Namche Bazaar (3440m) to Lukla (2846m) : ~20 KM, ~8 Hours [Day 13]
When the last day of the trek becomes the longest day of all!
As we quickly get ready in the morning and set off, we are acutely conscious of the long day that awaits us today. Also the fact that this is the finale walk for this trek, a strange feeling of relaxation yet sadness runs through the mind.
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| Byebye Namche Bazaar |
The trail plunges down into a deep descent right after Namche Bazaar. Each step makes us wonder - did we really climb up such a steep slope! At this point, it all feels unbelievable. Since we trace down the same path, we keep spotting familiar things and laugh about the little struggle stories from the days when we were coming up this route. Things are already getting quite nostalgic!
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| Back to the Hillary bridge... |
We pause at the Hillary bridge again, potter around the village, Monjo where we had our lunch earlier and then arrive at Phakding.
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| Doodh Koshi still keeping company... |
The downhill walk is fairly easy going so far but my tummy is still screaming for food. We stop for lunch at the teahouse opposite to the one where we had stayed on our way up.
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| Can't remember the joke now! |
After some fuel intake, we carry on again and walk past a few picturesque villages that dot the hillside here. Things seem prettier on the way down as there is less focus on lung strength now!
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| Pretty Villages along the way... |
In due time, we arrive at the checkpoint that says - Sagarmatha National Park. We checkout at the gate which seems like a mini celebration in itself. However, the walk continues and the irony is this last leg of the hike is a steep uphill! It is almost 3km of sharp ascent winding through the forest. Gosh! My lungs and legs and calves all are in extreme protest - such a grueling finish! Seems like a gentle reminder from the mountains not to take the final descent from Everest Basecamp for granted!
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| After Phakding, towards Lukla... |
As we climb up another turn, suddenly, we see a flat area and a house - the final checkpoint! We have arrived at Lukla! On the way, we had picked up a waste bag from another checkpoint near Namche Bazaar. We drop this bag here and get a token of appreciation in return. Then we climb up the last few stairs and emerge from the final gate - Pasang Lhamu Gate, feeling all victorious and relieved!
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| Checking Out ! |
As we stroll into the town of Lukla, we notice Diwali celebrations are still going on. We walk to the extreme end of the town to a hotel with comfy beds and clean toilets. What more can a person want now! We potter around the town in the evening and indulge ourselves in yet another serving of daal-bhat-sabzi (the last one for a while now!).
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| Lukla (this pic was taken on Day 1 on our way up, hence the Sun! :D) |
Tomorrow, we fly to Ramechhap!
Lukla (2846m) to Ramechhap (474m) to Kathmandu (1324m)
We had booked one of the first flights out - 6:20am, Summit Air. We rush to the airport in the bluish dark light of early dawn. But hey! It’s Lukla. Apparently, due to cloudy weather, no flights are flying out at this time!
We sip coffee as we wait without any further notice. After about 2 hours, our flight arrives and we get a call. As we take off, the aircraft dashes down the slopey runway and then swiftly maneuvers to fly up and around to navigate through the narrow valley. Sweaty palms and nervous smiles follow. We head towards Ramechhap.
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| Bidding Adieu..at Lukla airport |
We enjoy a long and delayed breakfast at a cafe just outside the Ramechhap airport and then embark upon the long, bumpy ride back to Kathmandu.
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| Rickshaw in Durbar Square, Kathmandu |
Kathmandu (1324m) to Kolkata (9m!)
We stay right in the heart of Kathmandu i.e Thamel. This is the most touristy area with winding roads full of vibrant shops selling everything from trekking gears to tiny trinkets. Not to forget, the delicious looking cafes and eateries that look extremely inviting especially after a fortnight of daal-bhaat!
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| Ice-cream after a thousand years!!! ^.^ |
I make the most of it by shopping for a few things and hoovering up as much as I can (I think I should have had more Moven Pick ice creams though!) along with a few visits to - Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Garden of dreams (this garden is a complete waste of money - not at all recommended!)
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"...কালভৈরবের মুর্তি | ওই মূর্তির সামনে আধঘন্টা পরে তোদের মিট করছি |" – ফেলুদা (Feluda) Joto Kando Kathmandute |
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| Sagarmatha Basecamp 🙏 |
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