Kathmandu, April 7 -- Namche Bazar, the gateway to Mt Everest, is currently abuzz with climbers and trekkers as they prepare to head towards Base Camp after thepandemic closed Nepal's tourism for a year.

The narrow stone-paved streets of this township at 3,500m are once more filled with trekkers and climbers from all over the world, spending a day or two acclimatising before they head up the trail.

The start of the season has not been very lucky.Thick smoke from forest fireshave disrupted flights to Lukla, and the haze has blown up to Pheriche at 4,300m, blurring views of Ama Dablam and Everest along the way.

Many spend their day hiking up to the Everest View Hotel in Syangboche and back to their lodgings to get used to the altitude. ...