Namche Bazaar, perched at 3,440 meters in the Khumbu region of Nepal, is often called the gateway to Everest, but it’s far more than a rest stop on the way to Base Camp. Once a trading post between Tibetan and Nepali merchants, Namche has developed into a small mountain town where yak caravans and Wi-Fi cafes exist side by side. Despite its remote location, it has a Saturday market that continues to bring traders and trekkers together, just as it did centuries ago when salt, dried meat, and wool were the main goods exchanged.

Namche is home to the Sherpa community, whose traditions are rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. Visitors can explore the nearby Namche Monastery and spin prayer wheels while overlooking snow-covered peaks. Just above the village is the Sagarmatha National Park Museum, where visitors get a clear view of Mount Everest on a clear day, along with exhibits about the local ecology, mountaineering history, and Sherpa culture. There's also a statue of Tenzing Norgay, the famed climber born near Namche, who summited Everest alongside Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953.

Trekkers often spend a few days acclimatizing in Namche, and there are scenic hikes with rewarding views that don’t require full expedition gear. A short trek to the village of Khumjung offers a visit to the Hillary School, established by Sir Edmund Hillary, and a small monastery said to house a "yeti scalp." Another popular trail leads to Everest View Hotel, built in the 1970s and recognized by Guinness World Records as the highest-located hotel in the world. On clear mornings, guests can sip tea on the terrace while facing Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.