About an hour away, lies Sanasa, where we stop for some tea. A couple of shops sell Tibetan curios, made in Kathmandu and usually available at Thamel at half the price.

After Sanasa, the trail to Tengboche and Everest Base Camp winds away towards Phortse. We take the higher, less travelled trail to Gokyo, walking through pine forests, catching the occasional glimpse of Tengboche, nestled on its magnificent perch under Ama Dablam. We reach Mong at noon.