Phortse (3,950m) is a unique Sherpa settlement of about 80 houses. With the aim of adding cultural aspect to the Everest experience, Phortse has been developed as a model ecotourism village in Sagarmatha National Park.

What to do:

Community-run home-stays are available in Phortse for experience of the mountain life. Tea shops and lodges are also available here. Staying at the home-stays as house guests, trying out wholesome Sherpa and Nepali food, and observing the local peoples’ everyday life may provide experience of a lifetime. Cultural shows and Sherpa dances are also performed at the request of tourists.

In the lap of the mountains, this Sherpa village also offers wonderful mountain views and wildlife experience. The village is lush, surrounded by birch and juniper trees that shelter endangered musk deer and different varieties of pheasants. Peacocks, Himalayan Tahr and bear are also spotted around the region every now and then. The very rare snow leopard found in the mountains, has also been reported to be seen here.

Accessibility:

Phortse is about a 4-hour walk north-east from Sagarmatha National Park headquarters. One also has the option of returning via Phortse, while coming down from Everest Base Camp.

There are three options available:

Coming back from Base Camp to Namche via Phortse
Returning to Namche after spending a night at Phortse
Continuing on to the Base Camp Trail via Pagboche and Kala Patthar

Phortse Ecotourism Village is an experience of a lifetime. The only thing you can do after visiting the place is start planning for the next one.