Lake · 4,750 m
Gokyo Lakes
A chain of glacier-fed lakes beside the Ngozumpa glacier, with views of Everest and Cho Oyu from the hill of Gokyo Ri.
Everest Region (Khumbu)खुम्जुङ
Khumjung
A large Sherpa village on a high shelf above Namche, home to the Hillary school and a monastery that keeps a reputed yeti scalp.
- Altitude
- 3,790 m
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Solukhumbu, Koshi
- Permit
- Permit required
Higher seasonal exposure: altitude (All year), seasonal closure (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Khumjung is one of the biggest Sherpa villages in Khumbu, spread across a broad, gently sloping basin at about 3,790 m below the sacred peak of Khumbila. Stone houses with green roofs sit among walled potato fields, and the neighbouring village of Kunde lies just to the west. Within the Everest region it is a side trip rather than a stop on the main trail: most trekkers visit on their acclimatisation day from Namche Bazaar, or pass through on an alternative route towards Tengboche or Gokyo.
The walk from Namche takes about an hour or two, climbing out of the village to the Syangboche area, crossing a flatter section near the old airstrip and dropping into the basin. On clear days Ama Dablam, Thamserku and the top of Everest are visible on the way. Spending a night here instead of returning to Namche is a quiet alternative with views across to Ama Dablam.
History and culture
Khumjung school was founded in 1961 by Edmund Hillary's Himalayan Trust, beginning with two classrooms; it has since grown into the largest school in Khumbu, teaching from pre-school to secondary level, and children from surrounding villages walk long distances to attend. A bust of Hillary stands in the grounds. Khumjung monastery displays an object said to be a yeti scalp, which visitors can see for a small donation.
Above the village, a cave marked by prayer flags is associated with Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) by local tradition, which holds that he meditated here after his practice at Maratika in eastern Nepal; this is a legend, not a documented event. Khumbila, the mountain above the village, is regarded as the home of the protector deity of Khumbu and is not climbed.
Things to do in Khumjung
Acclimatisation loop from Namche
Climb to Syangboche, walk on to Khumjung and Kunde, and return to Namche the same day, about 4-6 hours in total.
Khumjung monastery
See the reputed yeti scalp kept at the gompa; a donation is expected.
Walk to Kunde
A short, level walk west to Kunde, home to the Kunde hospital set up by the Himalayan Trust.
Weather and the best time to visit Khumjung
Weather in Khumjung
Forecast for 3,790 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November bring clear views of Ama Dablam and dry trails.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cold, with frost most nights and occasional snow, but clear days.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is milder, with more cloud in the afternoons.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is wet and misty, with mountain views often hidden.
Where to stay
LodgesTeahouses
Several lodges stand near the school; rooms are simpler and quieter than in Namche.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Khumjung is reached on foot from Namche Bazaar, about an hour or two away over the Syangboche ridge.
Nearest hub: Namche Bazaar
- trekNamche to Khumjung about 1.5-2 hours, with a steep climb of about 350-400 m out of Namche, then a gentler walk.
- trekFrom Khumjung a trail drops east to rejoin the main route to Tengboche, or north towards the Gokyo valley.
Getting to Khumjung, by mode
Nearest hub: Namche Bazaar. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By airfrom Kathmanduabout 0.4-0.7 hLukla (Tenzing-Hillary)often delayed or cancelled by weather
Fly Kathmandu or Ramechhap to Lukla, 25-40 minutes weather permitting, then two days on foot to Namche Bazaar and an hour or two more up over the Syangboche ridge. In the busy seasons most flights leave from Ramechhap (Manthali), a 3-4 hour drive east of Kathmandu.
When to set off: Lukla flights are scheduled at first light, before the south-west wind builds from mid to late morning; Ramechhap departures leave Kathmandu by road around 03:00-04:00
On footfrom Namche Bazaarabout 1.5-2 h1.5-2 h from Namche Bazaar, a steep 350-400 m climb out of town then a gentler traverse
A short walk from Namche over the Syangboche ridge; many people come up for the day and go back down to sleep.
When to set off: teahouse stages start after breakfast, usually by 07:30, to arrive before the afternoon cloud and wind
Where people go next
- Namche Bazaaron foot, about 1.5-2 hBack down the ridge to Namche Bazaar.
- Tengbocheon foot, about 4-6 hEast on the trail that rejoins the main route to Tengboche.
- Doleon footNorth towards the Gokyo valley by the Mong La trail.
Permits and fees
Permit required
Khumjung is inside Sagarmatha National Park; the park permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit used for the Everest region cover it.
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit: Check the latest rules and fees.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit: Local permit collected in the Lukla area.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
On the trail
On the Everest Base Camp trek (acclimatisation side trip), Gokyo Lakes trek.
- Previous stop:
- Namche Bazaar
- Next stop:
- Tengboche
- A typical day:
- From Namche, about 1.5-2 hours and roughly 350 m of net height gain on a steep climb then a gentle traverse; most people return to Namche the same day.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Khumjung
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Altitudehigh in a typical yearAll year
Khumjung lies at about 3,790 m, a common acclimatisation night above Namche. Acute mountain sickness is common on fast ascents - it affects roughly 40 per cent of people who go up quickly to 3,000 m, and more above that. General information, not medical advice: gain height slowly, keep sleeping-height gains small (about 300 m a day once high), build in rest days, learn the symptoms - headache, nausea, breathlessness, broken sleep - and descend if they get worse. See a doctor before travelling and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Seasonal closurehigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Lukla flights are the weak link in the monsoon: poor visibility stops operations at the airstrip about half the time in that season and about half of flights are cancelled, and waits of several days happen. Any itinerary built on the flight needs spare days at both ends.
Snowmoderate in a typical yearDec-Mar
Snow falls on the trails around the village in winter and after spring storms, though it usually clears from the lower stages within a few days.
Coldmoderate in a typical yearNov-Mar
Nights drop well below freezing from November to March, with frost most mornings and only the dining room heated in most lodges.
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Aug
June to August is wet: heavy rain hides the mountains, the stone staircases and bridge approaches stay slippery, and leeches are a nuisance in the forest below about 3,000 m.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- At about 3,790 m, Khumjung is higher than Namche. It suits a climb-high, sleep-low acclimatisation day; sleeping here early in a trek may be too fast an ascent. General information, not medical advice.
- There is no water or tea stop between Syangboche and the village on some stretches, so carry water.
- There is no ATM; bring cash from Namche.
- Remove your hat and shoes as asked inside the monastery and ask before taking photographs.
Questions about Khumjung
How do I get to Khumjung from Namche Bazaar?
Walk up over the Syangboche ridge; it takes about 1.5-2 hours and makes a good acclimatisation day.
How high is Khumjung?
About 3,790 m, roughly 350 m higher than Namche Bazaar.
Can you see the yeti scalp at Khumjung monastery?
Yes, the monastery shows the reputed scalp to visitors, usually for a donation.
Do I need a permit for Khumjung?
Yes, it is inside Sagarmatha National Park, so the same permits as the rest of the Everest region apply.
More in Everest Region (Khumbu)
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Dingboche
A walled-field Sherpa village in the Imja valley, the usual acclimatisation stop on the way to Everest Base Camp.
Trek stop · 4,038 m
Dole
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A tiny lodge stop on a high pasture below Cholatse, the eastern base for crossing the Cho La.
Nearby
Valley or region
Everest Region (Khumbu)
The Sherpa homeland below Everest, reached on foot from Lukla through stone villages, monasteries and glacial valleys.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Khumjung, Wikipedia, Khumjung, Wikivoyage