I really like Dingoboche. It has a very calm and quiet feel to it. High mountains abound from every perspective and finally, you can find places to be on your own.
The village lies at an altitude of 4400 metres and you will definitely notice that tackling any kind of slope requires a much greater effort, so walking slowly, without getting too breathless, is essential. That is why many people take a second night here.
It does feel a bit odd, this spare day here when you are getting very close to your goal, but allowing your body to rest, will really help you higher up especially if you take a morning walk and gain a little more height.
One option is a two-hour trek up through Dingboche to the village of Chukhung (4730m), which sits below the huge south face of Lhotse 3000m above you. Chukhung is the last settlement for climbers heading for nearby Island Peak and there are a couple of tea houses to rest at whilst you gaze at the surrounding peaks, including the north side of Ama Dablam and the beautifully ice-fluted side of Baruntse.
A second option is to walk up on to the ridge on the north-western flank of Dingboche and head towards the prayer flags and chortens that dot the horizon. The higher up the ridge you climb the more stunning the views become. As well as the huge Ama Dablam there are views off to the east taking in Lhotse and Island Peak, and to the west towards Taboche and Cholatse.
In the afternoon most people relax in a bakery or their lodge, making time for the 3pm daily lecture on coping with altitude, which gives excellent advice. It is run by volunteer doctors from the Himalayan Rescue Association at the health post at nearby Pheriche, or sometimes they may be at a lodge in Dingboche. Ask locally for details. It is also a good opportunity to get your oxygen saturation and pulse checked for a small donation to the health post.
The healthcare team sell t-shirts and other souvenirs, which helps to fund the valuable work that they do in the region.
Enjoy your day here. You may find you get a bit of snow from here on, and it will be getting cold at night so make the most of your warm lodge as they are less warm higher up.
Getting closer!
Very creative poost