Namche Bazar to Thame

Friday, 10th March 2012

 
Distance 79 miles
Total Ascent 2,800 feet
Maximum Altitude 12,476 feet

 

Heading west along the valley of the Bhote Kosi today's route would take us to the remote valley of Thame, situated at an important junction along the old primary trade route to and from Tibet via the Nangpa La (pass). The first village we passed through was Phurte where a tree nursery was established by Sir Edmund Hillary's Himalayan Trust. About an hour later the tea house at Thamo provided a good place for some of the group to rest while others climbed to the Monastery - which was, in fact, a Nunnery housing Tibetan Nuns who were making clay plaques. Returning to the tea house we enjoyed drinks before continuing along the balcony path. After descending to the river we crossed a bridge before making the steep climb to Thame and the Valley View Lodge. A small group ventured out on extra short climb to visit another Monastery, though it wasn't as interesting as the previous one.

 

Loaded up and ready to go

 

Looking back down to Namche

 

Small group pose

 

Waiting for the Dzo team to pass - we always stand on the mountain side of the path

 

Some of the more colourful Mani stones

 

Looking up the valley . . .

 

before we head into

 

a wooded section

 

There is quite a steep drop here

 

It has been cold in these parts

 

Building site . . .

 

where all the stones are shaped by hand

 

There are hundreds of these stones lying about, each one being covered by intricate carving

 

At the side of this tea shop . . .

 

dung for the fire has been stacked to dry

 

This used to be the type of accommodation that people lived in

 

One of our 'Boys' with his load

 

A pause at the Stupa . . .

 

gives time for photos up the valley . . .

 

and an opportunity to explore waterfalls . . .

 

in rock crevices

 

The new monastery at Thomso . . .

 

has very ornate decoration - but it was locked

 

The old Monastery, or Nunnery is much smaller but more atmospheric

 

The Nuns were busy . . .

 

working on a 'clay production line' . . .

 

making plaques . . .

 

using two different designs . . .

 

which were left in the sun to dry

 

Back at the tea house time for drinks . . .

 

before continuing on our way

 

Note the satellite dish!

 

The views are always fantastic . . .

 

and the path makes for easy walking (or it would if it wasn't at about 12,000 feet!)

 

Yes, that's our path

 

But first we have to descend . . .

 

to cross over the bridge

 

Another Monastery . . .

 

and two Stupas above Thame

 

An evening view

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