Tengboche Monastery belongs to the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism and was founded in 1916 by Lama Gulu, with links to Rongbuk Monastery on the Tibetan side of Everest. An earthquake damaged it in 1934 and a fire destroyed it in 1989; the present building, rebuilt with help from Sherpa families and international donors, has a colourful prayer hall with a large statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and murals on the walls. Around 50 to 60 monks live here, many of them young novices from Khumbu families.
The monastery sits on a grassy saddle at 3,867 m. To the north-east the valley opens to the Nuptse–Lhotse wall with the summit of Everest behind it, and to the east Ama Dablam (6,812 m) rises in its classic profile. Kangtega and Thamserku close the view to the south. Few places on the trek frame Everest this well, and evening light on Ama Dablam from the monastery courtyard is one of the photographs most trekkers take home.
Getting here from Namche takes five to six hours. The trail contours above the Dudh Koshi to Kyangjuma, then drops steeply to the river at Phunki Thenga (≈ 3,250 m) before climbing about 600 m through pine and rhododendron forest to the ridge. The village itself is small: the monastery, a bakery, a handful of lodges and a museum building. Many groups sleep here, while others continue 20 minutes downhill to Deboche, where lodges are quieter and a small nunnery stands in the forest.
What to see and do
- Afternoon puja in the prayer hall
Monks gather for prayers in the main hall most afternoons around 3 pm, chanting with drums, cymbals and long horns. Visitors may sit quietly at the back. Shoes off, no photos during the ceremony, and a small donation in the box is appreciated.
- Everest and Ama Dablam from the courtyard
The monastery gate frames Ama Dablam, and from the meadow beside it you look up the valley to Everest above the Lhotse–Nuptse ridge. Late afternoon and the first hour after sunrise give the clearest air and warm light on the snow.
- Mani Rimdu festival
Each October or November, on dates set by the Tibetan lunar calendar, monks perform masked dances in the courtyard over three days. Trekkers come from across the Khumbu, and lodges fill early. Check current festival dates before you travel.
- Rhododendron forest walk
The climb from Phunki Thenga and the trail on to Deboche pass through forests of pine, birch and rhododendron. In April and early May the trees flower red, pink and white, and you may see Himalayan monal, Nepal's national bird.
- Deboche nunnery
Twenty minutes below Tengboche, the small Deboche nunnery sits among trees beside the trail. It is one of the few nunneries in the Khumbu and is quiet and modest. Visitors can stop briefly and leave a donation.
- Tengboche bakery
A small bakery beside the monastery serves coffee, cinnamon rolls and apple pie, a welcome stop after the 600 m climb from the river. It is one of the highest bakeries on the trail and a good place to wait out afternoon cloud.
Experiences in Tengboche
How to reach Tengboche
On foot
From Namche Bazaar it is about 10 km and 5–6 hours: a level contour to Kyangjuma and Sanasa, a 300 m descent to Phunki Thenga on the Dudh Koshi, then a steady 600 m climb through forest to Tengboche. From Lukla allow three days including the Namche acclimatisation day.
Helicopter
Helicopters do not normally land at the monastery. The nearest helipads are at Syangboche and Hotel Everest View (4–5 hours' walk) and at Pangboche and Pheriche higher up. Helicopter tours usually fly over Tengboche on the way to Kala Patthar, which is a good aerial view.
Air
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Lukla (2,860 m), about 35 minutes from Kathmandu or 20 minutes from Ramechhap in peak months. From Lukla you walk via Phakding and Namche.
Where to stay
Tengboche has only a few lodges, all simple teahouses run by the monastery or local families, with twin rooms and shared bathrooms in most cases. They fill quickly in October and November, especially during Mani Rimdu, so we book ahead. Many groups sleep 20 minutes further on in Deboche (≈ 3,820 m), where lodges are newer, some rooms have attached bathrooms, and the forest is quieter. For more comfort, Everest Summit Lodge Pangboche is about two hours further up the valley and has ensuite rooms with heated blankets. Nights at Tengboche drop below freezing from October to April.
Tips from our trip managers
- Arrive by early afternoon so you can attend the 3 pm puja and still see the mountains before cloud builds.
- Take off your shoes and hat in the prayer hall, and walk clockwise around the monastery and chortens.
- If Tengboche lodges are full, book Deboche, 20 minutes downhill and quieter.
- Set an alarm for sunrise: Everest and Ama Dablam are clearest in the first hour of light.
- Carry snacks and water for the 600 m climb from Phunki Thenga, which has the last lodges before the ridge.
