Dingboche Nepal

Dingboche in the Chukhung Valley is a Sherpa village in the Khumbu region of Nepal. This village is located in the northeastern part of the country. The population of this village was very low when counted back in 2011. The people were 200 in number back at that time. Dingboche is situated at an elevation of 4,410 meters (14,470 ft). This village is also a very popular stop for Everest base camp. Tourism is just as popular here, despite the rural conditions of this village. Most of the trekkers come to Dingboche because they want an acclimatization spot for their trek or to climb mountains in the Khumbu region. While there aren’t many people living in this village, the Sherpas here are engaged in tourism activities that help them in their day-to-day livelihood.

Apart from Gorakshep in Khumbu, Dingboche is also known as one of the last villages in Nepal. There are several interesting facts about Dingboche that you cannot miss out on if you really want to know more about the Everest base camp and villages or stops surrounding it. So, make sure to read till the end of this article to know more!

Last Sherpa village in Khumbu region: Dingboche Village

The Dingboche village is the last Sherpa village in Nepal. Though not populated densely, there are a few Sherpas who still live and work in this village itself. Most of what they do on a day-to-day basis is traditional. However, with the increase in the popularity of mountaineering and trekking activities in the Everest base camp area, many Sherpas and locals from this village have been engaging in tourism works such as working as guides, selling local goods to the trekkers, as well as by being porters. While a few of them work individually, many are hired and outsourced by national and international trekking agencies.

Dingboche is also very popular for being the perfect place for acclimatization during the Everest base camp trek. It is not easy to find the best place to rest and acclimatize when you are in a rural area like Khumbu. But, villages like Dingboche are no less than a safe haven for trekkers. Not only can you find a place to stay, but you can also come close to the culture and traditions of Sherpas in the area. Hence, you are getting both convenience when you’re in a place like this one. Dingboche village is located 9.1 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Tengboche monastery and 8.4 kilometers (5.2 miles) from Lobuche.

Pheriche and Dingboche are two villages in the area that are compared with one another quite often. These villages are both similar to one another in nature, given both are in the Everest base camp area in Khumbu and both are Sherpa villages as well. However, if you want to get rest while also getting a good view of the mountains and environment around the village, then Dinboche is a better option. Pheriche, on the other hand, is not as open to beautiful views as when you are here; views are limited to that of Dingboche. Moreover, Dingboche is popular for its panoramic view of the Island Peak and Ama Dablam Himalayan peaks.

Weather and temperature in Dingboche Village in Nepal

Dingboche village is open to trekkers and mountaineers almost throughout the years. Since there are people living in the village, you will not find the village lonesome at any part of the year, regardless of the extreme weather conditions and seasons. However, there is always the best time to visit a rural Himalayan village like this one. Visiting the village in winter might just not be the best idea for you.

There is extreme snowfall as well as harshness in the cold weather that not everyone living outside of the Himalayan region can withstand. Hence, many people tend to suffer from respiratory issues as well as cold when they visit here during winter. Winter is also an off-season for trekkers, although there are still a few who come to the village to continue winter expeditions to different mountains.

The best season, whatsoever, is spring and fall. During spring, May or April, and fall, October, and November, the weather is fairly favorable for the trekkers and the mountaineers. It is not impossible to withstand the weather conditions in the village when you are here in either of the two seasons. Plus, wearing the appropriate clothes or bringing in extra supplies for yourself is not a problem when you come here during peak seasons. Likewise, you will also find many other trekkers, visitors, or tourists in the area during fall and spring. The temperature does not drop too low or get higher than it is comfortable for the trekkers in the two seasons.

On the other hand, summer also comes with rain and unfavorable weather conditions while winter is just as bad as the temperature drops to a great extent, especially because the village is situated in a very rural area.

A popular stop for Everest base camp Trek

Dingboche village is a popular stop for trekkers who are visiting the Everest base camp. Everest base camp is situated at a fairly high altitude. And, people are likely to suffer from respiratory issues or altitude sickness as the height of the EBC is not what many people are familiar with. Hence, to avoid this problem to an extent, one should consider getting a good amount of acclimatization. Acclimatization usually means going slow and steady in your trek or climb because you need to habituate your body to the environmental conditions of the high altitude places. When you acclimatize properly, you trek properly.

Dingboche is comfortable to stay, and you can easily find a lodge to stay in. Though the facilities of the lodges here are not very modern, it is not as bad as having to live in a tent. Staying in a tent in odd locations is quite common among a lot of trekkers when in the Everest base camp trek because the authorities of the Everest base camp do not permit camping in the main base camp or in Kalapathhar either. Since the walking distance is what some trekkers would avoid for the sake of rest, it might also become a back draw. However, staying in a lodge with adequate facilities in Dingboche village will provide both convenience and ease for the trekkers.

How many mountains can you see from Dingboche village?

You can see several mountains besides Mount Everest when you are in Dingboche village, some of them being Mt. Tawache, Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Lhotse, and Pumori. When you walk 10 minutes south of Chhukung, it becomes possible to view Nuptse.

How can you reach Dingboche village?

Dingboche village can be reached by trekking through the trails of Namche Bazar and Tengboche. There are no direct roads to Dingboche village. You have to trek from the Namche Bazar. As for how you can reach to Namche bazaar, you can come here from Lukla airport or by trekking from Jiri. You will, whatsoever, be starting your journey from Kathmandu as there is no direct airline or roadway access to Lukla or Jiri from any other place in Nepal or outside Nepal.

Tourism in Dingboche village

Dingboche village is one of the best stop points when you are in Everest base camp. Hence, tourism is very common here. Many Sherpas in the village are engaged in trekking and tourism activities. While many of them work as porters, hotel owners, guides, etc, a lot of them also engage in business. You can find local products and goods that are made in the village itself here. However, many things that are made outside the village are transferred with the help of mules and yaks, as there aren’t any roadways facilitating vehicles inside the village. Henceforth, anything that is brought in the village from outside can be very expensive from the actual market price of that stuff.

Moreover, Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, or Imja Tse can all be accessed from Dingboche village. It is very common for trekkers to spend at least two nights in lodges and hotels in the village for acclimatization whenever they are climbing either of these mountains. Similarly, the Everest base camp trek is just a common trek that helps the village earn some sum of revenue. Besides lodges and hotels, there are also tents or camping areas for anyone not looking to stay in a hotel. One of the attractions of this village is that you can get a direct view of the Imja River that flows through the village.

There is a lodge called Moonlight Lodge, near which helicopters land close to the Imja River. For anyone looking to come to this village by helicopter, the spot is just perfect and possibly the only helipad in the village. Another fascinating fact about Dingboche village is that it is the home to the world’s highest billiard parlors. And you can find an Internet cafe here from where you can connect to the world outside the village despite the rural condition of this village.

Likewise, if you have not brought enough gear and equipment for your trek or mountain climbing journey, then you need not worry, as the hotels here have plenty of essential equipment and gear stocked in. Some of these equipment are climbing boots, an ice axe, a harness, two tape slings, two screw gate carabiners, a descender/abseil device, etc.

Finding hotels in Dingboche Village

You won’t find it hard to spot the perfect hotel in the area as there is a total of 26 hotels in Dingboche Village. Hotel Good Luck has been considered one of the best hotels in the area, with cleanliness on the spot. Hotel Countryside Dingboche is another hotel that has just as many services. Not all the hotels have the same price offerings. Hence, you can choose the perfect hotel for you depending on what type of facilities and services you are seeking.

Plus, you can get hotels that are either cheaper or more facilitative, as there are both options. Though not extremely luxurious, the basic nature of these hotels is plentiful to serve you with the best service, including both food and accommodation. Also, you will get a Tibetan/Sherpa vibe when you are in any one of the hotels in Dingboche village. Coming close to the Sherpa culture is quite possible when you stay in either one of the hotels in this village, as the whole village is heavily influenced by Sherpa culture.

Activities to do in Dingboche Village

There are several things that you can do when you are in Dingboche village like;

Trekking to nearby villages:

Trekking is possible when you are in a rural village like Dingboche. Many people who visit the people tend to go to Pheriche for a day trek.

Sherpa village visit:

Visiting Sherpa or Tibetan villages nearby is great for anyone who wants to learn more about the culture and lifestyle of the Sherpa people. These people are not living in the same conditions as people do in urban areas. Plus, most of the lifestyle is very traditional in nature and not very influenced by the urban modern world. So, when you village Tibetan and Sherpa villages here, you will feel a sense of authenticity and beauty in the simplicity of your way of life.

Relaxation in the hotel:

Though not an activity, relaxing in the hotel does not include just sitting in your room. It also means that you get the perfect view of mountains in the area. One can’t help but acknowledge the beauty that Dingboche itself. Likewise, acclimatizing while also relaxing and enjoying is the best thing to do in this village.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see Everest from Dingboche?

Yes, it is possible to see Everest from Dingboche.

What is the population of Dingboche?

There are only 200 people living in Dingboche.

What is the oxygen level at Dingboche?

Oxygen level was reduced by 60% at Dingboche.

How long is the trek from Tengboche to Dingboche?

It takes 5-6 hours to trek from Tengboche to Dingboche.

How to get back from Dingboche village?

You can get back from Lukla to Kathmandu.

Also, read:

• Where is Mount Everest Located?
• How Hard is it to Climb Everest?
• Everest Base Camp Short Trek
• Gokyo Everest Base Camp Trek