Introduction

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute or HMI for short, is a museum and also a training centre for budding mountaineers. The equipments used by the famous duo Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay are on display at the centre including their boots, their torch, their personal items, clothing and mountaineering essentials that they had carried along when scaling Mount Everest, the world's highest peak in 1953. The humble start of the Sherpa is highlighted. Born in the village of Moyey, he was raised in Nepal and was a resident of India for much of his adult life. Tenzing never learnt to read or write, but had an active mind and was fluent in several languages. Known for his daring spirit and competence in trekking, Tenzing Norgay (1914-1986) went to Everest as a high altitude porter on the 1935, 1936 and 1938 Expeditions. In 1952, he was a climbing member of the Swiss expedition's attempt on Everest. The following year with Edmund Hillary, Tenzing completed the same route, thus making the first successful summit ascent. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister and a visionary to commemorate the famous Everest feat and to laud the enthusiasm of the youth opened a mountaineering institute (HMI) in Darjeeling and equipped the institute with a technical expertise that could be imparted to young and keen mountaineers. Today it is one of the foremost mountaineering institutes of the world.

Special Attributes

Pre-eminent mountaineering institute

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Dress in whatever you find comfortable.

Connectivity

Taxi and walking

Enjoyed by

Mountaineering and sports buffs

Exposure

Minimal

Avoidable Season

Open through the year

Facilities

Parking

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction

Tip

Check the equipment of the legendary mountaineers Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay

Type of site

Institute