The travel and tourism industry in Nepal has seen huge growth in the last few years. Most of the famous trekking routes, like Ghorpeani Poon, Annapurna Base Camp, and Everest Base Camp, offer incredible accommodations and services for trekkers.
You can even do these treks in a luxury adventure style. Apart from some extremely isolated regions, such as Upper Dolpo, Humla, Mugu, and Bajhang, lodges and tea houses are available in almost all other trekking regions.
Depending on the trekking destination's popularity, you may find different types of accommodation in the mountains. For instance, EBC and ABC are the most popular, so trekkers have excellent accommodation choices on these two trek routes.
However, treks like the Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit are quiet, so basic tea house accommodation is common on these trek routes. We have explained the different types of accommodations available on the trekking routes in Nepal below:
Accommodation during trekking in Nepal
There are four main types of accommodation in the trekking regions in Nepal.
Tea house:
The tea house is the most simple type of accommodation in the mountains. It is also the cheapest in terms of price and offers basic service. Trekking regions like Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, and some parts of Annapurna Circuit have tea house accommodations.
Twin-share rooms are usually available, and single rooms are limited. Washrooms are shared. Many tea houses have Western-style toilets, but you may also have to use squat toilets, depending on the trek's popularity.
Services like charging and hot showers cost extra money. WiFi may not be available at high elevations. Overall, the rooms are small and good enough to spend the night at.
Lodge
Lodges are a better kind of accommodation than tea houses. All famous trekking routes in Nepal have lodge accommodations. Destinations like EBC and ABC offer two types of lodges- basic and luxury.
Basic lodges are simple lodges with private or shared washrooms. Most lodges have Western-style toilets. Services like charging, WiFi, and hot showers cost extra money.
Trekkers get shared rooms. Single rooms are available for additional money, and you have to inform your guide ahead of time. You will get clean bedding and a blanket.
Likewise, luxury lodges are expensive but also best in the mountains. It offers excellent amenities and services like hot showers, and charging does not cost extra money. Rooms are spacious and beautiful, with a private washroom.
Guest house
The guest house is mostly famous in the Langtang region. Guest houses are the home of the locals. It provides a close mountain lifestyle experience. Guest houses can be super simple or decent-looking. Nevertheless, the services will be limited.
Camping
You will camp in areas where there are no tea houses or lodges available. We will provide alpine tents and full board service on camping treks. Our strong support team will trek with you, along with a mountain guide on the camping trek.
The support team will take care of making tents and cooking food. We provide separate sleeping tents and shared dining and washroom tents. Note that camping treks are mostly done in the most secluded parts of the Himalayas, so the services will be limited.
Some additional accommodation and service information
Room upgrade or single room
You can upgrade to a room with an attached washroom or a luxury lodge at an extra cost. Due to limited room upgrade options, booking ahead is necessary, so please let us know ahead.
Similarly, single rooms are also limited and may not be available at upper elevations. Prior booking is necessary for single rooms, too. It may cost you 750 NPR to 1000 NPR to upgrade to a better room with an attached washroom. Rooms in luxury lodges are much more expensive.
What are the toilets like on the trail?
Popular trails have Western-style toilets widely available. But remote routes have mostly squat toilets. Washrooms are simple and mostly shared between the trekkers.
Villages at lower elevations offer better washroom and ensuite options. The higher you go, the simpler the washrooms will get. Trekkers are recommended to carry soap, toilet paper, sanitizer, wet wipes, etc.
Taking a shower during trekking is not common, especially when you ascend above 3,500 meters to 4,000 meters. The water is always cold at this height, and hot showers may cost up to NPR 700. Wet wipes will keep you fresh.
Are tea houses and lodges clean and comfortable?
Yes, tea houses and lodges are clean and comfortable. The accommodation providers take good care of their properties and guests. They change bedsheets and pillow covers after every guest leaves.
Note that bedding may not be spotless like in the city. If you are sensitive, please carry a bedsheet and a pillow cover and place them on top of the bedding provided to you.
Do trekking lodges provide blankets, or should I bring a sleeping bag?
You will get blankets in the tea houses and lodges, but it may not be enough to go through the night because the temperature drops quite much at night.
We highly recommend sleeping bags for treks like EBC, Annapurna Circuit, ABC, Manaslu Circuit, etc. You can buy a sleeping bag for the journey. Likewise, if your budget does not allow it, rent a sleeping bag in Kathmandu or Pokhara for just USD 2 to USD 3 per day.
Are sleeping arrangements safe and suitable for solo female travelers?
We usually put female trekkers together during the treks. If you are only a single female trekker in your group, we will adjust you with another female trekker in the tea house/lodge.
Likewise, solo female or male trekkers can upgrade to single if they are uncomfortable sharing it with a stranger. The locals are welcoming and very caring. There is nothing to worry about while sleeping in the tea houses and lodges.
