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 The Teahouse Trek In Nepal?
Teahouse Treks: 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.
Originally, teahouses were small shops where hikers could stop to rest and have a cup of tea. Over time, these teahouses have evolved into full-fledged mountain lodges that provide food, accommodation and other basic necessities to their guests. Most teahouses are owned and operated by local families. Teahouse trekking (a great alternative to expensive camping treks) has become
Food: For food in teahouse type treks, you can choose from a menu. In trekking lodges, you will get fresh food as they prepare the food after the guest orders.
Accommodation: In short, the accommodation on the trekking route in the Himalayas is very simple but clean and comfortable. Generally, you will get a single size bed with pillow, sheet, blanket, table and dustbin, and a ceiling lamp. We recommend trekkers to bring or rent their own sleeping bag for trekking. Blankets are not enough in extreme weather and they do not provide enough warmth during high altitude treks and even in winter.
- Teahouses in the Sagarmatha region: The Sagarmatha region is the most popular trekking route in Nepal, and you can find both lodges and high-end teahouses there.
- Teahouses in the Annapurna region: There are many standard teahouses in the trekking areas of the Annapurna region. Generally, on the Annapurna Circuit Trail and Ghorepani Poon Hill, you will find basic to standard houses for sleeping and eating.
- Teahouses in the Langtang region: Before the 2015 earthquake, with a few exceptions, most of the teahouses in the Langtang region were basic. These basic teahouses were completely destroyed by the earthquake. Now, hoteliers have rebuilt them, adding more amenities.
Daily essentials: Along with food and rooms, toilets, showers, and battery charges are also essentials for travelers.
Toilets: There is no uniformity among toilets in mountain trekking. Newer guesthouses have rooms with en-suite bathrooms, possibly with western toilets. Similarly, older guesthouses will have simple squat toilets, but most toilets will be indoors. Where, you should bring your own toilet paper, as Nepalese people use water instead of paper. You should also bring a headlamp, as some hotels do not have lights in their toilets.
Hot Showers: Most travelers expect hot showers while trekking, so most guesthouses along the routes offer hot showers for a fee. Generally, there are three types of shower systems on trekking routes in Nepal: solar showers, gas showers, and bucket showers.
Battery Charges: You usually cannot get plug sockets inside the 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: Since trekking is an adventure, families of travelers want to get daily updates. Although some trails are still wild without mobile networks or internet, these days most established trekking trail guesthouses offer Wi-Fi for $1 to $3 USD depending on location. You will be surprised to know that Wi-Fi can be enjoyed even at high altitudes like Everest Base Camp.
Cost (Price): The factors that determine the cost of teahouses are their location and altitude. The price of food and accommodation in teahouses varies depending on the location. Typically, you will have to pay $3 to $20 USD. Compared to other trekking areas, the cost of accommodation in teahouses in the Everest region is more expensive than other trekking areas. In the Everest region, the price range is $15 to $150 USD per night (depending on the hotel).
Rules in Teahouses: Although you do not have to fill in customer details to get a room in a teahouse, you do need to follow the rules of the teahouse. You may be wondering what the rules of the teahouse are. They are:
- Eat and Drink Where you sleep: You must eat at the teahouse where you book your room. Teahouse rooms in rural areas are much cheaper than those in cities. Since teahouse owners charge less for the room, they make a fair profit from the food and drinks. If you eat elsewhere or bring your own food, the teahouse owner may charge you three to five times more for the room.
- Pay the bill before you leave: You don’t have to pay immediately after eating or drinking, you can pay before leaving the tea shop.
- Respect local culture and codes: Your home country’s fashion may not be appropriate in Nepal due to its unique customs and traditions on trekking routes. For example, women trekking in the Himalayas must cover their knees and shoulders. Additionally, you must remove your shoes outside the door when entering someone’s home or temple.
