12 MARCH, 2013 – LUKLA FROM WHERE THE TREK COMMENCE

Everest Gokyo Trekking starts today!!

We have entered a completely different world now that we have arrived in Lukla. The start to the morning was early, hectically navigating the dark roads of Kathmandu to be at the airport for 530am for a 615am flight. The flight was in a small Twin Otter plane that held 15 people and required the services of a flight attendant!  Half an hour in duration it was stunning experience with the most spectacular arrival at the Tenzing Hillary airport perched precariously  on the side of a mountain.

Our sole porter, Pasang, met us at the airport and with the strength of Samson grabbed the duffel bag and larger pack and headed off along a cobblestone trail. We have merely carried our own day packs and water.

Our guide, Tendi Sherpa , who is with Mega Adventures took things rather cautiously today for us. We trekked for about 4 hours through some of the most beautiful scenery on our way to Tashi Taki Lodge in Phakding, elevation 2810m. He has been guiding for upwards of 16 years and has a vast knowledge of the region, the country’s many religions and the valley’s way of life. The symbolism of painted stones encountered during the trek are wonderfully explained as are the significance of multi-coloured prayer flag lines.  A brilliant blue sky with verdant green fields below and snow-capped mountains above has been the backdrop to a day filled with the sounds of yak bells and Buddhist chimes. There is no comparison to what we have experienced today on what is only the first of many days to be spent in this incredible area of the world.