Day 2.
Up at 7am on the morning of Day 2. A few Yakow's heading back down through the village to pick up another load.
Hot chocolate to warm myself up
.
And scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast.
Trekking through the valley with Kongde Ri peak in the background. A big trekking day today, rising from 2,450 metres in Phakding and finishing up at Namche Bazar at 3,440 meters, with ~ 7 hours on our feet.
Stopping mid-morning for a cup of tea and a break in the village of Benkar.
A convoy of donkey's hauling gas tanks across the river. Donkeys, yakows and porters had right of way, so we had to double back and let them through
.
Whistling.
Me at the Sagarmatha gate.
Descending into Sagarmatha with a beautiful waterfall falling down the mountain.
At Sagarmatha where we stopped for lunch before the 3 hour hike up to Namche.
Chicken pizza for lunch to fuel me for the long uphill hike to come
.
Horses.
Empty load.
Old Larche Dibhan Bridge.
After a 2 hour hard slog up the hill we made it to the top!
After a bit more trekking we finally made it to Namche Bazar at about 4pm. Elevation of 3,440 metres so the air was quite thin.
The main village stupa.
The bells the donkeys and yakow wear to warn you of approaching convoys
.
We checked into our lodge, and I got a corner room overlooking the village.
And the view below.
After having a shower, I went out to explore the village.
Cowlick.
Farmer.
Football.
I stopped at this souvenir shop and couldn't resist and bought my own yakow bell to take home to remind me of the trip
.
Green & blue.
Shoe shop.
Caught up with everyone in the evening and had beef steak and noodles for dinner, before heading to bed early after a long and interesting day.
Day 3.
Woke up a few times in the night gasping for air with the 3,440 metre altitude, which was quite weird. Still managed to get a decent sleep though.
The amazing view from my (other) window in the morning, with Kongde Ri peak in the background.
Tibetan bread and eggs for breakfast to prepare for the hike up to 3,840 metres to see Everest.
Just after 7am, we headed up to the Namche markets and had a look around. As it was quite early, only a few people were about.
We then trekked up to a hill above Namche. Luckily the weather gods were looking after us and we got an almost cloudless view of Everest! (peak near the top middle).
The plan was to then visit the Everest museum and then trek up to the Everest View Hotel at 3,840 metres to get a better view of Everest. I was anxious that the clouds would start coming in and obscure Everest and didn't want to miss the view. So I asked my guide that I would skip the museum and trek up by myself to the Everest lookout and meet up later with everyone there.
Trekking up the hill.
Looking back at Kongde Ri peak on the way up.
A helicopter dropping off some passengers at the now-derelict Syangboche airstrip.
Khumjung village in the valley behind the tree's.
The path to Everest (second peak from left).
My 'selfie' at the lookout with Everest (third peak from left, by the clouds). As I was early, there was no other guests there but managed to prop my camera on a ledge for this photo.
The village of Phortse Gaon (3,810 metres) middle left, with the summit of Everest peaking out from the clouds at 1 o'clock. Phortse Gaon is where the trekkers going on to Everest base camp stay after Namche to acclimatise to the altitude.
I then grabbed some Masala tea and enjoyed the amazing view.
The rest of the team arrived about 45 minutes later, and we grabbed this group photo at 3,840 metres
.
Other trekkers enjoying thre breathtaking view of the 'top of the world'.
With the clouds coming in, we had to make do with the picture on the local brew instead
.
After enjoying our morning at the Everest lookout, we then started the journey back down t Namche. The peak of Kangtega in the background.
After racing up the mountain in the morning, I took a more leisurely walk back down and admired the local flora.
Looking down over Namche.
Colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
After packing up our packs at the lodge, we grabbed some lunch. Chilli chicken and fries.
We then said farewell to Namche and started the trek back down the valley.
Washing day.
Yakow's lumbering up the hill.
Porters taking a break at the checkpoint. They were pretty amazing with how much they would haul up on their backs, literally strapping 2-3 of the tourists packs together, and hauling them up the mountain barely panting.
Another Yakow convoy starting the ascent.
Coming down the mountain.
By the river. Much easier going downhill!!
Another picturesque waterfall.
As we descended back down into the valley, we were back among the villages again.
Making hay.
We made it to our lodge in Benkar at about 5pm.
And the picturesque view from my window.
Our dinner underway at about 6pm in the lodge kitchen.
I ordered fried meat momo, and got to see them being made and cooked.
And they tasted as good as they looked!
Our porters for the trip who hauled our 5 packs up and down the mountains, Sharan and Rajendra.
