The Lukla to Namche Bazaar Trek

Lukla to Namche Bazaar - The first leg of the trek into the Khumbu

Report on the last major stop-off point in the Himalayas at Namche Bazaar before trekking up to Goyko and Kala Pattar.

Ads

The Lukla to Namche Bazaar Trek - Nepali town centers on the Khumbu trekking trade

This first stretch to Namche will be the most populated by humans. And many make a living off the trekking trade. It's an interesting first part of the trek as you venture higher and higher into the Khumbu of the Himalaya.

Someone coming from down below Lukla will find this area vastly different. It's developed for tourism when compared to the real Nepal setting on the Jiri Trail.

Namche Bazaar north of Lukla

Yaks from Lukla - They may look docile, but they can be nasty

You'll be running into some yak and cow-yak caravans as you move north. Stay out of their way. They look gentle enough as they meander along, kind of like a herd of cows. But yaks can have nasty dispositions. They've been known to severely hurt people. They won't be a problem for you as long as you use common sense.

They are quite common, particularly on the trails from Lukla on north. They carry supplies for the trekking trade.

Cold Weather Above Lukla - Fortunately, you can get more supplies if you foolishly didn't bring enough

Quite a few woolens and other clothes are available in Namche Bazaar. In fact, there is a big Tibetan market there that is interesting to walk through.

So, if you get off the plane in Lukla and at about 10,000 feet in Namche you're freezing your buns, you can still stock up. But do it in Namche. The goods are much more limited from here up to Kala Pattar.

Famous Namche Cinnamon Rolls - Unbelievably, they are excellent above Lukla

Upon your return from Kala Pattar, as you make your way back towards Lukla, you'll likely spend at least one more evening in Namche. It's the location of several German bakeries with excellent cinnamon rolls.

They're expensive by Nepali standards. But they sure taste good after a few weeks on the trail. Several the the pizza places are good, too.

Down below Lukla is some of the best of the Nepali mountain culture. Either way, you win. And you may just want to enjoy both!

Tibetan Market

It's famous in Namche. And it's interseting to walk around. The goods at this market are for Nepalis, which makes it far more intersting than the tourist markets.

Dash to Lukla

Coming down from Kala Pattar towards Lukla is a lot easier than going up. Lots of people make a dash for it.