Rongphu Monastery (4980m)

This monastery was established in 1920 by a Nyingmapa Lama and lays claim to being the highest monastery in Tibet and thus the world.

Today the retreat cells are abandoned and only one of the seven monasteries and nunneries that once thrived in this remote valley in now functioning. By the 1950s there were nearly 250 residents, most of them nuns most of whom fled to Nepal in the revolution of 1959. Renovation work however, has been going on since 1983 and about 30 monks and nuns now reside here. The monastery and its large chorten offer a good photographic view, with Everest pointing skywards in the background. The monastery has a Guesthouse with basic standard rooms and a cozy restaurant. From here Everest Base Camp is 90 minutes walk. Some people drive till Rongphu and from there take the hike to Base Camp and back again to Rongphu which is quite a worthwhile day hike.