30 APRIL 2013 - REST AND HIKING DAY

Day 3 on our EBC quest was acclimatization day. The previous evening having arrived in Namche at the height of 3440 meters, it was important for us to be comfortable and be well adjusted to the altitude. It turned out to be much more than that! We got our first view of Mount Everest ! It was overwhelming to say the least.

Group pictures on hiking day

The beautiful morning made sure that quite a few of us got up early to take pictures, go to the local Namche coffee shop or just sit in the Tea house staring out of the windows reading while sipping on invigorating ginger tea. Words would not be enough to describe the feeling that the enormity of the mountains arouse in you.

Walking uphill

We started late in the morning. Late today means at the breakfast table by 8am. After breakfast, part of the acclimatizing routine was a “small” acclimatization “walk”! Well, it ended up being a 5 hour trek all the way to a beautiful hotel called Everest View which blessed a few of us with a breathtaking view of Jomo Lungma (Everest) and all the neighboring “bad boys” – as Sam puts it aptly. Some chose Everest Beer; while some of us chose the comfort of hot chocolate at this wonderful place high up in the cloud at 3880 meters. On the way up, we saw a tiny airstrip at 13000 ft, the highest airstrip in Nepal and still functioning! We descended back down and quickly made our way back to the sumptuous lunch and comfort of our resort. Post which, most of us went down to explore this tiny town and its nooks and corners. Almost all of us ended up getting a taste of the fabulous patisseries in the Namche Bazaar. The day ended on an especially sweet note as we celebrated Neha’s birthday with a lot of cheer and a delicious cake baked by Aunty. All in all, an amazing day with our first view of Everest and amazing food in this tiny little town!

30th Birthday celebration of Neha at Namche Khumu Resort

Huge Prayer Wheel with mountain on background

Group having rest in Syangboche

Namche aerial view