Namche Bazaar (3,500 m) is a major stop on every Everest Region Trek. It is also the major trading center for the area, as local Sherpas and traders from Tibet exchange goods such as textiles, food, and climbing gear. Since every trekker and climber must pass through Namche, it serves as the gateway to Everest. Namche Bazaar is a popular acclimatization point for many trekking destinations, including the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Everest Three Pass Trek.
Being at an elevation of 3,500 m, it serves as the perfect place to adjust to the thinning oxygen level, as altitude sickness becomes more common beyond this point. So, you will have a full day at hand for any Everest Region Treks. In such cases, it is easy to get confused about what to do in Namche Bazaar. You can hike around the surrounding areas and return to Namche for a night’s stay, which helps with acclimatization.
But it is not just that. Read along to find the top 5 things to do in Namche Bazaar.
Top 5 Things to Do in Namche Bazaar
Explore the Sherpa Culture
The Sherpas are an indigenous Himalayan people known for their mountaineering skills. Being closer to Tibet, the Sherpas of the Everest region have adopted Tibetan Buddhism as their tradition and belief system. Most Sherpas in the Everest Region are now involved in the tourism business. Visiting Namche means getting closer to the Sherpas and having an opportunity to witness their lifestyle. Here is what you can do to explore their culture:
- Sherpa Culture Museum: This museum offers exhibitions on Sherpa customs and traditions. The main attraction is the collection of old Sherpa artifacts from homes, monasteries, and temples. You will also witness their contribution to mountaineering.
- Namche Monastery: This is a site where you can witness Buddhist rituals, hear the prayer chant, meet the monks, and explore the Buddhist lifestyle. It is built in the Nyingma style of Buddhism, and its interior features shrines, as well as several murals and paintings.
- Sherpa Cuisine: Exploring cuisine is another way to understand the culture of different groups, like the Sherpa. While at Namche, you can try foods like Thukpa, Tsampa, Tibetan bread, Yak butter tea, and Shakpa.
Hike up to Hotel Everest View
Located at 3,880 meters above sea level, Hotel Everest View is one of the most stunning spots in the Everest Region. It is also listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest Luxury Hotel globally. The hotel is a vantage point for many trekkers, offering panoramic views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, and other surrounding peaks. It takes about two hours to hike from Namche to the hotel, often the last point in the Short Everest View Trek.
Explore the Namche Bazaar
As mentioned above, Namche Bazaar is the trading center for the Everest Region. So, the market is where locals and trekkers gather to buy and sell goods. Held every Saturday, the market features a diverse array of items, including fresh produce and handmade crafts. Here are a few things to do to explore the Namche Bazaar:
- Shop at Namche: Namche Bazaar has shops that sell maps, trekking gear, souvenirs, and clothing items. You can explore Namche and buy any of these items.
- Eat at Cafes: Namche Bazaar is renowned for its cafes and pubs, a variety of which offer traditional Nepalese and international cuisines. You can also try Sherpa cuisine at these cafes.
Hike to Khumjung Village
Khumjung is the neighboring village of Namche, which you can visit while acclimatizing at Namche. It is a few hours’ walk from the Namche Bazaar and is about 3,590 meters above sea level. The major attractions in Khumjung are:
- Hillary School: Founded by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1961, this school is the first of its kind in the region. The school was built to provide education to the local Sherpa Children.
- Khumjung Monastery: This monastery has a mysterious artifact believed to be the scalp of a Yeti. It also contributes to conserving old and important Sherpas’ cultures and traditions.
- Local Lifestyle: The area is excellent for experiencing traditional Sherpa homes and observing their farming practices. It provides an authentic glimpse into the lifestyle of Sherpa people away from the commercialized Namche Bazaar.
Hike to Syangboche
Like Namche, Syangboche is a Sherpa settlement village in the Everest Region. It is famous for its monasteries, vantage points, and airport. Some of the major attractions in Syangboche are:
- Syangboche Airstrip: Initially built in 1971 to serve the Hotel Everest View, it is the second airport in the Everest Region besides Lukla Airport. However, it is currently not functional and is only used for cargo flights and evacuation purposes.
- Sagarmatha Next Centre: This eco-friendly museum in Syangboche focuses on waste management in the Khumbu region. All the profits generated by this institution are reinvested in improving waste management.
- Syangboche View Point: This viewpoint provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
How to Get to Namche Bazaar?
After you land in Lukla at Tenzing-Hillary Airport, you will hike to Namche Bazaar. It is approximately 18 km from Lukla and located within the Sagarmatha National Park. Given that you arrive at Lukla late in the morning or afternoon, you won’t be able to reach Namche Bazaar the day you fly from Kathmandu. So, your first destination to get there is Phakding. You will have to trek on the banks of the Dudh Koshi River for about 6 hours from Phakding to reach Namche Bazaar.
Why Acclimatize at Namche Bazaar?
We mentioned above that almost all trekking agencies use Namche Bazaar as a resting point or a place of acclimatization for most Everest Region Treks. But why so? Why Namche? Acclimatizing at Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters / 11,286 feet) is crucial for the Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek and other high-altitude destinations. Here’s why:
- Prevents Altitude Sickness: Helps the body adjust to lower oxygen levels, reducing the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
- Perfect Elevation to Acclimatize: Namche is at an ideal mid-point to allow gradual acclimatization before ascending higher.
- Rest & Recovery: A day or two at Namche helps the body recuperate before continuing the trek.
- Short Acclimatization Hikes: To adjust to the lower oxygen level, explore Everest View Hotel, Khumjung Village, or Syangboche from Namche. Staying at this altitude for an extended period allows the body to produce more red blood cells, facilitating efficient oxygen transport.
- Medical & Supply Hub: Namche is the last major stop with well-equipped medical facilities, pharmacies, and trekking gear. You can buy anything if you forgot to pack it from Kathmandu.
- Cultural Experience: As mentioned above, stopping at Namche offers an opportunity to explore Sherpa culture, monasteries, and the renowned Namche Market.
Accommodation Options at Namche
You will stay in Namche Bazaar for two days, the day you arrive and the acclimatization day. Your accommodation should be comfortable and clean, offering facilities that meet your needs, primarily a good meal and a comfortable stay. Accommodation options at Namche range from budget-friendly teahouses to comfortable lodges and luxury hotels.
Most tea houses offer basic but cozy rooms with shared bathrooms (some have private bathrooms, too). They also offer services like Wi-Fi, hot showers, and charging, for which you might have to pay an extra fee. Luxury lodges offer better bedding and insulated rooms with private washrooms. The price of the amenities is included in the cost. Tea houses cost about USD 5 to USD 15. Hotels, on the other hand, cost more than USD 50.
Preparing for the Upcoming Trek at Namche Bazaar
Even though it is not listed in the above list, it is one of the crucial things you must do while you are at Namche. Acclimatization at Namche allows you to have extra time to make the final preparations for the trek. You can adjust the oxygen levels by taking short hikes in the surrounding area. But preparing for an upcoming trek at Namche is more than that. Here is what else you must do:
- If you have forgotten to bring the water bottle, you can buy it at Namche, since purchasing water bottles beyond it can be expensive.
- You need energy and protein bars to beat hunger when tea houses are miles away, so ensure you buy enough.
- If you have forgotten anything from your packing list, ensure that you check again and buy what you have left behind.
- Since there are no proper medical facilities beyond Namche, consider buying medicine, especially to deal with altitude sickness.
Final Say
Namche Bazaar is a lively destination with significant cultural and historical importance, welcoming exploration by all. From exploring the Sherpa heritage to hiking scenic viewpoints, there are countless areas to explore in the gateway to Everest. Now that you know about things to do in Namche Bazaar, you don’t have to sit at your hotel using your mobile phone on the acclimatization day. You have to leave the room, and the entire Namche will be waiting for you.
