Upper Mustang Yartung Festival Photography Tour 2025

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our representative, who will transfer you to your hotel. You can relax and spend the rest of the day exploring the city on your own.

Check into the hotel and explore Pokhara city for Photography. We stroll around Phewa Lake in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning, you will have your breakfast, and then we will drive to Jomsom via Beni. On the way, we visit Galeswor Mahadev temple, which is located at the bank of Kali Gandaki in Beni. After Galeswor Mahadev temple, the road is bumpy and narrow up to Lete Danda. You will capture beautiful landscapes and stunning waterfalls such as the Rupse waterfall, including the Kali Gandaki River valley. It takes around 8-9 hours’ drive to reach Jomsom. Overnight stay at a lodge.

Drive to Charang, following several small settlements and interesting caves, and the wonderful landscapes of Mustang. Overnight at Charang.

After breakfast, we will drive to Lo-Manthang, which takes around 2 hours to reach. You will spend the day exploring Lo-manthang, the Mustang region’s capital. You will visit the famous Lo-manthang Palace, monasteries, and the surrounding caves. The following day, you can experience the wonderful Yartung festival in Lo-Manthang in the Upper Mustang region. Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, the Yartung Festival begins with a lively opening ceremony filled with the sound of drums, traditional songs, and colorful processions led by village elders. It’s a heartwarming scene as community members exchange scarves and small gifts, symbolizing friendship and good faith among the gathered villages. By noon, the excitement builds as men from surrounding villages line up for the much-anticipated horse races. The open fields come alive with the thunder of hooves while spectators cheer and celebrate with traditional singing, dancing, and music. Festival tents serve the local barley brew, Chyang, offering visitors a taste of Mustang’s warm hospitality. As evening approaches, the energy peaks with a dramatic return race to the village under the golden glow of sunset. Spectators climb onto rooftops and walls, standing shoulder to shoulder, eagerly watching as riders race down the narrow streets, closing the day in a thrilling display of speed, spirit, and community pride.

In the morning, the festival atmosphere grows even more vibrant as village women gather to join the celebration, filling the city square with colorful attire and joyful energy. Traditional singing and dancing performances take center stage, with the square echoing the sounds of laughter and music. By noon, the horse races continue while women actively participate in various cultural events, adding their unique spirit to the festivities. An open-air feast follows, where villagers and visitors alike gather to share local dishes, drinks, and stories under the open sky. As the afternoon unfolds, the celebration flows into lively music, more dancing, and storytelling sessions, preserving the rich oral traditions of the region. In the evening, the excitement returns to the streets with another round of sunset horse races and spirited gatherings, where the community comes together in a beautiful display of culture, camaraderie, and celebration.

In the morning, the final day of the Yartung Festival takes on a deeply spiritual tone as monks dressed in their traditional robes gather for sacred rituals. The air fills with the sound of monastic chants, processions, and blessings, adding a sense of peace and reverence to the festive atmosphere. By noon, the mood turns playful as the community comes together for card games, communal feasts, and lively gatherings. The monks themselves lead various cultural games and activities, blending joy with tradition in a way that reflects the unique spirit of Upper Mustang. As evening falls, the festival draws to a heartfelt close with farewell dances and moving closing ceremonies. The final sunset races thunder through the village streets one last time while spectators crowd rooftops and walls, savoring every last moment of this extraordinary celebration of culture, faith, and community.

On the final morning, a warm farewell breakfast is shared with local families, offering a last taste of Mustang’s hospitality and heartfelt connections made during the festival. It’s a simple yet meaningful gathering filled with smiles, local dishes, and gratitude. After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to Lo Manthang and begin the scenic drive back to Muktinath. The journey winds through the rugged, awe-inspiring landscapes of Upper Mustang, passing ancient villages, dramatic cliffs, and barren valleys, with every turn offering a final, unforgettable glimpse of this remote Himalayan world.

You will drive from Muktinath via Jomsom to Pokhara, taking around 8-9 hours. Upon reaching Pokhara, you can relax and spend the evening exploring the city.

You will fly back to Kathmandu from Pokhara, which takes around 25 minutes. Kathmandu Valley comprises unique traditions and culture with beautiful world heritage sites. Within the valley, there are seven UNESCO World Heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath, Changunarayan, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square. Patan Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, can be visited, or you can think of the organic town of Bhaktapur. Even Kathmandu Durbar Square can be visited during the evening or in the morning. It is near Thamel. 

The Durbar Square of Kathmandu holds many old medieval palaces, buildings, temples, and icons. Join us for a farewell dinner around Thamel. Overnight stay in a hotel.

You will be assisted to reach the airport three hours before your flight.