Villages in Everest

The Everest region of Nepal is not only famous for its mountains, glaciers, and rivers. It is also the home of multiethnic people the majority of them is Sherpa. People often ask questions about the villages on Everest. Therefore, in this blog, we are introducing the major villages of the Everest region of Nepal. This region is within the Solukhumbu district of Nepal and is often called the Khumbu. Make no mistake! Khumbu and Everest’s regions are the same. It is just the abbreviated form of Solukhumbu district.

Here is a brief overview of villages in Everest

Lukla Village

It is the gateway to the Everest Base Camp trek and ends at the same place. The small town is famous for the world’s most extreme airport the Tenzing Hillary Airport. At an altitude of 2860 meters from sea level, the place is mainly inhabited by Sherpa and Rai people. The major occupations of the people are tourism, animal rearing, and farming. There are countless shops and lodges in the area opened to cater the tourists and trekkers. People can get the Western style to local delicacies in these lodges and restaurants. Moreover, one can find various trekking supplements in the town. Flight is the only option to reach the village but recently Nepal Government announced the project to construct the road connecting Kathmandu and Lukla.

Phakding Village

Phakding is a small village located at the banks of the Dudhkoshi River and it is at an altitude of 2610 m. The village is also the first place to spend overnight during the Everest Region Trekking for most of the trekkers. Immediately landing at an altitude of 2800 m and spending overnight at Phakding which is in the 2600 m altitude range is also suitable for the acclimatization process. The major function of the village is to cater to tourists or trekkers as there are few teahouses and lodges.

Monjo Village

Sagarmatha National Park entrance is at Monjo village. Therefore, it is the most important village on the Everest Trekking trail. For some trekkers, the village is also the first overnight place if they wish to skip Phakding. It makes it easier for the trekkers to ascend to Namche Bazaar the following day. Its primary function is also similar to Phakding as there are many teahouses for the trekkers to rest and spend overnight.

Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is the major marketplace of the region. It is also the biggest town on the Everest Trekking trail. The town is within the Sagarmatha National Park and the part of Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu district. The town is located at an altitude of 3440 meters from sea level. The majority of the people living in the town are Sherpa. They are engaged majorly in the tourism business, farming, and cottage industries.

The town is located beautifully in a horseshoe shape. The scenery of mountains like Thamserku, Kwangde, and Kusum Kangaru looks spectacular from the town. When it snows, the place becomes even more picturesque. There are many lodges, shops, eateries, bars, and museums in the town. The place is also the first place where trekkers perform acclimatization activities. If you are going on trekking to any place in the upper Khumbu region, you must be at the Namche Bazaar. Therefore, it is also the crossroad village of the Everest region trekking trails.

Khumjung Village (Largest Village in Khumbu)

The village of Khumjung is the biggest Sherpa village in the region. The village has the famous monastery where you can find the scalp of the mythical mountain animal the Yeti. At an altitude of 3790 meters, the village people are engaged mainly in farming and animal rearing. The major crops of the village are buckwheat and potato. Almost every household has either a teahouse or a restaurant on the Everest Trekking trails. Sir Edmund Hillary has contributed greatly in the field of education and health for the well-being of the people of Khumjung. He has constructed a hospital and a school in the village.

Khunde Village

Khunde Village is another big Sherpa village after Khumjung Village. Both of these villages are within the Sagarmatha National Park and adjacent to each other. The altitude of the village is also similar to Khumjung Village. Mostly people of the village are involved in animal rearing and local cottage industries. It is 25 kilometers away from Mt. Everest. The scenery seen from the village is unmatched and if you wish to spend a night in the village, you can experience the great Sherpa hospitality, traditions, daily lifestyle, and values. There are many popular Buddhist monasteries around the valley.

Phortse Village

Situated at an altitude of 3840 m inside the Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, the village is scenic. The village is at the foothill of the gigantic mountain and offers a high trail route to reach the Pangboche Village from Namche Bazaar skipping the Tengboche. Relish the splendid scenery of the mountain valley of both sides’ high altitude and low altitude from the Phortse Village. Monasteries, terraced farmlands, and outstanding scenery endow people the mesmerizing experiences.

8Pangboche Village

The village of Pangboche is at the crossroads of the Amadablam Trekking route and the Everest Base Camp Trekking route situated at an altitude of 3985 m. Most of the climbers vying to scale Mt Amadablam make the village the base. For the Everest Base Camp Trekking trekkers, the village is stopping for lunch. Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust opened the school in the village back in 1963. There is a monastery and terraced farmland as well in the village. The place is also the birthplace of legendary 15 times Everest Summiteers Mr. Sugdare Sherpa.

Thame Village

Thame is the most popular village across the globe as the village of Everest summiteers! Yes, almost every house in the village has at least one Everest summiteer. The major source of income for the Thame villagers is mountaineering. These people work as a guide or porters on lots of expeditions. Interestingly, the first person to reach Mt. Everest Mr. Tenzing Norgay is also from the village. Therefore, the village is dear to many mountain climbing lovers. In fact, most of the record-breaking Sherpa are from Thame Village. In ancient times, the village was also the salt trading route between Nepal, Tibet, and India.

Dingboche Village

Dingboche Village is the least densely populated village on the Everest Base Camp Trekking trail. It is also probably the highest-altitude human settlement village in Nepal. At an altitude of 4400 m, people use the village as the resting place for either Three High Pass Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, or Island Peak Climbing

The Imja River and the outstanding panoramic view of the mountain make it scenic. The place is also crucial for acclimatization activity. The second acclimatization is done in the village. Trekkers hike the Nagarshan Hill of Dingboche to get acclimatized. The village is also surrounded by stone walls and has monasteries too. Farmlands, houses, lodges, and monasteries make this village vibrant. If want to see and discover the authentic Sherpa villages with numerous renowned peaks let’s make a plan to visit Khumbu.