The Stunning Mountain Scenery Around Namche Bazaar, Nepal

This is day 10 of my 24 day trek through the Khumbu region of Nepal -> View all posts for this trek

When you reach Namche Bazaar during a trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, it is important to stop for an extra day to acclimatize before continuing on up to the higher altitudes. This is generally referred to as a “rest day”, but there really is no such thing as a rest day while trekking in the Himalayas. Instead, it is best to use the time to go for an acclimatization walk, heading up to a higher altitude during the day, and then heading back down to sleep for the night. This is exactly what I did during my rest day in Namche Bazaar.

When I reached Namche Bazaar the day before, a lot of cloud and fog had come in to block the mountain views, as it often does, but when I awoke in the morning, I was treated to a beautiful clear day with blue skies and stunning mountain views all around. I began my walk by trekking up past the Namche Monastery, spinning prayer wheels as I passed, with views of Kongde Ri (6187m). From here I slowly climbed up the ridge to the west of the village, following a maze of rough dirt trails through stunted pine forest, clusters of boulders and yak pastures. I could definitely feel the altitude as I climbed up above 3500 metres for the first time since traversing the Lamjura La. The mountain scenery got more and more breathtaking as I climbed, with the icy peak of Kongde Ri ever present, and more peaks in view up the valley towards Thame.

Eventually I reached the tiny airstrip at Shyangboche (3790m) where I was treated to a stunning view of Thamsurku (6608m) and other mountains, looking back down the Dudh Kosi Valley, shrouded in haze as the sun continued to rise above the mountains. Standing there, surrounded by icy peaks, I now truly felt like I was in the Himalayas.

From Shyangboche, the trail climbed slightly more on its way to Kungde, before flattening out as we branched off to follow the contour of the hill around to the east. I walked through more stunted pine forest with the odd yak grazing amongst it, when I suddenly rounded a bend and was treated to a new view to the north, looking up the valley to Ama Dablam (6856m) and beyond to the razor sharp ridge of Nupste (7861m), and poking above it, the tip of Everest (8850m). I was simply lost for words, and I still am. No words can describe just how beautiful this scene was.

Looking back to Kongde Ri on the trail above Shyangboche

Amazing view of Taboche, Everest (Sagarmatha), Nupste and Ama Dablam

Continuing on I came across a group of Thar (Himalayan mountain goats) grazing on the steep mountain side. A group of females grazed among the rocks above the trail, while below me, a group of horned males stared up at me as I passed.

Further along the ridge sits the Hotel Everest View, which, according to the Guinness Book of Records, is the highest hotel in the world at 3880m. Obviously there is accommodation higher than this as you head closer to Everest, but none that are classed as hotels. Helicopters shuttle wealthy people up here for a view of Everest, which I presume must involve some sort of prior acclimatization technique for these people to be able to handle the altitude. You can spend the night in the hotel, in a room with a view of Everest for about $200USD per night and then take a helicopter flight back to Lukla. I prefer the $2 per night room in Namche and trekking in and out option. As a trekker, you are welcome to stop in at the hotel for a cup of tea or something to eat, while sitting with one of the best views in the world – an incredible Himalayan panorama with a completely unobstructed view of Everest, Nupste, Ama Dablam, Taboche, Thamserku and several other huge ice capped peaks. I sat with my cup of tea for quite some time, just enjoying the view, and still finding it hard to comprehend that I was actually there.

Zooming into the Hotel Everest View (hidden among the trees), with Everest and Nupste towering above in the background

View from the Hotel Everest View. From left to right: Taboche (6542m), Everest (8850m), Nupste (7861m) and Ama Dablam (6856m). The trail to Everest Base Camp heads up the valley ahead and then around to the left. My trail, to Gokyo, heads up the valley to the left in front of Taboche.

When I was finally able to peel myself from the jaw dropping view, I wandered back along the ridge towards Namche, where Kongde Ri was ever present. The ridge led to a point overlooking a beautiful panorama of Namche below, where I descended steeply down stone steps back to the village. I spent the afternoon exploring Namche and prepared myself to head up into the high Himalaya. Gokyo awaits.

View of Kongde Ri from the Hotel Everest View

Heading back to Namche with a panoramic view down the Dudh Kosi Valley, with Thamserku on the left and Kongde Ri on the right.

Namche Bazaar