Plan my trek
Plan my trek
3,867 m
Everest (Khumbu)
EBC, Three Passes
3 days on foot
Mani Rimdu Oct/Nov
Few lodges, bakery
Tengboche (also spelled Thyangboche or Tengpoche) is a tiny settlement on a forested saddle at about 3,867 m, high above the point where the Imja Khola meets the Dudh Koshi in the Khumbu. It is less a village than a monastery with a meadow, a handful of lodges, a bakery and a ring of mountains. For trekkers on the way to Everest Base Camp, it is the first night after Namche Bazaar and, for many, the most beautiful.
The view is the reason people remember it. Ama Dablam (6,812 m) rises straight up the valley to the north-east, with the Nuptse–Lhotse wall behind and the summit of Everest just showing above it. Kangtega and Thamserku tower over the ridge to the south and east, and Taboche to the north. In clear autumn weather the evening light turns all of them gold while the monks’ horns sound from the gompa.
Tengboche Monastery (Dawa Choling Gompa) is the largest monastery in the Khumbu and the spiritual centre of Sherpa Buddhism in the region. It belongs to the Nyingma school, and its mother monastery is Rongbuk on the Tibetan side of Everest. It was founded in 1916 by Lama Gulu, with the blessing of the head lama of Rongbuk, and inaugurated a few years later.
The building has been destroyed twice. A powerful earthquake in 1934 brought down the prayer hall, and Lama Gulu died soon after. It was rebuilt, and a boy from Namche was later recognised as his reincarnation: Ngawang Tenzin Zangbu, the Tengboche Rinpoche, who led the monastery for decades and became one of the best-known figures in Sherpa life. In January 1989 an electrical fire gutted the gompa, destroying old scriptures, statues and murals. It was rebuilt with help from the Sherpa community and international supporters, including Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust, and consecrated again in 1993. The Rinpoche died in Namche in October 2020, aged around 85.
Around 50–60 monks live and study at the monastery, though fewer young boys join today than in the past. A few Sherpa families run the lodges, and the nearest proper villages are Pangboche, a couple of hours up the valley, and Phortse across the river. Just below the ridge in the rhododendron forest is Deboche, with more lodges and a small, very old nunnery.
Tengboche is where the trek changes character. Below it you are in the busy Dudh Koshi corridor; above it you enter the Imja valley, the tree line fades, and the next stops (Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep) are high, bare and cold. It is also a cultural high point: a chance to sit in on a prayer ceremony, and, if your dates line up, to see the Mani Rimdu festival. Expect a cold night: at this height frost is common from October onwards. Our Everest Region guide shows how Tengboche fits with the rest of the Khumbu.
Most trekkers arrive around lunchtime or early afternoon after the climb from the river, which leaves the rest of the day for the monastery and the views. Pace yourself: at nearly 3,900 m even short walks feel harder than they should.
The gompa stands at the top of the meadow behind a carved and painted entrance gate. Visitors can usually enter the courtyard and the main prayer hall, with its large statue of the Buddha (Shakyamuni) flanked by Manjushri and Maitreya, and rich wall paintings from the 1990s rebuild. Remove shoes and hats at the door, and do not take photos inside the prayer hall unless a monk says you may. A small donation in the box is customary. Allow 30–60 minutes. Opening is informal and the hall may be closed during private rituals or meals.
The monks hold prayers in the main hall every day, usually early in the morning and again in the mid-afternoon (many sources give about 3 pm). Visitors may sit quietly along the sides. Expect chanting, drums, cymbals and long horns, often for an hour or more. Sit on the floor or bench with your feet not pointing at the altar or monks, keep your phone silent and away, and leave quietly if you need to. Ask at your lodge for the day’s times, which change with the season and the monastery calendar.
The open meadow in front of the monastery and the small rise to its north are the classic viewpoints. Ama Dablam is straight ahead, with Everest (8,849 m), Lhotse (8,516 m) and Nuptse (7,861 m) to its left, and Kangtega and Thamserku behind you. Late afternoon and the first hour after sunrise give the best light; cloud often builds around midday in spring. Bring your warmest layers: it can drop well below freezing after dark from October. Time needed: 30–60 minutes, with no extra altitude gain.
Deboche (about 3,820 m) is 15–20 minutes’ walk below Tengboche through a forest of rhododendron, birch and fir, draped with moss and old prayer flags. Its small nunnery, one of the oldest in the Khumbu, is home to only a few elderly nuns now; visitors are sometimes welcomed in, so ask politely and leave a donation. It is a good evening walk, losing about 50 m, and Deboche is a quieter alternative place to sleep. In spring the rhododendrons flower red and pink.
Tengboche has a long-running bakery beside the meadow, serving coffee, tea, cinnamon rolls and apple pie, and it is a welcome stop after the climb from the river. Expect to pay more than in Namche (roughly NPR 400–700 for a coffee and a similar amount for a pastry), because everything is carried up. It is warm inside and a good place to sit if your lodge dining room is crowded.
The forests around Tengboche and Deboche are some of the best in Sagarmatha National Park for wildlife. Look out for the Himalayan monal (Nepal’s national bird, with iridescent feathers), blood pheasants, Himalayan tahr on the slopes, and with luck the shy musk deer. Early morning is best. Walk quietly, keep your distance, never feed animals, and stay on the trail. Allow an hour or so for a slow walk on the paths towards Deboche or back towards Phunki Thanga.
If you are passing in late October or November, check the Mani Rimdu dates. It is the most important festival at Tengboche, with blessings, masked dances in the courtyard and a fire ceremony, and Sherpa families come from all over the Khumbu. In 2026 the public days are reported as about 26–28 October. Lodges are full, so book early. The best-time section below has the details.
Pangboche (about 3,930 m), 2–3 hours further up the valley, has what is often described as the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, and the upper village has fine views of Ama Dablam. Most people walk through it on the way to Dingboche. On the return, consider taking the higher route via Phortse, a traditional farming village on the other side of the Dudh Koshi, instead of retracing your steps through Tengboche.
On the standard Everest Base Camp trek, Tengboche is reached on day four of walking, after two nights in Namche Bazaar. Some groups sleep in Tengboche itself; others stay in Deboche, 15–20 minutes further on, where there are more lodges. It is used again on the way down, either as a lunch stop or a final high night before Namche.
| Stage | Distance | Walking time | Altitude change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) to Tengboche | About 9–10 km | 5–6 h | Down to about 3,250 m at Phunki Thanga, then up about 600 m |
| Tengboche to Deboche | Under 1 km | 15–20 min | Down about 50 m |
| Tengboche to Pangboche | About 5 km | 2–3 h | Up about 60 m net, with a drop to the river first |
| Tengboche to Dingboche (about 4,410 m) | About 11–12 km | 5–6 h | Up about 550 m |
| Pheriche or Dingboche to Namche via Tengboche (return) | About 18–20 km | 6–8 h | Mostly downhill, with a climb from Phunki Thanga to Kyangjuma |
Distances and times are approximate and vary with pace and the exact route.
From Namche Bazaar the trail contours around the hillside past Kyangjuma and Sanasa, with the first full views of Everest and Ama Dablam on an easy, mostly level path. It then drops steeply through pine forest to the Dudh Koshi at Phunki Thanga (about 3,250 m), where there are a few teahouses and a line of water-driven prayer wheels. The final climb of about 600 m to Tengboche zigzags through forest for 2–3 hours. Take it slowly and drink plenty; it is the first real test at altitude.
Beyond Tengboche the trail drops through Deboche and Milingo, crosses the Imja Khola on a suspension bridge and climbs to Pangboche, the last village with fields and trees. Above it the valley opens out, with Ama Dablam towering on your right, to Somare and Orsho before the branch to Dingboche. It is a long but steady day with a gain of around 550 m.
Tengboche is the first night above about 3,800 m on the trek, and the gain from Namche (about 430 m in sleeping altitude) fits the usual guidance of 300–500 m a day above 3,000 m. Many people feel the altitude here for the first time: a mild headache, poor sleep and breathlessness are common. They should ease by morning. Symptoms that get worse, such as a headache that does not respond to paracetamol, vomiting or unsteadiness, are a reason not to go higher. The next acclimatisation day is in Dingboche.
The Three Passes trek usually passes Tengboche on the way to the Kongma La. Shorter Everest View treks often turn round here. The Gokyo Lakes trek does not pass Tengboche, but walkers returning via Phortse can make a short detour to it. Ama Dablam climbing expeditions also pass through on the way to their base camp above Pangboche.
Tengboche has only a handful of lodges, including one run by the monastery, so beds fill quickly in October, November, April and May. Deboche, 15–20 minutes below, has more choice and is often a little quieter and warmer, being sheltered in the forest. Your guide or agency will book ahead in peak season; independent trekkers arriving late in the day may be sent down to Deboche. Prices below are typical ranges at the time of writing.
Twin rooms with thin walls, foam mattresses and a blanket, with shared toilets (sometimes outside). Typical price: around NPR 500–1,500 (about £3–9) a night, often lower or free if you eat dinner and breakfast there. Rooms are unheated and can be well below freezing at night from November, so bring a warm sleeping bag (rated to at least −10 °C).
A few lodges in Tengboche and Deboche now offer rooms with attached bathrooms, western toilets and sometimes electric blankets, for roughly NPR 3,000–8,000 (about £17–45) or more. These are limited and get booked by agencies for luxury groups, so request them early.
Menus are similar to those lower down: dal bhat, noodle soups, fried rice, potatoes, pasta, eggs, porridge and Tibetan bread. Expect roughly NPR 900–1,300 (about £5–7.50) for dal bhat, NPR 500–900 for a pot of tea and NPR 300–500 for a litre of boiled water. Dining rooms are heated in the evening by a yak-dung or wood stove, which is where everyone gathers.
Electricity comes from small hydro or solar systems and is less reliable than in Namche. Charging usually costs NPR 300–600 per device or per hour. Wifi is available through prepaid Everest-region wifi cards and lodge connections, and mobile data works patchily on the ridge. Hot showers (gas or solar) cost around NPR 500–800 where available; many people skip them at this height to avoid getting cold.
There are no roads to Tengboche. You fly to Lukla and walk, usually reaching Tengboche on the fourth day of trekking after an acclimatisation day in Namche. In the peak seasons, Lukla flights mostly leave from Manthali airport in Ramechhap district, a 4–7 hour drive from Kathmandu, rather than from Kathmandu itself; see our Lukla guide for the current situation.
| Leg | How | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu or Manthali to Lukla | Flight | 20–35 min | Around US$236–240 one way at the time of writing; weather delays common |
| Lukla to Phakding | Walk | 3–4 h | First night |
| Phakding to Namche Bazaar | Walk | 5–6 h | Permit checks at Monjo and Jorsalle |
| Rest day in Namche | Acclimatisation hike | 3–4 h | Do not skip it |
| Namche Bazaar to Tengboche | Walk | 5–6 h | Via Phunki Thanga |
| Salleri walk-in (alternative to flying) | Jeep and walk | Adds 2–3 days | Joins the main trail below Lukla |
| Helicopter | Charter | About 1 h from Kathmandu | Not recommended on the way up: flying straight to 3,867 m risks altitude sickness |
From Pokhara, fly or drive to Kathmandu first (around 25 minutes by air, or 6–8 hours by road). Most people spend at least one night in Kathmandu before flying to Lukla.
October and November are the best months, with clear skies and the best mountain views, followed by March to May, when the rhododendron forest around Tengboche and Deboche is in flower. At this altitude it is cold at night in every season except the monsoon.
| Months | Weather at Tengboche | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| October–November | Clear and dry; days around 8–12 °C, nights around −5 °C or lower by late November | Best views; busiest; Mani Rimdu |
| December–February | Cold and mostly clear; nights often −10 °C to −15 °C | Quiet; some lodges close; snow possible |
| March–May | Milder; rhododendrons flower from about April; more cloud in the afternoon | Second-best season; Everest expedition traffic |
| June–September | Monsoon cloud and rain, green and misty | Few trekkers; Lukla flights often cancelled |
Temperatures are typical ranges, not station records. For the whole country, see the best season to travel in Nepal.
Mani Rimdu is the most important festival in the Khumbu. The name refers to the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” and to the sacred pills (rilbu) blessed during the ceremonies. It is a Nyingma ritual handed down from Rongbuk, and it celebrates the triumph of Buddhism over the old demons and the founding of Buddhism in the region by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). The monks spend around two and a half weeks in private rituals and build a sand mandala before the three public days.
2026 dates: it follows the Tibetan lunar calendar, so the date moves each year. For 2026, several Everest-region trekking agencies give the public days as about 26–28 October 2026 (one adds a fourth day, 29 October). In 2025 it was held around 5–7 November. The monastery does not publish a calendar online, so confirm with your agency before you book. 2027 dates were not yet published at the time of writing. Mani Rimdu is also held at Chiwong monastery in Solu and at Thame, on different dates.
If you go: book lodges early, arrive the day before, dress warmly for hours of standing or sitting in the courtyard, do not walk across the dance area, and do not use flash or drones. Build a festival day in your itinerary rather than squeezing it in, and keep your acclimatisation plan intact.
Tengboche is high enough for altitude sickness to start. Walk slowly, drink 3–4 litres a day, avoid alcohol and tell your guide about any symptoms. The nearest proper medical help is the Khunde Hospital near Khumjung (founded by the Himalayan Trust), the Himalayan Rescue Association aid post at Pheriche (usually staffed in the main seasons), and Namche; serious cases are evacuated by helicopter. Read our altitude sickness guide and make sure your travel insurance covers helicopter rescue.
There are no ATMs in Tengboche or anywhere above Namche. Carry enough Nepali rupees in cash for the rest of the trek, as card payment is rare. Prices rise with altitude, so budget a little more per day than you spent in Namche.
Mobile signal (Ncell and Nepal Telecom) reaches Tengboche, but it is patchy and slow. Prepaid wifi cards bought in Lukla or Namche work in many lodges across the region. Do not rely on being online every evening; tell people at home you may be out of touch for a day or two.
There is no permit counter at Tengboche. You will already have shown your Sagarmatha National Park permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee receipt at Monjo and Jorsalle, but keep both on you in case of checks higher up. Our trekking hub explains the Everest region permits and the guide rules.
Do not drink untreated water from taps or streams. Use a filter or purification tablets, or buy boiled water from your lodge. Plastic bottles are discouraged in Sagarmatha National Park and are hard to carry out, so bring a refillable bottle and an insulated one for the cold nights.
Dress modestly, remove shoes and hats before entering the prayer hall, walk clockwise around the gompa, chortens and mani walls, and do not touch statues or ritual objects. Ask before taking photos of monks, and never use flash. Leave a donation; the monastery relies on it for upkeep.
At the time of writing (October 2026) the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not advise against travel to Nepal. Its main current warning concerns flooding and landslides after the 26 August 2026 floods in Rasuwa district and nearby areas, well away from the Khumbu. Kathmandu saw serious anti-government unrest in September 2025; the situation has since settled, but protests can still occur. Check the latest FCDO advice before you book and again before you travel, and see our trekking safety tips.
Tengboche’s water, fuel and waste systems are small and under pressure in peak season. Take your rubbish back down (especially batteries and plastic), use lodge toilets, keep showers short and avoid burning anything. Use a guide and porters from a company that pays and equips them fairly, and stick to the trails in the forest to protect habitat for musk deer and pheasants.
Tengboche sits right in the middle of the classic Everest route, so the places around it are the places you will walk through:
Ready to see Tengboche for yourself? Our Everest Base Camp trek spends a night at Tengboche or Deboche, with time for the monastery and the view. If you would like your trek to coincide with Mani Rimdu, tell us and we will help you plan your trip around it.
About 3,867 m (12,687 ft), though some sources give 3,860–3,870 m. Deboche, just below, is about 3,820 m.
Several trekking agencies give the public festival days at Tengboche as about 26–28 October 2026, with private rituals in the weeks before. The date follows the Tibetan lunar calendar and changes every year, so confirm with your agency.
Yes, visitors can usually enter the courtyard and main prayer hall and sit quietly during the daily puja. Remove shoes and hats, do not photograph inside the hall without permission, and leave a donation.
Usually early in the morning and in the mid-afternoon (about 3 pm is often quoted). Times change with the season and the monastery’s calendar, so ask at your lodge.
About 9–10 km and 5–6 hours. The trail is fairly level to Kyangjuma, drops to the river at Phunki Thanga (about 3,250 m) and then climbs about 600 m to Tengboche.
Yes. The top of Everest shows above the Nuptse–Lhotse wall to the left of Ama Dablam. The view is clearest in the morning and in autumn.
Tengboche puts you next to the monastery and the classic viewpoint; Deboche has more lodges and is quieter and slightly more sheltered. They are only 15–20 minutes apart, so you can easily see both.
No. The last ATMs are in Namche Bazaar. Bring enough cash in Nepali rupees for the rest of the trek.
Some people feel mild symptoms here, such as a headache or poor sleep, because it is the first night above about 3,800 m. Walk slowly, drink plenty and do not go higher if symptoms get worse.
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