The best things to do in Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is the biggest settlement in the Khumbu region. With its Sherpa heritage and high position on a mountainside at the confluence of two large rivers, it boasts incredible views and also has plenty of cultural activities to offer the curious visitor.

The lower entrance to Namche Bazaar

Practically everyone who treks to Everest Base Camp (EBC) stays in Namche Bazaar for at least a couple of nights. This is because the town is 3,440 m (11,290 ft) above sea level (asl), well above the 3,000 m (or 10,000 ft) mark where one usually starts to feel the ill effects of high altitude. Since most trekkers climb to Namche Bazaar within a day from Phakding (2,610 m or 8,563 ft) or thereabouts, the big elevation necessitates a rest of at least two nights.

So given that you're going to be spending some time in Namche Bazaar during your EBC trek, here are our suggestions of the very best things to do and see ...

The first thing to do in Namche Bazaar is, of course, to take a look around!

Our client Clovis took this snap while exploring Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is the biggest settlement of the Khumbu region. Much of that growth is based off the EBC trade, and you'll see many, many hotels, lodges, cafés, bakeries, restaurants, trekking gear shops and more catering to this market.

But while you'll encounter many other trekkers in town, you'll also see plenty of locals busy with business, from townies to those who've travelled in from the smaller, surrounding villages and farms.

If you visit the town centre, you can watch some of the locals as well as porters and guides play volleyball. In fact, there's pretty much always a game being played on the court, and perhaps you could even join in?

Namche Bazaar has some high rises

Because it's shaped like a crescent and etched into the side of a steep mountain, exploring Namche Bazaar from top to bottom can be quite tiring. So try to stay close to your lodge if you're feeling iffy from the altitude gain; you can explore further afield once you feel strong again.

If you're fortunate enough to be in town on a Saturday, do yourself the favour of visiting the local market!

Interestingly, Namche Bazaar has a long history of serving as a trading post for those living in the surrounding valleys. Locals from all over the Khumbu still come to Namche Bazaar to buy and sell crops and produce at the market, which include items like yak cheese and butter.

There are also stalls aimed at trekkers selling very cheap hiking clothing and gear.

If you're not fortunate enough to be in town on a Saturday but would still like to browse local wares and perhaps purchase a souvenir, then don't fret: there are plenty of streets with little shops selling all sorts of lovely and locally produced items like handwoven textiles and carved wooden masks.

If you climb for about 20 minutes up and out of Namche Bazaar, you will reach the village of Chhorkung which is 3,540 m (11,614 ft) asl. This pretty little settlement stretches along the ridge to the east of Namche Bazaar and offers an incredible view of the valley and various mountain peaks.

Climbing above Namche Bazaar lets you see even further incredible views

Note that by hiking this 100 metres higher than Namche Bazaar during the day, you're going to help your body to acclimatise (acclimate) faster at night to the high altitude. Also, once you've reached Chhorkung and feasted on the incredible panorama laid before you, you're just a stone's throw away from the Sherpa Culture Museum ...

A private establishment run by local photographer Lhakpa Sonam, the Sherpa Culture Museum houses interesting cultural artefacts like clothing, tools and religious paintings as well as newspaper clippings and photographs spanning decades of major Everest climbs and events. There are even photos from the 1950s, which include some famous faces!

Namche Bazaar in springtime

The face of Namche Bazaar has changed dramatically within the last hundred years. While it was already the long-established regional capital, as mentioned, it was only after Norgay and Hilary's successful Everest summit in 1953 that trekkers and mountaineers from around the world started to flock to the region. Since then, Namche Bazaar has expanded almost beyond recognition into a place of tall buildings, varied cafés, pubs and restaurants, and competing lodges and hotels.

Walk a little further on from the museum and past the army barracks, and you'll come to the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Centre.

This is a great place to visit if you'd like to learn about the area and its various inhabitants, humans and otherwise, as there are displays of flora and fauna as well as those showcasing the culture of the Khumbu.

While it's great to learn a thing or two at the centre, what most people remember about their visit is the vista you're gifted when you stand in front of the building: an incredible, panoramic view that includes Mt Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Thamserku!

Ama Dablam is arguably one of the prettiest peaks in the region

Great idea #6: take a flask of coffee and set off predawn to climb above the town and witness the sun's low-angled rays illuminate the surrounding peaks. You're unlikely to be in this part of the world twice, so we highly recommend leaving the cocoon of your sleeping bag for this unique experience. Though do perhaps check on the weather forecast the night before to ensure there's a decent chance of your efforts being rewarded.

Sunrise over Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar Gompa is a small, colourfully painted Tibetan Buddhist monastery near the top of town that welcomes visitors.

A painted relief on Namche Bazaar Monastery

Start your visit by running your hand along the outside prayer wheels, then venture into the courtyard to appreciate all the detailed artistry on display. There are historic murals to examine as well as intricately painted furniture and many religious statues stowed in glass-fronted cabinets.

There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and pubs all over town and on its outskirts where you can enjoy tasty treats and drinks along with different views of the surrounding mountains.

Why not play pool in the local sports bar? Or eat some super well-earned cake in a café? Or try some of the best local dishes (like yak steak, dal bhat, momos and sel roti) in a local restaurant?

The lodges and restaurants offer delicious local as well as international dishes

In the evening, you might like to check if Cafe 8848 (named after the elevation of Mt Everest) is hosting a live musical event or cultural show that you could enjoy. Alternatively, the Irish Pub is always a popular and cosy night-time option.

Please just note you shouldn't drink alcohol while acclimatising, as it will make you feel even worse. (We discuss more of the do's and don'ts of acclimatising in Altitude gain on the Everest Base camp trek.)

It might be that the very best thing for you to do in Namche Bazaar is to take it easy. Here are some questions to get you thinking:

Some laundry drying in Namche Bazaar

Please note that the villages that come after Namche Bazaar are very remote and have very basic facilities. So be sure to stock up on supplies, wash your hair, purchase any warm gear you've forgotten, and just generally prepare for the more spartan environments to come.

Finally, if you're keen for a proper hike based out of Namche Bazaar, then your three best options are:

Thame monastery sits perched above the village

All of these day hikes will help you to acclimatise well, but please only attempt them if you feel reasonably healthy.

Finally, please remember that the body struggles to acclimatise when it's put under strain. So while it's a great idea to plan what you want to do with your rest day (or days) in Namche Bazaar, try to hold those plans loosely in case more rest and sleep is what you actually need. At the end of day, it's important to keep your ultimate goal in mind: safely making it all the way to Everest Base Camp!