Tengboche Monastery
टेङ्बोचे गुम्बा
The most famous Sherpa monastery in the Khumbu region, set against the dramatic backdrop of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Lhotse.
Dedicated To
Shakyamuni Buddha
Period
Founded 1916, rebuilt 1990
Hours
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM (prayers at 6 AM and 3 PM)
Entry Fee
Free
Neighborhood
Tengboche
Location
Solukhumbu, Koshi
Visiting Etiquette
Remove shoes and hats inside. Do not photograph during prayers without permission. Walk clockwise around the monastery. Donations appreciated. Altitude sickness awareness — ascend gradually.
Tengboche (or Thyangboche) Monastery is the largest and most important monastery in the Khumbu region, situated at 3,867 meters on a forested ridge with arguably the most spectacular mountain views in the world.
Founded in 1916 by Lama Gulu, the monastery is the spiritual center for Khumbu's Sherpa community. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1934 and rebuilt, then destroyed by fire in 1989 and rebuilt again with international support, it stands as a testament to the resilience of the Sherpa Buddhist tradition.
The monastery's setting is unparalleled: Ama Dablam's perfect pyramid rises directly behind, with Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse visible to the north. The Mani Rimdu festival held here in October/November is one of the most colorful events in the Himalayas, featuring masked dances and sacred rituals.
Trekkers on the Everest Base Camp route typically spend a night in Tengboche for acclimatization. The monastery's interior has beautiful murals and a large statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.