If you are signed up to an Ian Taylor Trekking trip in the Everest Region, then you will have three nights acclimatizing in Namche Bazaar, at 3,440m/ 11,286 feet. Namche Bazaar is the Sherpa Capital. Spending more time at this elevation gives optimum acclimatization and you can adjust better to the lack of oxygen for moving higher towards Mount Everest. This extended stay will also give you more time in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize, enjoy the bakeries and local attractions. Here are 5 things you must do while you are in Namche Bazaar.
1). Visit Kancha Sherpa
Kancha Sherpa is the last remaining climbing Sherpa from the 1953 Everest Expedition. Kancha has been on many adventures on Island peak, Makalu and many Everest Expeditions. You can visit Kancha at the Nirvana Lodge in Namche Bazaar and pay 500 rupees for story time with Kancha. One of our guides will join the team to be a translator for Kancha!
2). Visit Shangbouche Hill
Shangbouche Hill sits at 3,900/ 12,795 feet. Without a doubt, Shangbouche Hill has the best mountain viewing in the area. You will have stunning views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamsurku, Konde Ri, and Khumbila. This area is quiet, peaceful and worth spending an hour soaking up the Himalayan atmosphere while you are acclimatizing. All of our trips will visit Shangbouche Hill on our third day in Namche Bazaar.
3). Café Danphe
This is the original Namche Bar with T-shirts from Everest Expeditions on the wall. Now, however, there are a lot of EBC trekking T-shirts on the wall. You can watch Everest movies or the amazing Sherpa documentary, have a cake and coffee, and play pool. Enjoy this old school bar at 11,000 feet. However, remember not to have any Everest Beer until your way back down the trail!
4). Bring Gifts for Local Children
Take a walk up to Jamling Lodge and bring gifts for the children. There are hundreds of children in need throughout the Everest Region. They all need shoes, coloring books, pencils, toys and anything you can manage to get in on your flight to Lukla. We do not recommend bringing items like sweets or candy. Also, make sure if you start to hand out things that you have enough for all the kids around you!
5). Sherpa Museum
Take a stroll up to the Sherpa Museum, beside the military compound at 3,555m/ 11,663 feet. A new interactive museum is planned, however, for now, you can walk through and learn about the Sherpa culture, Sagarmatha National Park and the Everest Region of Nepal. You will find a massive statue of Tenzing Norway with views of Mount Everest in the background and also rocks from the bottom of the world and top of Everest. All of our teams will spend time at the Museum on our second day acclimatizing in Namche Bazaar!
Get in Touch Today
Hopefully you will have a chance to visit all of these five things to do in Namche Bazaar! If you are interested in one of treks into the Everest Region, then drop us an EMAIL TODAY. Likewise, you can just pick up the phone and we are happy to chat with you about trekking in this unique region of the world.