April 2nd, 2009
Namche Bazaar (11,280 ft – Acclimatization hikes)
This was my third time in Namche, this town is starting to feel like home’ now. Namche Bazaar, a busy sherpa town located in the middle of the Himalaya, with narrow streets lined with shops, cafes and pubs, is also (almost) a mandatory acclimatization stop for hikers and climbers. This means that everyone on their wayup’, stays here for at least a day.
The town is filled with all types of accommodations, starting with basic tea houses to comfortable lodges with massage parlors and also small quiet luxury lodges like Yeti Mountain Home. Our favorite place to stay here is Hotel Namche, right in the middle of the town, accessible to everything around.
`Resting’ in the Himalaya means you are day-hiking to help train your lungs. Your sherpa guides will make you move, and climb. There are many trails around the town but the most popular one is where you climb a steep hill to the Everest View Hotel. The hike is short, but not easy, this is the first time you will `feel’ the altitude, heavier breathing and slower pace starts right here.
We all had a great time day hiking to the Everest View Hotel, which is designed by Japanese architecture, a beautiful facility with a patio behind the hotel, which offers most amazing panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan range, including Mount Everest – on a clear day. We didn’t get lucky to see the Everest, but we definitely enjoyed the hike and the rewarding views.
It’s so hard not to fall in love with this town! 
Tough steep climb to the Tenzing Norgey Memorial and Museum, totally worth! 
The Legend, Tenzing Norgay.. 
This monument contains 2 stones from the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth & the holy sight where Christ was baptized. The symbolic meaning is to establish relationship among various components of environment either it is from the highest point on earth or the lowest place on earth.
The first views of the high snowy peaks.. 
It’s family affair! 
In the Zone 
Another climb to the Everest View Hotel 
Here is how happiness looks like.. 
Bird’s eye view of Namche Bazaar 
On the way to the Everest View Hotel 
A last few steps to the destination.. 
And here we are.. 
The views from the deck behind the Everest View Hotel 
Because I am happy…. 
Back in Nanche to shop ’til we drop – literally!
Day 5 ->
Show me the Trail 
2 thoughts on “Gokyo, Day 4: `Resting’ in the Himalaya”