Tengboche (3,867 m): Village On The Lap Of Khumbila

Tengboche (3,867 m) Village On The Lap Of Khumbila

Tengboche is a picturesque Sherpa village located in the Everest region of the Solukhumbu district. It falls under the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural municipality of Province Number 1. This mountain village is at the confluence of the Imja Khola River and the Dudh Koshi River. Situated at an altitude of 3,860 meters/12,664 feet, Tengboche offers unparalleled views of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. Moreover, you can enjoy the fantastic panoramic vistas of other majestic Himalayas, like Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Tawoche, etc.

The Tengboche village offers a serene ambiance with an awe-inspiring display of natural beauty. It is a naturalist paradise with verdant Valleys, vibrant forests, alpine meadows, sparkling rivers, and impressive Himalayan views. This picturesque village is a popular stopping point among trekkers on the way to the Everest Base Camp Trek. Tengboche lies on the main route that leads you to the Mount Everest summit. So, every year, the global trekkers and mountaineers cross the Tengboche paths with hopes and goals.

The majority of Sherpa people inhabit the Tengboche, which has rich cultural heritages. Local Sherpas are known for their mountaineering skills, resilience, and unique cultures. The village houses a renowned Tengboche Monastery, which is the largest and oldest Buddhist Gompa in the entire Khumbu. It is a sacred place with several other historical and religious temples, stupas, and Buddhist shrines. You can spot several Mani Walls (made up of stone slabs) carved with sacred quotes while roaming around the village. With several yoga and meditation retreats, Tengboche is the best option for peace and spiritual enlightenment seekers.

How to Reach Tengboche?

How to Reach Tengboche

Tengboche is reached with a combination of flight and trekking due to its remote location in the Himalayas. Start through a flight to Lukla, from where you can trek to Tengboche. You have to reach Tengboche on foot because there is no road access to this remote village. Road construction is challenging and impractical in the region due to the rugged and mountainous terrains, with steep ascents and descents.

It generally takes 3 to 4 days to reach Tengboche from Lukla on natural trails, depending on your pace and the particular route taken. Mostly, the village is reached on the fourth day of the trek with rest and acclimatization stops. You will usually be spending the days in Phakding and Namche Bazaar. The distance between Namche Bazaar and Tengboche is around 9 to 10 kilometers. On average, the trekking time to cover this distance takes about 3 to 4 hours.

The trek to Tengboche follows the scenic trails with close-up views of the stunning snow-clad mountain peaks. Stepping into the stone-paved routes, you need to go several steep descents and ascents before reaching the traditional gate of the Tengboche. Inside the gate, you can see intricate wall paintings of the Buddhist deities. They are said to protect the travelers from evil spirits.

What is Tengboche Famous For?

What is Tengboche Famous For

Tengboche Monastery

The Tengboche Monastery (Dawa Choling Gompa) is a sacred Buddhist monastery built in 1916. It is the most significant monastery in the Khumbu region, which sits at an altitude of 3,867 meters/12,687 feet. This monastery is the classic symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and is not only a place of worship but also a learning center for conserving the rich heritage of the region. The Tibetan-influenced architecture of the Tengboche monatery manifests intricately carved wooden beams and a gold-plated Buddha statue. You can soak into the tranquil ambiance of the monastery, witnessing the daily rituals of Buddhist monks and hearing chanting and prayers.

Mani Rimdu Festival

The celebration of the annual Mani Rimdu festival in Tengboche monastery is of great cultural importance to the Sherpa and Tibetan communities. This festival falls during the 10th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. The occasion takes place in the Autumn season and lasts around 19 days. However, access to the monastery is not allowed until the last three days of this festival. But, once the door opens, you are welcomed as a participant into the sacred ground of spirituality and celebration.

Mani Rimdu is a grand celebration of ancient Buddhist traditions featuring sacred dances, music, chants, prayers, and religious rituals. There is a fire worship, invoking the blessing for protecting all living beings and promoting global peace and harmony. Likewise, the red pills in festivals are blessed and distributed to the people present during the time of celebration. The celebration is held in the center of a mandala, which is specially created for the festival. The decoration of the sand mandala is taken away with necessary ceremonies at the end of the festival. Likewise, the monks perform a mask dance, the numbers of which denote the fall of demons and the rise of Buddhism.

Natural Beauty

Tengboche is a lovely village amidst the pristine natural environment of lush forests and captivating Himalayan landscapes. You will encounter enchanting rhododendron forests, lovely terraced fields, small settlements of local people, cascading waterfalls, etc., along the trekking trails that lead to Tengboche. Tengboche is part of the Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to diverse ecosystems and rare Himalayan wildlife. While exploring the region, you may witness valuable animal species like the musk deer, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, snow leopard, and numerous bird species.

Trekking and Mountaineering Hub

Tengboche is a popular hub for trekkers and mountaineers due to its strategic location. Situated along the famous Everest Base Camp trekking route, Tengboche is a common stopover for adventurers heading towards iconic Everest and other mountains in the Everest region. It is a gateway to several trekking routes in the region beyond the EBC trek, like Gokyo Lakes Trek, Everest Three Passes Trek, etc. Tengboche serves as an important rest and acclimatization point during these treks.

Despite the remoteness, Tengboche offers basic accommodation options like teahouses and lodges, offering food and accommodation to trekkers along with an opportunity to connect with people and fellow trekkers. Moreover, there are shops, local markets, restaurants, and internet cafes in the village to cater to the needs of trekkers.

Things to do in Tengboche

Things to do in Tengboche
  • You can have an opportunity to explore the mountainous lifestyle in the region and gain deeper insights into the local culture by meeting and interacting with friendly local people.
  • Early morning risers in Tengboche are rewarded with the views of soaking mountains in golden hues along the mesmerizing sunrise over the towering Himalayan peaks.
  • You can take a slow and relaxed walk on the natural trails on Tengboche, encircled by the enchanting alpine forests.
  • You can immerse in the soothing, relaxing, and rejuvenating Hot Springs of the Phunki Thanga, which has healing properties.
  • You can opt for a guided tour of the Sagarmatha National Park to explore its unique and diverse ecosystem.
  • You can visit the Hillary School and learn about Sir Edmund Hillary’s contribution to building schools and hospitals in remote regions.
  • Tengboche is a paradise for birders, with more than 100 species of birds. You can embark on a bird-watching tour of the nearby forests and Valleys and be enchanted by the feathered life.
  • If you are to trek the Everest Base Camp, you can acclimatize on Tengboche before continuing further on a challenging journey. The local teahouses in the village provide relaxing retreats to rest, enjoy local meals, and communicate with fellow trekkers.

Economy of the People of Tengboche

Tengboche is a remote village located in the high-altitude Himalayan region. With no road access to the Tengboche, the livelihood of people residing in the area is difficult and expensive. Goods and items are either imported from Kathmandu or China. Each of these alternatives is costly in terms of transportation expenses. Due to poor road conditions, bringing necessary goods and products to the village is either by flight or by mules guided by a person on foot.

Tengboche is a popular stop for trekkers/visitors to rest and acclimatize. The frequent visits of local and international tourists and mountaineering enthusiasts have promoted the economy of the region.

In order to uplift the local economy, the Tengboche Development Project has been started by the Tengboche Monastic community in the village. Likewise, different international organizations have contributed to local development through charity and donations.

Tengboche Weather and Temperature

Economy of the People of Tengboche

Spring and Autumn

Spring is the time from March to May. Likewise, autumn includes the months from September to November. During these seasons, there are mild temperatures, stable weather, and clear skies. You can have unobstructed views of the sturdy Himalayas while trekking at this time. The average daytime temperature in spring and autumn ranges from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, while nights remain colder at around 0 to 5 degrees Celsius.

Summer

The June to August in Tengboche offers warmer temperatures and rainfall, particularly in the afternoons and evenings. The temperature, on average, can range around 15 to 20 degrees Celcius. The village receives heavy monsoon rain, which results in landslides that cause roadblocks and other troublesome circumstances.

Winter

Winter, from December to February, brings colder temperatures in Tengboche with a possibility of snowfall. The average daytime temperature in winter hovers around 5 to 10 degrees Celcius. But the temperature at night can plummet, reaching below-freezing scale ranging from -5 to -10 degrees Celcius.

Food and Accommodation in Tengboche

Food and Accommodation in Tengboche

In Tengboche, you can find several cozy teahouses and eco-friendly lodges offering meals and accommodations for the trekkers. Some popular accommodations in the region are the Tengboche Monastery Guest House, Himalayan Lodge, Tashi Delek Lodge, Panorama Lodge, etc. Mostly, these accommodations provide basic amenities with twin-bed rooms, common toilets, and shared bathrooms.

Although Wi-Fi and electricity facilities are available in some teahouses, you have to pay extra to use the internet and recharge your electronic devices. Similarly, there is an additional charge for hot showers or a bucket of hot water for baths in teahouses. Also, some other new or established lodges in the region offer private rooms with attached bathrooms at higher price rates.

You can enjoy a variety of hot meals in the common dining spaces of the teahouses. Almost all of these teahouses in the village or along the trekking trail serve similar kinds of dishes, including Nepalese, Tibetan, and Western varieties. The staple meal in these teahouses is Dal Bhat (rice, lentils, and pickles). Other common cuisines include momo (dumplings), stews, noodles, mushroom soups, etc. Different varieties of teas are prepared in the teahouses, like milk, honey, ginger, lemon, etc., but the main traditional Tibetan tea prepared with a mix of salt and butter is the famous Tengboche beverage. The continental cuisines mostly found in the teahouses are pizza, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, bread, etc.

Apart from teahouses, guesthouses, and lodges, Tengboche also offers camping options for trekkers who prefer closeness to nature. You can set up your own tents in a few designated camping areas in Tengboche. Popular camping spots include areas near Tengboche Monastery or along the trekking trails along a mesmerizing setting of awe-inspiring Himalayas.

Note: Almost every accommodation in Tengboche is designed to cater to the needs of trekkers, like providing food, shelter, and relaxation to refuel and recharge for the journey.

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Keeping the Ecosystem and Heritage Unspoiled

Keeping the Ecosystem and Heritages Unspoiled

Tengboche is a perfect blend of natural splendor, cultural richness, and spiritual importance. You will be drawn to its timeless beauty not just once but a hundredfold times. It is a destination filled with countless opportunities to be enchanted and amazed. Each visit to Tengboche reveals a new layer of its beauty.

So, upon traversing the captivating Tengboche trails, it becomes your responsibility to follow sustainable tourism practices in order to preserve this pristine alpine environment and maintain its freshness. Supporting conservation initiatives and following proper waste disposal methods are required to safeguard the unspoiled beauty and cultural heritage of the region. Consider following the “Leave No Trace” principles to keep this Himalayan gem as raw as possible.

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Gokarna Khanal

Starting as a porter in 2007, visionary Gokarna Khanal’s passion for mountaineering has propelled him to an 18-year legacy of leadership in Himalayan tourism.
With dedication and determination, he transitioned from carrying travelers' gear to earning his trekking guide license, mastering everything about the mighty mountains.
Mr. Khanal, as the founder and Managing Director of Radiant Treks and Tours, never ceases to bring unparalleled expertise to every expedition. From Easy to Remote treks, from spring to winter, his knowledge about the peaks runs deep; covering terrain, weather patterns, safe routes, and most importantly the beautiful culture around the Mountains.
Having led numerous successful adventures across the Himalayan region, Gokarna’s mission now is to mentor the next generation of guides.
He has had his journey from porter to pioneer and now aims to train the young on how to respect and be one with those unwavering mighty peaks.

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