Visiting Nepal

Namche Bazaar

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Namche Bazaar also Nemche Bazaar or Namche Bazar is a village in the Khumbu area of Nepal. Namche is situated at 3,440 metres (11,286 ft.) (the low point that is), populating the sides of a hill. From the bridge over the Dudh Kosi, the follow winds its way up a "big" hill, finally cresting at a small building which also dish up as an army/police check point.

The name of Namche Bazaar is generally associated with that of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. It is the entrance to the Everest region. Situated on the lap of Khumbu Himal range at an altitude of 3440 meters. This place is the home of legendary Sherpas. Namche Bazar can be used as the starting point for trekking to Thyangboche, Debuche, Periche, Pangboche, Lobuche and Gorakhshep which are famous destinations in the Everest region. Besides, Namche is the gateway to the Sagarmatha National Park.

Almost everyone trekking in the Khumbu region will stay Namche Bazaar, as it is the entryway to the high Himalaya. Visitors are likely stay at least one night, if not two for altitude acclimatization. The village has many shops and lodges where one can find almost anything necessary for trekking (no camera repair shops), although prices are higher than in Kathmandu. Namche is the main trade center for the Khumbu region so there are many Nepalese officials, a police check post and a bank. Near the top of the village is the headquarters for Sagarmatha National Park as well as Nepalese army barracks.Immediately west of Namche is Kongde Ri at 6,187 metres (20,298 ft.) and to the east is Thamserku at 6,623 metres (21,729 ft.).

 

Above Namche Bazaar

On a hill overlooking Namche Bazaar is the Shyangboche Airstrip (3,750m / 12,303ft). This is not generally used as its surface of loose gravel makes it unsuitable for fixed wing aircraft, but it does enable visitors to reach Namche Bazaar by helicopter.The army does not permit pictures to be taken of the barracks. Because of the proximity of the army barracks, the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarters is surrounded by a large amount of barbed wire.

A good acclimatisation walk from Namche Bazaar goes to Everest View Hotel, which is at an altitude of 3,800m / 12,467ft. Everest View Hotel is a lavishness hotel, which has had mixed success. The hotel does, however, have the only decent restaurant serving western food in the region.On Saturday mornings, a weekly market is held in the center of the village. Tibetan merchants come to the market by way of high passes through the Himalayas.Namche Bazaar has many internet cafés, making it the one of the few places in the region where trekkers can access the internet. The internet cafés connect via satellites and so the resulting connection speed is slow.

The village also contains a German bakery, well known in the region for providing good quality western food, including pizza.

Climate of Namche Bazzar

The winters are cold and dry, while summers are warm, but characterized by persistent mist, and so the spectacular mountain peaks often lost from view. The best time to visit the area is from mid-September to mid-November when it is still not too cold and the air is at its most pristine, affording crystal clear views of the mountain scenery. The Spring is also a good time to visit Namche, though due to the higher proportion of dust in the air, the mountain views lack the clarity of the Fall.

	Jan.	Feb.	March	April	May	June	July	Aug.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
Max	7	6	9	12	14	15	16	16	15	12	9	7
Min	-8	-6	-3	1	4	6	8	8	6	2	3	-6

Maximum and Minimum Temperatures (°F)

	Jan.	Feb.	March	April	May	June	July	Aug.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
Max	44	42	48	54	57	59	61	61	59	54	48	44
Min	17	21	27	33	39	43	46	46	43	36	37	21

Precipitation

	Jan.	Feb.	March	April	May	June	July	Aug.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
mm	26	23	34	26	41	140	243	243	165	78	9	39
in.	1.0	.90	1.3	1.0	1.6	5.5	9.5	9.5	6.5	3.0	.35	1.5

Getting Namche Bazzar

The trek from Lukla to Namche can be done in one full day, but unless you are experienced at trekking at high altitude and extremely fit, taking two days over the journey is strongly suggested. Many people who hurry to Namche undergo altitude sickness and have to brought down again the following day.