The hike from Namche to Tengboche was a medium hard day. When clear, this part of the hike offers extensive views of peaks but it was cloudy and misty for us. Not that this mattered. It was cool and pleasant hiking conditions and the mist and cloud added to the atmosphere and made for some lovely photos.
Leaving Namche Bazaar
Climbing up to and then walking along a valley
Stupors along the way
Stupas are sacred Buddhist structures that symbolize the enlightened mind of the Buddha. They are places of worship, meditation, and reverence for Buddhists. Stupas are built at strategic locations along trekking routes and in villages to provide blessings and protection to travelers and communities. They are considered auspicious and are believed to ward off evil spirits.
Walking along a river
Birds and flowers along the way
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| Eurasian hoopoe |
The going gets tough after lunch
The hike followed a familiar pattern with a relatively easy morning followed by lunch and a brutal climb at the end to get to our destination. By now were were learning the secret. Climb steadily, but super slow, focusing only on the step at hand.
Reaching Tengboche and its beautiful monastery
On a clear day, Tengboche offers extraordinary views of Himalayan peaks but it was cloudy and misty when we arrived so the views were hidden. We stayed at a tea house right next to the famous Tengboche Monastery which we got to visit. It was an amazing and very spiritual experience. The monks were in the midst of a prayer and chanting session in the inner sanctum when we entered. We were allowed in and got to observe and listen close up. Very special.
