrival Kathmandu airport. Accommodation on twin sharing room Basis at listed hotels or equivalent in Nepal. Daily Buffet Breakfast as per Itinerary Above. Full board on the trekking period. Camping accommodation on the trekking. Trekking guide and Porters on the trekking. Necessary Trekking permits and Park entrance permits. All transport for entire tour as per itinerary Driver allowances, Petrol/Gas cost, Toll Tax, Parking and Vehicle Insurance English Speaking Guide for Sightseeing’s as per itinerary. Sightseeing as per package itinerary details. ü Full board with all the jungle activities in Chitwan. ü Entrances Fees in the sightseeing places in Nepal ü All necessary camping equipment. ü Air Tickets Pokhara- Jomsom-Pokhar. Cost Exclude
Package Price Does Not Include: x Meals other than those specified as per itinerary x Air Tickets Kathmandu Pokhara Kathmandu. x Expense of personal nature such as bar bills, extra beverages, mineral water, laundry, postal service, telephone, Tips etc.. x Additional expense which may arise due to natural calamities, strikes etcs...situation beyond control of

Alpine Explore Nepal tours.