Introduction
Teahouse Trek, is an old form of trekking adventure, which includes the traditional way of travelling across the remote locations and naturally challenging trails making teahouses or lodges as an option for accommodation and for the overnight stay to continue the long duration journey. Due to its ultimate experience in Himalayas and the unique way of exploring the various travelling aspects, it now became a popular way of trekking activity to conquer the travelling spirit.
Basically, Trekking in Nepal is already a most chosen and the most done outdoor activities, making Nepal a travel hub for travel enthusiast and adventure seekers from around the different parts of the world. It is due to its enormous diversity of nature in Himalayas, with the unspoiled nature and the magnificent beauty as well the culturally rich regions untouched by the modernization. With the exposure of diverse treks in Nepal, the time made the way of travelling to evolve, which opened doors to spilt variety of trekking way to experience Himalayan journey.
Following the changes over time, the best way to enjoy the scenic trail and nature tranquility, the teahouse treks in Nepal made its way to make itself become one of the best ways to travel across Himalayas through remote and high-altitude terrains. It is also because of the taste of local foods and the dishes which are prepared with traditional method and locally produced goods.
It also became popular because of what burden feels during treks which depends upon camping, where essentials such as gears, accessories and materials turn to be a headache. From tents to mattresses, several cooking materials, foods, cleaning products and more essentials considering the duration of Journey. Isn’t it seems to a bit burden? Yes, it turns a headache during long duration trek and if the journey is diverse as what most of the trail from trekking in Nepal consists of.
So, because not only for the ultimate experience of local life, but for an easier access became another reason too, which made teahouse treks in Nepal a sensational way of travel. Specifically, teahouse are small lodges, where trekkers and travelers can stay, eat and drink along the journey. They are too built with stone walls and in some even with stone roofs, offering the glimpse of remote life, blending an ultimate collective experience.
Such features and the availability in those remote areas becoming suitable for accommodation along the experience of traditional lifestyle, it is now a popular among most of the trekking regions of Nepal, such as Everest trekking, Annapurna trekking, Manaslu Trekking, Langtang trekking and many more in the list, in which some of them are old trails and some of them are recently opened.
Here, we are about to talk and share the guidance about the teahouse treks in Nepal. We know the travelers and trekkers curiosity for the exploring different aspects of travel in various scenario. So, stick in here for some of the best guidance about Nepal teahouse treks and its factors which will depending for the experience as of personal preferences.
History of Teahouse Treks In Nepal
The term ‘tea house’ originates from the local Nepali word ‘Bhatti” which refers huts and widely found in different region of Nepal. Basically, it means a place in where one can have and serve drinks and liquor. As it is locally generated term, it has an old history related and which connects with the treks later.
In the year 1964, the trekker and a traveler who has served the British Army, organized the first commercial trek following the trails drawn over the Himalayas following the footsteps of potters which are too used by the Himlayan fore-father from long ago in the remote areas of Nepal. Till the historic ‘hippie culture’ arrived in Nepal, travelers used to trek depending upon the camping for the accommodation supports.
So, with the passing of time and evolving of travelling aspects, and after the arrival of hippie culture in Nepal, a lot of footstep travelers followed the hippie’s trail towards the Northern Himalayas. They begin to depend and stay in local houses as arrival guests which is also the local culture in Nepal, which later it introduced as homestays. Until the time of 1970s era, the huge number of trekkers increased, and they followed the similar homestay culture, hence the era or the culture of teahouse treks in Nepal began early in the time of 1980s.
Accommodation Facilities In Teahouse Treks In Nepal
Food And Drinks
Most of the teahouse menu for both food and drink consist of local cuisines and local foods. And also, most of them are organically grown in the farming terrace of Himalayas and are cooked in the fire flame of woods. So, it would be an ultimate experience in itself along the tranquil journey and local dishes in a frame.
Basically, Dal Bhat Tarkari is the main course of meal in all teahouses along with other dishes such as Mo: Mo, noodles, Thukpa, eggs and as of location. Some of popular teahouse and restaurants to provides some of the foreign dishes such as pizza, pasta and many more in options, mostly in the Everest Region and in Annapurna Region as well now in Mardi Himal Trek. It is due to the massive arrival of tourist and trekkers. Also, organically produced tea will be the key gesture in teahouses and lodges.
Some of listed below are verity from teahouse which are found and available in majority of teahouses
Breakfast
- Tea, Coffee and Juice
- Bread/Toast with Jam/butter
- Boiled Potatoes
- Pancakes*
- Bun, Cookies, Bread etc.*
*Uncertain in higher altitude
Lunch
- Mo: Mo
- Chau Mein
- Popcorn
- Chips, Pizza, Pasta etc.*
*Uncertain in higher altitude
Dinner
- Dal Bhat Tarkari
- Noodles with various flavor
- Fried Rice
Note: the dishes can vary and may not be in the above list as sometimes the other popular local dishes are served such as Roti, Dhedo, Corn, etc. so above are just the common list of dishes and cuisines which are mostly served in all trekking trails.
Internet and Electricity
Teahouse are mostly supported by the solar panel charging system due to the remoteness and being at the high altitude. Also, the unpredictable weather all the time in Himalayas makes it even harder to keep charging and provide the continuous electricity machining it a challenging task in itself. So, some of the teahouses may cost additional charges for recharging your electronics as it itself is a solid hard service to provide in such remote and high-altitude locations tackling the unpredictable weather. Therefore, to all the trekkers, it is recommended not to have argue with teahouse and lodges owners over the additional cost in electricity.
Similarly, in most of the teahouse, the internet service too costs additional charges. It is due to same power shortage issue and the expensive cost from internet service provider to teahouses. And also, the speed is bit low in compare to the urban locations of Nepal. The access to the cellular network in this area too is hard to get the proper signal.
But these treks in Nepal are for the adventure and to escape the modern chaotic for a bit of time and have joy in tranquility of nature. So, it should not be that big issue for the real travel enthusiasts and trekkers.
Toilets and Bathrooms
Most of the teahouse are equipped with proper toilets. Most of them are equipped with western-styled commodes bathroom design as some may are equipped with regional-styled pan. But there are no such issues are found in teahouses for the services of cleanness and for the managed toilet services. But for the bathroom, most of them are attached with toilets as well some of them provides with the gas shower. So, it may need to book the private room with attached bathroom to get proper bathroom services.
Rooms and Lodges
There are verities of rooms in teahouses. The options such as shared and private rooms are available. It may be hard to find private rooms in peak season because of the limited rooms and space available in these teahouses. Also, private rooms come with proper cleanness and with some good services, whereas cleanness in shared rooms are not that good.
Best Teahouse Treks In Nepal
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Everest Base Camp Teahouse Trek
Everest Region is no more a mystic place to travelers. The home to Mt. Everest, highest peak in the world, holds the enormous nature and the ultimate experience of trekking inside its traditional trails all across the diverse geography. The diversity of Everest made it to open doors for several routes spread all over its geography and exposure to the trekkers and travel enthusiast from all over the world, it is now one of among the most trekked region in the world. So, basically, Everest Base Camp Teahouse Trek, offers the wide availability of teahouses and lodges to experience the journey of teahouse inside the region of highest mountain peaks in the world.
For more about the Everest Base Camp Trek, Click Here.
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Annapurna Base Camp Teahouse Trek
Popularly known as ABC Trek, also well anticipated trekking trail with the stunning beauty of high-altitude terrains, which is also noted as one of the main features for trekking journey in Annapurna Region. It is full of majestic scenery, breathtaking landscapes, and scenic trail with the spectacular views of snow-capped peaks. The typical remote path consists of teahouses and lodges runed by the local Himalayan people as the Annapurna Region is also well known for diversely habitant of different ethnic communities. It also adds more flavor to the teahouse trekking to experience with the traditional lifestyle of Gurung, Magar and Sherpa communities in different homestays too, making it one among the best choices in teahouse treks in Nepal.
For more about Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Click Here.
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Mardi Himal Teahouse Trek
With the short duration journey, and the easier nature of this trail is another recommended teahouse treks. The scenic trail and the unspoiled nature are already the prime feature to have in Mardi Himal Trekking trial and the advantages like teahouse and lodges for the accommodation and overnight stay more glorifies the experience to do teahouse treks in Nepal. In recent time, it is making its way to become one of popular Himalayan trekking trail with such features and equally diverse like Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek in such a short duration.
For more about Mardi Himal Trek, Click Here.
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Manaslu Circuit Teahouse Trek
For, the unspoiled nature and untouched terrains, Manaslu Region is a top-notch region to explore. It is due to its diverse and difficult nature s well recently opened trails for the outsiders made it more favorable for the trekkers who seeks the tranquility of silent nature. The wildlife and the ecosystem too made Manaslu a great choice to experience e remoteness of Himalayas. With the several villages and the valleys, Manaslu Region is a very collective place for teahouses runed by different families and communities across the trail.
For more about Manaslu Circuit Trek, Click Here.
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Langtang Valley Teahouse Trek
Langtang Valley trek could be taken as a trekking trail which consists of more teahouses and lodges than in any other trekking trails of Nepal. It is also due to its nature of cultural trekking exploring and discovering the Tamang culture and their traditional lifestyle. The wide range of teahouse and lodges facilities, it also offers light and easier trekking trails, making it one of the better choices for beginner trekkers too, which is also one of a reason for its popular exposure. Also, the Langtang is very well known for the habitant of rare species of animals and birds that are listed in endangered too.
For more about Langtang Valley Trek, Click Here.
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Ghorepani Poon Hill Teahouse Trek
Lies in the Annapurna Region, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is always a scenic short trek with the blossoming landscapes and the traditional villages all across the trail. Due to the huge arrival of trekkers and travelers all around the year, there is enough teahouses and lodges in different traditional villages and in-between the settlements. Some of them are even sensational location in itself to visit such as Ghandruk, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, etc. all of this holds itself a diverse trekking trail and an ultimate experience of teahouse and homestays in traditional Gurung, Magar and Sherpa villages with the glimpse of their preserved culture. It made Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. one of outstand in the list of best teahouse treks in Nepal.
For more about Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Click Here.
Advantages And Disadvantages of Teahouse Treks In Nepal
Advantages
- Free from burden of gears and equipment as well essentials which are necessary for cooking and staying.
- No potter needed
- Little essentials will cover the whole trekking journey
- Budget Friendly
Disadvantages
- In peak seasons, access to teahouse gets solid hard due to the large number of arrivals of tourist and trekkers. Sometime even shared rooms are hard to get.
- There is no any proper marked duration and distance to plan for the next arrival of teahouse. It could be a bit hard to plan for the proper time management during long treks. (although guide properly knows where to take you)
- Sometimes in peak season, even teahouses and lodges get bit expensive than in off-season, so, it could be sometimes a bit difficult for budget travelers.
Conclusion
Up to here, we provide you the insight and essential information about the teahouse treks in Nepal. All of the recommended teahouse treks are a well-anticipated and popular trekking trails in Himalayas. And all of them are equally filled with the adventure and scenic features. Teahouse treks are a popular way of trekking and even the climbers and expeditors now somehow mostly rely on teahouse and lodges during their journey. So, all of the above insights are provided with the experience of various travelers and trekkers from different parts of the world.
But it still relies in others preference to glorify the experience of adventure, means you will never know what it feels to have such adventure experience just relying on other stories. So, in overall, you need to try by yourself to collect your own experience. Just get yourself out and give it a try and make your own stories to tell!