Major city · Nepal
Chhukhung
Spend 1–2 nights in Chhukhung as a high-altitude base for Island Peak or Chhukung Ri; most trekkers arrive from Dingboche and return the same way.
Chhukhung is a small settlement at 4,730 m in the Khumbu region, used almost exclusively by trekkers heading for Island Peak or the Chhukung Ri viewpoint. It has no shops, a handful of lodges and one main reason to be here: the altitude. Most people stay one night, climb Chhukung Ri the next morning and descend to Dingboche or continue toward Everest Base Camp.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NPR
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Apr
- avoid Dec–Feb (extreme cold), Jun–Aug (monsoon, clouds)
- Airport
- LUA
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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
Emergency numbers for Chhukhung100 ▾
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 Chhukhung, 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
- SafetyAltitude is the main risk.
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 Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla (7-day trek from Lukla via Namche Bazaar and Dingboche).
- Getting aroundWalking only.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedLodge dorm bed, a night, per personNPR 800
- Mid-range bedPrivate lodge room, a night, per roomNPR 3,500
- High-end bedPrivate lodge room, a night, per roomNPR 6,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NPR 3,000 · Mid NPR 5,500 · High NPR 10,000
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 Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla (7-day trek from Lukla via Namche Bazaar and Dingboche)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
May
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Jun
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jul
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Aug
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Sep
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Oct
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Nov
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Apr, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chhukhung: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
2 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
3 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
4 rd
Apr
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
5 rd
May
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Jun
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Jul
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Aug
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
16 rd
Sep
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Oct
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
4 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
2 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
2 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
Walking only. The village is a single cluster of lodges; trails to Chhukung Ri and Island Peak start from the edge of the settlement.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chhukung Ri
goDoor to door: 6–7 h return
Trail from the village, about 3 h up, 2–3 h down
Summit at 5,546 m; start before 06:00 to avoid afternoon clouds.Summit at 5,546 m; start before 6:00 AM to avoid afternoon clouds.
Island Peak base camp
goDoor to door: 4–6 h return
Trail from Chhukhung, about 2–3 h
Used by climbers; permits required for the summit.
Dingboche
goDoor to door: 2 h
Trail descending the valley, about 2 h
Return to the main Everest Base Camp trail.
Everest Base Camp
cautionDoor to door: 2–3 days
Trail via Dingboche and Lobuche, about 2–3 days
Requires good weather and fitness; altitude above 5,000 m.
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.
Chhukhung village
A handful of lodges; Panorama Lodge has a sun-room and clean facilities.
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 2,500–4,000
- Mid
- Rs 4,000–7,000
- High
- Rs 7,000+
Trip budget
| Lodge dorm bed1 × 1 night × NPR 1,200 | NPR 1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × NPR 5,500 | NPR 5,500 |
| Meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)1 × NPR 3,500 | NPR 3,500 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NPR 1,530 |
| Trip total≈ NPR 11,730 per person per day, bed included | NPR 11,730 |
2026 estimate in Nepalese rupees (Rs). Prices are per person per day unless noted. Flights and trek permits excluded.
Prices of common things
| Lodge dorm bed | Rs 800–2,000 |
| Dal bhat (lodge meal) | Rs 600–1,000 |
| Bottle of water (1 L)Prices rise with altitude. | Rs 200–400 |
| Cup of tea | Rs 100–200 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: 4,730 m. Acute mountain sickness is a real risk; ascend slowly and know the symptoms.
- No shops: stock up on snacks and supplies in Dingboche or Namche Bazaar.
- Prices rise with altitude: a bottle of water or a chocolate bar costs more here than in Lukla.
- Weather changes fast: afternoon clouds and wind are common; start any climb before 06:00.Weather changes fast: afternoon clouds and wind are common; start any climb before 6:00 AM.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance
- 102
- Tourist police
- 1144
Pocket card
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ChhukhungChhukhung
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
मलाई चुखुङ लैजानुहोस्Take me to Chhukhung
Emergency
- Police100
- Ambulance102
- Tourist police1144
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lukla → Chhukhung (7-day trek): check
- Chhukhung → Dingboche (trail): about 2 h
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavād)
- कति? — How much? (kati)
- मलाई सन्चो छैन — I am not well (malāī sancho chaina)
- कृपया मद्दत गर्नुहोस् — Please help (kripayā maddat garnuhos)
No mobile network in Chhukhung; satellite phone or lodge Wi-Fi (if available) for emergencies.
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 Chhukhung. 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: Oct–Nov, Apr · avoid Dec–Feb (extreme cold), Jun–Aug (monsoon, clouds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Chhukhung
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