Teahouse Trekking in Nepal - All you need to know

Teahouse trekking has been gaining popularity over the years with the rise of trekkers in Nepal. In the past trekking experience, tent camping was the only option for the trekkers to rest at the majestic mountains' foothills. It was expensive and a difficult option as the trekker had to carry all the equipment and take the help of a porter and a cook for carrying the luggage and cooking food at night. With increasing trekkers and love for nature, the teahouse came into existence making the stay cheaper and easier.

Initially, the teahouse was a place for the trekkers to relax and have a sip of tea. Later, the teahouse owner transformed it into a multiple-room lodge with beds and food facilities. Today, you can see teahouses line up at the popular and even isolated trekking trail making it easier for the trekker to enjoy their trek without the fuss of heavy equipment or helpers.

What Is A Teahouse?

Teahouses stay in the lodge along the trekking routes that offer basic and comfortable lodging and meals.

The teahouses can vary from region to region but mostly you will find them are stone and wooden house with a kitchen, eating space, toilet area and bedrooms with two single beds and a table. In the lower altitude, you will find teahouses of multi-story buildings with attached bathrooms. But as you go higher, the more basic the facilities get.

Foods And Drinks In Teahouse (Teahouse Menu)

Families usually run the teahouses. You will find the typical Nepali food such as Dhal Bhaat consisting of steamed rice, curries, lentil soup and pickle. You can also find pasta, momos (dumplings), noodles and pizza in most of the teahouses. Make sure you check if the foods are available before you make an order. It is also suggested to eat fresh food only as you might want to avoid getting sick while you are on the trek.

Most trekkers choose the typical Nepali Dhal Bhaat as it is healthy and available everywhere you go. For drinks, you can get boiled water, sodas and soft drinks. These drinks will cost you extra money as you go in the higher altitude. The higher you go in the trek; the prices of the meals will increase.

Breakfast

• Tea, coffee & juice
• Eggs

• Ham/bacon/sausage (if available)
• Toast with butter/jam/honey
• Chapati, Tibetan bread, muesli porridge
• Pancakes/crepes

Lunch and Dinner

• Pasta & noodles: chowmein, noodle soup, spaghetti, fried rice
• Momos, Dhal Bhaat,
• Popcorn, chips, potatoes
• Spring rolls
• Pizza
• Sandwiches & soup

Dessert

• Rice pudding
• Chocolate pudding
• Apple or banana fritters

WIFI, Electricity And Cellphone Facilities In Teahouse

You can find internet and electricity facilities now in most of the teahouses of Nepal. However, the internet connection can be low due to the old routers. Also, due to the low network connection, you may not be able to use the cellphone data packs. Also, to charge your phone or gadgets, most teahouses take around $2-$3. The power cuts are frequent thus most teahouses use solar power for charging your gadgets.

Sometimes, due to bad weather or cloudy days, there might be no lights or power outages for several hours. So, make sure you carry an extra battery pack or power bank for your gadgets.

What Types Of Rooms Are Available In The Teahouse?

Most teahouses have a clean and basic shared room with two-three beds in every room, a window and a personal lock for your door. The beds are comfortable with foam mattresses, pillows and blankets. It is suggested to bring your own sleeping bag to ensure you are warm at night and you do not have to worry about cleanliness. Also, the wooden walls are thin across the rooms and you can hear the noises. So, if you are a light sleeper, bring a pair of earplugs for a good night's sleep.

During the peak season, you may have to use the shared room as the trail gets crowded with trekkers and the teahouse owners ask you to share the rooms to save spaces. The teahouses are limited and everyone needs to rest so, there are chances that you may have to share rooms with other trekkers.

Toilets And Showers Facilities In Teahouse

The teahouses either have the traditional squat toilets or the western style toilets. You may get the western-style toilet in the lower altitude, but you will have the traditional ones as you go up in a higher altitude. Make sure you carry enough toilet paper and hand sanitizer. You may get it in the lower elevation area and hot water may not be always available for showers. So, it is suggested you carry wet wipes instead of taking showers.

Best Teahouse Trekking In Nepal

Teahouse trekking is famous in Nepal, one of the most amazing treks to experience apart from the trekking trails' beauty. Apart from getting a warm and comfortable stay at the lodges or guesthouse, you do not need to carry heavy equipment and enjoy the trek. You can enjoy the teahouse trek infamous trails such as Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu and Langtang region.

Everest Region

The Everest Region is one of the best trekking routes for teahouse trek in the world where a large number of trekkers visit Nepal to come across the highest mountain on Earth. Everest Region is not only a destination for luxury trekkers but also for backpackers. The trekkers can get the comfort of warm beds and good meals. You can find teahouses and luxury hotels for your overnight stay depending on your preferences.

In the higher altitude places such as Dzongla, Pheriche, Gorakshep, you find basic facilities in the teahouse whereas in Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Gokyo and Dingboche, you can get a luxury stay. You can enjoy a luxury stay at Everest Summit Lodge, Hotel Everest View and Yeti Mountain Home.

Everest Base Camp trek is the most popular trek in Nepal which has numerous teahouses of basic to good quality. You can find the teahouse along the trail to stay in; some locations have few or just one teahouse depending on the remoteness of the trail. You can find hot water, a wide variety of food at the lower altitude. As you go to the higher altitude, you may only find basic facilities of beds and food.

Everest Base camp and Gokyo trek is a great combination trek that offers the best of the Khumbu region.  The trek starts from Lukla and ends in Kala Patthar. You will find several teahouses with standard facilities in the lower region. As you go higher in the altitude, you will find a few teahouses with few facilities. Make sure you carry a sleeping bag for warmth.

Annapurna Region

Annapurna region is the most visited trekking route in Nepal where about two-thirds of the trekkers visit the region. The area is highly accessible with a number of hotels and teahouses amidst the mountains. The major trekking route in Annapurna is the Annapurna Base Camp trek, Poon Hill trek, Annapurna Circuit.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a famous teahouse trekking route that offers wide variety of teahouses. The trek is usually till 15 days where you will find good quality teahouses along the trail. You will find teahouses with basic to higher facilities. You get comfortable beds, warm blankets and local foods for which you will not have to carry heavy equipment.

Poon Hill trek is a famous trail in the Annapurna Region with many teahouses in major stopping points. The trek starts from Pokhara and ends at the amazing hill station of Poon Hill. You will find better teahouses in the lower region rather than that in the higher altitude. You will find wide range of food such as western, Chinese, Nepali and Indian food along with hot waters and comfortable beds. Except for the peak seasons in spring and autumn, you do not have to book the teahouses in advance.

Annapurna Circuit has better teahouses with good facilities along the route. You will find teahouses within the shorter distance of the trail.The prices may vary as per the season. Ensure you have advance booking during the peak season of spring and autumn.

Manaslu Region

Manaslu region is an isolated trekking route where you will come across its natural wilderness and beauty. The trek around the region offers pristine beauty and now is open to trekkers from all over the world. The region offers a great combination of cultural beauty and majestic mountains. The trail takes you to Manaslu circuit trek, Nar-Phu Gaon, Larke Pass, Tsum valley and many more.

The Manaslu Trek is one of the scenic treks in the Manaslu region. You may not find as many teahouses as in the other trails. You will find the accommodation and foods of basic to good quality in a reasonable price.

The Tsum Valley Trek is a journey to the Buddhist pilgrimage valley in Nepal that offers scenic views of the Manaslu region. It is a very isolated and remote location where you might not find good teahouses as many as in the other region.

Langtang Region

Langtang region is located northwest of Kathmandu and is the closest trekking destination to the capital city. The major destination of this region is Laurinayak Pass where you get to see major mountains in Nepal ranging from Makalu to Annapurna. You can visit places with religious beliefs such as Gosaikunda, a holy lake home to Lord Shiva. The trekking trail takes you the diverse culture of Sherpa and Tamang people. You can try out the famous yak cheese and enjoy the Tibetan culture and traditions.

Langtang region is an amazing trekking route with many good-quality teahouses. You do not need to carry tents as you will get comfortable accommodations in most of the stopping points. The facilities are good to moderate and you will find hot water facilities and local foods.

Benefits Of Teahouse Trekking In Nepal

The major benefits of teahouse trekking are as follows

• Convenience: These teahouses offer convenience at their best. They are located perfectly for trekkers to stop for a night to rest comfortably. The teahouses are now well established and offer the basic yet most comfortable facilities for most trekkers.
• Comfortable: The teahouses offer a comfortable stay for the trekkers. It helps them to reduce their packing gears. You do not need to carry other camping equipment making your backpack less heavy. The teahouses have beds and blankets for you to stay warm.
• Local Touch: While you experience teahouse trekking, you will be connected with the locals where you can talk and share stories with each other. You can understand their daily lives chores and support them directly. You can enjoy their homegrown foods and encourage local farmers as well.

Difference Between Teahouse And Camping Trekking

Teahouse Trekking

Here, trekkers enjoy the stay at comfortable accommodation at a convenient location for them to rest overnight. Most of the teahouses are established in famous trekking trails. You can enjoy the stay at the teahouse, enjoy their local and homegrown foods and take a rest after long hours of walking. You do not have to carry other camping equipment and enjoy the warm bedrooms. If you wish, you can carry an additional sleeping bag.

Camping Trekking

Camping trek is amazing to the experience of trekking where you set up tents during the trek on a perfect location. For this, you need a professional guide to inform you about the trek, weather and the trail; a porter will carry your bags and set up the tents for you and a cook will prepare amazing meals for you. You will need to carry a small bag to keep your essentials. Camping trek can be done in any place of Nepal but mostly trekkers prefer the remote and isolated areas. Sleeping bags are a must for this trek.

Why Teahouse Trekking In Nepal?

• No Equipment: You can trek without any heavy equipment during a teahouse trek. You don’t need to carry camping equipment. You can get the facilities of comfortable rooms, beds and delicious foods.
• Explore the lifestyle and culture of the local people: The teahouses give you a chance to explore the eating, living, and daily chores with the local families who run and own it. You can share your stories and listen to theirs.
• Suitable for families, solo, independent travelers: Teahouse treks in Nepal are budget-friendly and suitable for families or solo trekkers.
• Affordable: Teahouse treks are cheaper than camping treks. You don’t need to have as much equipment, supplies, and trekking staff such as porters or cooks.
• Comfortable: Teahouse treks are comfortable and you will have a warm place to sleep and home-cooked meals to eat.

General Tips For Teahouse Trekking In Nepal

• Reach the teahouse before 7 PM if you have not booked one. Most of the teahouses do not serve meals after this time.
• Bring your sleeping bag and a liner for extra warmth. It can be used during the peak season when the teahouses are out of extra blankets.
• On the higher altitude of the trek, the communal toilets are usually outside the teahouse. So, bring a flashlight for midnight toilet breaks.
• Bring enough toilet (tissue) paper and hand sanitizers. Most of the toilets will not have them at a higher altitude.
• Plan a backup: During the peak season, the popular trails are crowded so ensure you have enough time to find another teahouse. Else, bring a sleeping bag to spend the night on the floor of the teahouse.
• Research or ask other trekkers for a good teahouse recommendation for reliable, good teahouses.

Conclusion

Teahouse trekking in Nepal is an excellent choice to experience the trails at a reasonable price and with low equipment. You can enjoy such trek in Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu and Langtang region of Nepal. With the growing number of trekkers, teahouse trekking has been improving with added facilities that make the journey easier and stress-free. You can enjoy warm rooms, comfortable beds, local meals and stories from the locals that let you know more about the culture and tradition. All in all, teahouse trekking offers unforgettable memories that remain for a lifetime.