Built in a horseshoe-shaped bowl high above the Dudh Koshi, Namche Bazaar is the gateway to Everest and the liveliest town in the Khumbu, with bakeries, gear shops and lodges.
Quick answer: Namche Bazaar is at about 3,440 m. Most trekkers reach it on day two from Lukla and spend an acclimatisation day here, hiking up to the Everest View Hotel or Khumjung for views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, then sleeping back in Namche.
Things to do
- Hike to the Everest View Hotel at Syangboche for a view of Everest.
- Visit Khumjung, with its monastery and the school founded by Edmund Hillary.
- See the Sagarmatha National Park visitor centre and Sherpa museum.
- Browse the Saturday market, where traders come from surrounding villages.
- Enjoy coffee and cake at the bakeries.
Acclimatisation
Follow the "climb high, sleep low" rule: hike higher during the day and return to sleep in Namche. See our altitude sickness guide.
Getting there
Fly to Lukla, walk to Phakding on day one, then climb to Namche on day two, crossing the high suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi. See our Everest View trek.
Where to stay
Namche has the best choice of lodges in the region. See Everest region lodges.
Namche at a glance
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 3,440 m |
| From Lukla | Two days' walk, usually via Phakding |
| Population | A few thousand residents, many more in the trekking season |
| Facilities | Lodges, bakeries, cafés, bars, gear shops, pharmacies, ATMs, money exchange, Wi-Fi |
| Weekly market | Saturday (with traders arriving from Friday) |
| National park | Sagarmatha National Park headquarters and visitor centre on the hill above town |
Things to do in more detail
- Saturday market: traders and porters bring goods from the lowlands and Tibet; a lively scene in the lower part of town.
- Sherpa Culture Museum: exhibits on Sherpa homes, clothing and mountaineering history, with photo galleries of Everest climbers.
- Sagarmatha National Park visitor centre: displays on the park's wildlife, geology and culture, and great views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam from the ridge.
- Tenzing Norgay memorial: a statue near the national park headquarters with a view towards Everest.
- Namche Monastery: a small gompa in the upper village.
- Bakeries and cafés: apple pie, cinnamon rolls and real coffee, a treat on the way up and a celebration on the way down.
- Shopping: gear shops sell or rent anything you forgot, from down jackets to microspikes.
Acclimatisation hikes from Namche
| Hike | Highest point | Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everest View Hotel | About 3,880 m | 3–4 hours return | Classic view of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam |
| Khumjung and Khunde | About 3,800 m | 4–5 hours loop | Hillary School, Khunde hospital, yeti scalp at Khumjung monastery |
| Syangboche airstrip | About 3,750 m | 2 hours return | Views and a short, steep climb |
| Thame (longer option) | About 3,800 m | Full day | Quiet valley and ancient monastery |
The principle is "climb high, sleep low": walk up a few hundred metres during the day and return to sleep in Namche, which helps your body acclimatise. See altitude sickness.
Getting there in detail
Most trekkers fly to Lukla and walk to Phakding (about 2,610 m) on the first day, then follow the Dudh Koshi valley through Monjo, where permits are checked at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, and Jorsalle, before crossing the high Hillary Suspension Bridge and climbing steeply for two to three hours to Namche. The climb is one of the hardest sections of the early trek; take it slowly. On a clear day, you get your first glimpse of Everest from a viewpoint about halfway up. See Lukla flights.
Where to stay in detail
Namche has dozens of lodges, from simple teahouses to comfortable hotels with attached bathrooms, heated dining rooms and good food. Lodges higher up the horseshoe-shaped village have better views but more stairs. In peak season, the best lodges fill up, so your trekking company will book ahead. Many trekkers find Namche the most comfortable stop of the whole trek. See Everest region lodges.
Money, internet and supplies
Namche is the last place on the trek with reliable ATMs, though they can run out of cash or fail when the power is off, so bring enough Nepali rupees from Kathmandu. Wi-Fi is widely available in lodges and cafés, and the Everest region's commercial Wi-Fi network can be bought by data card. Pharmacies stock basic medicines, and gear shops sell or rent warm clothing, poles, microspikes and batteries. Prices are higher than in Kathmandu, as everything is carried up.
Namche's history
Namche was historically a trading village where Sherpa traders exchanged goods from Tibet, such as salt, wool and yak products, for grain and goods from the lowlands, via the Nangpa La pass to the north-west. Trade with Tibet declined after 1959, and from the 1960s and 1970s, tourism and mountaineering transformed the town into the main hub of the Everest region. Today it is a busy, prosperous town, but the Saturday market and the Sherpa culture of its people keep its trading roots alive.
A rest day in Namche
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Climb to the national park headquarters for sunrise views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam |
| Breakfast | Back to your lodge or a bakery |
| Mid-morning | Acclimatisation hike to the Everest View Hotel and Khumjung |
| Lunch | In Khumjung or back in Namche |
| Afternoon | Rest, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum, browse the shops |
| Evening | Early dinner and bed; drink plenty of water |
Namche on the way down
On the return from base camp, Namche feels like a city. After days of simple food and cold lodges, trekkers celebrate with hot showers, pizza, cake and perhaps a drink in one of the town's bars, some of which claim to be among the highest in the world. It is also a good place to buy souvenirs, such as yak-wool products, prayer flags and Sherpa crafts, and to thank and tip your guide and porters if you finish the trek at Lukla the next day. See tipping.
Namche's weather
At 3,440 m, Namche has cool to mild days in spring and autumn, cold nights near freezing, and frosty winters with occasional snow. Clouds often rise up the valley by late morning, so the best views are early. In the monsoon, Namche is often in cloud and drizzle. See EBC weather by month.
Health and safety in Namche
Namche is the first place on the Everest trail where many trekkers feel the altitude: headaches, breathlessness on the stairs and poor sleep are common on the first night. That is why the rest day here is so important. Walk slowly, drink plenty, avoid alcohol, and tell your guide about any symptoms. Namche has a health post and pharmacies for minor problems, and the hospital at Khunde, founded by Edmund Hillary's Himalayan Trust, is a short walk away. See altitude sickness.
Namche through the seasons
In spring, Namche buzzes with trekkers and expedition teams heading to Everest, and rhododendrons bloom in the forests below. In autumn, the skies are clearest and lodges are busiest. Winter is quiet, cold and crisp, with some lodges closed but spectacular views. In the monsoon, the town is often wrapped in cloud, with few visitors, though locals continue farming potatoes and herding yaks. Each season has its own character.