Namche Bazaar is the biggest thriving settlement and the main gateway to the upper Khumbu region. The place is home to numerous eateries, bars, massage spas, medical stores, libraries, etc., and bustles with tourists. Beyond all this, the place is a hub for the various trekking and mountaineering agencies.
While trekking to the Everest Base Camp (EBC), you would have to ascend to the Namche Bazaar. Although the trail is steep, it’s worth the effort. When you reach the entrance, you are welcomed by prayer wheels that rotate 24/7 and a big white stupa with colored prayer flags.
With the increasing commercialization of the region, numerous tea houses and shops were established here. Trekkers usually take a rest day at Namche Bazaar and do acclimatization hikes around. This article looks at the 7 best places you can visit at Namche Bazaar.
Places To Visit In Namche Bazaar
Table of Contents
1. Namche Monastery/ Namche Gompa
Namche Monastery is new compared to other Gompas in the Khumbu region. Prayer wheels and large stones surround the Gompa, and the slabs are carved with the mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum”. The shrine’s interior is painted in bright colors. Special poojas are done in the Gompa on special occasions.
2. The Best Viewpoint of Namche Bazaar
A few meters past the Namche Monastery lies the best viewpoint of Namche Bazaar. You can see the vibrant settlement from an elevated view from here. Namche looks so beautiful and different from this angle. So, don’t forget to check this viewpoint out.
3. Hike To Hotel Everest View
Start your hike to Hotel Everest View in the early morning hours and reach the place around 6 AM. From the hotel’s terrace, you can see the distant views of Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks, including Ama Dablam. This acclimatization hike is a must-do while at Namche.
Constructed at 3880 m in 1971, Hotel Everest View is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records (2004) as the highest-placed hotel in the world. The place houses 12 rooms with attached washrooms, and every room provides views of Mt. Everest. It also has a restaurant, bar, and souvenir shop and offers free Wi-Fi services for the staying guests.
First laid eyes by Takashi Miyahara and designed by Japanese architect Yoshinobu Kumagaya, the project took several years to complete as there was no road access, and the team had to overcome several other challenges. The hotel opened its doors to visitors in 1971. You can also extend your hike to visit the villages of Khumjung and Khumde.
4. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Heritage Center
Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Heritage Center is a must-visit place in Namche Bazaar. It has some interesting information on how Mt. Everest got its name, different names called in the local community, how the settlements have evolved in the Khumbu region, the village life, the mountain gods, sherpa culture and community, the unsuccessful attempts and the first ever summit climb of Sir Tenzing Norway and Sir Edmund Hillary. It also houses some of the belongings and mountaineering equipment that they used.
- Timings: Open 24*7
5. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa & Pemba Doma Sherpa Statues
Tenzing Norgay Sherpa (May 1914 – May 1986) from the Chomolungma (Everest) region and Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand were the first to reach the summit of Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953. Just near the museum, with the background of Everest, Lhotse, Amadablam, and Shartse 1 and 2 peaks, the statue of the sherpa stands tall proudly with an ice axe in his hands.
Twin’s Tip: Reach here around 6 AM for the best views of the mountain peaks, and then go to the Everest Hotel because the views might get cloudy over there.
Pemba Doma Sherpa (July 1970 – May 2007) was the first Nepali female to climb Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest) via the north face in May 2000. She has also summited Mt. Everest from the south face, Mt. Cho Oyo from the Tibet side, and Mt. Lhotse. The statue of the sherpa is located near the stupa at the entrance of Namche Bazaar, as she lived in the same village.
- Timings: Open 24*7
6. Cafes
Numerous cafes and bakeries at Namche offer a good ambiance for visitors. In fact, the best ones in the entire Khumbu region reside here. Almost all the pastries are freshly baked or prepared on the spot on an order basis. A few pubs even telecast movies about mountaineering on big screens to attract visitors. On our way back from EBC, we visited the Namche Bakery and tried a slice of carrot cake and a cinnamon roll as a personal treat after completing the EBC.
You’ll also find numerous restaurants offering local and international cuisines like Japanese, Chinese, and Italian.
7. Go Shopping
Stroll in this quaint village and shop for souvenirs, postcards, paintings, and more. Compare the prices in two and three shops before making a purchase. Often, shopkeepers quote higher prices, so be smart about your purchases. We bought souvenirs like prayer flags and postcards for our memories. One notable shop we loved was the Traditional & Landscape Art Gallery, where they sell paintings by local artists.
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