Asia Adventure 2012: Tashinga to Thyangboche Monastery to Namche Bazar

Although we didn’t watch the sunrise this morning, I did take some pictures out of our window before and after sunrise, on another very clear day.

We started out early today because it is going to be a long 7.5 to 8 hour day of hiking. Our first destination was to the Thyangche Dongak Thakchok Chholing Monastery and that trek took us to the valley floor, across a suspension bridge, followed by a tough 700m ascent to Thyangboche consisting primarily of 12 to 15 inch rugged and rocky steps. Along the way, we enjoyed some amazing views of of the Everest Summit Lodge and its truly spectacular location.

Trekking right after eating is becoming more and more taxing on my stomach which is begging for a short digestion interlude prior to rigorous exercise. I can’t blame it because I surely don’t eat a big meal then play soccer, so why would trekking be any different? At any rate, today was particularly challenging in that regard so time to switch it up tomorrow.

After reaching Thyangboche, milling about for a bit, we felt somewhat regrettable that our timetable did not permit a trek to Everest Base Camp, for surely there are many amazing snow-capped vistas and terrain to enjoy. Thyangboche Monastery at an altitude of 3,867m was built in 1923 and rebuilt in 1934 after an earthquake destroyed it. We enjoyed a delicious hot cup of ginger tea at the Hotel Himalayan before setting off for the knee-crunching 700m descent to the valley floor again. Clouds were starting to creep in around this point and a good clear view of the valley and steppe villages was slowly being obscured.

Just before 1pm, we stopped at the Fast Food Restaurant and Food Place in Phungi Thanga, located in the valley floor for lunch. It was still a sun/cloud mix at that point, so sitting on the terrace was relaxing, but the wind was picking up. Greg had a tuna sandwich and I had a small bowl of noodle soup; finally a restaurant with reasonable portions!

Our ascent of 300m to the path leading into Namche Bazar wasn’t quite as challenging as Thyangboche, but the weather was changing rapidly and cloud coverage diminished the spectacular vistas of earlier today, in addition to a reduction in temperature. Nearing the end of the path, at the memorial stupa for Tenzing Norgye (who along with Edmund Hillary was the first to summit Everest in 1953), we met up with one of the Everest Summit Lodge’s staff members from Mongo. She was making her way to the lodge in Tashinga. What a coincidence!

Finally, after 8 hours of trekking, we made it back to Namche Bazar and fortunately, the Namche Heritage Hotel was able to switch us to a better room. It was superior in quality to the last one, so we decided to stay there again.

After settling into the room and noticing that we had both picked up quite a bit of sun today, especially Greg, we cleaned up and headed to the restaurant for another delicious meal. At the end of the restaurant, there is a Canada flag signed by many Canadians who have stayed here, so Greg and I signed it as well. After another filling and delicious meal, as usual, we both settled in for an early night.