Since time immemorial, the Everest base camp trek and Sherpa’s have been the two faces of the same coin. Although there are quite a few Sherpa villages lapped in distinct areas while making it to the Everest Base Camp. However the traditional Sherpa Village of Thame is an iconic gem of a place. Astonishingly for such a small village that is isolated and doesn’t see many trekkers, Thame holds a particularly rich and great history. It is most notably home to many famous climbing Sherpas including Kami Rita Sherpa, who set a new record for the most visits to the peak of Everest in May of 2018 with 22 ascents. The stalwarts Apa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi Sherpa, also hail from Thame, who hold an undisputed record then by making it to the summit for 21 times. Besides that the other famous figure from Thame includes the Tibetan Buddhist scholar and philanthropist Lama Zopa Rinpoche who founded the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) with Lama Thubten Yeshe.
Thame has the privilege and honor of holding one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region, which is known for its annual Mani Rimdu festival. Thame is a multifaceted gem of a place not to be found anywhere else in the world. It is a village of resilience, beauty, spirituality and strength, and it is an experience that is not to be missed, and cherished for a lifetime.
