Last Day in Kathmandu

On our last day, we visted two ancient cities that have now been subsumed by Kathmandu's sprawl. Bhaktapur and Patan.

Chitwan Days 2 and 3

My second and third days at Chitwan were for the birds--several score of them.

Kathmandu to Chitwan

The four-hour drive from Kathmandu to the Royal Chitwan Forest is pleasant as long as you watch the scenery, not the road.

Lukla Back to Kathmandu

I imagine taking off in a plane from the Lukla airport is much like launching from an aircraft carrier.

Everest Trail Hike Day 8

Most visitors to the Everest region pass through Lukla. It is the gateway to the frontier and the last town you visit on the way out. It is a sprawling town just a cut above towns further up the valley due to being the center of commerce.

Everest Region Hike Day 7

Today we began the hike back to Lukla and the airport. In 3.5 hours of walking we covered the same ground in reverse as day 2 and 3 together, going from Namche to Phakding.

Everest Region Hike Day 6

As has been my habit, I rise when the first faint light of dawn illuminates the mountains and go for a walk before breakfast. Everest looks lovely in morning light.

Everest Region Hike Day 5

Today I was a much hardier trekker and I think I have Tang to thank.

Everest Region Hike Day 4

Today we set out on a five-hour day hike that took us to the highest elevation of our trek and presented closer views of Everest.

Everest Region Hike Day 3

We left Monju and enter the Sagarmathu National Park, which includes Everest. We had an easy hike along the Milk River for about an hour. At a fork in the river, we ascended to a high suspension bridge and thus began a tough 2-hour trek up a set of steep switchbacks through scenery so magnificent that an undisciplined person could easily drain a camera battery.

Everest Region Hike Day 2

I starting writing this post on a sunny afternoon patio in Monju (our second night stop), looking down the steep mountain gorge we hiked up this morning. Next to the patio are two solar water heaters and a solar cooker. The patio buzzes with many languages as trekkers lounge between hikes. A glass of local beer sits on the table.

Everest Region Hike Day 1

The landing in Lukla is like no other. There is no margin for error.

Kathmandu Temples

Today (November 4) we visited the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, and the Buddhist temple of Bodhnath Stupa (next image)..