Monjo is the last village before the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint, where your permits are checked. Found in the Everest Region at about 2,840 m, it lies a short walk below the climb to Namche Bazaar. Some itineraries sleep here to shorten the hard day to Namche, others pass straight through.
Altitude: about 2,840 m. Heights quoted for villages and camps vary by source, so treat this as a guide.
Where Monjo is and why trekkers stop
Monjo stands along the Dudh Kosi between Phakding and Jorsale, and its position at the edge of the park gives it a clear role. Everyone going to Namche Bazaar, Gokyo or Everest Base Camp must pass the checkpoint just beyond. Trekkers stop to have documents checked, to eat lunch or to sleep if they want a shorter climb the next day. Our Lukla to Monjo stage is a short first day for people who prefer to keep the effort low.
What to expect at Monjo
Expect a tidy line of lodges and tea houses, a stone gate and a calm riverside feel. The forest is thick, and the valley narrows so the trail feels enclosed. The park entrance involves a short wait while permits are looked at, so keep them in an easy pocket. Beyond the gate the trail drops to the river and continues across the high suspension bridges. Monjo is quieter than Namche, and in the evening the village mostly belongs to trekkers and their guides.
Altitude and how you may feel
Monjo is higher than Phakding but still moderate, so most people sleep reasonably well here. A mild headache or light breathlessness on slopes can appear as your body adapts. Drink plenty, eat well and walk slowly. The following day climbs a long way to Namche Bazaar, so a good night helps. Altitude illness can strike at any point in the Khumbu, and if symptoms worsen you should descend and tell your guide. Never ignore worsening headache, vomiting or confusion.
Lodging, food and practical tips
Lodges offer simple twin rooms, hot meals and a warm dining room. Typical menus include dal bhat, soup, noodles, eggs and pasta. Carry your passport copies and park permits ready for the checkpoint, and keep them dry. Sleeping in Monjo cuts the climb to Namche Bazaar for the next day, though the hard section still starts early. Time to Namche varies with pace and trail conditions, so start after breakfast and leave plenty of daylight.
Stage guides that pass through Monjo
These day-by-day guides start or end at Monjo, with walking times, ascent and where to sleep.
- Monjo to Deboche trek: stages, altitude and time
- Lukla to Monjo trek: stages, altitude and time
- Monjo to Tengboche trek: stages, altitude and time
- Monjo to Khumjung trek: stages, altitude and time
- Phakding to Monjo trek: altitude, time and route
- Monjo to Namche Bazaar trek: altitude, time and route
Common questions
What happens at the park checkpoint after Monjo?
Staff check your permits at the Sagarmatha National Park entrance just beyond the village. Keep your documents handy, and your guide will help with the paperwork before you continue on the trail.
Should I stay a night in Monjo?
It is a good choice if you want a shorter climb to Namche Bazaar the next day, or if you arrived in Lukla late. Many groups still prefer Phakding for the first night.
How far is Monjo from Namche Bazaar?
Namche is a steady climb above Monjo, crossing the river by high suspension bridge and rising through forest. Time varies with pace and trail conditions, so allow a full morning or afternoon.
