The monastery stands at the upper edge of Khumjung among chortens and prayer flags. It is modest: a single prayer hall with butter lamps, murals and statues, used by the village for ceremonies. The yeti scalp is kept in a glass-fronted box, wrapped in silk khata scarves. It is about 20 cm high, shaped like a pointed helmet and covered in coarse reddish-brown hair. A caretaker, often an elderly villager, unlocks the room and explains its history in a few words of English or through your guide.
The scalp became famous in 1960, when Edmund Hillary led the World Book Encyclopedia Scientific Expedition to look for evidence of the yeti. The village lent the scalp to the expedition on condition that a village elder, Khunjo Chumbi, travelled with it, and it was taken to London, Paris and Chicago for examination. Scientists concluded it had been moulded from the skin of a serow, a wild goat-antelope of the Himalaya. In return, Hillary helped fund the village school.
None of that has dented local pride. The scalp is treated as a relic, and many Sherpas keep an open mind about the yeti, known locally as meh-teh. Leave a donation in the box, which supports the monastery, and ask before taking photos; most caretakers allow them. Combine the visit with a look at the school and a cup of tea in the village before walking back to Namche over the ridge.
Good for
- Families
- First-timers
- Groups
- Solo
Questions travellers ask
Is the yeti scalp in Khumjung real?
It is a real object, but not from a yeti. Scientists who examined it during Hillary's 1960 expedition concluded it was made from the hide of a serow, a Himalayan goat-antelope. The village still treats it as a sacred relic, so view it respectfully.
How much does it cost to see the yeti scalp?
There is no fixed ticket. Visitors leave a donation in the monastery box, typically a few hundred rupees per person. The caretaker opens the case when visitors arrive; if the door is locked, ask in the village or at a nearby lodge.
Can I photograph the yeti scalp?
Usually yes, through the glass, but ask the caretaker first. Avoid flash, keep your voice low and do not touch the case. Photography of the main altar and statues may be restricted depending on who is on duty.
