Everest-Trekking

Trekking Group at Check-In

Day 2 - 28.3. - Flight to Lukla (Success)
The second day was like the first. A long time to wait to get through "Security" to enter the check-in hall. They have X-ray machines and metal detectors - but it seemes not to be more than a big show. After waiting more the luggage gets handeled. Some more waiting. Then you can proceed through the next security and cabin luggage check. Guess what, some more waiting - this time in the departure hall. Then, finally, we could get on the bus - yes, you don't have to walk to the plane! Everybody assured us that about fair weather, which was true. But the view was not very good. Old planes - scrached windows, and of course dust on the outside.

The flight was just the right start for the adventure to come. We had a bit of turbulence! Not for too long, but about three times the plane was jerked up and down quite heavily. Fortunately it was over before the landing and we arrived savely in Lukla at.
A lot (!!) of porters wait for work in Lukla. Not enough tourists the last years, and even less since the king took power in february. We went on crossing our first suspension bridges – but more spectacular ones should wait for us. On the way we descended 400 m which we had to gain back to get to the first lodge in Monjo at 2800 m.

Leaving Kathmandu

Already at the start of the trekking you can realize how high the mountains rise. The trekking is never really steep but you have to look up high to see the peaks. Altogether the ascent until the end of the trekking will be 8000 m. That includes of course the "view point" peaks and nescessary "go high - sleep low" ascents. The highest altitude to reach is 5545 m at Kala Patthar from which you got the best view onto Everst (Sagarmatha) and Nuptse. The difference in altitude between the village and the peak on the photo on the right is about 3000 m.

You will encounter a lot of buddist religion, traditions and "architecture". The stupas (round top) are three-dimensional mandalas and every segment represents a different element and aspect of our world and universe (and much more...!). If you have to pass them you have to go clockwise. As well you always have to pass the mani walls and mani stones on the left side. Otherwise it will bring bad karma. A chörten (square base) is the Tibetian form of the stupa. Sometimes they are huge and function as gates to the villages. You can find these monument everywhere but mainly at entrances and the center of villages, passes or monasteries.