2026 Phakding Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in January)

Pakding, a small village in the Khumbu Himalaya, is located at an altitude of approximately 2,600 meters and serves as a cozy resting spot for trekkers starting their Everest journey. It takes about a day of trekking from Lukla to reach Pakding, making it a popular place for trekkers to spend their first night 🚶♂️ The emerald-colored Dudh Koshi River flows alongside the village, and the suspension bridge crossing over it leaves a lasting impression 🌊 The village is home to small lodges and guesthouses, offering a warm and relaxing atmosphere where visitors can enjoy a cup of tea ☕ As the starting point of the journey towards the majestic Himalayas, Pakding is a special village filled with excitement and anticipation ✨

Tucked into the lush folds of the Khumbu region, Phakding is more than just a stopover — it’s a serene Sherpa village that welcomes every trekker with open arms and misty mountain views 🌄. Located at 2,610 meters, this charming hamlet lies along the Dudh Koshi River, surrounded by pine forests, prayer wheels, and fluttering mani walls 🌀🌲. Whether you’re heading to Everest Base Camp or simply soaking in Himalayan tranquility, Phakding offers a gentle introduction to altitude and adventure. Cross the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge 🌉, visit the ancient Rimijung Monastery 🛕, and sip warm Sherpa tea in cozy lodges that echo with stories of climbers past 🍵. The air is crisp, the trails scenic, and the culture rich with Sherpa hospitality and spiritual depth. It’s the perfect place to acclimatize, reflect, and marvel at the towering peaks that rise like sentinels above the valley 🏔️. So if your soul craves mountains and meaning, let Phakding be your first heartbeat on the journey to the roof of the world. It’s not just a village — it’s a whisper of Everest calling you forward. #nepaltrip

EBC trekking Day 5 Dinboche to Lobuche 9km, ascent 671m Woke up to see Ama Dablam outside the window Today, we need to cross a small pass with a significant ascent As we were about to cross the pass, Ama Dablam appeared in the sky like a mirage

#celebrateit #ebctrek #SagarmathaNationalPark Sagarmatha National Park, home to Mount Everest, is a dream destination for trekkers. With breathtaking views, rich Sherpa culture, and challenging trails, spending two weeks exploring this park is an unforgettable experience. Here’s how to make the most of your journey: Preparation ✈️🎒 • Permits: You need a Sagarmatha National Park Permit and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (both available in Kathmandu or Monjo). • Best Time to Go: March–May (spring) and September–November (autumn) offer the best weather. • Packing Essentials: Warm layers, trekking boots, a good backpack, altitude sickness medication, and a refillable water bottle. Suggested Itinerary 🗺️ Week 1: Trek to Everest Base Camp • Day 1-2: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2,610m). • Day 3-4: Hike to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) and acclimatize. • Day 5-7: Trek through Tengboche (famous monastery) and reach Dingboche (4,410m). • Day 8-9: Hike to Lobuche and Gorak Shep, then push to Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Week 2: Return and Explore • Day 10: Hike Kala Patthar (5,545m) for the best Everest views. • Day 11-12: Descend through Pangboche and Namche Bazaar. • Day 13-14: Trek back to Lukla, then fly to Kathmandu. Tips for a Great Trek ⛺❄️ ✔ Acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness. ✔ Stay hydrated and eat high-energy foods. ✔ Go slow—this is a marathon, not a sprint! ✔ Respect the local culture—greet with “Namaste” and visit monasteries respectfully. Why It’s Worth It 🤩 This trek is challenging but life-changing. From dramatic landscapes to cultural encounters, Sagarmatha National Park offers an adventure like no other. If you’re ready to push your limits and witness some of the most stunning views on Earth, this is the trek for you! 🏔️🔥

#celebrateit #ebctrek ✨ Reaching Everest Base Camp (EBC) isn’t just a trek—it’s a journey through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth. One day, you’re winding through pine forests and crossing suspension bridges swaying above glacial rivers; the next, you’re walking beneath the shadow of the highest peaks on the planet. The altitude demands respect, but every challenge is met with moments of pure wonder. Villages dot the trail, offering warm meals and even warmer smiles from locals who have called this harsh yet beautiful land home for generations. Yaks trudge past, carrying supplies for climbers aiming for the summit, a reminder that this path is part of mountaineering history. At 5,364 meters, Base Camp is where ambition meets reality. There’s no summit view, no grand signpost—just an expanse of ice, rock, and determination. But standing there, surrounded by the giants of the Himalayas, you realize it’s not about the destination—it’s about the journey. For anyone seeking adventure, endurance, and the kind of beauty that stays with you forever, this trek is unforgettable. 🚶♂️🔥

#celebrateit #ebctrek #namchebazaar After hours of trekking along the Everest Base Camp trail, there’s nothing better than the sight (and smell) of fresh momos being made. In Namche Bazaar, I watched an elderly woman skillfully folding dumplings by hand, moving with the precision of someone who had done this a thousand times before. Her hands worked fast—a pinch here, a twist there—and soon, perfect little dumplings lined the wooden counter, ready to be steamed. The air was filled with the comforting aroma of spiced vegetables and meat, mixing with the crisp mountain breeze. I ordered a plate, and when they arrived, steaming hot with a side of homemade chili sauce, I knew I had made the right choice. Soft, flavorful, and just the right amount of heat. 🔥 Stopping for momos on the EBC trek isn’t just about the food—it’s about these moments of warmth and connection in the middle of an intense journey. If you ever find yourself trekking through Namche Bazaar, skip the energy bars and go for a plate of fresh, handmade momos instead. Your legs may be tired, but your stomach (and soul) will thank you. 🥾❤️

#celebrateit #HillaryBridge #ebctrek Walking toward Everest Base Camp, there’s one bridge that stands out among the many you’ll cross—Hillary Bridge. Suspended high above the roaring Dudh Koshi River, this legendary bridge is just before Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Everest region. And let me tell you, it’s an experience you won’t forget. As I stepped onto the bridge, it swayed gently beneath my feet. Colorful prayer flags danced in the wind, sending blessings to trekkers heading toward the world’s tallest mountain. Ahead of me, a horse loaded with supplies walked confidently, completely unfazed by the dizzying drop below. Meanwhile, I took a deep breath, focused on the path, and tried not to get too distracted by the jaw-dropping views surrounding me. Crossing Hillary Bridge feels like entering a new world—above you, snow-capped peaks; below, a rushing river carving through the valley. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop, take it all in, and appreciate just how incredible this trek really is. If you ever find yourself hiking to Everest Base Camp, this bridge is where the adventure truly begins. 🌎🥾

EBC+Gokyo Trek, get up close to 4 of the world's top ten peaks and numerous Himalayan snow mountains, an unparalleled snow mountain experience. The highest accommodation altitude is at 5180 meters, and the highest altitude you can reach is the 5400-meter Chola Pass and the 5630-meter Kala Patthar viewpoint. You must have sufficient high-altitude experience to attempt this, do not blindly challenge. EBC+Gokyo itinerary reference: D1: Arrival in Kathmandu D2: Kathmandu (4-hour drive) to Lukla (Ramechhap Airport to Lukla in March, April, October, and November, wake up around 2 am) to Phakding (3-4 hours trek, 2640m) D3: Phakding to Namche (3440m) D4: Namche to Tengboche/Deboche (3867m) D5: Tengboche/Deboche to Dingboche (4350m) D6: Dingboche to Lobuche (4930m) D7: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5180m) to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and back to Gorak Shep for overnight stay D8: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5630m) to Gorak Shep to Lobuche to Dzonglha (4830m) D9: Dzonglha to Chola Pass to Thagnak (4700m) D10: Thagnak to Gokyo to Gokyo Fifth Lake to Gokyo D11: Gokyo to Gokyo Ri (5360m) to Gokyo to Machhermo (4410m) D12: Machhermo to Namche (3440m) D13: Namche to Lukla D14: Lukla to Kathmandu (Ramechhap Airport) D15: Departure

Photos from guests who arrived at the EBC Base Camp yesterday 📷 Now is the climbing season for Mount Everest 🏔, and there are more than just landmarks to check in at the EBC Base Camp. You can also see the campsites of various climbing teams at the base camp 🏕. I wonder if you can spot the climbing teams training on the mountain with a telephoto lens 🤪. - Everest South Slope (EBC) Trek

The Khumbu Glacier is a glacier located in northeastern Nepal. Its top is about 8,000 meters above sea level and it is the highest glacier in the world. It has a 17-kilometer-long glacial river that originates from the Lhotse Wall at about 7,600 meters. The Khumbu Icefall is also part of it, located between the Base Camp at 5,300 meters and Camp 1 at 5,950 meters on the south slope of Mount Everest. Leaving the Lhotse Wall, the Khumbu Glacier drops rapidly about 3 kilometers away from the Xikum Cirque, forming the Khumbu Icefall, which is about 4 kilometers long. 🔴The Khumbu Glacier is the end point of the EBC hike and the starting point for climbing Mount Everest. - Walking in the glacier is an extremely difficult task. The tongue of the glacier digs into the earth, pushing up the rocks, and thus forming a rocky landscape. Most of the way is on the ups and downs of gravel slopes. You can see exposed glaciers and milky gray lakes next to you. - On the last journey of our EBC hike, we hit the EBC Base Camp check-in point, a landmark stone at an altitude of 5364 meters. Behind it, closer to Mount Everest, are the base camps built by various mountaineering companies for climbing Mount Everest. The climbing season in April and May is particularly lively every year. EBC South Slope Hiking

Nepal is known as a hiker's paradise. After years of development, Nepal's mountain hiking has formed a complete service system, with well-equipped facilities along the hiking routes, abundant service supplies, and professional guides and porters, all of which can be relied on for safety during the hike. This is also part of Nepal's unique teahouse trekking culture. Nepal's outdoor hiking scene can ensure that hikers have food and accommodation in harsh high-altitude conditions, which requires porters to carry supplies up the mountain. Therefore, the higher the altitude of the route, the higher the cost of living. Hiking porter services are generally one porter per person or one porter for two people, with a weight limit of 15 kg per person. In addition to carrying the essentials, you can let the porter carry the rest, so you can travel light and focus on enjoying the hike and the scenery.

🚶‍♂️The usual EBC trek is from Lukla to Everest Base Camp and then back the same way, but trekkers have gradually developed a route that crosses the Chola Pass to Gokyo, a village in the EBC region that is considered the most beautiful village in the entire Himalayas, forming a small loop that avoids the repetitive section from Base Camp to Namche, and is now the preferred route for trekkers. 🏔️ Gokyo Gokyo is a small village in the Nepalese Himalayas, known as the "highest settlement in the world". It is located in the Gokyo Valley, surrounded by the blue ice lakes of the Dudh Koshi River. Here you will see traditional snow-capped roofs and yaks. Gokyo is also a great place to see the world's four highest 8,000-meter peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. 🌄 Gokyo Ri Viewpoint Gokyo Ri is a 5,360-meter peak north of the village of Gokyo and a popular destination for trekkers and photographers. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy stunning views of some of the major peaks of the Himalayas, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. You can also see panoramic views of the Gokyo Lakes and glaciers. 🌊 Gokyo Fifth Lake Gokyo Fifth Lake is one of the Gokyo series of lakes, also known as Ngozumba Tsho. This lake is located north of Gokyo Ri, at an altitude of about 5,000 meters, and is one of the largest lakes in the Himalayas. When you stand by the lake, you can clearly see the reflection of Cho Oyu in the lake, which is an unforgettable experience. Gokyo, Gokyo Ri, and Gokyo Fifth Lake are all must-see sights on the EBC trek, and if you have the time, EBC+Gokyo is a highly recommended route.

Poon Hill Trekking Distance: Approx. 35 km 🏔Highest Altitude: 3,190 m (Poon Hill) Trekking Time: 4 days ABC + Poon Hill Small Circuit Trekking Distance: 100 km Average Altitude: 2,175 m 🏔Highest Altitude: 4,130 m (Annapurna Base Camp) Trekking Time: 8 days ACT Large Circuit Trekking Distance: 132 km Average Altitude: 3,057 m 🏔Highest Altitude: 5,416 m (Thorang La Pass) Trekking Time: 12 days EBC + Gokyo Large Circuit Trekking Distance: 130 km Average Altitude: 4,124 m 🏔Highest Altitude: 5,545 m (Kala Patthar) Trekking Time: 12 days 🟠If you're a beginner looking to try outdoor trekking, Poon Hill is the best choice. It's the easiest and shortest route. 🔴If you exercise regularly and have time, you can try the beginner-friendly ABC + Poon Hill route. 🔵ACT and EBC have high altitudes and long distances, so only experienced trekkers with high-altitude trekking experience should attempt them. 🌟Nepal trekking routes are lodge-based, with comprehensive service and support. With the help of guides and porters, the difficulty of trekking is not too high. You can even see children on the Poon Hill and ABC routes. However, the high altitudes of the EBC and ACT routes can be too much for beginners, who often have to take a helicopter back due to altitude sickness. Make sure you understand the difficulty of the route and choose one that suits your ability. For more Nepal itineraries, feel free to contact us 📩👏👏👏

High jump achieved

EBC trekking Day10 🗺Gokyo-Gokyo Ri-Gokyo-Machhermo,12km, Altitude rise 704, drop 1034 🚶The altitude rise is all on the way to Gokyo Ri viewing platform, very lucky that a thick layer of snow was laid on the mountain overnight, southerners feel the joy of snow in advance 🌄Climbed up Gokyo Ri at the fastest speed to catch the sunrise, unfortunately, there were a bit too many clouds Didn't see Mount Cho Oyu at Gokyo for two days 🏔 Looking at the photos taken by the guests in the following days, it was sunny every day at Mount Cho Oyu, and there was a meteor shower, the fate is still a bit short Started to return down the mountain, the EBC trip is nearing the end