Phakding

Phakding is a small village located in the Everest region Nepal, located at an altitude of about 2,610 meters. It's a popular stop for trekkers on their way to Everest Base Camp. Which is located 7.5km away from Lukla on the way to Everest base camp(EBC) and Namche is 10km away from Phakding. This village lies in ward no 3 of Khumbu pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, Solukhumbu district of Koshi Province

Where is Phakding Located?

Phakding village is girdled by beautiful forest,  views of the snow-cappedmountains and located on the bank of  Dudkh Koshi river. Phakding is peaceful and quiet, with many tea houses and lodges where travelers can rest, have reflections, and spend the night. From then, you can walk along the Dudh Koshi River and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. It’s a great place to start your trip to Everest, offering a calm atmosphere and stunning surroundings.

This village has a long history as a small Sherpa village in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Traditionally, the people in Phakding were growers and dealers who lived a simple life in the mountains. Over time, as further trekkers started coming to the Everest region, this place came to an important stop along the touring route to EBC. The village grew as a sleeping place for trippers, offering teahouses and introductory accommodation. Its position along the Dudh Koshi River made it a perfect place for hikers/trekkers to relax and enjoy the beautiful mountain decor. Moment, Phakding continues to drink numerous pedestrians from around the world, while still holding onto its traditional Sherpa culture and way of life.

Altitude of Phakding

Phakding is located at the altitude of 2610m or 8563 feet from sea level. Whihc is 7.5km away from Lukla which is 2860m from sea level so you will decend 250m to reach here from Lukla. While coming from Namche which is 3440m from sea level so you will decend 830meter of elevation from Namche village.

Phakding Weather

Phakding, located at an altitude of approximately 2,610 meters, lies just a few hours’ walk north of Lukla and shares a similar cool, temperate climate. Due to its slightly lower elevation than Lukla, generally experiences milder temperatures then Lukla. The village sees pleasant daytime temperatures in the spring and autumn, ranging from 8°C to 20°C, with cooler nights dropping to around 0°C to -5°C. During the monsoon season, the area becomes warmer and more humid, with daytime highs reaching up to 24°C, but rain showers are frequent.

Winter in here can be cold, especially at night when temperatures can fall to around -10°C, though daytime highs usually remain above freezing. Like much of the Everest region, Phakding's weather can be unpredictable, with sudden changes due to shifting mountain condition.

Todays temperature of Phakding

PHAKDING WEATHER

Cultural in Phakding

Phakding is a village substantially inhabited by the Sherpa people, who have a rich artistic heritage embedded in Tibetan Buddhism. The village is filled with traditional gravestone houses, and you’ll see Buddhist stupas, prayer buses, and prayer flags as you walk through it. The Sherpas are known for their hospitality and warmth, drinking pedestrians with open arms. They also run teahouses and lodges where callers can stay and enjoy manual reflections like dal bhat and momo. The people celebrate major Sherpa carnivals like Lhosar and Mani Rimdu with dancing, chanting, and religious rituals. These traditions and carnivals reflect a strong sense of community and a deep connection to their spiritual and artistic beliefs.

Which Festivals are celebrated in Phakding?

In Phakding, the original Sherpa people celebrate several important Buddhist and Sherpa carnivals. One of the most significant is Lhosar, Tibetan New Year which are celebrated with dancing, singing, and feasting. It generally takes place in February or March and is a time for families to come together and mark the morning of a new time. Another important jubilee is Mani Rimdu, a Tibetan Buddhist jubilee that occurs in the fall. This vibrant festivity involves various masked balls, prayers, and rituals that emblematize the palm of Buddhism. These carnivals are a way for the Sherpa community to connect with their artistic and spiritual traditions, and they frequently bring a gleeful atmosphere to the village. 

Tea houses in Phakding

In Phakding, trekkers will find several cozy teahouses and lodges that give introductory but comfortable lodging. These teahouses offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere with apartments for resting after a long day of touring. Most teahouses serve home-cooked reflections, including original dishes like dal bhat and momo. While the apartments may not have luxurious installations, they give a comfortable place to sleep, and some teahouses offer redundant services like charging points, hot showers, and Wi-Fi for a small figure. During peak touring seasons, it’s a good idea to speak in advance, as these teahouses can fill up snappily with pedestrians heading to Everest Base Camp.

Available Tea house, Lodges for Accommodation in Phakding

• Mountain Lodges of Nepal
• International Trekker’s Guest House & Restaurant
• Green Village Guest House &Restaurant
• See You Lodge & Restaurant
• Darjeeling Exotic Lodge Restaurant and Bar
• Sherpa Eco Home Lodge
• New Royal Sherpa Lodge Restaurant and bar
• Sherpa Guide Lodge
• Snowland Hotel & Restaurant
• Buddha Lodge
• Four Seasons Lodge and Restaurant
• Shangri-La
• Khumbu Traveler's Guest House
• Tashi Inn Lodge, Restaurant & Khmbu Bar
• Kalapathar Lodge
• Trekker's Lodge & Restaurant
• Everest Bakery Phakding
• THE IRISH BAR And Phakding View Point Cafe
• Himalayan Adventure Guest House
• Tribeni Lodge Restaurant and Bar
• Riverside Resort
• Sunrise lodge
• Mountain Resort
• Star Lodge
• Hotel Sherpa Lodge & Restaurant Bar
• khumbu inn
• Hotel pine forest
• Kongde Peak Guest House
• Sherpa Shangrila Resort
• Sonam Guest House
• Kongde Peak Guest House
• River View Lodge Restaurant & Bar

What Can We see in Phakding?

You’ll find Buddhist monuments that reflect the original Sherpa culture and spiritual life. Pema Chholing Monastery is one of the most notable is the Buddhist stupas scattered around the village, which are gravestone structures with prayer flags and buses. These stupas are symbols of peace and protection. You’ll also see several prayer buses and small sanctuaries along the journey, where locals stop to supplicate. The Chortens( small Buddhist sanctuaries) are significant too, as they represent the spiritual connection the Sherpa people have with Buddhism. These monuments produce a peaceful atmosphere and show how deeply Buddhism is woven into the diurnal life of Phakding.

Phakding from Kathmandu

From Kathmandu, you can take a short flight to Lukla, which takes about 30 – 35  minutes. The flight lands at the Tenzing- Hillary Airport in Lukla, a small and frequently grueling field. From Lukla, you begin your journey to Phakding, which is about 7.5 kilometers down and takes around 3 hours to walk. The trail is fairly easy, descending gently along the Dudh Koshi River, and offers beautiful views of the girding mountains. Alternatively, check out how to reach Lukla from Kathmandu, then from Lukla.

Which Mountains can be seen from Phadking?

From Phakding, you can enjoy stunning views of several majestic Himalayan peaks. One of the most prominent mountains visible from the village is Thamserku, a beautiful snow-limited peak that rises dramatically to the east. In the distance, Ama Dablam can also be seen, with its distinct, sharp shape making it one of the most iconic peaks in the Everest region. Although Mount Everest itself isn't visible from Phakding. These towering peaks give a stunning background as pedestrians make their way through Phakding on their trip to Everest Base Camp.