Day 10: Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Due to how unreliable the weather has been here lately we decided to head to Lukla a day early. This would give us an extra day in case of the ever-so-common flight delay or cancellation that occurs here. Not unusual for people to have to chill in Lukla for days on end due to rain and fog. Our flight to Lhasa was on Monday there was no room for error.

The trek to Lukla from Namche is usually a 2 day trip but we decided to get an early start and knock it out in one day. Its much easier than going in the other direction, not technical but makes for a pretty long day. We started out early in a light rain and headed towards the first of many bridges (see above pic). This is the first bridge after the rougly 2 hour descent down from Namche. By the time we got here the rain was tapering off and the sun was poking out, allowing us to stow the rain gear and dry off.

We were making very good time and reached Phakding before noon, and ate at the same teahouse we’d stayed at a week or so before. During the meal we met an interesting Taiwanese guy that had quit his job as a doctor to travel. He was just into month 5 of an 8 month journey and had been working his way east from Istanbul. Guy spent a month each in Iran and Afghanistan. For fun. He was trekking alone and shooting for Everest Base Camp. He didn’t look very prepared for that altitude but was determined. We wished him the best and left him with a few spare Clif bars.

From Phakding we hauled back to Lukla in just over two hours despite lots of yak traffic. If you get caught in a pack of these guys it can be pretty slow going. This photo is actually from the hill above Namche but you get the idea. Just imagine about 12 of these guys loaded with gear walking down a narrow trail.

We met our goal or arriving by 4pm to ensure we had time to change our flight date. The sun was starting to set when we arrived…it was getting dark quickly. By the time we got checked into the lodge (complete with Jurassic Park-sized mosquitos!) it was completely dark. Soon we were tearing into a celebratory meal of carbs and beer with Keypi and our porter.

As we sat eating I noticed the increased numbers of trekkers and climbers…even from only a week or so before. The Russians we met in Khumjung were there, along with Australians, Americans, Italians, Nepalis, Japanese, New Zealanders, one woman from Bhutan, and countless others. Interesting that a tiny little village in one of the most remote locations in the world can become such an international crossroads.

Check the gallery for more pictures.

~ by superwanderlust on November 7, 2007.