(Picture: Reading the map enroute to Namche)

On our last day in Kathmandu, we woke up bright and early at 4am to catch the first domestic flight to Lukla (2820m). The plane landed us on the highest and shortest runway in the world and once we got off the aircraft, we wolfed down our breakfasts, strapped on our backpacks and began the 5-hour trek in to Chumoa.

Acclimazation hike towards Everest View Hotel

We rested for the night at Chumoa and set off the following day for Namche, where we are now. The trek to Namche began on mostly flat terrain along the riverbed and also across several suspension bridges. However, once we’re near Namche, the uphill terrain began. Up and up we went for close to 1.5hours before we reached our campsite which is situated at the top of Namche, at 3450m. The moment we stepped into our dining area, it started snowing!

Snow fell on us an hour later

We’re staying one more day at Namche, so that our bodies can get used to the increase in altitude. It’s important to stay active at altitude so that our bodies produce more red blood cells to cope with the less amount of oxygen in the air we breathe. So today, we went on an acclimatization hike up towards Everest View Hotel. The weather wasn’t so kind to us today, it started snowing heavily 10mins after we set off, and the snow didn’t let up all through the journey. An hour into the hike, we were at an altitude of 3677m before we decided to return to our campsite.

We’re headed for Deboche (3770m) tomorrow where we’ll spend another day for an acclimatization hike. Hope to update you more then!