2nd, 3rd day - from Monju to Namche Bazar

Leaving behind Monju, the trek quickly reaches Jorsale (2,805 m - 9,203 ft.) and the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park where forest rangers collect required park entrance fees from the group’s sirdar and guides. The trail then continues for an often breathtaking hike along the Dudh Khosi, crossing the river several times on cantilevered wood bridges or steel suspension bridges.

After a steep 600 m (1,969 ft.) climb, the trail enters Namche Bazar (3,440 m - 11,286 ft.), a large Sherpa market town bustling with traders and tourists. The numerous shops and lodges sell all variety of goods, including imported foodstuffs and locally made woollen articles. Trekking and climbing equipment can also be bought or rented. A colorful local market is held each Saturday, while Tibetan traders selling clothing and goods from China are frequently seen laying out their wares for sale during the week.

Lodges in Namche have indoor lighting powered by the nearby hydroelectric plant in Thame, but local phone service is still not consistently available. A couple of recently opened Internet points do however provide useful net and email access via satellite hook-up. Researchers on their way to the Pyramid stay at the Thamserku View Lodge, where an excellent menu and welcoming atmosphere make your visit particularly pleasant.

As a measure to help avoid altitude sickness, an acclimatization day is spent in Namche, where you can rest and visit the village. Also worth a visit is the Sagarmatha Park Headquarters visitor center/museum, where you can learn about the geology, botany and zoology of the Himalayas. Possible interesting day trips also include the villages of Syangboche, Khumjung and Khunde, all about 400 m (1,312 ft.) above the bowl-shaped valley of Namche.

At Khumjung, worth seeing is the Buddhist monastery where an alleged Yeti scalp is on display. In Khunde, there is a Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation hospital run by foreign volunteer doctors. Syangboche is home to the highest airstrip in the Khumbu valley at 3,720 m (12,205 ft.). Nearby is a luxury hotel built by Japanese investors from which Mt. Everest can be seen.

Another shorter side trip from Namche is to Thame monastery (3,800 m - 12,467 ft.) along a practically level trail. Thame is the gateway to Thasi Lapcha pass (5,820 m - 19,094 ft.) for Rolwaling Himal and also the last place in the Bothe Kosi valley where trekkers are allowed: the upper valley is an ancient trade route to Tibet via the Nangpa La pass (5,710 m - 18,734 ft.).