October 3rd - Namche Bazaar

We left Phakding this morning and trekked along the Dudh Kosi River, entered Sagarmartha National Park and right after that we started up that infamous Namche Hill. I have to say that this trekking group didn't make Namche Hill seem like it was a very big deal. We walked up in a couple of hours and enjoying the height, we came into Namche and went directly to the Panorama Lodge, where I have been staying for expeditions and passing through with trekking groups since 1987.

I saw a lot of good old friends as we came in Namche, specially here at the Panorama – and especially Lakpa Doma. The Panorama has been our home base for years and it is good to be back here. There are private rooms, showers and a big beautiful kitchen where our trekking cook, Pasang, serves our meals. It is a really comfortable home base, we will be spending a lot of time in Namche and you will hear a lot of about this great town as the trip goes on.