Start altitude: 9,350 ft (2,850 m) End altitude: 11,286 ft (3,440 m) Distance: ~3.1 miles (5 km) Elevation gain: ~1,969 ft (600 m) Estimated trekking time: 4–6 hours
After breakfast, we begin our trek toward Namche Bazaar, the main trading hub of the Khumbu region.
We’ll complete our permit registration with local authorities shortly after departing. The registration gate is located next to our hotel and typically takes about 20 minutes.
The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River before entering Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsale. Along the way, we’ll cross several suspension bridges, including the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge.
The bridge is adorned with prayer flags. This is where we’ll leave our first flag with intention. At the end of the bridge, there’s space to pause, breathe, and release energy before continuing onward (maybe a little screaming).
After crossing the bridge, the trail shifts into a zigzag ascent toward Namche. This section is the most physically demanding part of the day. The climb is steady and intentional, with frequent pauses to support acclimatization.
We’ll take several breaks along the way. Once we complete registration at the Namche gate, the remaining walk to the hotel is approximately 30 minutes.
We’ll visit the The Mountain Medical location in Namche for our first official checks.