Tengboche (also spelled Thyangboche) is the largest monastery in the Khumbu and one of the great sights of the trek: a red-and-white gompa on a forested ridge at 3,867 m, with Ama Dablam rising to one side and Everest peeping over the Nuptse–Lhotse wall. Founded in 1916, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1934 and again by fire in 1989, and rebuilt each time with support from Sherpas and friends around the world.
Arriving in the afternoon, you can usually join visitors at the back of the prayer hall while the monks chant. In autumn the monastery hosts Mani Rimdu, a multi-day festival of masked dances whose dates follow the Tibetan lunar calendar — usually in October or November.
What to do at Tengboche Monastery
Attend afternoon prayers
Sit quietly at the back of the dukhang (prayer hall) during the afternoon puja. Remove your shoes and hat, do not use flash, and leave a small donation.
Watch the light on Ama Dablam
Late afternoon and dawn turn Ama Dablam gold. The meadow in front of the monastery gate is the classic viewpoint.
Walk down to Deboche
Twenty minutes further through rhododendron forest, Deboche has quieter lodges and a small nunnery. Many trekkers sleep here instead of on the busy saddle.
Getting to Tengboche Monastery
- From Namche Bazaar: 5–6 hours, contouring high above the Dudh Koshi, dropping steeply to Phunki Thenga and climbing through forest to the saddle.
- Onwards: the next day continues via Pangboche to Dingboche (4,410 m).
Trekker tips
- Save energy for the final climb to Tengboche: it is around 600 m of ascent after lunch.
- Rhododendrons turn the forest pink and red in April.
- Lodges on the saddle are limited; Deboche is the overflow in busy months.
Treks & tours that include Tengboche Monastery
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to reach Tengboche Monastery with a licensed guide:
Guided trek from €1100 Kathmandu: 14-Day Everest Base Camp with Kala Patthar Trek
The textbook Everest Base Camp trek: fly to Lukla, climb gradually through Namche, Tengboche and Dingboche, reach Base Camp and watch the sun rise over Everest from Kala Patthar before descending to Lukla.
- The classic 14-day itinerary from Kathmandu
- Tengboche Monastery and the Khumbu Glacier
- Everest Base Camp plus Kala Patthar viewpoint
Short trek from €1072 Everest View Trek: 5 Days with Flights
The Khumbu in five days: fly to Lukla, walk to Namche Bazaar and hike up to the Everest View viewpoint for a classic panorama — without the altitude and time commitment of the full Base Camp trek.
- Scenic Lukla flights included
- Nights in Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital
- Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam from the Everest View viewpoint
Guided trek from €850 From Kathmandu: 12-Day Everest Base Camp Guided Trek
A compact but properly paced trek from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar with a licensed guide, lodges along the route and the two rest days your body needs. Consistently top-rated by trekkers.
- Licensed guide from Kathmandu to Base Camp and back
- Acclimatisation days in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche
- Sunrise climb of Kala Patthar (5,644 m)
