About us

Welcome to Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality

Gateway to Mount Everest, Sagarmatha National Park and the Sherpa homeland

Who we are

Spread across the high Himalaya of Solukhumbu district, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality is home to Mount Everest, Sagarmatha National Park and the Sherpa communities who have lived beneath these peaks for centuries. Formed in 2017 by merging Namche, Khumjung, Chaurikharka and neighbouring villages, the municipality stretches from forested trail-heads near Lukla up to the roof of the world.

From prayer flags fluttering over Namche Bazaar to the sacred halls of Tengboche Monastery, every trail here carries centuries of Buddhist tradition alongside a thriving trekking economy. Our office in Chaurikharka works to protect this fragile mountain environment while welcoming the climbers, trekkers and pilgrims who come to experience it.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality

2017

Established

Wards

1,539 km²

Area

8,848 m

Highest point

Our Mission & Vision

Guiding principles that shape how we protect Sagarmatha National Park and support the Sherpa communities of Khumbu.

Our Mission

To safeguard the fragile Himalayan environment and Sherpa cultural heritage of Khumbu while building a trekking economy that benefits local communities — from teahouse owners in Namche to guides and porters on every route to Everest Base Camp.

Our Vision

To be a model high-altitude municipality where conservation of Sagarmatha National Park, authentic Sherpa culture and responsible mountain tourism grow together for generations to come.

Historical image of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality

Our rich history

Sherpa families migrated into the Khumbu valley from Tibet centuries ago, settling the high pastures around Namche Bazaar, Khumjung and Thame and building their lives around yak herding, trans-Himalayan trade and Buddhist monastic life.

The 1953 first ascent of Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary drew the world's attention to Khumbu, and the creation of Sagarmatha National Park in 1976 — later a UNESCO World Heritage Site — formalised protection of the region's mountains and wildlife.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality was established on 12 March 2017 under Nepal's federal restructuring, uniting Namche, Khumjung, Chaurikharka and neighbouring villages into a single local government for conservation and community-led tourism.

What makes us special

What makes the roof of the world worth visiting

Sagarmatha National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site sheltering snow leopards, Himalayan tahr and red pandas beneath Mount Everest.

Sherpa Heritage

Home to the Sherpa people, whose Buddhist faith, mountaineering skill and hospitality define life in Khumbu.

Sacred Monasteries

Tengboche and other centuries-old gumbas host prayer ceremonies and the annual Mani Rimdu festival.

Gateway to Everest

Reached via Lukla's Tenzing–Hillary Airport, the starting point for treks to Everest Base Camp.

Meet Our Team

The dedicated team working to protect Sagarmatha National Park and support Khumbu's Sherpa communities.

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