Today it is back on the trail for the next 3 days until it is time to acclimate again. As usual we wake up to clear skies, sun and cool temps.
The hike takes us to tree line and above as you will see in the pictures, we will also get into Rhodedendron forest, so a big change in the flora and fauna from this point forward. Today we also have our first great views of Everest!
While Everest peak is in view now, many of the other peaks start to disappear we are now so far into the valley that our views of the Himalya peaks start to change. For example, we start to see mountains Ama Dablam from the bottom and Thamserku from the backside. Because the change in perspective, I have to keep asking the guide what we are looking at!
Scott ready to start the day!
Scott and Katie with the trail and Mt Ama Dablam (6,856 m) behind us.
In the Sherpa Villages they create terraces for growing their crops.
The trail ahead of us, cut into the hillside.
A Sherpa Village traffic jam... Sosi (our guide) helps to move the yaks through!
Namaste, little one!
Karma points for Katie??? Donation to the villages to help them preserve and repair the trail.
Village prayer wheel
Mt Ama Dablam from the foot of the mountain.
After we climb the final 200 m into Tengboche, this is the first view. Mount Everest and Lhotse Shar in the background. This was one of the most amazing sights for me on the trip. Right at the top of the final climb you turn a corner and have this view, we had to stop sit down and take it all in before moving further.
More Everest and Lhotse Shar.
The largest and most imortant Buddhist Monastary within the Khumbu Valley is the
Tengboche Monastary pictured above. The original building was destroyed in a fire in 1989, but since rebuilt by the Monks and Sherpa people.
So I think in an earlier blog I said that Namche was one of the fave villages on the trek. I think I need to take that back. I LOVED visiting Tengboche, it is located on a plateu with amazing views of the Himalaya all around. In the village there is a museum, bakery/cafe (with amazing pastries and hot lemon tea - essentials for trekkers:), some lodges and even an internet cafe!
Main entrance to the building where prayer / chants take place.
At 4pm everyday the Monks welcome visitors to observe one of the daily chanting rituals. Apologies for the poor photo quality... no flash was allowed and while photos were allowed I felt that it was a little disruptive... so I grabbed a quick photo and then enjoyed my time listening and watching the Monks through the ritual.
Unfortunately all the teahouses were full in Tengboche, so we moved on to Deboche. We descended into a Rhodedendron Forest. Of course, since it was fall the trees were bare. I can't imagine how gorgeous this area is in the spring when the trees show off their purple bloom!!!
Scott resting after a long day - soaking up the sun and getting ready for some lunch!
Our teahouse in Deboche, after being in the beautiful Tengboche high plateau we then had to move into this cold and dark part of the valley - a little like staying in a ditch. This is where the trekking gets tough. Because we are now above treeline wood is a luxury - so for day to day living yak dung is burned for fuel and heating. While we knew this was coming, nothing can prepare you for the lingering stench of burning poo which happens to seep into clothing and food!
Yaks need a break too!
The trail that you see winding through the mountains is where we will be in Day 4.
