In September 2024, Earth’s Edge content creator Ari made her first trip to Nepal to trek to the iconic Everest Base Camp! These diaries follow her journey from Dublin to the famous trails of the Khumbu – a truly unforgettable adventure!
In Part 2, the group settles into the rhythms of Nepalese life while on the trail …
Day 3: The Trail To Namche Bazaar
We rose early at 5am, organising our duffel bags and ensuring that our water bottles were filled and our snacks were packed for the day. This was a ritual we would soon become very used to! Breakfast was a feast of French toast, porridge with fruit, muesli, Tibetan bread, scrambled eggs, and more.
The trail to Namche Bazaar was lush and full of greenery, with bursts of colour provided by prayer flags which billowed in the wind. We stopped for tea, taking time to soak in the incredible views. These frequent stops made the days on the trail very manageable. We crossed another suspension bridge over the roaring Dudh Kosi River, before entering the Sagarmatha National Park. It was another stunning day, with blue skies and bright sunshine setting the tone for what was to come.
After entering the National Park, we stopped for lunch, which consisted of potatoes, vegetables, pasta, and momos which are traditional dumplings stuffed with vegetables and accompanied by a delicious sauce. This was definitely one of my favourite meals – many of us went back for seconds! These establishments truly put the “tea” in tea houses, by offering a wide variety of hot drinks: from ginger, honey and lemon to soothe sore throats, to mint tea, coffee, and hot fruit drinks for a little sweet treat.
Reaching Namche Bazaar
We then carried on to the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge, where the weather quickly changed. A light drizzle set in, reminding us how unpredictable mountain weather can be! The trail then climbed steadily through towering pine forests and small meadows to reach the distinctive horseshoe shaped village of Namche Bazaar. Home to the highest Irish bar in the world, numerous trekking and gear shops, as well as cosy cafes, Namche is a bustling village with endless streets to explore.
Our tea house host was incredibly welcoming, and we immediately felt at home. After being handed warm towels to freshen up, we enjoyed some popcorn and tea before dinner. I had a delicious vegetable ramen soup, while others opted for veggie burgers and chips. After dinner, we had a cup of tea and then turned in for the night.
Day 4: Exploring Namche Bazaar
Acclimatisation Hike
The next day, we enjoyed a slightly later start and a leisurely breakfast before setting off on our acclimatisation hike. Ascending the steep steps above the village, we were rewarded with incredible views of Namche below us. The weather was perfect, and we got our first breathtaking glimpse of Ama Dablam and Everest from the Tenzing Norgay statue.
We stopped at a scenic coffee shop, located at 3,775m, where we enjoyed specialty coffee while admiring the stunning mountain views.
Museum + Gallery Visit
We then continued climbing to the Sagarmatha Next Museum, where we watched a short film about their work removing waste from the Khumbu region. The Carry Me Back Program allows trekkers to help transport waste down the mountain for recycling, an initiative our entire team were eager to support.
We also visited the Denali Schmidt Art Gallery, where we saw incredible artwork including paintings and sculptures made entirely from recycled materials. There was even a VR experience simulating an Everest climb! After some souvenir shopping, where we picked up keyrings made from recycled bottle caps, we returned to Namche for lunch; pepperoni pizza and chips, which tasted amazing. This was by far my favourite day on the trail – it was the day I properly fell in love with Nepal.
In the afternoon we were free to relax, explore, or shop. Some of us went to a bakery for coffee and pastries, while others wandered the local markets (I opted for a freshly made cinnamon bun and a cappuccino!) Later, I treated myself to a hot shower (an absolute luxury!) before heading to bed, feeling refreshed and ready for the days ahead.
Day 5: Back On The Trail To Everest Base Camp
We woke up early the next morning, ready for another day on the trail. The weather was a bit overcast, with light drizzle falling intermittently; but soon enough, the clouds parted and the sun made a welcome appearance. As we walked out of the village, the misty air gave way to the stunning, rugged landscape around us. After a short while, we stopped for a well-earned drink and snack break, where I opted for a refreshing mint tea.
We continued along a narrow trail carved into the mountainside. Eventually, we reached our lunch stop, where we were able to refill our water bottles too. Lunch consisted of fresh cabbage and carrots, potatoes, noodles topped with grated cheese. It all disappeared in a flash, likely due to the fact that your appetite grows quickly when you spend each day hiking long distances at high altitudes!
The Beauty Of Nepal + Mountain Life
After lunch, we continued along a forested path surrounded by meadows dotted with wildflowers. When you think of Nepal, you often picture snow-capped peaks and icy landscapes, so this side of the country, with its vibrant greenery, was a beautiful contrast that I was incredibly excited to discover and explore.
We passed several tea houses and fields where locals were busy harvesting cabbages, potatoes and other vegetables, giving us a glimpse of their hardworking, rural life. As we reached the tea house where we’d spend that night, we were greeted with a hot cup of tea and some biscuits. The afternoon was then ours to relax and catch up with the rest of the group and our Earth’s Edge Nepal team.
For dinner, we were served a hearty soup for starters. I then opted for a pizza with cabbage, tomatoes, and cheese – a slightly unconventional, but surprisingly delicious, mix! By the end of the meal, my plate was spotless. We ended the evening with a few competitive rounds of Connect 4 with our guides before settling in for the night.
Night Routine While Trekking To Everest Base Camp
By now, we had developed a solid bedtime routine: I would wash my face, brush my teeth, lay out my clothes for the next day, and pop them into my sleeping bag so they’d be warm and toasty for the morning. If it was particularly chilly, I’d ask the guides to fill my Nalgene with hot water, which made for a perfect makeshift hot water bottle. I always kept my earphones or earplugs nearby, depending on whether I wanted to listen to music or simply fall asleep in peace. I also tucked my phone, spare camera batteries, and power banks into the sleeping bag to keep the batteries from draining during the cold night (Top tip: warm batteries don’t drain as quickly!)
Stay tuned for Part 3!
