This trek completes a section of the popular and difficult trail leading to Everest Base Camp. Starting in Lukla, you’ll ascend through the forested Dudh Kosi valley to Namche Bazaar, a well-known trading post between Tibet and Nepal. Along the way, you’ll learn about Sherpa culture, culminating in the holy village of Tengboche.
Highlights
- Trek on some of the best-loved trails in the Himalayas.
- Cross the Dudh Kosi River via high suspension bridges.
- Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the region with multiple scenic flights.
- Get to know Kathmandu’s popular neighborhoods.
Overview
Situated at 3,867 meters (12,687 ft), the monastery is the largest gompa in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It was built in 1916 by Lama Gulu with strong links to its mother monastery known as the Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet. In 1934, it was destroyed by an earthquake and was subsequently rebuilt.
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| Kathmandu office | 01-4439962, 01-4439963 |
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Trip Itinerary Brief
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
| Day 1 | Welcome to Kathmandu! | Kathmandu |
| Day 2 | Explore Kathmandu with Optional Day Tours | Kathmandu |
| Day 3 | Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, Trek to Phakding (8,563 ft / 2,610 m) | Phakding |
| Day 4 | Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (11,290 ft / 3,440 m) | Namche Bazaar |
| Day 5 | Rest day in Namche Bazaar, Optional Day Hike | Namche Bazaar |
| Day 6 | Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (12,687 ft / 3867 m) | Tengboche |
| Day 7 | Trek from Tengboche to Monjo | Monjo |
| Day 8 | Trek from Monjo to Lukla | Lukla |
| Day 9 | Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu | Kathmandu |
| Day 10 | Depart Kathmandu |
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu!
As you fly into Kathmandu, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the valley, the Himalayas, and the terraced fields below. After clearing customs, a representative will be waiting to help you navigate the narrow, winding streets of Kathmandu and get you settled into your hotel. After you’ve settled in, go see one of Kathmandu’s cultural highlights. In the evening, the tourist district of Thamel is a good place to get your first meal, with a variety of restaurants serving both Western and Nepali cuisine.
It’s a lovely flight into Kathmandu Valley, with views of the Himalayas and the valley floor terraced. When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, one of our representatives will meet you and drive you to your hotel.
You’ll have time to explore the city depending on your arrival time. Kathmandu’s Durbar Square and its narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants are among the city’s most popular attractions. There’s also the Swayambhunath temple, from which you can watch the sunset over the valley and the Himalayas to the north.
Day 2: Explore Kathmandu with Optional Day Tours
Kathmandu has a unique atmosphere in the early morning hours when the city is slowly waking up but not yet too chaotic. It’s a great time to go for a walk and explore the streets, or to have a chai while overlooking one of the local courtyards or durbar squares.
Following breakfast, you have a variety of options for how to spend your day given the numerous famous sights in the Kathmandu Valley. You can use this as a free day, or we can provide a local English-speaking guide who knows the city well and can explain the history and significance of the sights (along with a private jeep to take you around).
Optional Day Tours
- Valley Sacred Sites (Full Day): Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Patan Durbar Square. This is a full-day tour that includes a lunch stop at a local restaurant.
- Boudhanath (1 hour): The world’s largest spherical stupa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Buddhist shrine). Visit the site’s numerous monasteries and a massive adorned statue of Maitreya Buddha.
- Pashupatinath (1 hour): Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple, located on the holy Bagmati River. This is a large temple complex that can easily be explored for an hour.
- Bhaktapur (3 hours): The ancient city of Bhaktapur, home to medieval art and wood carving, is a 30-minute drive outside of Kathmandu. Visit the town’s narrow alleys and observe villagers going about their daily lives, which was founded in the 9th century.
- Mountain Flight to Everest (1 hour): Consider taking a mountain flight to see Mount Everest, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (one hour).
- Shivapuri National Park (half-day excursion): Hike or mountain bike in this scenic national park on the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley. There are hundreds of flora and fauna species, as well as medicinal herbs and historical and religious sites.
Evening Trip Briefing
Whatever you do with your day, you’ll return to your Kathmandu hotel in the early evening to meet your specialist (or one of their staff members) who will go over the details of your trip, including what to expect and transportation logistics.
Later in the evening, go out to one of the city’s great restaurants for dinner, or your specialist can arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Day 3: Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, Trek to Phakding (8,563 feet / 2,610 m)
After breakfast, you’ll fly to Lukla (30 minutes) and land on a steep mountain runway to begin your trek. Try to get a window seat on the plane’s left side and keep your camera close by On clear days, the flight takes you between mountains and through valleys, with spectacular views of the Himalayas.
Today you’ll trek a short distance through local villages, where you’ll most likely encounter fellow trekkers, locals, and yaks with tinkling bells. (The easy first day is planned to give you time to adjust to the higher elevation.)
Continue on a well-marked trail through the Dudh Koshi Valley, staying overnight in Phakding.
Time spent trekking: 3 hours
Distance traveled: 4.7 miles (7.5 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Day 4: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (11,290 feet / 3,440 m)
Following breakfast in Phakding, you will begin a steady and steep ascent towards Namche. This is a difficult day because you will begin to feel the effects of altitude. The route also includes several high suspension bridges that must be crossed over the Dudh Kosi River.
The Sagarmatha National Park, which was established to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment, is just beyond The village of Monjo (your guide will cover your permit fees here). The trail becomes steeper as you progress, and if the weather is clear, you will catch your first glimpses of Mount Everest.
When you arrive in Namche, check into your hotel and explore the town. Namche is an excellent place to resupply because there are numerous small shops selling snacks and trekking equipment, as well as restaurants and bars. If you’re here on a weekend, don’t miss the Saturday market, which brings together Hindu traders from the lowlands and Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.
Time spent trekking: 4-5 hours
Distance traveled: 4.6 miles (7.4 km)
The Teahouse provides lodging.
Day 5: Rest day in Namche Bazaar, Optional Day Hike
Today is a day of rest, so feel free to sleep in and relax. Namche, nestled between two ridges among the Khumbu’s massive peaks, is an ideal place to spend a day acclimatizing to the new altitude.
There are numerous lodges, tea shops, and souvenir stands to choose from. You can also visit Sir Edmund Hillary’s Khunde Hospital, or take a one-hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for views of notable peaks like Ama Dablam, and Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. There are also good views from the Sherpa Culture Museum, which is located just above the town.
Day 6: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (12,687 feet / 3867 m)
You’ll hike along the valley rim, high above the Dudh Kosi River, after breakfast in Namche. The giant peaks of the Khumbu region, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam, will be visible for the first time. Pass through several villages and numerous tea shops before descending steeply to Phunki Tenga’s river bridge. Before continuing on the steep climb to Tengboche, stop for lunch in the village.
The views from the next zigzag path will be spectacular, with beautiful rhododendron forests, colorful birds, and stunning mountain scenery. Tengboche is well-known for its legendary monastery, the largest in Khumbu, from which you can see a spectacular panorama of the aforementioned peaks.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours (5.7 miles / 9.2 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
Day 7: Trek from Tengboche to Monjo
Following breakfast in Tengboche, you’ll return to Namche Bazaar for lunch and any last-minute shopping before beginning your descent to Monjo.
The path descends steeply along the Dudh Kosi River. You’ll cross the river and follow it to Jorsale, then cross it a few more times to Monjo, where you’ll spend the night.
Time spent trekking: 8-9 hours
Distance traveled: 10.2 miles (16.4 km)
Overnight: Monje (9,301 feet/2,835 meters)
The Teahouse provides lodging.
Day 8: Trek from Monjo to Lukla
After breakfast in Monjo, set out on the final day of the trek, which will take you along the Dudh Kosi river to Lukla. You’ll walk from Monjo to Ghat for lunch before continuing through villages like Chumoa, Benkar, Phakding, and Chuthawa until you reach the Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate, which marks the end of the trek. Though the majority of the trail is a gentle downhill slope, the final section before arriving is an uphill climb—a fitting way to end.
With Lukla’s selection of shops, bars, and cafes—including a spoof Starbucks!—there’s plenty to keep you busy as you reflect on your trip.
Time spent trekking: 5-7 hours
Overnight in Lukla (9,186 feet / 2,800 meters).
The Teahouse provides lodging.
Day 9: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
After breakfast in Lukla, you’ll fly back to Kathmandu in the early morning.
You will be transferred to your hotel upon arrival and will be able to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu’s streets by foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, looking for souvenirs or seeing anything you missed at the start of your trip.
Other options include rewarding your muscles with a massage at Seeing Hands (services are provided by the visually impaired) or the more upscale Kinjalla Spa. Pranamaya Yoga, which has two locations in Thamel and Patan, also offers an early evening yoga class.
In the evening, choose from a selection of Nepali, Chinese, French, Middle Eastern, and Vietnamese dishes in Kathmandu.
Day 9: Depart Kathmandu
It’s time to say goodbye to Nepal. Enjoy your final moments in Kathmandu by having breakfast in a café, taking a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and shopping for souvenirs. A driver will meet you at your hotel and transport you to the airport for your return flight home. It’s best to arrive at the airport at least three hours before your flight.
Dissimilarity
Tengboche Monastery, also known as Dawa Choling Gompa, in the Tengboche village in Khumjung in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Sherpa community. Situated at 3,867 meters, the monastery is the largest gompa in the Khumbu region of Nepal
Best season to Trek
The best months to visit Tengboche Monastery and trek to Everest Base Camp are April, May, September, October, and November. It will not be as cold as in winter during these months, and the weather will be clear most of the time, allowing you to enjoy the mesmerizing views of the Himalayas.
Getting there and back
The monastery is approached by a mountain trail from Namche, via the nearest airport in Lukla (2,800 meters (9,200 ft)) connecting to Kathmandu. Its approach is by a hard three days of trekking from Lukla. However, considering acclimatization needs for high altitude climbing, a four-day trek is generally preferred.
Map
