Travels in Nepal # 42 Namche Bazar

Scene overlooking Namche Bazar

Arriving at Namche Bazar one has the feeling that you have reached a little piece of civilisation in the midst of a mountainous wilderness. The rugged, towering mountains in all directions, the difficulty of travel, the lack of facilities and the overwhelming grandeur of the location becomes daunting to the senses, so it is with some relief one enters this little haven of normality.

Scene overlooking Namche Bazar

Not that this is a normal little village. Far from it. It does have many facilities not present in neighbouring villages, some of the trappings of civilisation we are accustomed to, like internet availability, and a medium level of comfort. What sets this village apart from thousands of others is its setting. It is situated at the junction of the main ‘road’ to Tibet in one direction (about seven days’ walk away), and the main route to Everest Base Camp in another. Few places can match its million dollar views.