The Jiri Valley, known as Nepal’s Switzerland and the Gateway to Everest, is a small beautiful village that is expected to be declared a municipality with an aim to encourage domestic tourism. This seven-day route to Everest base camp from Jiri, situated 183 km north-east of Kathmandu, became the most preferred approach for climbers closing in on the world´s highest mountain (Mount Everest).

Jiri lies at an elevation of 1,905 meters (6,250 feet) and is the eastern-most terminus of the Araniko highway coming from Kathmandu. There is a local bus service available from Kathmandu (Old Buspark) that takes 184 km ride takes 6 to 8 hours due to narrow, winding roads and checkpoints along the high-way (until 2006). A company of the Nepal Army is stationed in this village and visitors’ equipment and backpacks might be searched. There are a number of lodges available along either side of the main road mainly in Jiri Bazaar.

As the closest road head, Jiri is the trailhead also referred to be as the “Classical route to Everest” for many treks into the Mount Everest region. All the trekkers passed through this trail including the Tenzing Norway Sherpa and Edmund Hillary. Jiri is regarded to be the home of the ethnic people regarding the Jirels and Sherpas.

Jirels:
Jirels are known as to be the original habitats and their neighbor village of Dolakha. Jirels people have their own languages, cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. Where their religious identity is Buddha Religion and their priest is known as to be “Lamas”.

Sherpas:
Sherpas are known to be original habitats of the mountainous region in Nepal and Himalayas. They are probably one who has profounded the trails to the Mountainous region. They have their own language, cultures, and tradition. Most probably Sherpas lies in the eastern regions of Nepal, Solakhumbhu, Taplejung, some live at Western part Helambu, Rolwaling Valley, Tengboche and so on.

Jiri Market:
Jiri has one of the slogans of “Clean Jiri, Green Jiri, and Organic Jiri, the local people of Jiri is making efforts to attract internal and external tourists to increase the economy rate”. After the disaster Earthquake in 2015, the reconstruction of the village has become the primary effort in developing the Jiri Municipality. To promote the tourism industry the municipality has already invested money to develop parks at the top of the hills and improve the conditions of other important monasteries in our areas,” said Mayor Tanka Jirels. The new Hotels building is being constructed and Jiri Hospital is improving the conditions and reconstructed.

Source: www.speedynepal.com