If you missed out on Day 2, you can read it here: Day 2 – Phakding to Namche Bazaar
The sleep last night at Namche Bazaar was a blessing. Our room was considerably warm although Deepak told us it was really windy outside at night. I guess the heavy duty sleeping bag that was given to us by Nepal Hiking Team played it’s role well. It’s day 3 of our Everest Base Camp trek.
We started our day slightly later than usual, waking up at 7am and took our breakfast at 7.30am. We didn’t have to pack our stuff since we are going to stay another night at the same teahouse. Today is our first acclimatization day during the trek. What happens is that we will trek to higher grounds and then back to Namche Bazaar and stay for the night. The idea is to trek high and sleep low. This is done in order to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) which could be deadly and happens when you ascend too fast. Back in the days, there are many cases of AMS due to poor knowledge within the community but things have improved by leaps and bounds over the years. These days, there are very few cases of AMS happened and an even a smaller number of those are deadly.
“Today, we will climb to Everest View Resort, about 3800m a.s.l, and then we will come back down,” Deepak explained. “But first, breakfast!”
At 8.30am, we set out towards Everest View Resort from Namche Bazaar. The path towards Everest View Hotel from Namche consists of really steep steps and we are advised to take as much rest as we can since the climb can be pretty strenuous. Our first stop before Everest View Hotel, The Sherpa Culture Museum, lies 40 minutes away from Namche.
The Sherpa Culture Museum was an amazing building on an open ground which houses the history of the Sherpa’s. One of my favourite thing in the museum was an actual picture of Sir Hillary Edmund and Tenzing Norgay during their Everest ascent! You will also be able to see the different peaks from here which include Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Kusum Kangaru among many others. Oh and there’s a preserved Red Panda as well in the museum. If you are in Namche, don’t miss this place. The effort that they put in to preserve history here is amazing.
The steep path towards Everest View Resort will take about 90 minutes. Before reaching the resort, we crossed Syangboche, a decommissioned airport which used to be the highest airport in the world, standing at 3748m above sea level. Due to the strong winds and the narrow mountains, the airport has then been decommissioned and Lukla became a more favourable spot. However, there are still supply helicopters frequently landing at Syangboche for their daily supply run.
After crossing the Syangboche Panorama Hotel, a teahouse built near the airport, we are looking down towards Everest View Resort. Standing at about 3850m a.s.l, we decided to turn back since we have reached the height for acclimatization and the price of drinks/food at Everest View Resort is not something that we are looking forward to. It took us about 90 minutes to get back down to Namche Bazaar, right in time for lunch.
The rest of the day is more towards free and easy in Namche. We decided to spend our time shopping around Namche since the number of shops will be lesser as the move up the trek. If you have the chance and the interest, try the Himalayan Coffee here in this town as well. You’ll be surprised. 🙂 Here’s some photos from our day 3:
Next is day 4 of our trek! Here’s the link: Day 4 [ Everest Base Camp ] – Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Hello Mike! It seems like you had fond memories of Everest Base Camp Trek.
Hi! there. Great article. Really impressive work. Thank you so much for sharing your trekking experience.
Hi Mike
Thanks for sharing and it is beautifully narrated.
The Bridge Part is very much thrilling. May I know what kind of preparations you did to prepare yourself physically for this trek?
Regards
Hello there!
Thank you for the compliment. It was flattering. I am actually a pretty active person ( 5 times workout a week at least). But three months before my hike, I pumped up my training by a notch. I focused my gym workout on my legs, improved on my cardio by running + HIIT and also try to hike once a week for about an hour each session to get my heart pumping. The hike doesn’t require extreme fitness to be honest and it’s not a race. If you are tired, remember, stop, rest, recharge, continue. You can do it!!
– Mike
Hi Mike.
Very interesting article & can’t wait to read Day4 onwards.
I’m going to ebc in October this year. A little worried about AMS. Any particular brand of AMS medicine you suggest.
Thank you
Hey Anitha!
Thank you for the compliment. 🙂 This October! Great time to hike as well! Yes, I was worried about AMS as well. I took Diamox but only during the 4th day onwards (from Namche Bazaar onwards). One before I sleep, every night until I get back down to Namche again. No AMS issues at all. What I would suggest is, take your medicine, ignore the tingly feeling and don’t think about AMS too much. The medicine does it part very very well.
– Mike
Can’t wait for the 4th day. Your EBC Diary got me all excited! haha.. Keep up the great diary Mike!
From Kota Kinabalu with much admiration!
Ahhhhhh thanks for the compliment! Such a flattery! Will get day 4 up soon!
– Mike
Thanks for sharing. Very nice read and I’m looking forward to Day 4 and onwards 🙂
I have some questions…
When did you make the trip? The weather looked good in the pictures you shared. I’ve been thinking of doing EBC and would like to know the best time to go, i.e. not too cold and definitely not the rainy season. What’s the cost for the entire arrangement with Nepal Hiking Team (if it is okay to share)?
Thanks!
Hey there Kelly!
I did the trip last month, in April for 16 days. (including being in Kathmadhu and all) The best weather to go is April & May as well as September & October. That is considered the hiking season. I wouldn’t say its too cold but it does get pretty “chilly” when you are at higher elevation (which I will write about later on), but its something we all can get used to as Malaysians. November & December would be winter and it’s a bit hard for those who are not used to the cold. The entire trip costs us USD1270 per person and it includes food and accommodation. Drop me an email at [email protected] if you want to head there. I’ll talk to Nepal Hiking Team on your behalf. *wink wink*
– Mike
Thanks Mike! The cost is not too bad 🙂 Yup, will definitely drop you a mail when I’m ready to go for it. Cheers!
Most welcome! Do share out our article as well if you don’t mind. 🙂
– Mike
Sure, happy to do that ?
Sure! Happy to share ?