How To Interact Respectfully with Your Guide and Porter
Namche Bazaar, the bustling heart of the Khumbu valley, is full of colourful Sherpa homes, and all along a hillside, it sits in an impressive natural amphitheatre dominated by the peaks surrounding it. An essential rest stop for the trekkers who are in a hurry to reach Everest Base Camp Trekking, an acclimatization stop more than anything, and a place to replenish with new supplies before heading off again. But this is actually one of the great places for a discerning visitor to shop. If you walk up through the first part of it from Middle Simtokha to Phajodi, there are a couple of really windy stone paths in lanes as well, where you will find lots of tores selling western trekking gear and traditional Tibetan bits. But no matter how many millions of dollars and inventions are at play, to have gotten here so nimbly (and publicly) has bought a level of respect. That stands in sharp contrast to the usual tourist bureau edict. It will also be money well spent for you to learn how to barter and socialize with locals in Namche Bazaar on your Everest base camp trek, making sure that you get a good deal that is value for money and cultural all in one.
The Market in Action: The Particular Economy of Namche
It is also good to know how life and economics are in Namche Bazar, so that you have an idea of your ground before initiating negotiations. Everything in the town, from gardening supplies to down jackets, is brought up from the lower valleys or flown into Lukla and carried up by porters or yaks. It’s a logistical feat that might drop one’s jaw, and so yes, the prices are going to be more than in Thamel in Kathmandu, too. A savvy purchaser is aware of this and bears it in mind. You’re not just buying something; you’re also subsidizing the massive effort it took to get it here. An Everest Base Camp trek cost for the tour that also generally has a night in Namche and a stop to take on souvenirs at this oddest of markets.
The first rule of the Haggling Rules: Always be polite and reasonable
In Nepal, you never haggle with somebody; you haggle with somebody. The result has to be a fair, just price, but one that is reasonable for both parties. No good buyer negotiates with aggressive/disrespectful behaviour.
It begins with a smile: Smile from the heart and tell everyone you meet, “Namaste.” With the shop-keeper must always be kept up a good understanding, to get what one requires. Start with the price: Never offer first. Ask the shopkeeper, “How much?” or “What is the price?” That way, you can see where they are coming from. Counter with a counter offer: You want to build in some extra leverage for yourself, so giving a range as your counter of 20-30% less than the list price is good. Not ever an offer that’s too low to insult. The store owners aren’t trying to fuck you; they need to eat. Be ready to walk: If you cannot see eye-to-eye on price, the only signal that this deal won’t be your last is a firm handshake and “thank you.” It indicates you’re not dying to purchase — or, at least, that the jewelry and shopkeeper don’t seem eager to sell — and if he’s comfortable with your price, the jeweler will call you back.
The Everest base camp trek is a lesson in patience and humility, which does not exclude bargaining.
What to Buy, and Where to Buy It
There’s a lot of shit they have you sorted in Namche Bazaar, and avoiding it will help to keep your pockets fat.
Trek Gear: There are several well-stocked trek gear shops in Namch, some have real stuff and knock-offs. And if you’re in the market for an extra pair of gloves or a counterfeit wool hat, these are also the best places to haggle. It’s better to get some of the main clothing items, e.g., Down jackets, Trekking Boots, etc, from a reputable dealer in your home Country or here on KTM. Local Handicrafts Namche Bazaar shopping: There’s a chance to buy some true gem-type souvenir from the ‘Land of Sherpa’, that is Namche Bazaar. “It’s all beautiful — very handmade, there are things you cannot live without in life.” Prayer wheels and Tibetan masks to sort through, scarf-soft hand-woven blankets. They are typically created by local craftsmen and are a fantastic souvenir of your trip. Cashmere and Pashmina – lots of blends: Namche is better than Kathmandu for getting a Pashmina Shawl (Most now are blends, so be cautious). The Pashmina is very soft and warm. Talk it over with the store owner, and get your hands on some of the material. Local Grow: There is a small but energized local market in Namche that has everything a foodie would crave to purchase, from fresh vegetables and fruit to pastries. You can buy trail snacks here.
The cost to climb to Everest Base Camp does not typically include souvenirs, so make sure you have some of your budget left for a few special keepsakes.
After The Sale: It’s About the One-on-One Connection
Namche Bazaar is less of a shopping joy and more of stumbling upon a chat you get to have with some locals.
Ask the storekeeper what you want to purchase. Where did it come from? How was it made? That’s truly getting away from it all, and a deep respect for their culture and craft; they’ll be much more likely to join you if you’re not puffing up with arrogance.” TELL A STORY The shopkeepers often are themselves Sherpa, as curious about us as we are about them. Tell us a story about walking, your home country, or the life that’s slipping through your fingers. The money you spent on the purchase is almost going to the families living, which was responsible tourism.
James Trefil, The Genius of Exchange.
They are not shopping at Namche Bazaar; they are exchanging. It’s an etiquette class, a dance in civility. You are reaping the justice of the Khumbu Valley, which is like a consumer who will haggle but who also knows what something is worth, and what labor that work represents. The trip stick was a couple of rupees that you had to break, and it is the least you will ever have to pay for these out-of-the-world, life-changing moments. An EBC trek souvenir. The best souvenirs of a 770-mile/1230km return trip are not the ones you buy, it’s meeting the people and entering, both literally but also emotionally profoundly, into a culture who have facilitated this walk, making the tiny trekker’s world spin around for your pleasure.