Nepal

Hike Lukla - Namche Bazar

Start of Everest Trek

Petr Liška
Wrote 2407 articles and follows him / her 241 travelers
Hike Lukla - Namche Bazar
Inserted: 17.02.2014
© gigaplaces.com
They want there:

The walk from Lukla to Namche Bazaar is the warm-up phase of Everest trek leading below three thousand meters above sea level most of the time. It is also the most crowded stage, because nearly everyone must walk this way. Some tourists do not enjoy this walk very much, because they are already looking forward to the outlooks of glaciated mountain giants lying higher and further ahead, but even so it can be interesting. You will cross here long suspension bridges over the river valleys, meet first yaks caravans and observe interesting „foothill“ agricultural Nepali life. Most Itineraries show this stage as a two-day hike with sleeping in Phakding, but it can be managed without any problem in just one day (on the way there and back). You can then devote the time saved to better acclimatization around higher located Namche Bazaar or undertake another side trips.

Nupla

If you set out for the trek to Namche Bazaar soon, Lukla will seem to you extremely silent compared to an afternoon bustle and hustle. On the horizon you will see the ridge of mountains with dominant peak Nupla. At the end of the town turn the prayer wheels for good luck and go down the steep path through the forest.

Nupla
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Suspension bridge

After walking through the woods without any view, the views of another upland plateau full of fields and scattered houses open. There are green slopes around and deep down roar the river of Dudh Khosi, which drains all the water from Khumbu area – as is called the area around Mount Everest.

After a while you will cross the first suspension bridge over the deep side valley. However, look around before you enter to the bridge, whether there is no caravan here. Yaks have here absolute priority not only due to their horns. But you will rather encounter with hybrid cows at lower altitudes – they are more suitable for cargo transportation.

Suspension bridge
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Lumding Danda

On the way through the valley of Dudh Khosi you will be accompanied with the views of black rock of Lumding Danda ridge covering badly accessible and popular Lumding Khola valley with beautiful ice lakes. Before Nurning it is possible to see huge mani stone painted with local writing, around which you will descend to the river (2 550 m asl) flowing from the side valley. From the bridge over the valley there is a nice view of the hardest „trekking“ peak of Kusum Kangru (6 370 m asl). From here you will ascend quite steeply to Nurning, which is an ideal place for a snack.

Lumding Danda
Author: © gigaplaces.com

In front of Phakding and waterfall in To

From Nurning the way continues through the forest without any significant outlooks. Before Phakding you can turn along the bridge over the river to practically not walked path leading to the pass Lumding la (4 516 m asl) and on to the valley Lumding. However, you will probably not yet be acclimated for such heights.

In front of Phakding and waterfall in To
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Phakding

It is usually quite busy in Phakding (2 610 m asl), because organized expeditions dividing the walk from Lukla to Namche into two days sleep here. Farther away before the village Toktok (2 760 m asl) there is quite nice waterfall.

Phakding
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Outlook of Thamserku

Then finally awaits you wonderful outlook of indomitable glacier wall of Thamserku (6 618 m asl). It is the first real Himalayan view on this trek.

Outlook of Thamserku
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Valley of Dudh Khosi

Behind Bengkar (2 630 m asl) you will cross along another huge suspension bridge to the other side of the river. Maybe you will be horrified to see what awaits you today. Fortunately, the building on the horizon far and high on the rocky ridge is hotel Everest View (3 880 m asl) and not part of Namche as one might think.

Valley of Dudh Khosi
Author: © gigaplaces.com

The village of Monjo

Behind the bridge starts another ascent to the village of Monjo (2 835 m asl) surrounded by fields.

The village of Monjo
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Jorsale - entrance to Sagarmatha Nationa

Behind Monje you will lose hardly gathered vertical meters and descend into Jorsale (2 740 m asl), where is the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. It's quite bureaucratic here, but it is at least possible to find out if someone gets lost. There is a need to stick a photo and pay 3000NR (earlier 1000NR, still more expensive). You can lose a lot of time here, if a lot of people wait here as well. Farther in the village itself there is a soldier with a rifle and checks documents and admits no resistance.

Jorsale - entrance to Sagarmatha Nationa
Author: © gigaplaces.com

The bridge at the confluence of Dudh and

The journey then continues in uninteresting on both sides wooded valley without any buildings to the confluence with Bhote Khosi. There is one of the most beautiful suspension bridges on this trek.

The bridge at the confluence of Dudh and
Author: © gigaplaces.com

The highest bridge over Dudh Khosi

You shall be careful for the caravans of yaks during the ascent to the headland at the bridge, because they have difficulties to sidestep.

The highest bridge over Dudh Khosi
Author: © gigaplaces.com

View from the headland to Dudh Koshi val

Behind the bridge follows a renowned purgatory – nearly 600 vertical meters to Namche Bazar. Relatively steep ascent in switchbacks in the slope. This boring part is livened up with only one outlook point from the headland. Much higher there is the „picnic area“.

From the picnic area is the path already gradual. When you finally step out of the forest, Namche is already in sight. Along the way there is another control booth, where they check the tickets to the national park. Just a few hundred meters and finally we are on the edge of Namche Bazar.

View from the headland to Dudh Koshi val
Author: © gigaplaces.com
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