We skirt the main town, pass a chorten and climb to the Western ridge. Namche is highly developed, getting its electricity from its very own hydro-project in Thame. There are telephone lines, VSAT connections and Internet. The hospital a short distance away in Khunde is well-equipped. The Hillary Foundation run school in nearby Khumjung rivals the best schools in Kathmandu in terms of the quality of education provided. In terms of scenery, it has no competition.