Tengboche Monastery Trek - 10 days

Welcome to the beautiful country, Nepal! Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be welcomed by the sight of majestic mountains. After landing, head to the customs for formalities then towards the terminal. Our representatives from Third Rock Adventures will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Thamel.

You can opt to relax at your hotel or can head out to the streets of Thamel for exploring. Thamel is a central tourist hub of Kathmandu valley located only 5 km away from the airport. You'll be teamed up with the guide who will show you the ancient temples and alleyways in and around the area.

In the afternoon, check out the various pubs and restaurants serving a wide range of delicacies. Enjoy the evening conversing with Nepali people and learn about the culture and language. At night, a delicious Nepali authentic welcome dinner is served.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu valley is filled with UNESCO World Heritage sites. There are many architectural and historical wonders cornered in the hustle and bustle of the streets and toles. On this day, after having some breakfast, head out to explore the true beauty of Kathmandu.

First, you can head to Kathmandu Durbar Square, located nearby Basantapur or Freak Street. Walk to the courtyards and temples- a testament to the ancient culture and religion. Worth visiting in the area is most certainly the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Museum, which was once the palace of the reigning Shah Dynasty.

From there, you can head on to the Swayambhunath Stupa located on the hilltop of the city's western outskirts. A wide-angle view of the entire city can be seen from the spot while enjoying peace and serenity.

Depending upon the time, you can also head on to the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world. You'll spot pilgrims arriving from different parts of the world for rituals. Although the main temple area is prohibited to non-Hindus, you can explore the large temple complex.

Alternatively, you might also visit Boudhanath, one of the world's largest spherical stupa, located in the city's northeast. Tourists also prefer visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square, located 30 minutes drive outside of Kathmandu city. It holds the palaces of the medieval Malla dynasty and temples and shrines of those times.

Later in the evening, grab a cuisine of your liking because from the days to follow, you'll be sticking to basic meals throughout the trek.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu. 

After having breakfast, early in the morning, head to the domestic terminal of the Kathmandu airport for a flight to Lukla. It is the gateway to the Khumbu with the region's only airstrip. The scenic flight sees the trail change from green hills and pastures to snow-covered hills and mountains. Upon reaching the thrilling Tenzing Hillary Airport, take in the beauty of Lukla.

The trek will begin shortly after your landing towards Phakding Village for the night stay. You will come across many fellow trekkers and only a few houses throughout the Dudh Koshi River trail. On the way past Chaurikharka village, towards Khumbila, which is a sacred unclimbed peak.

When you witness stone-paved steps, you will have reached the beautiful Phakding village. The houses are beautifully decorated with prayer flags fluttering in the wind. There are also some mani walls constructed near the area. The village is inhabited mainly by the Sherpa ethnic group, mountaineers living in the Himalayas of Nepal. Enjoy a butter tea to warm you up at night.

Overnight stay in Phakding. 

Have breakfast, pack your bags, then head on a trek to Namche Bazaar. The initial phase of the trek is a steady and steep inclination towards the Dudh Koshi River. Cross the river via a suspension bridge. From there, you head on to a forest of pine and rhododendron. The smell of fresh flora is mesmerizing. Eventually, you will reach Monjo village. Crossing the Hillary Suspension bridge, you will get to the Monjo checkpoint. It is the entrance and exit point of the protected Sagarmatha National Park. Your guide will present the required documents.

Leaving Monjo, you will head to Jorsale village for lunch. The villages on the way are known for their pine tree plantation grounds and honeycombs. In a short while, you will reach a vantage point called Tope danda, from where the distant views of Namche Bazaar are visible. Namche Bazaar is a leading commercial and tourist hub of the Khumbu region. It is full of life with different tea houses, restaurants, shops, ATMs, and more. You will be welcomed by a warm welcome from the villagers and glances of the many tourists there.

 Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

Today is your first and only acclimatization stop of the trek. You need not wake up early in the morning. Have some breakfast in the common dining place while enjoying quick chats with fellow trekkers and locals. As you have the entire day to yourself, you can indulge in some shot hiking activities and exploration.

You can carry your small backpack then head for a hike to Namche Monastery. You can interact with the monks residing in the area and spin the prayer wheel while you are at it. You can head to the Everest View hotel above the main bazaar area for a clear mountain view like Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. One of the notable tourist attractions in the area is Khunde hospital, which Sir Edmund Hilliary set up during his Everest expedition. Head to the Sherpa Culture Museum to explore the traditions, heritage, and culture of the ethnic residents. In the evening, you can try some locally famous drinks and dishes.

Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

After having breakfast, take the sandy trail that begins with an inclination. From there, the trail gets straight. On the way, you will have to walk up and down stone stairs. Yet again, you can see the mesmeric views of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Mt. Everest, now a little closer. The path eventually follows a rocky terrain through thick forest. You will take a suspension bridge over the Phunki Tenga river. As the route gains elevation, the road becomes zig-zag.

In a short while, you will have reached Tengboche village sitting at the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola river. It is known locally for being the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay, the first person to acclaim Mt. Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary. Buddhist Sherpa heavily inhabits the area. After reaching the village, get settled in your tea house.

You will head out to explore the Tengboche Monastery, at an altitude of 3,860m/12,661ft, the main adventure of this entire trip. The village is known widely among locals for the Tengboche Monastery, also called Dawa Choling Gompa. It is the largest monastery in the whole Khumbu region of Nepal. Built during the 1916s, it is now under the Sacred Sites Trail project of the Sagarmatha National Park area. As the monastery falls on the most popular classic Everest trail, it is well known among the tourists. It falls under the Nyingmapa lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism. The monastery suffered in the 1934 major earthquake and a fire in 1989 but was rebuilt and is more beautiful than ever.

You can explore the great old scriptures, statues, murals, and wood carvings. Enter the main building with the prayer hall and a giant Shakyamuni Buddha statue. Mani walls surround the buildings. If you happen to trek during October or November, you will experience the Mani Rimdu festival being celebrated in the courtyard of this monastery. Enjoy the rituals of the monks while interacting with the locals who have gathered from different villages in the Tengboche Monastery festival. Exploring the buildings will give you serenity and introduce you to the Sherpa heritage. After enjoying your short cultural tour, you can head back to your tea house and drink some warm butter tea.

Overnight stay in Tengboche.

Bid farewell to the amazing Tengboche village. As the Tengboche weather is unpredictable during the day, begin your trek early after breakfast. Take a descent to the Imjatse River, then a steep climb for about an hour will take you to Sanasa. From there on, the winding path takes you to Namche Bazaar. Have your lunch in one of the finer restaurants in Namche.

Looking back at the village and Mt. Everest in the backdrop, you will move on through the rugged trail towards a lush green forest. You might have the chance of coming across musk deer, Himalayan Tahr, or even the rare red panda. Tourists have often shared the experience of witnessing Blood Pheasant and Impeyan Pheasant. The route then takes a steep descent to the Dudh Koshi River. Cross the river via a suspension bridge towards Jorsale. It is the buffer zone of Sagarmatha National Park. You will further walk south towards Monjo Village.

Monjo is a small village known best for being the checkpoint or the entrance gate of the national park. There are many guesthouses and tea houses in this area. The stone houses roofed by tin tops and wooden windows take you back in time.

Overnight stay in Monjo.

After having breakfast, you will bid goodbye to the lovely locals and then head on the Dudh Koshi River trail. There is a descent in the first leg of the trek to Benkar. From there, you will take a suspension bridge and head to Ghat to grab lunch. From there, continue your trek towards Phakding village. There is a gradual climb until you reach Chablung village. Walk past a thick forest of birch and juniper; then, you will get to the Pasang Lhamu Memorial gate in a short while.

You will have reached Lukla village. Keep your backpack in your tea house, then head to the streets and enjoy yourself with the locals. The small village has a lot to give in terms of exploring. There are various shops in the area where you can find adorable souvenirs to take back home. The people here are friendly and welcoming. You can grab some locally brewed drinks and enjoy your last night in the Khumbu region, along with the locals and our team.

Overnight stay in Lukla.

You will head to the Tenzing Hillary Airport for your flight back to Kathmandu after having breakfast. As it takes over, you will see the snowy mountains getting faint at a distance. Back to the hilly paradise- Kathmandu! Upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Thamel.

You can relax at your hotel for some time. Later in the afternoon, head out on foot or hire a bicycle or taxi to explore the nearby areas. If you had missed out on visiting any World Heritage Sites at the beginning of the trip, you could complete it today. Alternatively, you can also enjoy some yoga and meditation in a designated center. Let the guide know your preference.

In the evening, visit the souvenir shops to collect pashmina shawls, dream catchers, wood carvings, thangka paintings to take back home as memories. You can head to a local pub or restaurant to enjoy the night away with your newfound friends and team.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Lastly, it is time for you to bid goodbye to our team and the beautiful Tengboche Monastery trekking experience. Even as you pack your bags and head to the airport, you will recall the memories of the Tengboche monastery in the serene village with the snow-capped mountain in the backdrop. After being dropped off at the international terminal by our representative, you will head home. If you wish to extend the tour to Pangboche Monastery, the oldest in Khumbu, or go on similar treks in the Everest region, you can get in touch with our representatives at any time.