Namche Bazaar Acclimatization Day: Hike to Everest View Hotel

Hikes around Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is such a nice place and has many hiking routes. Most people stop here en route to the Everest Base Camp but I found there is so much to do here, you could spend a week here exploring the place and going on day hikes.

The Everest View Hotel is the most popular place for acclimatization from Namche, but other options for acclimatization hikes include Khumjung and Khunde village. I decided to hike to the Everest View Hotel but if I ever have more time in Namche, I would explore Khumjung and Khunde.

Namche Bazaar to Everest View Hotel Hike: Information

Best Time to Hike to Everest View Hotel

The best time to hike to the Everest View Hotel is in late Autumn (November) and Spring (March-May). These are generally the best times for trekking in Nepal (including Everest Base Camp). The weather is ideal and you get the best (clearest) views in the Autumn and Spring.

The monsoon season has lasted well into mid-October in recent years, so I recommend planning to go trekking from the end of October onwards. The weather remains okay even until mid-December.

It starts to get colder in December, but the views are still clear and there is usually no snow until the end of December. Nevertheless, the weather remains unpredictable in the mountains and one year it may be a dry winter with no snow in December, while it can snow a lot next year.

When it comes to the actual hike to the Everest View Hotel, I recommend starting the hike early in the morning around 7-8 am. The views are the best in the morning as often it becomes cloudy in the afternoon.

During my acclimatization day in Namche, I started the hike at 7:30 am and got really nice, clear views of the mountains in the morning.

Difficulty Level

I found the hike to be easy to moderate. If you are generally fit to trek Everest Base Camp, you’ll have no big issues for the acclimatization hike to the Everest View Hotel.

The first section of the trail (the initial one hour) goes uphill on stairs, so it is a bit more difficult. Afterwards, the trail continues uphill but it is more a gradual uphill (without any stairs).

Once you get near the Everest View Hotel, the walk is pretty easy, and you walk mostly on a flat trail.

The trail is easy to follow, and you meet lots of other trekkers on the way. I think the acclimatization hike to Everest View Hotel is probably the most popular hike from Namche, so there are many other trekkers. I was trekking solo and I found that even as a solo female trekker on EBC, it was a safe route to follow.

Namche Bazaar to Everest View Hotel Distance

The distance from Namche Bazaar to Everest View Hotel is 2.7 km (1.7 miles) one-way and it takes around 2 hours to hike up. It is faster to get down, and it takes only 1 hour.

So, in total the hike from Namche to Everest View Hotel takes 3 hours (return), plus if you stay at the hotel for some tea or food, then it adds to the total hiking time.

When planning the acclimatization hike to the Everest View Hotel, the best plan is to have an early breakfast in your teahouse and leave for the hike around 7:30 am. Then, you can go up and back to Namche by lunch time. After lunch, it is still warm and sunny to take a shower.

Elevation Gain

• Namche Bazaar Elevation: 3,440m (11,286 ft)
• Hotel Everest View Elevation: 3,880m (12,730 ft)

The altitude is also not too high yet, and you go from Namche 3,440m (11,286 ft) to Everest View Hotel 3,880m (12,730 ft). While you do go up high on the hike, I found that it was still not too difficult (especially considering the rest of the trek).

Once you get up to the Everest View Hotel, it is good to spend some time up at the hotel so that your body can adjust better to the altitude. There is another “café” as well a bit before the Everest View Hotel where you can also stop for some drinks before going back down to Namche. I found this other café to be much less crowded and still has amazing views!

Is the Everest View Hotel Hike Worth It?

Yes, the hike to the Everest View Hotel is totally worth it!

I find that going from Namche Bazaar to Everest View Hotel is the prefect hike to acclimatize. It is not too long (3 hours return) and not too difficult.

I liked the most that it is a practical hike (helps to acclimatize) but also you finally get to see the first proper views of Everest. So with one hike, you get two things accomplished!

The other hikes from Namche (Khumjung, Khunde) would have taken a bit longer, and I was looking for a hike that is shorter. Being able to finish the hike by lunch time has helped me to have the afternoon in Namche to relax.

I saw some trekkers going up in the afternoon but I don’t recommend it as it can get cloudy in the afternoon and then, you’d not have clear views of the mountains.

From the Everest View Hotel (and nearby area), you get to see not only Everest (8,848m/ 29,031 ft) but other mountain peaks also, such as Ama Dablam (6,812m/ 22,349 ft), Lhotse (8,516 m/ 27,940 ft), and Nuptse (7,861m/ 25,791 ft).

During the trek, you also pass by an art gallery, Sagarmatha Next. They upcycle waste, and the artwork displayed is made from rubbish. They have a short video and exhibition that you can check on the way to the Everest View Hotel. The entry is free and they also have a café.

Mobile Network on the Hike

The mobile network is pretty good throughout the hike. I was very surprised but my NCell SIM card was working during the hike even when I got up to the Everest View Hotel.

Generally, Nepal Telecom (Namaste) works better during the Everest Base Camp trek, so that’s the Nepali SIM card you should get. In case you have NCell, it works in lower altitudes on the trek but not from Dingboche up.