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TOP 10 Hiking Towns ➙  Namche Bazaar, Nepal

BAD NEWS.  As of April 1, 2023 the Nepal government required that major treks can no longer be done independently.  Hiring a guide is mandatory.  The obvious alternative for independent hikers is the Indian Himalaya.    

UPDATE April 2024. The Everest region refused to enforce mandatory guides. Hikers are doing Base Camp independently.

Every hiker dreams of trekking in the footsteps of Hillary and Norgay. Climbing to Mt. Everest Base Camp Qomolangma (Tibetan), Sagarmāthā (Nepali) should be on your bucket list.

Here is the finest alpine scenery in the world, we reckon.

Namche Bazaar … at 3,440 metres (11,286 ft) … is the main trading center for the Khumbu region with many Nepalese officials, a police check post and a bank. …

Namche has a permanent population of around 800.

Almost everyone trekking in the Khumbu region will visit Namche Bazaar, as it is the gateway to the high Himalaya.

More interesting photos tagged Namche Bazaar.

Want more information? Check WikiTravel – Namche.

Everest Base Camp – Khumbu Ice Fall

Our favourite hike hikes out of Namche are:

• Everest Base Camp / 3 Passes
• Everest Base Camp / Kala Pattar
• Everest Gokyo

Everest seen from Kala Pattar

Many consider the mountain people and Tibetan culture an even bigger highlight than the peaks.

Flapping

Best months are from October to early-December, cold but normally with clear views of the world’s highest mountains.

Spring is also a good time to visit the Everest region, though the skies may be hazy. Some argue that pastures are greener in the Spring.

Check the trip report posted by besthike editor Rick McCharles, Nov. 2009 – Everest Base Camp / 2 Passes

Or start on our Nepal information page.

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Wesley Ridge, Vancouver Island

Quincy has the best trip report I’ve seen on this excellent, STEEP lake vista climb close to famed Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island.

Wesley Ridge is one of my favourite Vancouver Island hikes. The views from the top are incredible, and unlike many of Vancouver Island’s best hikes, the trailhead is easily accessed from the highway. …

WESLEY RIDGE ROUND TRIP DETAILS

DISTANCE: 7.2 KM / 4.5 MI

ELEVATION GAIN: 555 M / 1821 FT

HIKING TIME: 3 HRS

The Wesley Ridge hike starts by plodding along train tracks next to the highway. Don’t worry, they’ve been abandoned for years. …

After no more than five minutes, the trail breaks off …. Keep your eyes peeled, as it’s not marked. This fallen tree makes for a pretty good landmark, but there’s no guarantee it will be here forever. ..

Seeing the Elephant – Wesley Ridge

I once climbed up to the Ridge viewpoint — then tried to traverse to the other end of the lake.

#FAIL. 😀

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TOP 10 day hikes ➙ The Wave, Arizona USA

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Only 64 hikers / day are allowed access.

Getting a permit is the BIG problem.

  • on the Utah-Arizona border, halfway between Page, Arizona and Kanab, Utah in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
  • Wire Pass trailhead located in North Coyote Buttes permit area of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
  •  5.2 miles return
  • you can go any month of the year, if you can tolerate the heat

For details click over to our Wave information page.