Festival in the Annapurna Region
Dashain
Experiencing Dashain in the Annapurna region adds a unique cultural dimension to your trek. Celebrated over 15 days during the clear autumn months of September and October, Nepal’s most important Hindu festival coincides with the peak trekking season, transforming the already breathtaking landscape into a hub of festive energy.
As the festival marks the victory of good over evil, villages along the trekking routes and towns like Pokhara and Jomsom come alive with colorful traditions, families reunite to exchange tika blessings with jamara sprouts, the aroma of special feasts featuring sel roti and mutton curry fills the air, and the skies above Phewa Lake dance with colorful kites.
While on the trails, trekkers are greeted not only by stunning, post-monsoon views of peaks like Annapurna and Machhapuchhre but also by the profound hospitality of the local Gurung and Magar communities. It is not uncommon for visitors to be warmly invited to receive a traditional tika blessing, making the journey much more than a scenic walk; it becomes a heartwarming immersion into the very fabric of Nepali life.
Tihar
The Annapurna region’s unique blend of Hindu traditions and local mountain culture makes Tihar an especially enchanting experience, offering trekkers and visitors a rare glimpse into authentic Himalayan celebrations.
In the Annapurna region, Tihar transforms the Himalayan landscape into a glittering celebration of light and tradition. As Nepal’s beloved Festival of Lights unfolds over five magical days, mountain villages and trekking routes take on a special glow.
Along the trails, teahouse owners adorn their loyal dogs with vibrant flower garlands for Kukur Tihar, while in Gurung and Magar communities, the flickering flames of butter lamps illuminate traditional stone houses.
In the evenings, teahouses become cozy sanctuaries, decorated with intricate rangoli floor patterns, while the valleys echo with the joyous sounds of Deusi-Bhailo as local groups go from lodge to lodge singing and dancing.
What makes the experience truly special is the genuine hospitality, as guides and lodge owners often invite visitors to share in the festivities, transforming the journey from a simple trek into a deeply authentic and personal immersion into the heart of Nepali culture.
Tamu Lhosar
Tamu Lhosar is the New Year festival of the Gurung community, widely celebrated in the Annapurna region, especially in villages like Ghandruk, Sikles, and Lamjung. The word “Tamu” refers to the Gurung people, and “Lhosar” means “New Year.”
Held in late December or early January, Tamu Lhosar marks the start of a new lunar year in the Tibetan-based calendar. Locals wear traditional Gurung attire, perform cultural dances, and gather for community feasts, offering prayers for peace, good health, and prosperity.
In the Annapurna region, the celebration assumes a unique charm, with the snow-capped Himalayas serving as a backdrop to vibrant drum beats, dances such as Ghatu and Sorathi, and intergenerational gatherings.
For a visitor, this is more than just observing a festival; it’s an open invitation into a living tradition, where the famous Gurung hospitality makes you feel like part of the community. This festival not only preserves the rich cultural identity of the Gurung people but also adds a magical dimension to winter travels in the Annapurna region.
Tiji Festival
The Tiji Festival, also known as Tenchi, is a three-day Tibetan Buddhist celebration held annually in Lo Manthang, the ancient walled city of Upper Mustang. Derived from the Tibetan phrase Tempa Chirim, meaning “Prayer for World Peace”, the festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, echoing deep-rooted spiritual traditions of the Himalayas.
Organized by the monks of Chhode Monastery, the festival is centered around the ancient Vajrakila rituals, introduced to Nepal in the 8th century by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). For centuries, Tiji was a private, sacred rite until 1992, when Upper Mustang was opened to foreigners, allowing this extraordinary tradition to be shared with the outside world.
In 2026, the Tiji Festival will take place from May 14th to 16th, providing a rare cultural glimpse into one of the most remote and spiritually rich corners of Nepal.
Yartung Festival
The Yartung Festival, meaning “end of summer” in the Tibetan dialect, is a vibrant three-day celebration held annually during the August full moon in Nepal’s Mustang region, especially in Lo Manthang and Muktinath.
Deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the festival marks the completion of the summer harvest and brings together the Loba and Gurung communities for a colorful mix of spirituality, sport, and celebration.
It begins with sacred Buddhist rituals performed by monks to bless the land, people, and animals. The second day is the highlight, featuring thrilling horse races across open plains, where riders display incredible skill and daring, earning Yartung the nickname Mustang Horse Festival. The final day focuses on traditional archery contests, followed by communal feasting, singing, and dancing.
Yartung is a joyful expression of cultural pride, gratitude, and togetherness, set against the dramatic backdrop of the trans-Himalayan landscape.
Makar Sankranti
Experiencing Makar Sankranti in the crisp winter air of the Annapurna region offers a subtle yet profound glimpse into heartfelt local traditions. Known as Maghe Sankranti, especially by the region’s large Magar population for whom it is a major festival, it marks the end of winter’s coldest days (longer, warmer days ahead).
A key tradition is ritual bathing in hot springs, particularly at Tatopani, where locals and pilgrims gather to cleanse away sins and welcome good fortune. Families prepare and share traditional foods like til ko laddu (sesame sweets), chaku (molasses), and yam, symbolizing health and warmth during winter.
Makar Sankranti in the Annapurna region reflects a deep connection with nature, seasonal cycles, and community bonding, making it a serene and culturally rich experience for both locals and visitors.
Events in the Annapurna Region
Yak Blood Drinking Festival
The Yak Blood Drinking Festival is a traditional medicinal practice rather than a celebration, held in the high-altitude regions of Nepal, primarily in Manang and Mustang. This seasonal ritual is rooted in the ancient belief that drinking fresh, warm yak blood has powerful healing properties.
Locals believe the blood acts as a natural tonic, curing ailments such as gastritis, skin diseases, and body aches, while also boosting overall vitality. The practice takes place in the spring and summer (April to May, sometimes June to August) when yaks graze on potent medicinal herbs in high pastures, which are believed to enrich their blood.
The process is humane: a small, harmless incision is made in a yak’s neck vein, and a small amount of blood is collected and drunk immediately. The yak is not killed or harmed.
For trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit, witnessing unique and controversial practices reflects the deep-rooted connection between Himalayan pastoral life, belief, and traditional healing systems. It is an informal event with no fixed dates, so experiencing it requires being in the right place at the right time and showing deep respect for this ancient custom.
Annapurna Marathon
The Annapurna Marathon is a high-altitude trail race held annually in Nepal’s stunning Annapurna region, starting from Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) and ending at Ghandruk village (1,940 m).
It covers a distance of 42.195 km, and the race descends through scenic mountain trails, dense forests, and traditional Gurung villages.
It is usually held on 3rd June, the marathon commemorates the first ascent of Annapurna I (June 3, 1950) and promotes adventure tourism and local culture. It challenges runners with dramatic elevation loss and breathtaking Himalayan views, making it one of the world’s most spectacular mountain marathons.