Yartung Festival trip to Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang Nepal
14 Days
US$1875
About Yartung festival in Upper Mustang
Yartung Festival is an annual festival celebrated in the Himalayan region of Nepal. The festival is primarily celebrated in the districts of Mustang, Manang, Dolpo, and Jumla. It is known as the “Horse Festival” because of the horse racing and other equestrian activities that take place during the event. Yartung usually occurs in late summer or early autumn and is a time for community gatherings, music, dancing, and traditional sports.
The Yartung Festival usually falls in the month of August or September, marking the end of the monsoon season. It is a time when people of the Himalayan region gather to celebrate their cultural heritage and enjoy the festive spirit. Apart from the horse race, the Yartung Festival also involves various cultural events, including traditional dances, songs, and other performances. People of the Himalayan region come together to celebrate festivals, pray for good harvest and prosperity. Festival is an opportunity for visitors to experience the natural beauty and cultural heritages.
Trip Fact
Mustang, Nepal
14 Days
Easy to fairly moderate
Min 2 to Max 10 Persons
Lo Manthang 3840 Meters
March to November
Trekking & Sightseeing
Tea houses / Lodges / Hotels
3 Meals a day (BLD)
Flight, Drive & Hiking
Kathmandu - Pokhara - Jomsom
Jomsom - Pokhara - Kathmandu
Yartung Festival trip to Lo Manthang overview
The Upper Mustang Yartung Festival trip to Lo Manthang is the perfect opportunity to explore the century-old religious and social customs, in addition to relish the exceptional scenic beauty of the place, surrounded by the Himalayas. This is an annual celebration in Lo-manthang, organized during the mid of August every year, and this even turns into a socializing opportunity for the people from the adjacent areas. Tourists, visiting the Upper Mustang region during this festival will be impressed with the positive vibes and the celebration spirit that prevails in this region during the course of this event. 
The Yartung Festival is among the major annual celebrations in this region. It is basically a festival of horse racing. This 3-day long event features a unique blending of competition with camaraderie. This is the time when people from the nearby region will socialize and spend a few days together as a community in Upper mustang Nepal.
The festival is celebrated for rejuvenation, after the hard work of the cropping season and to offer a chance to the people of this region to relish the leisure time. One of the key attractions for the tourists in this event is to relish the local folktale and cuisine, as people would sign their folk songs, and authentic Tibetan cuisines are made available at various stalls in the venue.
Participation in this event is the best chance to discover the culture and heritage of Mustang, as well as to explore its customs and lifestyle in the contemporary times. During the course of the celebration, you can catch the locals to perform some of the folk activities that you cannot catch, visiting the place in some other parts of the year. As such, visiting the Upper Mustang region during the course of this festival will be surely a wise move. If you interested observe the celebration of Yartung Festival a Century-old festival of horse racing in Lo Manthang write us to get the dates and trip quote.
Yartung Festival trip to Lo Manthang highlights
- Yartung festival a vibrant and colorful celebration of local culture and traditions in Lo Manthang.
- Explore the ancient architecture, wall paintings and murals in sacred sites and holy places of mustang.
- Experience the vibrant festivals of upper mustang “Yartung” join horse racing competition.
- Take part in the annual Yartung festival, a traditional horse racing event with Lowa people of mustang.
- Visit to the walled city of Lo Manthang, the capital of upper mustang a place different from the rest of the world.
- During the festival, local play traditional music, preform local dance wearing colorful dresses and depict stories from local folklore.
- Trek through remote and untouched areas to explore the hidden valleys, sky caves, chortens, villages and canyons of mustang
- Experience a unique Tibetan-influenced culture and lifestyle of loba living in Kali Gandaki valley in mustang
Yartung Festival trip to Lo Manthang itinerary
Detailed ItineraryUpon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be met by our representative and transfer you to hotel. As soon as we reach hotel, representative will give you a synopsis of plan and program agreement. After a short rest & relax, you can explore the city and its cultural heritage.
Elevation: 1,400 meters / 4593 feet.
City tours, gear shopping and permit preparation is the main task of this day. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is known for its rich cultural heritage, ancient temples, and beautiful landscapes. Our guide takes you to the Swayambhunath & Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square for sightseeing. Kathmandu sightseeing trip covers major historical, and cultural monuments that beautifully crafted with various wood, metal, and stonework. After city tours, we will drive back to hotel and conduct Pre-trip meeting. You spent rest of the time at hotel or explore around Thamel.
The main ways to travel from Katmandu to Pokhara are by bus, private car and plane as per the budget, interest and booking deal. It takes 6 to 7 hours to cross 200 kilometers distance of Prithivi Highway in between Kathmandu and Pokhara. If you prefer flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara then only takes about 25 minutes.
Journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara is incredibly scenic, with breathtaking views of Himalayan mountains, waterfalls, picturesque scenery, Trishuli & Marshyangdi River. Along the way, you will pass through small towns and villages that give you a glimpse into the rural life of Nepal.
Once you reach Pokhara, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of Annapurna range, serene Phewa Lake and beautiful Pokhara city. After checking into hotel you can take a rest or go to explore lakeside area, boating and walk around watching the reflection of mountain and sky in beautiful Phewa Lake. Journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara end but memories last forever.
Today is the day to discover the secret of Lo Manthang Nepal that you’ve been waiting for. After breakfast trip starts with either horse riding, walking or jeep safari towards chhoser, garphu & kora la border. Chhosar village offers a unique glimpse into the traditional way of life, daily activities that the practice in upper mustang.
Ancient monasteries like Garphu and Niphu monastery, surrounding colorful rock formations and centuries old caves in rock cliff are really impressive to see in Chhoser area. Niphu monastery is an ancient cave monastery carved into the cliffs. Travelers impressed to visiting Jhong cave, Konchok ling cave & Ritseling cave in Chhoser valley Nepal.
After of before Chhoser we heading to kora la, a high mountain pass located in mustang district of Nepal. It is a part of ancient salt trading route between Nepal and Tibet autonomous region of china. Kora la is known for its stunning mountain views and rugged terrain.
Afternoon we will be back to Lo Manthang and spent rest of the day visiting the city’s ancient monasteries, palace, narrow alleys, stupas and the architecture of earthen wall city. The long walls of the prayer wheels and flags provide a colorful appearance of the place. Royal palace, three ancient monasteries, Amchi school and the local way of life are the highlights of Lo Manthang exploration.
Lo Manthang is a small town surrounded by towering mountains and arid landscapes. It is a fascinating place to explore, rich in history, culture, and natural beauty which make an epic journey into the Himalayas.
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will set off for Pokhara to Kathmandu journey by car, jeep, tourist bus or flight as per travel agreement. It is 25 minutes’ flight by plane. Pokhara Kathmandu road distance is 200 km / 124 miles; it takes 6-7 hours to reach. Road follow Marshyangdi river and Trishuli river exploring countryside and beautiful scenery of the foothills of Himalayas. Upon arrival in Kathmandu city you will check into hotel, rest, relax and explore the street of Thamel for souvenir shopping. Enjoy typical Nepali dinner party with culture show to celebrate successful journey.
Amazing Nepal trip completed today! Our company representative will transfer to international airport 3 hours before your flight departure.
“Enjoy the journey! Hope to see you again soon and stay in touch.”
What are included in this package?
- Airports pick up on your arrival day by private vehicle
- Round trip drive / flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Pokhara to Nayapul by private vehicle (trek start point)
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) 3 cups of hot drink each day on choice
- Best accommodation at tea houses during trekking period
- Professional yoga teacher during lower mustang trek
- Every day yoga and meditation course each Morning and evening
- English speaking guide service trained by government of Nepal
- Experience trekking staffs (2 guest =1 porters basic) to carry your backpack
- All necessary paperwork, trekking permits (ACAP, TIMS) and local taxes
- Jomsom to Pokhara by drive / flight on choice / situation
- Hotel accommodation in Pokhara for 2 nights before and after trek
- Travel and rescue arrangements if require
Excludes
- Visa fees / international airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Hotel, Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Personal expenses phone calls, mineral water, bar bills, hot shower, battery recharge, extra porters & gears etc
- Tips for guides, porters (Tipping are expected but not mandatory)
Yartung Festival trip to Lo Manthang cost & dates
Upper Mustang trek & tours organize verity of trip in Himalayas. Departure dates are 100% guaranteed until and unless there is no political unrest, natural disasters or epidemics in the destination. Start dates are your arrival date in Kathmandu and end dates are the returning date from Nepal. Listed departure dates & price quoted on group joining basic. if given dates are not suits you, or travelling with friend let us to know to book private trip as per your requirements.
- Guaranteed
- Available
- Limited
- Sold Out
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| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
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| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
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| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
| Start Date | Price | Booking |
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| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
| Start Date | Price | Booking |
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| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
| Start Date | Price | Booking |
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| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
| Start Date | Price | Booking |
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| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
| Start Date | Price | Booking |
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| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
| Start Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
| Start Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
| Start Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
| Start Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed departure dates not available for this month, Please request for Private Trip | ||
Additional Information
Photos
Yartung Festival trip to Lo Manthang map
FAQs
Horse festival of Lo Manthang known as “Yartung festival”. It is a traditional event celebrates in wall city of Lo Manthang. It is one of the most important festivals for people of forbidden kingdom of Lo in Manthang area.
Yartung festival is a vibrant event, usually takes place on the month of August or September. Celebration date fixed as per Tibetan lunar calendar. Yartung festival is a time for people to come together and celebrate their culture and heritage.
Yartung is an occasion for local community to come together and enjoy various cultural activities. Celebration of Yartung festival in mustang includes prayers, traditional dances, music performances, traditional sports and other cultural displays wearing their traditional dress. The festival celebrates the harvest season and marking the end of monsoon season as well.
Horse racing competition is the main attraction of Yartung Mela of Mustang in Himalayas. Beside that archery, traditional dances, music, prayers and gathering of community make it more interesting to see and participate.
Tiji, Yartung and Losar are the major festival of upper mustang Nepal. These Festivals helps to strengthen community bonds and preserve the unique cultural heritage of Lo Manthang Nepal.
Yes, it is a safe event because the races are held on a flat, open field, horses are well-trained and accustomed for racing. Participant have to have good knowledge of horse racing to tackle any kinds of situation and handle their horses safely. Visit Upper mustang during Yartung Mela and get unique and unforgettable experience.
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