Day 2: After a day in the foothills yesterday, today's hike takes you into the high mountains and to the Sherpa capital; Namche Bazaar.

Statistics

3 - 4

hrs

1,126

m

361

m

16

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Moderate

Description

Continue north on the large path that you followed yesterday, which nows begins to gradually climb through a series of villages.

Upon reaching the settlements of Monjo and Jorsale (which merge into one and are not 2 distinct places) after a couple of hours easy walking, take a break and prepare for your first big ascent of the Everest Base Camp trek - the climb to Namche Bazaar.

Leave the villages behind and gently make your way up alongside the Dudh Kosi river to a high and much- photographed suspension bridge.

Cross this and then follow the wide track as it zig zags up the forested hillside to emerge at the foot of the huge bowl that Namche sits in.

The climb from the suspension bridge to Namche is just under 600 vertical metres and feels tough due the altitude and takes most trekkers around 2 hours.

There is a famous spot 2/3 of the way up from where Mount Everest is clearly visible (known, not very imaginatively as the Everest View) which serves as a good place for a break.

The best way to tackle the climb is set a slow, steady pace and maintain it.

If you get out of breath or go too fast, you will pay for your mistake later when the altitude really kicks in, so take your time and don't rush.

Having arrived in the Namche bowl, find your chosen accommodation and relax.

Many a trip has been ended by trekkers rushing around Namche and trying to do too much too soon, so kick back, read a book and soak in this unique little town without exerting yourself.

A rest day in Namche is vital if you are to cope with the tougher days to come and a good option for stretching your legs on a rest day is to visit the Everest View Hotel, 200 metres higherthan Namche itself, which enjoys a staggering view of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam.

Whatever you do on your rest day, do it slowly and respect the altitude.