Phakding

“Phakding: a lush green jewel` in the Himalayas, where the Dudh Khosi river whispers tales of adventure and the Sherpa way of life beckons.”  – Anonymous

A small destination holding a bigger part in the Himalayas that you cannot refuse to visit. Phakding is a charming village in the Khumbu region, situated along the Dudh Koshi River gorge, with numerous houses and lodges. The area is rich in culture, with local communities and monasteries that represent the lifestyle of the locals living in the region. One of the major highlights of the place, Buddhist-style monuments, with prayer flags, a positive environment, and the greenery surrounding the place complement this peaceful location very beautifully.

Though modest in size, Phakding teahouses and lodges are famous among travellers. Whether to rest for a day, acclimatize, or have a great lunch and continue the journey, Phadking has convenient resting points for the travellers. With more than 580 residents, Phakding is home to the Sherpa and Tamang communities. The locals here mainly follow Buddhism, which is the reason why you can see many prayer flags, monasteries, stones with ancient prayers, and prayer wheels along the journey. Along with these beautiful tourist attractions, there are many things to do in Phakding.

Phakding, being a small hamlet, it is considered the gem and a beginning of the journey to the Everest region. Every traveller coming to explore the region passes through this beautiful and peaceful place. It is rich in biodiversity, wildlife, and serene with Buddhist culture, and is also inspired by the tales of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, Sir Edmund Percival Hillary, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, and many other famous climbers.

There is a statue made of this inspirational climber, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, in Phakding, and a statue of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Percival Hillary in Jiri and Namche Bazaar. The statues represent their journey to the summit of Mount Everest for the first time. Phakding is a place where the adrenaline of the trek starts to feel real. Many travellers say the story captivates them and motivates them to complete their journey.

Where is Phakding?

Phakding is a place you cannot ignore, even if you wanted to. If you are a traveller or an avid mountain adventurer, you must have visited the place while travelling to the northern parts of the Everest region. Phakding elevation is at 2,610 meters (8,563 ft) above sea level, in the Khumbu region near a gorge south of the Monjo village and north of Lukla.

The surroundings are filled with the greenery of the hills, beautifully decorated lodges and guesthouses, friendly locals, and a peaceful environment. Phakding is listed in the World Heritage site within the Sagarmatha National Park, and is a recommended place to visit for travellers once in their lifetime.

The village is located at the perfect place, hosting a variety of Phakding tea houses, lodges, and restaurants, making it an ideal place for acclimatizing and gearing up for the trek ahead. Phakding is an important village in the Solokhumbu region because all the travellers who are trekking to summit the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, pass through this beautiful village, earning its nickname as “Gateway to Everest Adventure”.

What is the history of Phakding?

The word “Phakding” is a local Sherpa language word meaning “white clay,” denoting mostly a white and peaceful environment. It is also referred to as a unique white clay that the locals use for whitewashing the house walls.

The history of the Phakding village dates back to the 15th century. The village, now recognized as the first overnight stay for the trekker travelling to the mountains or the Everest Base Camp trek in October, the early roots of the place have a different story to tell. In the initial days of the establishment in Phakding, it used to be a trade spot for the Sherpas and the Tibetan people.

The migrants from eastern Tibet, the Sherpas, have sustained in the Khumbu region since the late 1500s. They brought the traditional architecture and Buddhist religion with them, which can still be observed in the village. The small monasteries, Mani Walls, Chotens, stones filled with prayers, and the symbolic prayer flags all the the places give the place a very vibrant and spirited look, captivating more tourists every year.

Phakding was a rather quiet settlement, enduring farming and trades between higher and lower establishments. The place started getting famous after the first summit of Mount Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and the establishment of Lukla airport in the 1960s. Since then, tourists have never stopped visiting the place, making Phakding the first hospitality hub and overnight stop for everyone travelling to Everest.

History of the Lukla Airport near Phakding

The establishment of the Lukla airport plays a vital role in helping to grow the tourism industry of Phakding. The Lukla Airport, now known as the Tenzing-Hillary Airport, was established in 1964 under the guidance of Sir Edmund Hillary.

Initially, the runway of the airport was just a dirt ground briefly constructed to operate to transport goods and supplies for the school and hospitals in 1971. Gradually over the years, with the goods and supplies, the flow of tourists also increased at the airport. Lukla airport started getting recognition all over the world, bringing more tourists. Because of being a sustainable and profitable place, a few years later, the Sagarmatha National Park and Mount Everest were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Lukla airport, one of the most thrilling airports in the world.

For many years, the Lukla airport has been listed in the world’s scariest airports as it is built in a steeply inclined challenging terrain. Despite the scary structure, more people tend to visit the place, getting to experience and be involved in the thrilling flight of their lives at the airport, having one of the shortest runways, 527 meters (1729 ft), in the world. The airport has constantly been doing great and gains more tourists every year.

“I have never regarded myself as a hero, but Tenzing undoubtedly was.” – Edmund Hillary

To improve the safety of the people and accommodate larger aircraft, the airport paved a better runway in 2001, which was a gravel runway until then. Later in 2008, to honor the first people to reach the top of the Mt Everest, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the Lukla airport changed its name to Tenzing-Hillary Airport officially. The tourism industry generates good revenue in Phakding, including many small villages, since the establishment of the Lukla Airport.

How to reach Phakding?

Phakding is considered one of the starting points to many trekking destinations, but people also visit the place for its beauty and the peaceful environment. There are a few ways to visit Phakding from different places.

Travelling from Kathmandu to Phakding via Lukla

If you wish to visit Phakding from Kathmandu, there are a couple of ways for the travel experience. From Kathmandu, you can take a 30-minute adventurous flight covering the distance of 138km to Lukla at Tenzing-Hillary Airport, aka the Lukla Airport, and trek for 2-3 hours, traversing 7.5 to 8 kilometers (4.6 to 5 miles) to reach Phakding. The flight will give an exhilarating experience as the flight lands on the world’s shortest runway at one of the most dangerous airports. To balance the excitement, you can also see the sun’s rays shining over Mount Everest and many other mountains.

If you do not wish to make the flight an option, you can also travel by road. Covering a 184 km (114.3 miles) from Kathmandu, travelling in a jeep, it will take you around one day to reach Jiri. The trek from Jiri to Lukla will take you 5 days and another half day to reach Phakding. This route is familiar as the “Pioneer’s Route” because this was the route that mountaineers would take to reach the Khumbu region when there was no airport in Lukla before the 1960s. However, over the years, the journey to the Everest region takes less time with airways, and this route is utilized only by the avid travellers.

There is another option to reach Phakding from Kathmandu, which is by a Helicopter. The journey will take you 45 minutes to 50 minutes. As the heli ride will be a chartered flight and not a standard flight, meaning you will not be sharing the flight with others. The pros of the heli ride are that you get to experience the mountains in a way that others won’t, escaping the long trekking time, and with experienced heli pilots, and the con is that, as the heli ride is a chartered flight, the tickets will be more expensive than the regular flights.

Travelling from Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Travelling from Phakding to Namche Bazaar will be another level of rejuvenation. The Namche Bazaar is situated at 3440 m above sea level. Travelling through the small Sherpa villages, across the several suspension bridges, the Dudh Koshi River, and gazing at the mountains, you would want to stop for a while and sink in every detail of the trek.

The Phakding to Namche Bazaar distance is around 10.8 km (6.7 miles), which will take you 6-7 hours. After 10-15 minutes of trekking from Phakding, the first suspension bridge will join you. Walking down the green forest, you can see more of the suspension after a few minutes or some bridges after some hours, connecting Phakding to Lukla distance.

The trails save the famous bridge for last. Before reaching the bustling Namche Bazaar, you will come across the final suspension bridge dangling over the famous Dudh Koshi River. This bridge is called the Hillery Suspension Bridge. Built between two hills, the bridge covers the distance of 459 feet, filled with prayer flags and Khada, and the Dudh Koshi river running underneath. This bridge is said to be the connecting point between Phakding to Namche Bazaar.

Phakding weather

Phakding is situated at an altitude of 2,610 meters (8,563 feet) in the Khumbu region. Due to the location being at a high altitude, the Phakding weather above 2500 meters changes frequently. The best time to visit Phakding would be when the temperature is warmer with minimal rainfall. These kinds of climates will be easier for everyone as you will be balanced with the warmer and the colder temperatures. Phakding, situated near the gorge, has a temperate climate with frequent seasonal changes in Phakding weather.

All the seasons are responsible for different experiences for the trekkers. The spring season gives you clear skies and warming temperatures with 15°C at daytime and -6°C at night, while the Autumn season showers you with cooler and stable temperatures, with exquisite views of the mountains. The summer season provides you with warmth and increasing humidity, with 21°C at daytime and 9°C at night, while the winter season indulges you with cooler temperatures and snowfall.

What are the accommodations like in Phakding?

Phakding is the first stopover for almost all the trekking destinations in the Everest region. Despite being a small village, staying at different types of Phakding tea houses, lodges, with facilities and benefits, this place will be a great place to rest and rejuvenate for the next day..

You can find many teahouses and lodges decorated in the Sherpa style, giving a distinct look. Some simple lodges provide a cozy sitting area, a shared room, including a bed, blankets, pillows, and charging ports. While some Phakding teahouses provide a bigger room with more comfort twin bed, blankets, pillows, squat toilets, charging ports, and a hot shower (often with an extra charge).

These are the services that the basic and mid-range teahouses provide. However, there are lodges such as Mountain Lodges of Nepal and Yeti Mountain Home that provide premium services to the guests. With the best offering of superior comfort, private bathrooms with hot showers, and high-quality services, the lodges offer these premium services at a higher price.

What are the food options in Phakding?

These Phakding tea houses and lodges offer a variety of food items, including a blend of Sherpa dishes, traditional Nepali food, and western cuisine. The teahouses best serve the famous Sherpa dishes such as salted butter tea, Sherpa Noodle soup, garlic soup, and Ruki Kur (potato pancakes). The food almost tastes exactly what the Sherpa culture represents, and which is why most people like it.

Trekkers also enjoy the Daal bhaat (Rice, lentils and vegetables), Momo (dumplings), noodle dishes, etc, during their stay at Phakding. The food provides a sufficient amount of protein and vitamins, which will be beneficial for the trek ahead. The menu and the pricing might be slightly changed, but the food that most Phakding tea houses serve will be a unique and delicious experience for the taste buds.

Other food items, such as omelets, pancakes, Tibetan bread, and lemon ginger honey tea, are also provided as breakfast options. Besides the morning time, many guests also prefer to order some local hard spirits, “Raksi”. Raksi is a locally made hard drink which is very famous among the local audiences. They are mostly strong and considered a bad consumption for the trek, so the travellers often purchase them as a souvenir.

Places to visit near Phakding village

As the village is considerably small with limited places to visit, there are only minimal things to do in Phakding. The travellers mostly visit the place to stay overnight for the night and continue the trek the next day. You can also hear the stories of Everest Sleeping Beauty from the locals. However, there are a few very famous, religious, and peaceful places that the travellers can visit within a few hours of trekking during their stay in Phakding. Some of the most visited places and things to do in Phakding are as follows.

Namche bazar

Namche Bazaar is primarily known as the Gateway to the mountains. The place is quite busy, vibrant, and a great hub to visit while travelling to the mountains. The panoramic and beautiful view of the Himalayas is just worth witnessing, even at night. The Namche Bazaar, being the best and the last place to use the network in these high Phakding altitudes, people can give an update about the trek on their social media for the last time for a couple of days. Travelling the distance of 7.4 km (4.6 miles) from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, it will take you 4-5 hours as the trek gains 830 meters (2,727 feet) of elevation.

Namche Bazaar

Lukla

Lukla is best known for having a structured airport situated at the steep hills near the routes to Mount Everest. An airport having one of the world’s smallest runways, a thrilling experience for all the travellers, the flight to Lukla serves the best view of the beautiful snow-peaked mountain ranges. After a 30-minute adventurous flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla, to reach Phakding from Lukla, the distance will be a 3-4 hour of trekking.

Monjo Village

Located at an elevation of 2,835 meters, the Monjo Village is one of the best trails leading to the Everest Base Camp. The Monjo village also marks the entrance of the protected area listed in the UNESCO World Heritage site, Sagarmatha National Park. Despite being a small village, the place is rich with the Sherpa culture, scenic beauty of the mountains, religious monasteries, and the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. Travelling to the Monjo Village, a distance of 9 km, it will take you 3-5 hours of trekking from Phakding.

The imposing Hillary Bridge: A Gateway to Everest

Sagarmatha national Park

Sagarmatha National Park is a popular destination amongst many travellers for many reasons. The national park is situated at the highest altitude in the world, on the way to Mount Everest the highest mountain of the world. With the rich biodiversity, diverse ecosystem, and holding the cultural heritage of the Sherpa people, the national park has been an attraction for every traveller trekking from Phakding.

To enter the Sagarmath National Park, you will need to purchase the permits before entering. You can get them on the way to Phakding to Namche Bazaar in the Monjo village. As the national park is situated at a high altitude, you can take your time to acclimatize at Namche Bazaar before continuing the journey to the park. The total distance from Phakding to Sagarmatha National Park is 21.4km, which can take you 6 hours in total with the rising elevation of 2,610m to 3,440m.

Rimijung Monasteries

After 2020, there are 2 Rimijung monasteries near Phakding. The Rimijung 1, aka Pema Chholing Gompa,  is located at a 15-minute distance from the village. It is also known as the Phakding Monastery and said to have been established in the 16th century by the Sherpa Lama Khempo Dorje. The monastery is considered a sacred site and one of the oldest monasteries in the region by local monks. The monastery, situated at 2,865 m above sea level, was built in the mid-1600s.

After the devastating earthquake in 2015, it damaged most of the parts of the monastery. It was immediately rebuilt after receiving some major international donations, mainly from South Korea and China. Later in 2019, the refurbishment was completed. Now, 30 Lamas, including 3 incarnated Lamas, live there, and the monastery is also open to everyone.

After a 5-minute walk from the Rimijung 1, you will come across the Rimijung 2 gompa. The Rimijung 2, also known as the Thaktyo Dorje Photang Tekhongma Gompa, was newly built in 2020. Situated at an altitude of 2,931 m, the gomba is founded by the 3 reincarnated lamas who are also brothers. To this day, only one of the brothers lives and takes care of the Gompa, and visitors are also allowed to pay a visit to the Gompa.

Tengboche Monastery

Further on the trek from Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery is a must-visit place from Phakding. It is also known as the Dawa Choling Gompa, which symbolizes the cultural richness and spiritual devotion. Built in 1916 by Gulu Lama, it is famous as the pivotal joint to the Everest Base Camp trek. Inside the monastery, it is filled with the drawings of traditional Thangka paintings of deities, spiritual symbols, and mandalas.

Trekking to Tengboche from Phakding, it will be a total journey of 11-12 hours. Travelling 11.9 km to an altitude of 3,860 m, Tengboche is the largest monastery situated in the Khumbu region, filled with prayer flags, Mani Walls, and pilgrimage sites in a positive environment. Travellers can enjoy the beautiful views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Lhotse mountains.

Ama Dablum at 6,812 metres (22,349 ft) 

Dingboche Monastery

Often visited after the Tengboche, there is another famous monastery as well, the Dingboche Monastery. Supported by the local Sherpas, the monastery is situated at 4,410 m above sea level in the Khumbu region. With the distinctive Sherpa culture and the natural power of the Himalayas, it perfectly blends in with the beauty of the Phakding altitude at higher elevations. Located in the most rock part of the route to the Himalayas, the monastery is called the “Last Sherpa Village”.

Dingboche is a Sherpa village at an elevation of 4,410 m (14,470 ft)

Travelling from Phakding to the monastery will be a very memorable journey. With a distance of 20.6 km from Phadking, trekking for a total of 4-5 days, you will finally reach Dingboche. It will be a journey from Phakding to Namche Bazaar on the first day, acclimate in Namche, and then trek to Tengboche on the second and third day. Finally, on the fourth day, you will visit the Dingboche Monastery. A small settlement at the highest altitude, adjoints to walls, protecting the crop fields, this place is also referred to as the main acclimatization location for trekkers.

Earthquake in Phakding, Solukhumbu

In 2015, Nepal faced a very destructive event that the country had ever faced in 80+ years. A huge 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country on April 25, 2015, in Gorkha District. It was followed by another largest aftershock of 7.3 magnitude on May 12 and many other smaller rectors of earthquakes over 30 days. The series of tremors killed almost 9,000 people and injured more than 20,000 people all over the country.

Over 80,000 buildings, including religious temples and houses were miserably collapsed. Many people had nowhere to live, and all the commercial and private sectors were immensely damaged. Nepal is considered a dream travel destination, but during these hard times, everything was shut down for many months, even after the earthquake. The country faced huge losses mainly in the tourism and other sectors.

As the epicenter of the quake was in Gorkha, it had a critical effect near Phakding as well. The earthquake triggered the landslide that destroyed many houses, sheds, crops, landscapes, the hydropower area, and many of the famous trekking trails of Phaking in the Solokhumbu district. After years of hard work, many places have been rebuilt again with a new and different look, not degrading the original beauty of the place.

Reviewing the situation a decade after the earthquake in Phakding, Solukhumbu

Looking back at the time when the earthquake hit in 2015, not many things were left in good condition afterward. Almost everything was gone, even the spirits of the people to live in the place again. Some time passed, and the mindset of the people eventually changed to not leaving the village and making it a better place again.

After the situation of the country was mentioned and heard all over the world, many donation and help was provided through different ways. Majorly through numerous networks that are established in the travel industry, the recovery in many villages far away from the city areas was successfully achieved.

Today, after 10 years of the incident, Phakding has changed a lot and brought the best that the place has to offer. Many non-profit organizations have been helping the society of Phakding. Several foreigners have stayed back in the country, living in the villages to help the place become a better one.

Every person, from the foreigners to the locals, has been helping in rebuilding the houses, schools, and hospitals, giving back to the community. Not only in constructing buildings and paving better trails, but many international organizations have been helping the people of the village mentally with counselling and organizing events, providing skills to survive. Training for numerous teachers, art therapy camps, and many other workshops have been organized.

What are the possible risks and challenges in Phakding?

Visiting the higher altitude places challenges you with many challenges. Here are some of the possible risks and challenges you might have to deal with while visiting Phakding Village:

Phakding altitude sickness

As Phakding is located above the altitude sickness barrier, which is 2,500 meters, the most common risk trekkers face is altitude sickness. If anyone is seen with the symptoms and the sickness, immediate help from the locals and the trekking guides is recommended.

Unpredictable Phakding weather

Even in the summer, some places can be cold in the higher altitudes due to climate change. You can prepare for the trek with both warm clothes and summer clothes.

Limited facilities in Phakding

The facilities are certain in the Phakding Village, but as you travel to higher altitudes, the chances of getting the proper facilities will be slimmer. It is always a better idea to carry some extra portion of supplies than to be short when needed.

Physical Exhaustion during the Phakding trek

Travelling to Phakding is only a few hours, but visiting more places from the village will take you more hours or even days. Travellers can be exhausted from the long hours of trekking at high altitude. Acclimatization spots are necessary to visit during long treks to reduce physical and mental exhaustion, so Phakding is considered the acclimatization spot for high-altitude treks. You can rest for a day and acclimate in the lodges and the Phakding tea houses.

Conclusion

Phakding is far more than just a normal village on the route to the Everest Base Camp Trek. The history of the place and the slow progress of growth from a trading hub to a successful tourism business have made a remarkable impact on the travellers. The sound of the rivers and birds chirping, with the spectacular views of the mountains, and a serene environment will make you not want to leave the place anytime soon.