Phakding Village is a small Sherpa settlement in the Everest region of Nepal. It lies at an altitude of 2610 m (approx. 8562 feet) in the Dudh Koshi River Valley of Solukhumbu District.

Lying north of Lukla and south of Namche Bazaar, it is the first stopping point for most of the treks in the Khumbu region. In this way, Phakding Village is the also first stopover for accommodation for the most popular EBC Trek.

To support trekkers for accommodation, the tiny village has many low-budget to luxury teahouses. Therefore, the community is an essential place for boosting tourism in the Sagarmatha Zone.

Lukla to Phakding: A short trek inside the Khumbu Valley

• Distance – 7.5 km
• Ascent – 258 m
• Descent – 478 m
• Duration – 2-3 hrs
• Low Point – 2.5 km
• High Point – 2.9 km
• Gradient – 10 ˚

Almost all travelers travel to Phakding on their first trekking day to Everest.

Mostly, the flights to Lukla Airport from Kathmandu take place in the morning. So the travelers will have an entire day left after the 40-minute flight to go on an easy and short trek. Also, the distance from Lukla to Phakding is 7.5 km (4.6 miles) and can be completed in a few hours. So, trekkers don’t stay at Lukla. Instead, they walk to Phakding village on their first day to spend the night. But, you can stop at several points in between for drinks and meals.

The journey from Lukla to Phakding is a short trek along a route full of greenery and amazing mountain sights.

Most of the time, you will walk downhill along the dirt, stone pathways, and rocky sections as well.

The ringing bells and herds of animals like yaks, horses, and donkeys are other moments to watch. These animals are used to carry goods to and from Lukla. As you approach the village of Phakding, you pass a few suspension bridges on the way. Walking over such bridges will give you an incredible experience with a jaw-dropping view of perennial rivers and the mountains.

Last, before entering the main settlement area, you come across the Dudh Koshi River, one of the highest rivers in the world, in terms of elevation. Finally, you reach a small mountain settlement, Phakding. Although the rural community lies lower than Lukla, it offers some magnificent views of the mountains, peeking at a distance.

The height difference between Phakding and Lukla is only 200 meters. But you will walk across several villages, ascending and descending. So there’s plenty of trekking for the first day.

Trekking from Phakding to Namche Bazaar

On the second day of almost all tours to Everest, you walk from the village of Phakding to Namche Bazaar. The vertical distance between Phakding and Namche is around 7.4 kilometers (4.6 miles). It’s nothing too extraordinary. But the altitude gain makes it more challenging. You gain nearly 1200 meters (4000 feet) of elevation in a single day.

During the first hours of trekking from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, you walk up and down with not much elevation gain. But the last hours of trekking will challenge you as the trail becomes a little steeper.

First, as you begin your day, cross a suspension bridge on the other side of the village of Phakding. Then you pass some resorts and come to the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality ticket checking counter. The Everest permit you issued in Lukla will be checked here.

On the way to Namche, you cross several bridges, walk along the stairs, and pass several small villages, all surrounded by marvelous views of the highest mountains. After a few hours of trekking, you reach the Sagarmatha National Park Permit counter. Here, purchase the national park entrance permit if you haven’t got one in Lukla. Once you pass the station, you will get river views and cross a suspension bridge.

There are several such bridges along the route from Phakding Village to Namche Bazaar. If the weather is good, you also get the first sight of Mount Everest peeking from the trees at a distance from somewhere on the way to Namche.

Along the way, you also walk through the forest after Phakding for almost two hours to reach the permit checking counter before Namche. Here you will have to show the permit you purchased before. Shortly after the permit counter, you reach Namche Bazaar, the vivid Sherpa town.

Phakding Accommodation

There are a few choices of accommodation in Phakding. Most of the teahouses are basic and cost 5 to 10 USD. The rooms have basic facilities with two beds and a table. Attached bathrooms and hot showers are also available depending on the lodging you choose.

The accommodation centers also have several options for meals like Dal Bhat, noodles, Thukpa, and other Nepalese dishes.

Hotels, Lodges, and Tea Houses 

• Buddha Lodge
• Hotel Sherpa
• Trekker’s Lodge & Restaurant
• Shangri-La
• Green Village Guest House
• Royal Sherpa Resort
• Yeti Mountain Home (In Monjo, near Phakding)

FAQ about Phakding Village

Are there any ATMs in Phakding?

No, you won’t find any ATMs in Phakding. ATMs are only available in Lukla and Namche along the Everest Base Camp Trek.

How long is the trek from Lukla to Phakding?

The trek from Lukla to Phakding is a 3-hour-long journey along the 7.5 km long-established trail. Though there’s not much height difference between Lukla and Phakding, we have to walk uphill and downhill continuously. Thus, it takes time.