Khumbu: Difference between revisions
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{{pagebanner|Khumbu wikivoyage banner.jpg|unesco=yes}}
: ''See [[Everest Base Camp Trek]] for the Nepalese trek to the foot of
'''Khumbu''' (also known as the '''Everest Region''') is a sub-region in
[[File:AmaDabEvertTrek.JPG|thumb|300px|Ama Dablam mountain as seen on the trek into Everest base camp]]▼
▲'''Khumbu''' (also known as the '''Everest Region''') is a sub-region in [[Solu Khumbu]] on the Nepalese side of Mount Everest.
== Understand ==
▲[[File:AmaDabEvertTrek.JPG|thumb|300px|Ama Dablam mountain as seen on the trek into Everest base camp]]
The Everest region is officially called '''Khumbu''' and includes the Sagarmatha National Park (above Monju) and the Sagarmatha National Park Buffer Zone (between Lukla and Monju). The former is listed as an [[UNESCO World Heritage site]].
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== Villages ==
There are many villages scattered throughout Khumbu. Below
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tengboche]]|wikidata=Q7699760}} – large monastery
* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Chhukhung]]|wikidata=Q5116018}} * {{marker|type=city|name=[[Dingboche]]|wikidata=Q574307}} – relatively large village above the treeline
== Other destinations ==
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* [[Everest Base Camp Trek]]
* [[Island Peak Trek]]
== Understand ==
{{infobox|Guru Rinpoche|It is not possible to travel far in Khumbu without seeing images of a man wearing a tall elaborate hat and with eyes that are open wide and staring forward into space. This is the great 8th century sage of Vajrayana Buddhism, Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche as he often called. According to legend, Padmasambhava was reincarnated into a lotus blossom as an eight year old child, and from very young he possessed great wisdom and insight. He also had mastery of the elements and so like a potter shaping clay into pots, he transformed harmful action and substances into something positive and beneficial.
Guru Rinpoche is credited with introducing Tantric Buddhism into Tibet and is specifically associated with the Nyingma tradition, the form of Buddhism that the Sherpas brought with them when they migrated over the Himalayas into Nepal in 16th century. Sacred sites associated with Guru Rinpoche in the [[
Famous for its spectacular mountain peaks and the loyalty and friendliness of its inhabitants (the Sherpas), the Everest region (Khumbu) is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Nepal. While many of the routes through the mountains are arduous, there are ample places to rest and enjoy a meal along the way. Don't worry about getting lost: just ask a local the way to the next village on your route, and they will direct you. Most Sherpas under the age of fifty can at least understand basic English, and many speak it fluently.
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Lodges and restaurants in Khumbu only accept Nepalese rupees. Budget can vary hugely between Rs 1,500-2,000 per person per day for food and accommodation - prices rise with the altitude, though you may spend more in Namche because there is more on offer. Add more if you consume beer, softdrinks and other amenities.
See Sagarmatha Park official [http://www.dnpwc.gov.np website]{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}.
== Talk ==
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== Get in ==
===By plane===
[[File:LuklaAirportBadWeather.JPG|thumb|A plane taking off from Lukla airport in less than ideal weather conditions]]
There are numerous flights flying the
===On foot===
There is a bus running between Kathmandu and [[Jiri]]. Some buses are going a bit further to Shivalaya. From here to [[Namche Bazaar]] it is about a six-day walk. A less popular alternative is to walk from Tumlingtar.
Another route tried entering from
Just after the village of [[Monju]], there is check point for entering the Sagarmatha National Park. Passports need to be shown and there is a 1,000 Rs entry fee. At [[Monju]] two fees. For SAARC country TIMS fees rs 650 and for Sagarmatha National Park Rs 1695 with VAT for four weeks.
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== Get around ==
[[File:HorseEverest.JPG|thumb|There are horses that one can hire to carry them out if injured on the Everest trek]]
On foot. There are no roads in the Khumbu region. And sometimes by horse.
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=== Fauna ===
[[File:
The national bird, '''danfe''' (a kind of pheasant), white-winged gros beak, Horn lark, Robin Accentor, Tibetan Snow Cock, red-billed chugh, yellow-billed chugh and '''mountain goats''' are common in the Khumbu area, and because the Sherpas do not kill animals or birds, people can often get very close before they take off. '''Musk deer''' and '''snow leopards''' are also natives of the Khumbu mountains, albeit rarer.
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== Eat ==
[[File:SolarCookerEverest.JPG|thumb|A solar cooker in Tengboche. As all fuel is carried in, efforts to reduce fuel are important]]
Most lodges offer similar menus - porridge, hash browns, omelettes, dal bhat, spaghetti, fried rice, apple pie, etc. - although those in Namche tend to have a wider selection, which includes such things as pizza and juice.
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Local dishes include:
'''Riki-Kur'''
'''Tzen'''
== Drink ==
[[File:Gokyo third lake in frozen condition.jpg|thumb|Gokyo third lake in frozen condition]]
Locally bottled water is available everywhere in Khumbu, though the price rises with the altitude. A bottle in Namche costs about 100rs. Beer and juice are flown from Kathmandu to Lukla and carried from there by porters; consequently the price is very high. Tea, instant coffee and a drink made from lemon concentrate are the cheapest beverages in the region, and are available in every lodge or tea shop for Rs 50 to 150 a cup.
== Sleep ==
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== Stay safe ==
Khumbu is a very safe region and violent crime is almost unheard of. However,
'''[[Altitude sickness]]''' affects even young and healthy people and is a genuine problem in Khumbu. If you feel dizzy, suffer palpitations or a severe headache, '''return immediately to lower altitude'''. Do not take altitude sickness lightly. It can and does kill.
'''Yaks''' may be photogenic, but they are aggressive and unpredictable. Always stand on the upper slope (i.e., above the path, away from the drop-off) to let yaks pass. Every Sherpa has a tale about Westerners who have stood on the lower side of a trail to let a herd of yaks pass and
There is an '''
Don't drink the water no matter how pristine it appears. Use iodine tablets as a purifier or purchase boiled water. Exceptions: Namche and Phortse have clean water supplies that the locals drink directly from the tap. However, this may not be a good idea for outsiders lacking immunity to local bacteria, but certainly it should be OK for brushing teeth.▼
▲There is an '''[http://www.ippg.net/whatis/machermo_porter_shelter_and_rescue_post.html emergency rescue centre] {{dead link|October 2017}}''' in '''[http://www.machermo-namgyal-lodge.com/ Namgyal lodge] {{dead link|October 2017}}''' in the village of '''[http://www.machermo-namgyal-lodge.com/ Machermo] {{dead link|October 2017}}''' in the Gokyo Valley manned by two volunteer doctors. Note: This is purely an emergency rescue centre, and the doctors will not treat common ailments.
== Stay healthy ==
*Clinics are sparse in Khumbu. Should you require medical attention there are several options:▼
**'''Western medicine''' - Kunde Clinic, in Kunde Village (above Namche) has Western trained doctors and is a surprisingly well equipped facility - they even have a decompression chamber for those suffering with severe altitude sickness. On your return journey, you might like to donate any unused medicines to Kunde Clinic, though ensure that they are clearly labelled in English - even the most valuable medicine is useless if there are no instructions on how to use it.▼
▲
**'''Tibetan medicine''' - the Healing Centre [http://www.sacredland.net/medintro.htm] {{dead link|October 2017}} in Namche offers treatments using natural formulas. It is next to the '''Camp de Base''' hotel, but entered from the path in front of the library. This clinic provides free treatment for porters and other patients on low income. In order to continue this service, donations are greatly appreciated.▼
**'''Medical Stations'''. Along the trail, you will also see small medical stations. These stations generally have very rudimentary facilities and can only realistically offer treatment for very minor ailments, such as cuts and bruises and (non-altitude sickness related) headaches.▼
▲* Clinics are sparse in Khumbu. Should you require medical attention there are several options:
**'''Dental clinic'''. Namche also has a dental clinic, located on the right side slope of the village when looking up.▼
▲** '''Western medicine'''
▲*'''Water'''. Only drink water that has been thoroughly boiled or otherwise purified. Do not drink water directly from streams.
▲** '''Tibetan medicine'''
▲**'''Medical Stations'''
▲**'''Dental clinic'''
==Connect==
There are no telephone lines or
Namche has a '''post office''', but there are mixed reports of letters reaching their destinations. Postage stamps are also available in local shops.
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International '''phone calls''' can be made in Namche, however this is very expensive compared to [[Kathmandu]]. The cheapest place is the one-phone government telephone office, on the second floor of the nondescript wooden building behind Hotel Buddha, identified with an official yellow sign in Nepalese with a faded paper sign in English stuck on to it. Expect a lengthy queue on Saturdays (market day).
Namche also has several '''Internet''' cafes. Satellite access costs between Rs
== Respect ==
[[File:White winged gros beak near Phortse Tanga at Sagarmatha National Park area..jpg|thumb|White winged gros beak near Phortse Tanga at Sagarmatha National Park area]]
===Religious===
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===Environmental===
Due to the sheer number of trekkers passing through this valley, the ecological structure is under severe strain. Therefore, it is important for visitors to be as sensitive to their surroundings as possible. Obviously,
'''Take only photographs, leave only footprints''' should be the mantra of every trekker in the Khumbu area. See article [[Leave-no-trace camping]].▼
▲'''Take only photographs, leave only footprints''' should be the mantra of every trekker in the Khumbu area. See
{{related|Altitude_sickness}}
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