Namche Bazaar, Nepal

Namche Bazaar (or Namche Bazar) is a village in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Namche is located at 3,440 metres (11,286 ft.) (the low point that is), populating the sides of a hill. For those making their way up to Namche from Lukla, this is a "big" hill and sighting the first buildings of Namche will be a welcome relief. As well, the first building is also an army/police check point so be prepared for a delay if you are part of a group.

Almost everyone trekking in the Khumbu region will visit Namche and 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 required for trekking (no camera repair shops), although prices are higher than in Kathmandu. However, the higher you go up into the Khumbu, the more expensive everything gets so by the time you reach Lobuche (4,930m/16,175'), the prices in Namche will seem quite reasonable.

Namche is the administrative 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 6,608 metres (21,680 ft.).

Namche is the gateway to the high Himalayas. Many trekkers will get up before sunrise and walk up to the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters to take in the impressive views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, Ama Dablam (6,856m/22,493') and other magnificant peaks. You will not be able to take pictures of peaks to the west from this vantage point, such as Kongde Ri, as the army barracks are between you and these mountains. The army does not permit pictures to be taken of the barracks.

On Saturday mornings, a weekly market is held in the center of the village. People from all around Namche will come to sell their wares, not only to locals but to visitors alike. The market usually starts around sunrise and will begin to break up around 11 am. Also, there may be a daily Tibetan market where clothing tends to be the main articles for sale.

A dusk to dawn curfew will likely remain for the foreseeable future as long as the Maoists insurgency remains unresolved. If you are camping in Namche, you are strongly advised to point your headlamps down at the ground and you are not allowed to leave your campsite during the night.

Climate

Namche has cool, wet summers and chilly, dry winters mainly affected by its altitude and the summer monsoon season.

Maximum and Minimum Temperatures (°C)
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