Walking in Namche, Khumjung and Thame

October 31, 2026

Walking in the Khumbu villages

In the Khumbu every tour is a walking tour, because no road or vehicle enters Sagarmatha National Park. Beyond the long treks there are short village walks that can fill a rest day, and they work best when led by a licensed guide who knows the paths and the altitude. This page covers four of them. All start at or above Namche Bazaar (about 3,440 m).

Namche Bazaar

A slow wander through the terraced lanes of Namche takes in the market area, the shops and bakeries and the monastery area. On Saturday morning the weekly market brings in traders from Tibet and nearby villages, so Saturday morning is a good time to walk through. Namche is a good place to buy supplies before heading higher.

Khumjung village loop

Khumjung is known for its stone-walled lanes. A loop through the village takes in the school and the monastery, where a relic described as a Yeti scalp is kept. The nearby village of Khunde can be added. The loop is a short outing for a rest day, though you will still be well above 3,000 m.

Namche to Thame

The valley walk toward Thame follows the old trade route. You can go as far as you like and turn back, which suits an acclimatisation day. There is no vehicle option, so you return the same way on foot.

The Hotel Everest View ridge

A ridge walk leads up to Hotel Everest View at Syangboche (about 3,880 m), with a terrace looking toward Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. It is commonly done together with Khumjung and takes about 4 to 5 hours for the full outing. Check that the hotel is open for visitors before planning a stop.

Altitude rules still apply

A short walk at 3,400 m or above is still a walk at altitude. Drink water, go slowly, and stop if a headache, nausea or dizziness begins. Sleeping height above 3,000 m should rise by only about 300 to 500 m a day, with rest days usually at Namche and Dingboche. If symptoms worsen, descend. Keep walks short on arrival day. Do not walk alone, since a guide can recognise the signs early.

Practical points

Wear layers, because the weather changes quickly in the mountains, and carry a rain jacket. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipal permit costs about NPR 3,000 and park entry roughly NPR 3,000 to 3,400, so confirm both on arrival. Kathmandu to Lukla is about 30 to 40 minutes by plane, and delays are common, so keep 2 or 3 spare days. National rules expect a licensed guide or porter in the park, and the UK government sets this out on its Nepal advice page .

Find guided walking options on GetYourGuide .