The Mustang region is a Tibetan enclave in Nepal which has been accessible to trekkers only since the nineties. The region’s barren and desolate mountainous landscape inspires awe in travelers. Add Yartung Festival Tour (Yartung Mela) to the mix and another dimension is added to the experience.

The Yartung festival, also called Yartung Mela, is celebrated by the Thakali people during the August full moon. During this time the fields add a touch of color to the landscape and creates a picturesque scene. In the local dialect Yartung means the end of summer and Mela means a festival, so Yartung Mela is the festival to send the summer away. The festival lasts for three days and is marked by dancing, singing and horse racing. The royal rites are performed on the first day, followed by the monks rites on the second and the local rites on the third day.

The festival is important for both Hindus and Buddhists. The Yartung Mela festival falls on the same day as the Hindu festival; Janai Purnima. Hindu pilgrims from Nepal and beyond visit the Muktinath temple to bath in the temple’s 108 water spouts while Buddhists pilgrims make offerings to Buddha for winter’s arrival.

Our 12 day Yartung Festival Tour is ideal for families of all age. The tour only has 3 days of walking; about 4-5 hours per day. And if you have children, we can arrange for a 4×4 drive at an additional cost. The festival also offers great opportunities for photography. It is an unique trip only found in the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal & Tibet.

Yartung Festival Dates in 2024

The Yartung Festival in 2024 isn’t confirmed yet. Please bookmark this page and check regularly for exact dates of Yartung Festival Tour.

If you are interested in other festival tours, check out our 15-day Tiji Festival Tour and 9-day Dumji Festival Trek.

Trip Highlights

• Once in a lifetime experience of Yartung Festival in the Mustang Region
• Visiting the Muktinath Temple, Bonpo Gompa in Lupra and other places of interest
• Majestic view of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri, traditional and old fashioned villages
• Boating on the famous Bengas lake with views of Annapurna & Machhapuchhre

Trip Grade - Moderate

Trip Summary

• Day 01 :Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
• Day 02 :Guided tour of Pashupati, Boudha and Swayambhu (Optional: Scheen Monastery)
• Day 03 :Morning flight to Pokhara followed by guided tour of Pokhara Valley
• Day 04 :Morning flight to Jomsom (30 minutes). Hike to Dhumba lake (1 hr) | Optional hike to Kutsab Teranga Gumba and Thini Gaon
• Day 05 :Drive via Kagbeni to Ranipauwa/Muktinath (3,800m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 06 :Yartung Festival - Day 1
• Day 07 :Yartung Festival - Day 2
• Day 08 :Yartung Festival - Day3. Drive to Jomsom
• Day 09 :Early morning flight to Pokhara (30 min) and rest of the day at leisure
• Day 10 :Visit Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake
• Day 11 :Early afternoon flight to Kathmandu and the rest of the evening at leisure
• Day 12 :End of trip: Departure

Daily Movements

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to hotel

Arriving in Kathmandu is an exciting and memorable experience, the panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas will immediately present itself to your sight

Upon arrival at the airport, a KWN representative will pick you up and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Depending upon your arrival time, you can either rest or visit the sights of the city. In the evening, you will go on a welcome dinner with KWN family.

Overnight at Hotel (D)

 

Day 02: Guided tour of Pashupati, Boudha and Swayambhu (Optional: Scheen Monastery)

After breakfast we will experience the three most important sanctuaries of the Kathmandu Valley: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.

The Pashupatinath cremation site in the northeast of the city is one of the most important Hindu shrines. The sacred Bagmati River divides the temple complex into two large areas. On the right bank there are cremation sites and the impressive Pashupathinath Temple, which non-Hindus are not allowed to enter.

From here we reach Boudhanath after a short drive. With its 40 meters, the Buddhist Stupa is the largest sacred building of its kind in the entire valley and a great attraction for the numerous Buddhist pilgrims.

At Swayambhunath we visit the second important Buddhist Stupa. Imposing on a hill, there is an impressive view of the Kathmandu Valley and, in clear weather, of the snow-capped ice giants of the Himalayas.

On this day, we will arrange all the permits required to visit Mustang.

Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu (B)

 

Day 03: Morning flight to Pokhara followed by guided tour of Pokhara Valley

Today is an exciting day as you leave Kathmandu for the Yartung Festival.

A 30 minute flight will bring you to the beautiful lake city of Pokhara. After check in at the hotel you will start the guided tour of Pokhara valley.

There are many interesting places to visit like the International Mountain Museum, dedicated to Nepalese peaks, climbers and locals. Inside, you will find the original equipment of the first climbs of the Himalayas, as well as exhibits on the history, culture, geology, fauna and flora of the region.

Another interesting place is the Barahi temple which is located on a tiny island on the Phewa Lake. A short boat ride with the Himalayas reflected on the lake on a clear day and you reach the Barahui Temple.

The tour then lets you discover Tibetan culture in one of the former refugee camps set up by the UNHCR (High Commission for Refugees). Indeed, in the fifties, many Tibetans took refuge in different regions of Nepal. There are four camps in Pokhara. Each has become a small village where the culture, traditions and way of life of Tibet are perpetuated.

Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara (B)

 

Day 04: Morning flight to Jomsom (30 minutes). Hike to Dhumba lake (1 hr) | Optional hike to Kutsab Teranga Gumba and Thini Gaon

Your Himalayan adventure begins today.

After breakfast you will fly to Jomsom, the gateway to the fabled kingdom of Mustang, on an early morning scenic flight. In clear weather, the Himalayas open up – Dhaulagiri, Annapurna massif, Nilgiri and Manaslu.

Once at Jomsom, we recommend a short 1 hour hike to Dhumba lake – a small yet pristine emerald green lake located at the foot of Nilgiri. If you are up for a bit of hiking, you can hike all the way to Kutsab Teranga Gumba and visit Thini Gaon and its monastery on your way back.

Alternatively you can backtrack to Jomsom after hiking to Dhumba lake, and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 05: Drive via Kagbeni to Ranipauwa/Muktinath (3,800m; 4-5 hrs)

Another adventurous day on the trail, you will drive to Kagbeni. Even though it’s about 12.5 km from Jomsom to Kagbeni, the mountains “roads” hardly qualify as such. The route meanders along the Kali Gandaki river, and at times on the river bed.

After exploring the city, gompas and shrines, you will continue on a much better road to Ranipauwa village.

Overnight at local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 06: Yartung Festival - Day 1

Early in the morning you will first visit the goddess of the flame; Jwala Mai, then on wards to Muktinath to offer prayers and then the Nursing Monastery to light butter lamps. The morning goes by with religious rites.

The first day of the Yartung festival is celebrated with much fervor. The procession from Jharkot village is headed by the heir to its ancient royal family of Mustang. One man from each family heads to Muktinath temple on horseback and the procession eventually congregates at Ranipauwa.

Overnight at local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 07: Yartung Festival - Day 2

On the second day of the festival, villagers from the surroundings converge towards the walled city to “commune” together with the monks of Choedde who organize the ceremonies. Unlike the first day when the procession is led by the king, the queen leads the procession followed by the local women.

Overnight at local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 08: Yartung Festival - Day3. Drive to Jomsom

The last of the festival is marked by lamas blessing the city, masked dances and prayers.

After the festival ends, you will drive back to Jomsom via Kagbeni.

Overnight at local lodge (B,L,D)

 

Day 09: Early morning flight to Pokhara (30 min) and rest of the day at leisure

You will fly back to Pokhara on an early morning flight.

The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore the city of lakes.

Overnight at lakeside hotel in Pokhara (B)

 

Day 10: Visit Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake

Today you will visit the famous Begnas lake and the adjoining Rupa Lake.

Begnas lake is only 40 minutes drive from Pokahra. Once at Begnas, you will start the journey with a pleasant boating across the lake a boat ride across the lake and ascend along the Sundari Danda ridge to Pachbhaiya. After lunch, we recommend a short hike to Rupa lake and back.

Overnight at homestay in Pachbhaya (B,L,D)

 

Day 11: Early afternoon flight to Kathmandu and the rest of the evening at leisure

After spending the morning leisurely, you will drive back to Pokhara airport for your flight back to Kathmandu.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)

 

Day 12: End of trip: Departure

Keep Walking Nepal’s representative will drive you back to the Kathmandu international airport for your flight back home.

(B)

Cost Includes:

Cost Excludes: