Before heading to the Himalayas for hiking, trekkers should learn about teahouse trekking in Nepal. If you have already trekked in Nepal, you probably already know about it. But even if you don’t, this post will explain teahouses to you. In the trekking route, a teahouse is a simple lodge where you will get a basic standard room and meals.
The word “teahouse trekking” originated from trekking in the Himalayas when the trekking concept was just launched in Nepal. At the time, there was no infrastructure development, so trekkers used to get very basic food and accommodation in mountain villages after long hours of walking on the trail.
What is teahouse trekking?
Generally, a teahouse is a house where people can get tea. But in the context of tourism in Nepal, teahouses are simple lodges where trekkers can get basic standard rooms and meals.
A GUIDE TO TEAHOUSE TREKKING IN NEPAL
Primitively, teahouses were small shops where trekkers could stop for a rest and a cup of tea. Over time, these teahouses have converted into full-fledged mountain lodges offering food, accommodation, and other basic essentials to guests.
Most teahouses are owned and operated by local families. Teahouse trekking is a great alternative to expensive camping trekking.
Food
For the food on teahouses types trek, you can choose food from the menu. You’ll get fresh food on trekking lodges as they make meals after getting guest orders.
Accommodation
In short, accommodation along the trekking route in the Himalayas is very simple but clean and cozy. Commonly you’ll get a single size bed with pillow, sheets, blankets, table and dustbin, and ceiling light.
We suggest trekkers bring their own sleeping bag or hire in to go trekking. Blankets are not enough at peak season and it can’t give sufficient warmth at high altitude treks and also in wintertime.
1.Teahouses in Everest Region
The Everest region is the most popular trekking trail in Nepal, and you can find both lodges and high-standard teahouses there.
2. Teahouses in Annapurna Region
There are very standard teahouses in the Annapurna Region trekking areas. Generally, on the Annapurna Circuit trail and Ghorepani Poon Hill, you will find basic to standard houses for sleeping and eating.
3. Teahouses in Langtang Region
Before the 2015 earthquake, most of the teahouses in Langtang Region were basic, with a few exceptions. These basic teahouses were completely destroyed by the earthquake. Now, hoteliers have since rebuilt them, adding more facilities.
Daily Essentials
Along with food and rooms, toilets, showers, and battery charges are also essential things for travelers.
Toilets
There is no uniformity between toilets in mountain trekking. New guesthouses have rooms with en-suite bathrooms, probably with Western toilets. Similarly, old guesthouses have common squat toilets, but most toilets will be inside the houses.
You should have your own toilet paper, because Nepali people use water instead of paper. You should also have a headlamp, because some of the hotels do not have light in toilets.
Hot shower
Most travelers expect hot showers while trekking, so most of the guesthouses on the routes offer hot showers for a fee. Normally, there are three types of showering systems on trekking trails in Nepal: solar showers, gas showers, and bucket showers.
Battery Charges
Normally, you cannot get plug sockets inside rooms in mountain guesthouses. This is because the owners charge a small fee for it. You can charge your device in the dining hall for a fee.
Wi-Fi
As trekking is an adventure journey, travelers’ families want to get daily updates. Although some trails are still wild with no mobile network or internet, nowadays most established trekking trail guesthouses offer Wi-Fi for $1 to $3 USD, depending on the location. You will be amazed that you can enjoy Wi-Fi even at high altitudes, such as Everest Base Camp.
COST
The factors that determine the cost of teahouses are their location and altitude. The price rate of food and accommodation at teahouses varies depending on the location. Normally, you will pay $3 to $20 USD. Compared to other hiking regions, the cost of accommodation at teahouses in the Everest Region is more expensive than other trekking regions. In the Everest region, the price range is $10 to $150 USD per night(depending on Hotel).
Rules on Teahouses
Although you do not need to fill out client details to get a room in a teahouse, you do need to follow the teahouse’s rules. You may be wondering what the teahouse rules are. They are:
1.Eat and Drink where you sleep
You should eat at the teahouse where you book your room. Teahouse rooms in rural areas are much cheaper than those in cities. Because teahouse owners charge less for rooms, they make a reasonable profit from food and beverages. If you eat elsewhere or bring your own food, the teahouse owner may charge you three to five times more for the room.
2.Pay bill before you leave
You do not need to pay immediately after eating or drinking, you can pay before you leave the teahouse.
3.Respect Local Culture and Code
Your home country’s fashion may not suit in Nepal because of its unique customs and traditions on trekking routes. For example, women trekking in the Himalayas must have their knees and shoulders covered. Additionally, you must take your shoes off outside the door when visiting someone’s house or a temple.