Hillary School, Khumjung: Complete History & Travel Guide

Introduction: The Most Important Building in the Khumbu

Many people picture Sir Edmund Hillary on the summit of Everest. Ask a Sherpa family in the Khumbu what he meant to them, and many will point to a school instead. Khumjung School, widely known as Hillary School, was the first school in the Everest region. It opened in 1961 and has educated generations of guides, lodge owners, teachers and community leaders.

The school stands in Khumjung, a large Sherpa village at about 3,790 m, a short walk from the viewpoint of Syangboche and the Everest View Hotel. For trekkers, a visit here is one of the most meaningful stops on the trail. This guide explains the history of the school, what you can see today, how to visit respectfully, how to get there, and how to include it on a trek with Nepal Trip Services.

Hillary School at a Glance

Detail	Information
Official name	Khumjung Secondary School (commonly called Hillary School)
Location	Khumjung village, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, Solukhumbu, inside Sagarmatha National Park
Altitude	About 3,790 m (some sources give 3,780 m)
Opened	Mid-June 1961
Founder	Sir Edmund Hillary, with the Himalayan Trust
Why it matters	The first school in the Khumbu region
Today	Pre-school, primary and secondary classes, with student numbers reported from about 300 to more than 350
Visitor attraction	Sir Edmund Hillary Visitor Centre, in the original 1961 aluminium classroom
Visitor Centre hours	9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (confirm locally)
Typical visit time	About 1 to 2 hours, including the village
Best for	History lovers, families, culture seekers and Everest View Trek travelers

The History of Hillary School

A Request from the Sherpas

After the 1953 Everest climb, Hillary kept returning to the Khumbu. In 1960, local Sherpas asked him to build a school for their children, which led to the first classroom opening in 1961. According to the Himalayan Trust's account, Urkien, a Khumjung local, was among those who asked for a school in his village.

Built in a Week

Getting a school to Khumjung was a logistics challenge, because there were no roads. Wikipedia's account of the Himalayan Trust says the first school was built by Wally Romanes in about a week from prefabricated aluminium sections that were flown into Mingbo and carried down to Khumjung. It opened in mid-June 1961 and was the Trust's first major project.

Finding Teachers

Qualified teachers were not available locally. One account says Hillary had to look for teachers in the Sherpa communities of Darjeeling, India, because few people in the area could read Nepali or English at the time.

Growth and Impact

The school began with two classrooms and has expanded into a larger campus covering pre-school, primary and secondary levels, with more than 350 students reported in a recent trekker's account (earlier figures were around 300). A very large share of the guides, lodge owners and professionals working in the valley today were educated at Khumjung or taught by someone who was. Hillary's later requests led to schools in Pangboche and Thame, and the Himalayan Trust continues to support schools in Solukhumbu with teacher training and scholarships.

From Classroom to Visitor Centre

In 2023, the original two-room aluminium classroom was converted into the Sir Edmund Hillary Visitor Centre. The Himalayan Trust Nepal describes April 2023 as the transformation date, while another source gives May 2023, so treat the exact month as approximate. The centre preserves Hillary's legacy and generates income for the school.

The Sir Edmund Hillary Visitor Centre

The visitor centre sits within Khumjung Secondary School, in the building Hillary originally put up in 1961. A recent trekking account says it tells the story of Hillary's relationship with Khumjung and the 1953 climb, and describes a 3D model of the climbing route, school records and historic photos. Budget roughly 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Practical points:

• Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, according to the Himalayan Trust Nepal.
• Entry: A suggested contribution is requested rather than a fixed ticket price, according to one trek guide. Carry small cash in Nepali rupees.
• Purpose: Income from the centre supports Khumjung School, so your donation has a direct local benefit.
• Contact: The centre lists a mobile number and email on the Himalayan Trust Nepal website. Hours and access can change, so ask your guide to confirm.

Visiting the School Respectfully

Hillary School is a working school with children in it, not a tourist attraction. One experienced trekking guide advises that visitors should look at the school from outside unless they have been specifically invited. Follow these guidelines:

Do	Don't
Ask your guide before entering any school grounds	Walk into classrooms uninvited
Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Visitor Centre, which is set up for visitors	Take photos of children without permission
Make a donation at the visitor centre or through the Himalayan Trust	Hand out sweets, pens or money to children
Speak softly and keep groups small	Block paths or play areas
Thank teachers and staff if you meet them	Ask to take students for photos or videos

If you want to give something, the best option is a donation through the visitor centre, the school management or the Himalayan Trust, so it reaches the whole school fairly.

What Else to See in Khumjung

• Khumjung monastery: The village gompa displays a relic said to be a "yeti scalp." A small donation is usually requested for entry.
• Khumbila: The sacred peak above the village, considered the protector deity of the Khumbu.
• Khunde: The neighboring village, home to the hospital that Hillary's team built.
• Everest panorama: Views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku from the ridge above. See the Everest View Hotel page for more.
• Sherpa village life: Stone walls, green-roofed houses, potato fields and quiet lanes. Read more on our Khumjung page.

How to Get to Hillary School

Route	Approx. Time	Notes
Namche Bazaar to Khumjung (via Syangboche)	About 2.5 to 4 hours	Steep first section, then a gentle trail. Often done on the acclimatization day.
Everest View Hotel to Khumjung	About 45 to 60 minutes	Easy, mostly downhill trail
Khumjung back to Namche	About 1 to 1.5 hours	Downhill, hard on the knees
By helicopter	Not recommended for first visits	Landing at Syangboche, then a walk. Skips acclimatization.

Because Khumjung sits at about 3,790 m, spend a full day in Namche Bazaar before visiting.

The Everest View Trek: Visit Hillary School in 7 Days

The 7-day Everest View Trek is the easiest way to include Khumjung. On Day 4, your acclimatization day, you hike from Namche Bazaar to the Everest View Hotel, then continue to Khumjung before returning to Namche to sleep.

Day	Route	Altitude
1	Arrive Kathmandu	1,400 m
2	Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding	2,610 m
3	Phakding to Namche, crossing the Hillary Suspension Bridge	3,440 m
4	Acclimatization hike to the Everest View Hotel and Khumjung	3,440 m (sleep)
5	Namche to Lukla	2,827 m
6	Fly to Kathmandu	1,400 m
7	Departure

The trek is listed from US$870 per person, with group pricing of US$900 for 1 person, US$870 for 2, US$850 for 3 to 6 and US$830 for 7 to 10.

Other Treks That Pass Khumjung

Trek	Duration	Difficulty	Price (from)
Everest View Trek	7 days	Easy to moderate	US$870
Gokyo Lakes Trek	12 days	Moderate	US$1,340
Classic Everest Base Camp Trek	14 days	Moderate	US$1,350
Everest Three High Passes Trek	19 days	Strenuous	US$1,500

Prices are listed starting prices and can change. Compare every route on the Everest Region Treks page, or design your own with the Trip Planner.

Best Time to Visit

Season	Months	What to expect
Autumn	September to November	Clear skies and stable weather. Best overall.
Spring	March to May	Mild days and flowering rhododendrons on lower trails
Winter	December to February	Cold, quiet and often clear. Schools may be on a winter break, so classes may not be running.
Monsoon	June to August	Rain, cloud and flight delays

See also our guides to spring trekking in Nepal and autumn trekking in Nepal.

Altitude Tips for Khumjung

At about 3,790 m, altitude symptoms are possible. Rest a full day in Namche first, walk slowly, drink 3 to 4 liters of water, avoid alcohol and tell your guide about headache, nausea or unusual tiredness. Use the "climb high, sleep low" principle by returning to Namche for the night.

How to Support the School Responsibly

• Donate at the visitor centre, where income goes to Khumjung School.
• Support the Himalayan Trust, which continues to fund teacher training and scholarships.
• Buy local: Eat at family-run teahouses and buy crafts from village shops.
• Skip handouts: Avoid giving sweets, pens or cash directly to children. It can encourage begging and undermines teachers.
• Hire fairly: Choose a licensed operator that pays guides and porters properly.

Hillary School, Khumjung: FAQs

1. What is Hillary School in Khumjung?

Hillary School is the popular name for Khumjung Secondary School, the first school built in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It sits in the Sherpa village of Khumjung at about 3,790 m and was established by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Himalayan Trust. It opened in 1961 with two classrooms and has grown into a school with pre-school, primary and secondary classes. Many local guides, lodge owners and professionals trace their education to this school.

2. When and why was Hillary School built?

In 1960, local Sherpas asked Hillary to build a school for their children, and the first classroom opened in mid-June 1961. Hillary felt a debt to the Sherpa communities who had supported his expeditions, and education was the first thing they asked for. It became the first major project of the Himalayan Trust and the start of a long program of schools, clinics and other projects in the Khumbu.

3. Who built Hillary School?

Hillary raised the funds and led the project through the Himalayan Trust. According to one account, the building itself was put up by Wally Romanes in about a week, using prefabricated aluminium sections that were flown to Mingbo and carried down to Khumjung. Local Sherpas provided labor and support, and teachers were recruited, in part, from Sherpa communities in Darjeeling.

4. How many students attend Hillary School, and what grades does it teach?

Figures vary by source and year. A recent trekker's account reports more than 350 students, while an older report listed around 314, with pre-school, primary and secondary classes. Local students study through the upper secondary levels. Treat any single number as approximate, since enrollment changes each year.

5. Can tourists visit Hillary School?

You can see the school and the surrounding campus, but it is a working school, not an attraction. One trekking guide advises looking from outside unless you have been specifically invited. The best way to engage is through the Sir Edmund Hillary Visitor Centre, which is set up for visitors. Always ask your guide first, keep voices low and do not photograph children without permission.

6. What is the Sir Edmund Hillary Visitor Centre?

It is a small museum inside Khumjung Secondary School, housed in the original two-room aluminium classroom Hillary built in 1961. It was converted into a visitor centre in 2023, reported as April or May. It tells the story of Hillary's work with the community and the 1953 Everest climb, and it raises income for the school. The Himalayan Trust Nepal lists opening hours as 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Plan on 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

7. Is there an entry fee or a special permit for Khumjung?

There is no separate Khumjung permit. The village lies inside Sagarmatha National Park, so the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit you already hold cover you. The monastery usually asks for a small donation, and the Hillary Visitor Centre has a suggested contribution rather than a fixed price. Carry small notes in Nepali rupees. Our Everest View Trek package includes both permits.

8. How do I get from Namche Bazaar to Khumjung?

Most trekkers walk. The route climbs steeply from Namche to the Syangboche ridge, then continues past the Everest View Hotel and descends gently to Khumjung. Allow about 2.5 to 4 hours one way, depending on stops and fitness. Return to Namche takes about 1 to 1.5 hours downhill. Start early for the clearest views, carry water and use trekking poles for the descent.

9. Can I visit Hillary School on the Everest View Trek?

Yes. On Day 4 of the 7-day Everest View Trek, you hike from Namche to the Everest View Hotel and continue to Khumjung before returning to Namche to sleep. This follows the "climb high, sleep low" rule and gives you time to see the village, the visitor centre and the monastery. It is the easiest way to include Khumjung in a short trip.

10. What else is there to see in Khumjung?

Besides the school, you can visit the Khumjung monastery, which displays a relic said to be a "yeti scalp," and see the sacred peak Khumbila above the village. Nearby Khunde has the hospital Hillary's team built. The ridge offers Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku views, and quiet lanes with stone walls and potato fields show everyday Sherpa life. See our Khumjung page for more.

11. Is there a risk of altitude sickness in Khumjung?

Yes, a mild one. Khumjung sits at about 3,790 m, higher than Namche (3,440 m). Spend a full day in Namche before going up, walk slowly, drink 3 to 4 liters of water, avoid alcohol and tell your guide about any headache, nausea or dizziness. Return to Namche to sleep. The Everest View Trek includes a pulse oximeter and first-aid kit carried by your guide.

12. When is the best time to visit Hillary School?

September to November and March to May are the best months, with clear skies and stable weather. Winter is possible but cold, and schools in high Khumbu villages may be on a winter break, so classes may not be in session. The monsoon (June to August) brings rain and cloud. Ask your guide about the school calendar if seeing students in class matters to you.

13. How can I support Hillary School responsibly?

Make a donation at the Sir Edmund Hillary Visitor Centre, where income goes to the school, or support the Himalayan Trust, which funds teacher training and scholarships. Buy meals and crafts locally and hire a licensed operator that treats staff fairly. Avoid handing out sweets, pens or cash to children, because it can encourage begging and undermines teachers. A donation through official channels reaches the whole school fairly.

14. Can I combine Hillary School with the Everest View Hotel and Syangboche?

Yes. They form a natural loop on the acclimatization day from Namche: climb to the Syangboche ridge, take tea at the Everest View Hotel, walk on to Khumjung and return to Namche. The loop takes about 4 to 6 hours, depending on how long you spend at each stop. Start early so you have clear mountain views and time for the visitor centre.

15. Which trek is best for visiting Hillary School, and how much does it cost?

The 7-day Everest View Trek, from US$870 per person, is the quickest and easiest way. If you have more time, Khumjung also fits on the Gokyo Lakes Trek (12 days, from US$1,340), the Classic Everest Base Camp Trek (14 days, from US$1,350) and the Everest Three High Passes Trek (19 days, from US$1,500). Prices can change, so request a written quote.

Final Thoughts

Hillary School is a reminder that the story of Everest is about more than a summit. Two aluminium classrooms carried into the Khumbu in 1961 grew into a school that has shaped the lives of thousands of people, and a visit lets you see that impact first hand. Take your time, ask before you enter, leave a donation and talk to the people who live here.

Ready to visit? Explore the Everest View Trek, browse all Everest Region Treks, or message Nepal Trip Services on WhatsApp at +977-9828696557 or by email at info@nepaltripservices.com to plan your journey.