If you have ever seen any movie or documentary about Everest, Tengboche features prominently. It is the spiritual center of the Khumbu and a training center for new monks. The Rimpoche of Tengboche lives here and the area is consdered holy. Expeditions traditionally stop here to receive the blessing of the High Lama, and nothing may be hunted or killed in this area.

The original Monastery was destroyed by fire in 1989 and this is the new one. …View image… Once again, the sky was blue…the sunlight intense…Mount Everest and every other Himalayan Mountain in this area…were displayed in all their majesty.

Tengboche Stupa, Nepal
We bundled up warmly and sat outside our tents, talking, staring at the views surrounding us and taking as many photos as possible….none of which do the scene justice…watching the jet stream blow snow off the peaks. It’s difficult even putting your mind around the fact that the top of Everest is in the jet stream. You really had to be there in person, experiencing this. The group was pretty happy and feeling good! And why not…we had reached our goal – Tengboche. Now, ex-Marine and I were having second thoughts…perhaps we should have tried the entire trek to Everest Base Camp. Too late now…

our camp at Tengboche Monastery, Nepal 

Himalayan views from Tengboche, Nepal
Tengboche is the place that separates the “men” from the “boys” or “women” from the “girls.” And if Everest Base Camp was your destination, keep heading North for another week. We visited the Tengboche Monastery, drank tea, walked around the camp grounds looking at the little guesthouses. Tomorrow, would be downhill…both mentally and physically…