Day 5 15th February 2011 Lukla to Monjo

Hooray, we actually start the trek today. 

Dawa our Sherpa guide has contacted our other sherpas to confirm that he and the remaining 5 trekkers will be flying in this morning and they should arrive between 9 and 10.  After a porridge and eggs breakfast (not together!) we walk up to the Lukla School.

 

Two new classrooms for this school had been built and were opened in November 2009, paid for by the charity www.classroomsintheclouds.org      

Even the relatively short walk up to the school had made us breathless!

We then drop back down to the airport to meet the rest of our group.

                                                                                                             

 

Lukla airport was built by Sir Edmund Hillary, to help the Sherpa people. This is the last flight of the day - more cloud.

Just after this flight in, the helicopter arrives with the final 6.  After a short stop in the lodge, for more tea, we pack up and trek off.  Our first hour is mostly downhill, through picturesque wooded valleys, the paths are in good condition.  We met a few donkeys and dzopkyo (yak cross cow) on the way.

A short rest stop

We drop down from 2840m (9100ft) to Phakding for lunch at 2610m. Lunch being lots more tea, fried potatoes, pasta & chapati (got to keep the carbohydrates up!)

Our 1st bridge was a little scary

He won't lose his hanky

The walk takes us back and forth over the Koshi river then we arrive at our lodge in Monjo at 2835m, even more tea and biscuits this time. 

The proprietress ensures she gets a good seat next to the stove