Explore the Solukhumbu District of Nepal

Located in the north of Nepal, the Solukhumbu District consists of the sub-regions Solu and Khumbu and is part of the Sagarmatha Zone which includes Khotang District, Saptari District, Okhaldhunga District, Siraha District and Udayapur District. With the Sagarmatha National Park and Mount Everest within its borders, Solukhumbu is world famous for its mountain and adventure tourism. Sagarmatha National Park is listed with UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, with the famous Tengboche Monastery and the legendary Sherpa culture being other highlights of Solukhumbu.

Solukhumbu District overseas more than thirty Village Development Committees (VDC), the purpose of which is to organize village populations at a local level, creating a partnership between the community and government on matters such as service delivery, proper utilization and distribution of state funds, education, basic health, etc.

Namche Bazar is one of Solukhumbu’s VDC and serves as the main trading center for the Khumbu region. Considered to be the gateway to the high Himalayan mountains, Namche Bazar is also an important tourism center where trekkers and mountaineers can acclimatize to the altitude before ascending further. It has a number of lodging options and stores, as well as some internet cafés, being one of the few places in the Sagarmatha Zone with internet access. The Syangboche Airport is located on a hill overlooking the village and is the closest airstrip to Mount Everest, catering for helicopters and small charter aircraft.

The villages of Khumjung and Kunde in the Solukhumbu District are located at the foot of the Khumbila Mountain which is considered to be too sacred to climb as it is believed to be the home of the God of Khumbu, known as Khumbila. The only recorded attempt at climbing Khumbila resulted in the climbers being killed in an avalanche in 1980, reinforcing the belief that the mountain should not be climbed. Legend has it that Khumbila was subdued and converted to Buddhism by the 8th century saint credited with spreading the religion throughout the Himalaya, Guru Rimpoche.

Located in the Khumbu Valley of the Solukhumbu District, the Tengboche Monastery is one of the most sacred places of Buddhism in Nepal and is home to some sixty monks. Mountaineers heading for the Mount Everest base camp are known to stop at the monastery to light a candle to the gods, requesting a safe expedition.