Namche Bazaar Guide: The Sherpa Capital on the Way to Everest
Namche Bazaar sits at 3,440m in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It is the biggest village on the trek to Everest Base Camp and the main stop for acclimatisation. Most trekkers reach it on their second day of walking from Lukla, after a steep climb at the end of the day.
Most standard EBC itineraries spend two nights here. On the rest day you hike up to the Everest View Hotel at 3,880m for a view of Everest, then come back down to sleep. Namche is also the last major place on the trail for cash, proper bakeries and gear shops.
- Altitude: 3,440m
- Getting there: 2 days’ walk from Lukla
- Final climb: about 2 hours, steep
- Acclimatisation hike: Everest View Hotel at 3,880m, 3 to 4 hours return
- ATMs: yes, but unreliable
- Weekly market: Saturday morning
- Last updated: October 2026
In This Guide
Where Is Namche Bazaar?
Namche is built in a horseshoe shaped bowl on the side of a mountain, high above the Dudh Koshi river. It is the trading centre of the Khumbu and home to the Sherpa people. For centuries, traders came over the Nangpa La pass from Tibet to swap salt and wool for grain here.
Today it has lodges, cafes, bakeries, gear shops, a museum and a weekly market. For most trekkers it is a surprise: a busy little town at almost 3,500m.
Getting to Namche From Lukla
Most treks take two days.
Day 1: Lukla to Phakding. An easy walk of 3 to 4 hours, mostly downhill to the river.
Day 2: Phakding to Namche. The first hard day, about 10 to 11km and 5 to 6 hours. You cross the river on several suspension bridges, and your permits are checked at the Sagarmatha National Park gate in Monjo.
After the high Hillary Bridge comes the climb everyone remembers: about two hours of steep switchbacks up to Namche. On a clear day you can see Everest from a point partway up.
Take the climb slowly and drink regularly. Namche is a big jump in sleeping altitude, and symptoms can start even if you feel fine on the walk. Tell your guide if you get a headache, nausea, dizziness or feel unusually tired.
Why You Stay Two Nights
At 3,440m, Namche is high enough for altitude sickness to start. A rest day here gives your body time to adjust before you go higher to Tengboche and Dingboche. That is why most standard EBC itineraries, including ours, spend two nights in Namche.
The rule is “climb high, sleep low”. On your rest day you walk up a few hundred metres, spend some time there, and come back down to sleep in Namche. It is one of the most important days of the whole trek. Read our guide to altitude sickness on Nepal treks.
What to Do on Your Acclimatisation Day
Everest View Hotel (3,880m)
This is the classic hike, and the one we do. The trail climbs past the Syangboche airstrip to the Hotel Everest View, about 440m above Namche. Allow 3 to 4 hours there and back. The hotel was once listed as the highest hotel in the world, and on a clear day the terrace looks out to Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Go early, before the clouds come in around midday.
Khumjung village (about 3,780m)
If you have the time and energy, you can carry on from the hotel to Khumjung, one of the biggest Sherpa villages in the Khumbu. It has the school Edmund Hillary founded, and a monastery that keeps a scalp that local tradition says belongs to a yeti. Adding Khumjung makes the day longer, so ask your guide if it suits your group’s pace.
Sherpa Culture Museum
A small museum on the hill above town, with a traditional Sherpa house, old climbing gear and photos of Everest expeditions. The Tenzing Norgay statue is nearby. It is a good way to spend the afternoon after your hike.
A shorter walk above town
If you want something easier, walk up to the Sagarmatha National Park visitor centre and viewpoint above Namche. You get a view down over the whole village with the mountains behind it.
The Saturday Market
Namche’s weekly market takes place on Saturday morning. Traders from villages lower down bring vegetables, rice, meat, yak cheese, household goods and cheap trekking gear. Some sellers arrive and start trading on Friday afternoon, but Saturday morning is when it is at its busiest.
It is the best place to see everyday life in the Khumbu, so check if your rest day falls on a Saturday.
Money, WiFi and Shopping
- ATMs: Namche has ATMs, but they often run out of cash in peak season and charge high fees. It is the last major place on the trek to get cash, so bring most of what you need from Kathmandu in small notes. Read our guide to money in Nepal for trekkers.
- WiFi: Most lodges have WiFi, and you can buy prepaid WiFi cards that work in lodges higher up. See our guide to WiFi on Nepal trekking trails.
- Gear shops: Lots of shops sell down jackets, gloves, hats and poles. Most of it is copy gear, fine for something you forgot but not as good as the real thing.
- Bakeries: Namche is famous for its bakeries, with real coffee, apple pie and cinnamon rolls. Enjoy it, because the menu gets simpler and more expensive from here.
For meal prices on the trail, see our Everest Base Camp food prices guide.
Where to Stay
Namche has the best lodges on the EBC trek. Many have attached bathrooms, hot showers and electric blankets. In peak season, October, November, April and May, the good lodges fill up fast. On our Everest Base Camp trek, your lodge in Namche is booked for you.
Most treks stop in Namche again on the way down. After days above 4,000m it feels like a city. Hot showers, good coffee and a proper meal make it the best night of the return. From Namche it is one long day of about 7 hours back to Lukla.
Tips for Namche
- Walk slowly up the hill into Namche and drink water on the way.
- Drink plenty on your rest day, and skip alcohol until you are on the way down.
- Buy anything you forgot here. There are fewer shops higher up.
- Charge everything while you can. Charging gets more expensive the higher you go.
- Start the Everest View Hotel hike early for the clearest views.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the altitude of Namche Bazaar?
Namche Bazaar is at 3,440m.
How long does it take to walk from Lukla to Namche Bazaar?
Usually two days, with a night in Phakding. The second day is 5 to 6 hours, with a steep climb of about two hours at the end.
Can you see Everest from Namche Bazaar?
Not from the village itself. On a clear day you can see it from the viewpoints above town and from the Everest View Hotel, about two hours’ walk up.
Can you get altitude sickness in Namche?
Yes, it is possible at 3,440m. That is why most itineraries spend two nights here before going higher.
Is there an ATM in Namche Bazaar?
Yes, but they are unreliable and often run out of cash in peak season. Bring most of your cash from Kathmandu.
What day is the Namche market?
Saturday morning. Some traders arrive and start selling on Friday afternoon.
