Located on the ridge above Namche Bazaar, Tengboche is a spiritual hub of the Khumbu region. Whether you are a culture lover or an adventure seeker, the charm of Tengboche always serves you the best of it. Here, you may encounter several trekkers heading for Everest Base Camp Trek or other various treks in the Everest region. Home to the very famous Tengboche Monastery, some people visit this place only for religious purposes.
This beautiful Himalayan settlement is mainly inhabited by the Sherpas, who migrated from Tibet six hundred years ago. Therefore, Tengboche trekking also lets you grab as much information about the Sherpa culture and tradition. Further upon reaching Tengboche, the views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku lure you with all of their beauty.
Attractions in Tengboche
Being on the Everest Base Camp Trekking trails, the region has seen many national and international travelers. Speaking of attractions in Tengboche, the location of Tengboche at the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola river itself makes the place attractive to the trekkers. Further, some of the other major attractions in this region are:
A heritage within heritage: Tengboche Monastery
Situated at an elevation of 3867m, Tengboche Monastery is the biggest Buddhist Monastery in the entire Khumbu region. Further, it is the only monastery at this height in the whole world. Located inside the Sagarmatha National park, this religious site is the ending point of the Sacred Sites Trail Project, which starts from Namche.
Established by Lama Gulu in 1916, this monastery was restored after the devastating earthquake in 1934. Further, the destructive fire explosion caused by the electric short circuit in 1989 resulted in the reconstruction of the Tengboche Monastery. Besides this, the monastery was destroyed again by an earthquake in 2015. However, it was later restored.
Tengboche Monastery is the first celibate monastery under the Nyingmapa lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism. You can enjoy the astonishing view of Ama Dablam from its backdrop. Undoubtedly, your Monastery tour in Nepal is incomplete if you miss visiting this place.
Mani Rimdu festival
Every year from October-November, Tengboche Monastery hosts Mani Rimdu Festival. During this 19-day festival, the Buddhist monks hold Mask dances, songs, and various other rituals. Further, Sherpas, Lamas, and other visitors from the surrounding village gather in the monastery to celebrate this festival. The colorful Mani Rimdu Festival celebration date for 2021 is 31st October, including 1st and 2nd November.
Sherpa culture and Lifestyle
Spending a day at Tengboche lets, you have an insight into Sherpa culture and community. During your stay at Tengboche, you can observe the culture and lifestyle of Sherpa from close. If you visit this region during the Autumn season, you can even enjoy the colorful Mani Rimdu Festival. Further, while visiting the Monastery, don't miss seeing the Eco-Center located outside the main monastery gate. This center offers a permanent exhibition of the Sherpa culture and a gift shop.
How to get there?
Like many other Himalayan settlements, there are no direct roadways to reach Tengboche. To get into Tengboche, you first take a scenic flight from Kathmandu to the Lukla airport. After landing at the Lukla airport, you must join a trekking route from Lukla to Phakding and then to Namche Bazaar. Further trekking from Namche Bazaar, you can reach Tengboche. Though a trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche is quite tiring, you will get mesmerized by the surreal beauty of the several magnificent mountains. Moreover, as the region falls inside the Sagarmatha National Park, you also get the opportunity to explore the diverse flora and fauna. You can also go by helicopter to Tengboche and do the Kala Patthar landing helicopter Tour.
You have to be very careful regarding acclimatization while trekking. After Phakding and Namche Bazaar, Tengboche is another perfect place to spend a night for acclimatization.
Tengboche Weather
As the Tengboche is located at a higher altitude, the weather here remains cold. During the winter season, the temperature here falls over zero degrees celsius. During the spring and autumn season, the temperature remains moderate during the daytime. However, night and mornings are cold. Hence spring and autumn are the best time to visit this place. You can also trek this region during the summer season, but the rainfall makes the trail slippery, so you must be more careful.
Accommodation in Tengboche
There are several teahouses and hotels for accommodation in Tengboche. These hotels and teahouses provide basic facilities to travelers. Hotel Himalayan Tengboche, Tashi Delek Lodge, and Restaurant are some of the popular hotels located in this region. With basic facilities, they serve their best to make customers happy.
