Wanderlust On Foot

Day 3: Monjo to Namche Bazaar – from the Hillary suspension bridge to the vibrant Sherpa town

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charusmitha

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“Namche bazaar is a vibrant Sherpa town in Nepal’s Khumbu region and a crucial trading hub, a gateway to Everest expeditions, with a bustling market, museums, and stunning Himalayan views. “

We made our way to the entry point of Sagarmatha National Park. Today’s hike was all uphill with an elevation gain of over 2,100~ feet. 

One of the checkpoint entry gates into Sagarmatha National park on the way to Namche Bazaar.

We criss-crossed the Dudh Koshi River several times via suspension bridges and one in particular is Nepal’s tallest – the Edmund Hillary bridge. The older bridge that’s not in operation is being used today to set up bungee jumping for adrenaline seeking hikers. Just walking the bridge with the river gushing about 400+ ft below and feeling the cool breeze brush your face is in itself a thrilling experience in my opinion.

Crossing the Hillary bridge with the Dudh Koshi river gushing below.

We stayed at Himalayan Culture lodge at Namche bazaar with an amazing terrace showing expansive views of the mountains. Thamserku is a prominent mountain to the east of Namche Bazaar with a distinct, serrated knife-like profile that could clearly be seen from our terrace on the right side disappearing onto the greener valley view. Kangtega is on the left connected by a ridge leading to Thamserku.

Namche bazaar is a vibrant Sherpa town in Nepal’s Khumbu region and a crucial trading hub, a gateway to Everest expeditions, with a bustling market, museums, and stunning Himalayan views. The town had a notable vibe to it. It’s an exciting and cool oasis, a trekker’s village filled with souvenir shops, hiking gear, clothing, massage parlors, snooker clubs, bakeries and cafes. 

Colorful shops with clothing, souvenirs and jewelry on display in Namche Bazaar along side street cafes and bakeries.

Stats: Distance and elevation profile

Distance: 3.4 miles | Elevation gain: 2,184ft | Elevation loss: 330ft

Trail from Monjo to Namche Bazaar. Shows the trail steadily going up before slightly dipping into Namche.

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    Planning your Everest Base camp trek – Things to know – Wanderlust On Foot

    […] to stay again upon returning back from EBC. Read more about my experience in these two villages: Namche Bazaar – the vibrant Sherpa townKhumjung – Sherpa heritage and first view of Ama […]

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About the author

I’m Charusmitha Ram. A passionate traveler, hiker, back packer, artist, designer, day-dreamer and a full-time mom. I used to be a regular working professional doing the every day grind of driving to work, working late hours and juggling other life commitments. All of that changed in November of 2023, when I decided to pause and listen to what the universe really wanted me to do. And so…the wanderlust adventures began. I started navigating the world at a more human pace, remembering to smell the flowers and taking new pathways to places that would only take me by foot, slowly, one step at a time.