Teahouses are modest lodges located along Nepal’s hiking routes where trekkers and travelers can dine and sleep while on their way to the Himalayas. With the growing number of trekkers, the major trekking courses have accommodations strewn across their Nepalese trekking trails. Teahouse trekking is more popular than ever in Nepal. The majority of treks in Nepal are ‘teahouse’ treks, which means you’ll be staying in a small lodge with minimal rooms and a supper every night. The nicest part about teahouse trekking is that you only need to bring a small amount of gear. A teahouse can be a huge, pleasant, well-built lodge with common rooms (like in the Solu Khumbu) or a modest bamboo hut lodged within the jungle. Tea house trekking is not available on the majority of Nepalese trekking trails. In this vein, we’ve compiled a list of Nepal’s best Tea House Trekking.
Teahouse Trek in Everest Region: Everest Base Camp Trek:
Everest Base Camp trekking is possibly Nepal’s most comfortable teahouse trekking. The region now has a handful of beautiful lodges, and getting a room with an attached bathroom is very achievable. There are teahouses at each of the daily stops on the classic route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp (EBC). The majority of the teahouses along the EBC trail are dependable, with hot water and flush toilets available at lower elevations. The flush will often be a bucket of cold water or a drop-pit with a shed around it as you climb higher, and hot water will become scarcer. Teahouse prices vary, with lower-cost places charging up to three dollars per night and higher-cost areas charging around six dollars.
Teahouse Treks in Annapurna Region: Annapurna Base Camp Trek:
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal’s most popular treks, with a variety of teahouses and homestay options. There are a handful that have only basic facilities, but this is one trek where you won’t need to bring any heavy camping gear. The teahouses range in quality from basic to excellent, with some of the better ones providing hot water for washing. The teahouses are inexpensive, ranging from $2 to $3 per night Before heading out on the route, it’s a good idea to double-check and confirm lodging availability. You can confirm the availability of the room on subsequent destinations with the lodge owner from the previous night. Better yet, if you travel with a company or a guide, your lodging will be taken care of by them.
Teahouse Treks in Annapurna Region: Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek:
This is a beautiful short trip in Nepal’s Pokhara region, with teahouses put up at all the important resting locations along the route. The teahouses along this route, which starts in Pokhara and ends in the magnificent hill station of Poon Hill, are a little better than some of the higher altitude teahouses, and many have hot water and adequate facilities. There is also a wider variety of cuisines available, with some even selling western cuisine such as pizza and spaghetti. Despite its proximity to the city, the vistas from this trip are spectacular, with panoramic views of many 7000m peaks. From here, you’ll be able to see Mt. Annapurna (8091m) and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m), two 8,000-meter peaks.
Teahouse Treks in Annapurna Region: Annapurna Circuit Trek:
The Annapurna Circuit Trek, another trek with good teahouse facilities, features some of the best teahouses spaced out throughout the entire route. You will always be able to find a teahouse within a short distance of where you want to stop on this route, no matter how long you hike each day. Prices can range from 2-4 dollars each night, however as this is one of Nepal’s most popular long treks, prices can rise during the peak season. Annapurna Tilicho Trekking, which is recognized as one of the most popular adventure destinations in the world, might benefit from a better selection of cuisine and homestays. The Annapurna circuit trek takes you on a mind-blowing adventure traveling around the Annapurna massif, the highest altitude Tilicho lake, breathtaking scenery, and the south face of enormous mountains.
Teahouse Trek in Manaslu Region: Manaslu Circuit Trek:
While the Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the most beautiful in terms of scenery, teahouses are not as plentiful as on other treks, and you may require a tent for some of the stops. Teahouses along the path, on the other hand, range in quality from basic to good, and are reasonably inexpensive, costing around two dollars per night. Bunks are typically found in teahouses, and most only serve local dishes like Dal Baht. Because it is a restricted area, a special permit is required, and lone trekkers are not permitted. Manaslu Circuit Trek combines an adventure across the high pass Larke La (5160 m) with a tour of the Manaslu region.
Teahouse Trek in Langtang Region: Langtang Valley Trek:
This extremely picturesque trekking route is located in the Langtang Region, northwest of Kathmandu, and offers a large number of top quality teahouses, so you won’t have to worry about dragging tents. The trail passes through a high snow-capped valley and ice sheets, with the highest point at 3,870 meters. The facilities are good to moderate, and many have hot water for washing and good food, both Tibetan and local, with a few other specialties thrown in for good measure. Costs can be a little higher than in other parts of the country, especially during the summer, but on average, 3 dollars per night is a fantastic deal.
Teahouse Trekking vs. Camping Trekking: What Are the Advantages?
When trekking in Nepal, there are clear advantages to staying at a teahouse rather than camping. The first benefit is the convenience that these one-of-a-kind lodges provide. They are excellently positioned for most trekkers, as they are set at the spots where most people stop for the night, unless you are following an itinerary that is not popular along the routes. With the majority of Nepalese treks being well-established, most trekkers tend to stick to the same daily itinerary, stopping in the same areas when night falls. Another significant benefit of teahouses is the level of comfort they provide. Camping necessitates the pitching of your tent, and you will be sleeping on the ground, which may be quite cold during the cooler months of the year. You’ll also need a decent sleeping bag because you won’t be able to use the heater. Teahouses normally have a wood-burning stove running to keep you warm at night,
and while they don’t have the amenities of a luxury hotel, after a day of trekking through forests and up mountains, even the most basic of mattresses feels like the lap of luxury. Then there’s the fact that you won’t have to lug a hefty tent along the trail if you stay in teahouses. One disadvantage of camping while hiking is that you must carry your tent unless you hire a porter to do so for you. Even if you have a guide, they will frequently refuse to carry your gear and will insist on porters. Without the weight of a tent on your back and the opportunity to sleep in a bed at night, you can take in more of the landscape without being too fatigued by the end of the day.
Final Word:
Teahouse trekking has become a big industry in Nepal, and this unique concept of small lodges along main walking paths around the nation benefits both trekkers and the local population. Furthermore, the teahouse trip has been a part of a larger culture tour that has allowed outsiders to learn about the traditions from a close distance. So go teahouse trekking in Nepal to learn more about the Himalayas and the people who live in the shadow of mountains.
FAQs: Tea House Trekking in Nepal.
Teahouse trekking entails spending each night of your journey in a lodge. Almost all of Nepal’s principal trekking routes are teahouse treks, allowing trekkers to travel with the bare minimum of equipment.
A night at one of these teahouses can cost anywhere from $3 to $7. As altitude and distance increase, so do prices. On less popular trekking routes, facilities will be basic.
Most tea houses in the Everest and Annapurna regions offer cold showers, with a handful offering hot water showers for an additional fee of roughly $3
In the evenings, a tea house lodge contains a main dining area with a heater. Lower down, the fire could be made of wood, whereas higher up, it could be made of dried yak dung. This is where you will spend the majority of your free time. Bring a book, cards, or games to pass the time on a journey because you will most likely have a lot of spare time!
Travelers call these mountain shelters “tea houses,” and they’re a welcome sight after a long day of hiking. Tea houses are simple lodging and dining establishments found along Nepalese trekking routes.
