Teahouse Trekking In Nepal
The way of trekking in Nepal by staying in local lodges or hotels for a night while experiencing the rural life in mountains, rather than staying in a camp is Teahouse Trekking. Read more: Teahouse Trek Vs Everest Luxury Lodge Trek
Trekking in Nepal by staying in local lodges or hotels for a night and experiencing the rural life in mountains is called Teahouse Trekking.
Teahouses were originally the stops where trekkers used to stop for rest where the locals sold tea. As the trekking route became popular, with passing years, the teahouse upgraded to provide as per the need of the trekkers. You will come across lodges and hotels run by the local. There cannot be a better way to experience the lives in the mountain than staying in the teahouses during the trek. Teahouse trekking in Nepal allows you to trek with the minimum amount of gear decreasing the weight of supplies like food, cooking utensils, tents, mattresses.
While trekking in Nepal you will get bedrooms that are basic but clean. You will get rooms with single sized bed, sheets, pillow and blanket on a twin sharing basis, mostly. They provide a thick blanket which you can use as a main blanket or as a second layer over your sleeping bag. If cleanliness is an issue then you can carry a bed liner or sleeping bag from home or Kathmandu/Pokhara in Nepal.
Single room would be available upon request depending on the inflow of trekkers. Rooms with attached bathroom cost slightly higher. Sleep is important during the trek as it rejuvenates your body for the trek following day. Bedrooms are separated by thin wall which carry noises so it’s best to carry an earplugs for a sound sleep. You will find teahouses ranging from basic to luxurious on the popular trekking routes of Nepal like Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek. But teahouses are quite basic on trekking routes like Manaslu and Kanchanjunga Trek.
It will be wise to keep your expectation moderate in terms of toilet facilities while trekking in Nepal. Lower region may have western style toilets with flush but as you ascend to higher regions, toilets with manual flushing will appear. Toilet paper will become a luxury in the mountains so carry few rolls of tissue paper with you!
Some trekkers skip shower while some swear by wet wipes. If you want hot shower then it will be available for an additional fee; be it under a real shower or hot water in a bucket with a mug.
If you are used to heating system back in your home then be prepared as your rooms wouldn’t have any heating system. Rather, people gathering around a fire burning in the dining hall while talking with each other will be common sight.
In the popular trekking routes like Everest and Annapurna, you will be spoilt for option. You will find chow Mein, pizzas, momos (dumplings), thukpa (local soupy noodles), and pastas in almost all teahouses. Pan cakes, porridges, noodles, sandwich, and soups, are also available.
Meat products are flown to Lukla and are carried by yaks or potters up in the mountains which take days. As fresh meat products aren’t available in the mountains it will be wise to avoid meat during the trek; you can pack or opt for can meat products instead. Namche bazaar is a bustling town where you will find many restaurants and bakeries. Avoid eating a full tummy meal as it will slow down your speed and increase the chances of stomach ache. You can munch on chocolate bar or energy bars or drinks and even local cheese between meals that you can buy in teahouses.
You will find a drastic increase in the price of food as you trek up to the higher regions due to the remoteness of the region and difficulty in transportation.
Teahouse is more than a place you eat and sleep; it is a place where stories and experiences are shared. You will get to interact with trekkers from all around the world with a common love for trekking amidst the wilderness and high mountains. Teahouses have played a prime role in initiating friendships among strangers. If you are going solo trekking in Nepal then it will give you the opportunity to merge in a group, if you wish!
Since most of the teahouses are family-run businesses, you will get to witness the rural life of local people and get a glimpse of their day to day activities. The warmth and hospitality of the local people stays with the trekkers for a long time which is the specialty of this teahouse trek in the Himalayas of Nepal. Since tourism and hospitality is the main source of income, you will be contributing in boosting the local economy of the region.
Trekking in Nepal by staying in local lodges or hotels for a night and experiencing the rural life in mountains is called Teahouse Trekking.
Teahouses were originally the stops where trekkers used to stop for rest where the locals sold tea. As the trekking route became popular, with passing years, the teahouse upgraded to provide as per the need of the trekkers. You will come across lodges and hotels run by the local. There cannot be a better way to experience the lives in the mountain than staying in the teahouses during the trek. Teahouse trekking in Nepal allows you to trek with the minimum amount of gear decreasing the weight of supplies like food, cooking utensils, tents, mattresses.
Accommodation:
Teahouses are simple buildings mostly of stone or wood catering to the trekkers but it may also be a family’s home. The standard of the teahouse also depends on the elevation, remoteness and popularity of the trekking route. It usually consists of kitchen, communal hall, a number of bedrooms, and bathroom/s.While trekking in Nepal you will get bedrooms that are basic but clean. You will get rooms with single sized bed, sheets, pillow and blanket on a twin sharing basis, mostly. They provide a thick blanket which you can use as a main blanket or as a second layer over your sleeping bag. If cleanliness is an issue then you can carry a bed liner or sleeping bag from home or Kathmandu/Pokhara in Nepal.
Single room would be available upon request depending on the inflow of trekkers. Rooms with attached bathroom cost slightly higher. Sleep is important during the trek as it rejuvenates your body for the trek following day. Bedrooms are separated by thin wall which carry noises so it’s best to carry an earplugs for a sound sleep. You will find teahouses ranging from basic to luxurious on the popular trekking routes of Nepal like Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek. But teahouses are quite basic on trekking routes like Manaslu and Kanchanjunga Trek.
Teahouse Etiquettes:
The local lodges earn mostly from your meals and beverages at teahouse so you will be expected to eat all your meals where you stay. It will be thoughtful to take your dirty trekking boots off and use flip-flops indoors.Other Amenities (WI-FI, electricity, Hot Showers, toilets):
Teahouses mostly have Wi-Fi, so you can access it with a fee but the speed of connectivity is an issue as many people are connected to the same network. In most areas mobile connectivity is good so you can opt for a sim card too. The sim card must be bought and activated in the cities before you head for trekking in Nepal. Charging outlets will be available in the dining area where you can charge your camera, tablet, phones, and others for a nominal fee.It will be wise to keep your expectation moderate in terms of toilet facilities while trekking in Nepal. Lower region may have western style toilets with flush but as you ascend to higher regions, toilets with manual flushing will appear. Toilet paper will become a luxury in the mountains so carry few rolls of tissue paper with you!
Some trekkers skip shower while some swear by wet wipes. If you want hot shower then it will be available for an additional fee; be it under a real shower or hot water in a bucket with a mug.
If you are used to heating system back in your home then be prepared as your rooms wouldn’t have any heating system. Rather, people gathering around a fire burning in the dining hall while talking with each other will be common sight.
Meals:
The local meal of dal, bhat, tarkari is considered an idea meal during the trek and most trekkers, guides and porter eat this. The meal basically consists of lentil soup, boiled and steamed rice, fresh vegetables, greens, pickles and few pieces of salads. You are recommended to have this meal as it is full of carbs which is essential to walk for at least 6 to 7 hours a day.In the popular trekking routes like Everest and Annapurna, you will be spoilt for option. You will find chow Mein, pizzas, momos (dumplings), thukpa (local soupy noodles), and pastas in almost all teahouses. Pan cakes, porridges, noodles, sandwich, and soups, are also available.
Meat products are flown to Lukla and are carried by yaks or potters up in the mountains which take days. As fresh meat products aren’t available in the mountains it will be wise to avoid meat during the trek; you can pack or opt for can meat products instead. Namche bazaar is a bustling town where you will find many restaurants and bakeries. Avoid eating a full tummy meal as it will slow down your speed and increase the chances of stomach ache. You can munch on chocolate bar or energy bars or drinks and even local cheese between meals that you can buy in teahouses.
You will find a drastic increase in the price of food as you trek up to the higher regions due to the remoteness of the region and difficulty in transportation.
Teahouse is more than a place you eat and sleep; it is a place where stories and experiences are shared. You will get to interact with trekkers from all around the world with a common love for trekking amidst the wilderness and high mountains. Teahouses have played a prime role in initiating friendships among strangers. If you are going solo trekking in Nepal then it will give you the opportunity to merge in a group, if you wish!
Since most of the teahouses are family-run businesses, you will get to witness the rural life of local people and get a glimpse of their day to day activities. The warmth and hospitality of the local people stays with the trekkers for a long time which is the specialty of this teahouse trek in the Himalayas of Nepal. Since tourism and hospitality is the main source of income, you will be contributing in boosting the local economy of the region.
Comments
Post a Comment