Major city · Nepal
Namche Bazaarनाम्चे बजार
Stay two nights at 3,440 m to acclimatise, not one: the second night is the cheap insurance that keeps the rest of the trek alive.
Namche Bazaar is the Sherpa capital of the Khumbu and the first place on the Everest trail above the altitude-sickness threshold. Trekkers sleep here two nights by convention: one to arrive, one to climb high and come back down. It has bakeries, a Saturday market, three small museums, money changers and the best-stocked shops before Base Camp. Everything moves on foot.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NPR
- Best months
- Mid-Sep–mid-Nov, Mar–May
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon mist, many lodges and bakeries shut), Jan–Feb (cold, quiet)
- Airport
- LUA
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Nepal ↗Get visa information only from the Department of Immigration; visa-service lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules differ by nationality.
- Nepal ↗At stupas walk clockwise; at temples and homes remove shoes where there is a rack or a raised floor; cover shoulders and knees.
- Nepal ↗Carry Nepalese rupees in small notes: many stalls, taxis and tea shops are cash-only, and shops rarely take foreign notes.
- Nepal ↗Strikes (bandh) and protests can close roads without notice: check the news and your hotel the night before any airport or highway day.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Namche Bazaar100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Namche Bazaar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?NPR in small notes (100s and 500s) for taxis, tea shops and entry tickets.Nepal-wide
- SIM or eSIMNepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell sell tourist SIMs at Kathmandu airport and in town with passport and a photo.Nepal-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Nepal-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up if 10% service is added; 5–10% if not.Nepal-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Nepal-wide
- SafetyNamche is a safe, walkable village; the real risk is altitude, not crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels; squat toilets with a water jug elsewhere.Nepal-wide
- Emergency numbers100 police · 102 ambulance · 1144 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSaturday is the weekly holiday: government offices and many businesses close; museums often close Tuesday.Nepal-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLUA Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary) (Flights from Kathmandu or Ramechhap; weather-dependent, then a 2-day walk to Namche.
- Getting aroundOn foot only.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or cappuccino in a bakeryRs 300–500
- BeerCan of beerCarried up from Kathmandu; expect trek-high prices.Rs 700–1,200
- Budget bedDorm or shared-bathroom room, a night, per personNPR 400
- Mid-range bedEn-suite twin room, a night, per roomNPR 2,500
- High-end bedEn-suite twin room, a night, per roomNPR 4,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NPR 3,000 · Mid NPR 5,500 · High NPR 9,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LUA Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary) (Flights from Kathmandu or Ramechhap; weather-dependent, then a 2-day walk to Namche. Helicopter charters from Lukla or Kathmandu also land here (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jun
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Aug
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
Care
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Best
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Mar–May, Nov. Mixed: Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Nov (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Namche Bazaar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
3 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
3 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
4 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
4 rd
May
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
14 rd
Jul
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
20 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
19 rd
Sep
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
14 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
2 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot only. The village is a horseshoe of stone stairs; the climb from the river below takes 3–4 h with a pack. Allow 10–20 min between the lower crossroads and the upper village.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Khumjung
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Walk up past the park visitor centre and the airstrip at Syangboche
The classic acclimatisation walk: climb about 350 m, sleep back down in Namche.
Tengboche
overnightDoor to door: 5–6 h each way
Descend to the Dudh Koshi, cross, then climb to the monastery
Too far as a day return; most trekkers pass through on the way up.
Monju
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h down
Descend the Namche hill to the park gate
Down is easy; the 600 m climb back up is the hard part.
Thame
goDoor to door: About 3 h each way
Leave by the trail in front of Namche Monastery
Mostly flat after the climb out of the village; a quieter side valley.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main street and crossroads
Shops, bakeries, money changer and most lodges within 5 minutes of the trail; noisiest and busiest.
Upper village, Tengboche-trail side
Park visitor centre and Sherpa Life museum; quieter, 5–10 min uphill from the crossroads.
Left slopes off the Thame trail
Monastery side; newer lodges, more sun, a short climb back to the main path.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rs 3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rs 5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rs 8,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| En-suite twin room1 × 2 nights × NPR 2,500 | NPR 5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × NPR 5,500 | NPR 22,000 |
| Hot shower2 × NPR 500 · check | NPR 1,000 |
| Device charging, per device2 × NPR 300 · check | NPR 600 |
| Wi-Fi card, per day2 × NPR 500 · check | NPR 1,000 |
| Sagarmatha National Park entry2 × NPR 3,000 · check; paid at Monju, not in Namche | NPR 6,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NPR 3,560 |
| Trip total≈ NPR 9,790 per person per day, bed included | NPR 39,160 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights, permits and guide or porter costs excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Dal bhat or thukpa in a lodge | Rs 500–900 |
| Coffee or cappuccino in a bakery | Rs 300–500 |
| Apple pie or pastry | Rs 300–600 |
| Can of beerCarried up from Kathmandu; expect trek-high prices. | Rs 700–1,200 |
| Nak (yak) cheese, 100 g | About Rs 100 |
| 1.5 L bottled waterRefill and treat your own to cut cost and plastic. | Rs 200–400 |
| Wi-Fi or charging, per devicecheck | Rs 300–500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: headache, nausea or breathlessness at rest means stop, rest and descend if it worsens. Do not sleep higher while symptoms persist.
- Cash: Namche and Lukla are the last reliable money changers; rates are worse than Kathmandu. Carry enough rupees for the rest of the trek.
- Wi-Fi and phone charging are charged per device in most lodges; buy an Ncell SIM if you need regular data.
- Rooms are cheap only if you eat in the lodge: ask about the meal rule before you take the key.
- Yaks have right of way on the trail and in the market area; step to the inside and stay clear.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance
- 102
- Tourist police
- 1144
Pocket card
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Namche Bazaarनाम्चे बजार
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
म यो लजमा बस्छुI am staying at this lodge
Emergency
- Police100
- Ambulance102
- Tourist police1144
Embassy
No embassies in Namche; most are in Kathmandu. The US, UK, Australian, Canadian and Indian missions are all in Kathmandu (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lukla → Namche: 2 walking days with a night at Monju or Phakding (check)
- Helicopter charter, Lukla or Kathmandu → Namche: expensive; arrange through a licensed operator (check)
- Room, shared bathroom → en-suite twin: about Rs 400–2,500 (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello / Greetings (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyabad)
- कति पर्छ? — How much is it? (kati parcha)
- मेरो टाउको दुख्छ — I have a headache (mero tauko dukcha)
- क्लिनिक कहाँ छ? — Where is the clinic? (clinic kaha chha)
- बिस्तारै जानुहोस् — Please go slowly (bistarai jaanuhos)
Carry this card with your lodge name written in Nepali; there is no street addressing in the Khumbu.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Namche Bazaar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mid-Sep–mid-Nov, Mar–May · avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon mist, many lodges and bakeries shut), Jan–Feb (cold, quiet) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LUA: flight-versus-helicopter decision, Lukla overnight rung, weather-cancellation fallback.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: crossroads, upper village, monastery side, and the HRA clinic.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Sagarmatha park visitor centre, Sherpa Life museum, monastery, Saturday market) and eat pages with bakery off-season dates.
- Altitude and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.