Name: Khumjung

Nepali name: खुम्जुंग

Status: village

District: Solukhumbu

Population: 1,912 inhabitants in 2011

Khumjung is a village situated at 3,800 meters altitude in the Solukhumbu District within the Sagarmatha Zone, in the land of the Sherpas. It lies above Namche Bazaar on a hillside at the junction of the Dudh Koshi and Bothe Koshi rivers, at the foot of Mount Khombi Lha. If you're an adventure lover, don't miss a visit to Khumjung to discover an entirely different facet of Sherpa country.

History

The village of Khumjung is renowned for the legendary Himalayan Yeti. The villages of Thame, Namche, Khunde, and Khumjung once shared the tradition of celebrating the Dumji festival together. One day, a serious dispute broke out among the peoples over the organization of this celebration. The villagers of Khunde, Namche, and Khumjung decided to withdraw and unite at Khumjung. To symbolize peace between the villages, they exchanged gifts with one another. The inhabitants of Thame, still offended by the quarrel, sent a yeti scalp to Khumjung, which the villagers considered a grave insult. They decided to return the gift in protest.

Most Sherpas still believe in the ancient yeti legend. According to local accounts, the creature terrorized the inhabitants of the Himalaya. The Sherpas regard it as the incarnation of an evil Buddha. It is said that the famous yeti scalp is still preserved in the Khumjung Monastery.

Today

The name Khumjung literally translates to "narrow plateau" or "small plateau," with Khum meaning narrow and Jung meaning plateau. Today, the village is home to nearly 2,000 residents and serves as the seat of three municipalities. The Khumjung Municipality encompasses the entire Khumbu Valley, Gokyo, Everest, and the Sagarmatha National Park.

Upon arrival at Khumjung, you'll be greeted by a large obelisk-shaped monument with a small cavity at its summit that serves as a refuge for souls. Local belief holds that the deceased spend 40 days seeking their way and take refuge in this great pillar.

You'll appreciate the authenticity of this village, which has maintained its old-world charm and traditions, unlike Namche Bazaar, which has developed extensively to accommodate tourists. Khumjung still features small, authentic houses with their vintage lamps lighting up the village. The village has had access to electricity for several years.

During your visit to Khumjung, take the opportunity to visit the first school, founded in 1960 by the Himalayan Trust, an organization established by the renowned mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary following his conquest of Everest. The school, which serves as the primary educational center for Sherpas, aims to provide villagers with access to education while focusing on health, education, and environmental protection.

Visitors can also see the famous Khumjung Buddhist Monastery, which houses the sacred Buddha of Shakyamuni and the purported yeti scalp.

Beyond the historical sites, you can simply relax in the fresh mountain air and enjoy the panoramic view over the high valleys and the magnificent Ama Dablam mountain while greeting villagers returning from potato fields or the local laundry.

If time permits, venture to discover the sacred cave, known as the refuge of the revered Guru Rinpoche. Sanskrit characters are hand-carved along the right side of the cave's outer walls. Prayer flags decorate the cave's exterior, lending a sacred atmosphere to this remarkable site.

Getting There

By Air:

The only available flight to reach Khumjung is via Lukla from Kathmandu, the capital. Travelers must then trek for 5 hours to Phakding, continuing to Namche Bazaar for 6 hours of hiking. From Namche Bazaar, the journey to Khumjung takes approximately 1.5 hours.

By Bus:

It is possible to reach Namche Bazaar by bus, first traveling from Kathmandu to Jiri, then from Jiri to Namche Bazaar. The journey takes approximately 13 hours. Allow an additional 1.5 hours to reach Khumjung.

What to Do in Khumjung?

• Admire the sunset and beautiful valleys as well as the Ama Dablam mountain from the village heights.
• Visit the village's historical sites such as the Khumjung Monastery, which houses the famous Shakyamuni Buddha and the renowned yeti scalp.
• Explore the cave where Guru Rinpoche undertook his pilgrimage.
• Visit the school founded by Sir Edmund Hillary for the sherpa villagers.