The active hub of the Khumbu valley, Namche Bazaar, is a Sherpa town set on a hillside and placed in an awesome natural amphitheatre of surrounding peaks. A crucial rest point for trekkers en route to the Everest Base Camp Trek, a resting place to allow the body time to acclimatize and re-supply before the final push to higher altitudes. But this is really one of the great places for a well-informed visitor to shop. Some very windy streets in lanes have a great selection of stores selling western trekking gear and traditional Tibetan stuff. However much money and inventing is involved, finding your way here with such apparent agility assuredly has a ) level of respect that is completely at odds with the usual tourist bureau directive. It will also pay for you to know how to haggle and mingle with the locals of Namche Bazaar when on your Everest base camp trek, ensuring that you get a good deal, representing both value for money and cross-cultural experience in one.
The Market at Work: The Special Economy of Namche
It is also a good idea to have an understanding of life and the economy in Namche Bazar before you begin any negotiation. Everything in the town, from gardening supplies to down jackets, is hauled up from the lower valleys or flown into Lukla and carried up by porters or yaks. It’s a jaw-dropping logistical feat, and so, yes-loves-spare-no-expense prices are going to be higher than those in Kathmandu’s Thamel district, as well. A cunning buyer knows about it and keeps it in mind. You’re not merely purchasing something; you’re contributing to the vast effort invested in bringing it here. A trek to Everest Base Camp costs for a tour, also normally includes one night in Namche, and an opportunity to do some purchasing at this most peculiar market.
The First Rule of Haggling: Be polite and reasonable
In Nepal, you never haggle with anyone; you haggle with someone. The outcome must be a just price, but one that is acceptable to both sides. All good shoppers don’t walk into a negotiation with aggressive/disrespectful behaviour.
It starts with a smile: Smile in earnest and say “Namaste” to everyone you see. A sound friendship with the shopkeeper is a prerequisite to obtaining what one wants. Begin with the price: Never make an offer first. Ask the shopkeeper, “How much?” or “What is the price?” That way, you can understand where they are coming from. Counter with a counter-offer: You should give yourself a little wiggle room and provide a range for your counter of 20-30% less than the list price, and go from there. Not ever a bid that is too low to offend. The store proprietors aren’t trying to fuck you – they have to eat. Be willing to walk: If you can’t agree on price, the only way forward is to politely say “thank you” and walk away with a smile. It signals that you aren’t desperate to buy — or, at least, that the jewelry and shopkeeper don’t appear desperate to sell — and if he feels comfortable with your price, the shopkeeper may give you a call back. The Everest base camp Cost is a course in being patient and humble, which doesn’t exempt bargaining.
What to Buy, and Where to Buy It
There’s a ton of shit they’ve got kicking around Namche Bazaar, and avoiding it will help to keep your pockets flush.
Trek Ge: There are well-equipped trek gear stores in Namche, many of which have actual and knock-off gear. If you’re in search of an additional pair of gloves or a knockoff wool hat, these are also the best places to make a deal. It’s best to purchase from a reputable dealer in your home country or in Kathmandu for some of your main clothing items, such as down jackets and trekking boots. Local Handicrafts Namche Bazaar shopping: Here is an opportunity to gather some real gems of souvenirs from Namche Bazaar. “It’s all beautiful — very handmade, there are things you absolutely have to have in life.” There are prayer wheels and Tibetan masks to rifle through, as well as hand-woven blankets. They are usually made by local artisans and make an excellent keepsake of your trip. Cashmere and Pashmina—including many blends: Namche is better than Kathmandu to buy a Pashmina shawl (Most now are blends, be wary). The actual Pashmina itself is very soft and warm. Discuss it with the store owner and feel the material yourself. Local Grow: Namche has a small, yet vibrant local marketplace that has everything a foodie would want to buy, including fresh vegetables and pastries. You can pick up snacks for the trail here.
The Costclimb to Everest Base Camp doesn’t usually include souvenirs, so plan on setting aside some money for a few special mementos.
After The Sale: It’s All About the One-on-One Connection
The pleasure of shopping in Namche Bazaar is not the price you end up paying, but a chat you get to have with local people.
Question: Inquire of the storekeeper for the article you desire to buy. Where did it come from? How was it made? That’s getting away from it all, and developing a true respect for their culture and craft; they’ll be far more likely to join you if your haughty airs are nowhere to be found.” TELL A STORY The shopkeepers, in many cases, are themselves Sherpa people and as interested in us as we are in them. Share with us a tale about walking, your home country, or the life you’re losing. It turns a normal sale into an experience. Shop Local: Encourage local businesses and markets. Your purchase directly contributes to the living of their families and community, which is responsible tourism.
James Trefil, The Genius of Exchange.”
It is not shopping at Namche Bazaar, it is trading. It’s an etiquette lesson, a dance in civility. You are doing justice to the spirit of the Khumbu Valley, being a consumer who knows how to haggle but also what something’s worth, and how much labor this work represents. The few rupees for a trip stick that you had to break is the lowest price you’ll ever have to pay for these out-of-the-world, life-altering moments. An EBC trek souvenir. The best souvenirs from a 770-mile/1230km round trip are not the ones you buy; it’s meeting the people and entering, both literally but also emotionally deeply into a culture that has supported this walk of pleasure, making the tiny trekker’s world spin around for your convenience.
