Teahouses on Everest Base Camp Trek: What to Know About Your Accommodation

Trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC) is one of the most iconic adventures in the world, offering stunning landscapes, challenging hikes, and a deep dive into the culture of the Himalayan Everest Trek region. One aspect of the trek that often surprises newcomers is the accommodation available along the trail: teahouses. These humble lodgings are more than just places to sleep—they are hubs of culture, community, and sustenance for trekkers making their way to Everest. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about teahouses on the Everest Base Camp Trek, from what they offer to how to prepare for the experience.
What Are Teahouses?
Teahouses are small, family-run lodges that offer both accommodation and meals to trekkers. These establishments are scattered along the trekking routes in Himalayas, including the Everest Treks, Annapurna Treks, Langtang Treks, Manaslu Treks and other Nepal Trekking areas. They originated as simple resting places for traders and travelers but have evolved over time into the backbone of the trekking industry.
Despite the name, teahouses do much more than just serve tea. They typically offer basic rooms with beds and blankets, communal dining areas, and a simple but nourishing menu. They are designed to provide trekkers with the essentials: shelter, food, and a place to relax after a day of strenuous trekking. However, the amenities available in teahouses vary significantly depending on their location and altitude.

Teahouse Accommodation: What to Expect
1. Room Facilities
Teahouse rooms are generally very basic, especially as you ascend to higher altitudes. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect in terms of comfort and facilities:
Room Size and Layout: Rooms are usually small, with just enough space for two single beds or sometimes a double bed. The walls are thin, often made of plywood, which means privacy is minimal. Most rooms do not have attached bathrooms, and heating is rarely provided.
Bedding: Each bed will typically have a mattress, pillow, and a blanket or quilt. However, these can be thin and may not provide enough warmth at higher altitudes, so it’s highly recommended to bring your own sleeping bag. A 4-season sleeping bag rated for cold weather is ideal, as temperatures can drop significantly, especially in places like Gorak Shep or Lobuche.
Toilets and Bathrooms: Lower on the trail, you might find teahouses with Western-style toilets and basic showers, but as you go higher, these luxuries become rare. Most high-altitude teahouses have shared squat toilets, and hot showers (if available) are often powered by gas or solar energy, which can be unreliable. Expect to pay extra for a hot shower, usually around 300-500 NPR ($2.50-$4.00), and the water may not be as warm as you hope.
Heating: Teahouses at lower altitudes may have wood or yak-dung stoves in the communal dining areas, which become the main source of warmth. In higher-altitude teahouses, however, heating becomes sparse due to the lack of fuel. Rooms themselves are rarely heated, and at night, temperatures inside can be freezing.
2. Communal Dining Areas
The heart of every teahouse is its communal dining area, a warm and welcoming space where trekkers gather to eat, socialize, and exchange stories. The dining hall is typically the only heated area, with a central stove fueled by wood, yak dung, or gas.
Dining Tables: Long wooden tables and benches line the room, and trekkers are encouraged to mingle and meet fellow adventurers. It’s not uncommon to find travelers from all over the world sharing meals and experiences around the same table.
Menu and Food: The food offered in teahouses is simple but nourishing, catering to the energy demands of trekkers. The most common dish is Dal Bhat, a traditional Nepali meal consisting of rice, lentil soup, and vegetable curry. It’s filling, nutritious, and comes with unlimited refills, making it a favorite among trekkers.
Other common items include:
Noodle Soups: Thukpa, a hearty noodle soup with vegetables, is widely available.
Momos: Steamed or fried dumplings filled with vegetables or meat.
Pasta, Rice, and Potato Dishes: Options like fried rice, spaghetti, and fried potatoes are popular, providing the carbohydrates needed for trekking.
Breakfast: Usually consists of porridge, eggs, Tibetan bread, or pancakes.
As you ascend, food becomes more expensive due to the difficulty of transporting supplies higher up the trail. In higher-altitude villages like Lobuche and Gorak Shep, prices can be almost double compared to Lukla or Namche Bazaar. This is due to the reliance on yaks and porters to carry supplies up the steep terrain, which significantly increases costs.
Special Diets: While vegetarian options are widely available, vegan meals can be more difficult to find, especially at higher altitudes where food choices are limited. Communicating dietary restrictions can also be challenging due to language barriers, so it is a good idea to carry supplementary snacks if you have specific needs.
Also if you are wondering on best time to do Everest Base Camp Trek then, read our blog When to visit Everest Base Camp?

Altitude and Amenities: How the Teahouse Experience Changes as You Ascend
The higher you go the more rustic and basic the teahouses become. This is due to the increasing difficulty of transporting goods and building materials at higher altitudes. Below is a rough guide to how teahouse accommodation and services change as you ascend.
1. Teahouses at Lower Altitudes (Lukla to Namche Bazaar)
- Amenities: Teahouses in this section offer relatively comfortable rooms, with attached bathrooms and Western-style toilets in some places. You might find hot showers powered by solar energy, and there’s generally a wider variety of food on the menu.
- Wi-Fi and Charging: Wi-Fi is available in many teahouses (though it may be slow), and you can usually charge your electronic devices for a small fee. Expect to pay 100-300 NPR ($0.80-$2.50) per device for charging.
2. Mid-Altitude Teahouses (Namche Bazaar to Tengboche)
- Amenities: As you climb higher, teahouses become more basic, and attached bathrooms become rare. Hot showers are available but less reliable, and the cost for amenities like Wi-Fi and charging begins to increase.
- Wi-Fi and Charging: Wi-Fi is still available but at a higher cost, and charging stations are more limited. Solar power becomes the primary energy source, so charging may only be possible during daylight hours.
3. High-Altitude Teahouses (Dingboche to Gorak Shep)
- Amenities: At high altitudes, teahouses become extremely basic. Rooms are small, unheated, and often cold, with shared bathrooms. Hot showers, if available, are expensive, and the water may not be very hot.
- Wi-Fi and Charging: Wi-Fi is scarce and very expensive at this altitude, and charging devices can cost up to 500 NPR ($4.00) or more per device. In some places, teahouses only offer charging for a few hours each day, depending on solar energy availability.
Cost of Accommodation in Teahouses
Teahouse accommodation on the Everest Base Camp Trek is quite affordable, although prices vary based on altitude. In general, the cost for a basic room ranges from 200-500 NPR ($2-$5) per night at lower elevations like Lukla and Namche Bazaar. However, the price of accommodation can increase to 500-1000 NPR ($4-$8) per night in higher-altitude areas like Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep.
Many teahouses offer discounted or free accommodation if trekkers agree to eat all their meals at the teahouse. This is because teahouse owners make most of their profit from food and drink sales rather than room charges.

What Extra Services Do Teahouses Offer?
In addition to accommodation and food, many teahouses offer a few extra services, which can make your trek more comfortable. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available:
1. Hot Showers
Hot showers are a luxury on the Everest Base Camp trek, especially at higher altitudes. While many teahouses offer them, they come at a price. Depending on the altitude and location, a hot shower can cost anywhere from 200-500 NPR ($1.50-$4.00). The water is usually heated with gas or solar power, but it may not be reliably hot, especially in higher-altitude regions where solar power is limited.
2. Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available in most teahouses but can be slow, unreliable, and expensive, especially as you ascend higher. In lower villages like Lukla and Namche Bazaar, Wi-Fi costs about 200-300 NPR ($1.50-$2.50) per hour. However, in places like Lobuche and Gorak Shep, Wi-Fi prices can jump to 500-1000 NPR ($4-$8) per hour. Connectivity can also be patchy due to the remoteness of the region.
3. Charging Electronic Devices
With the increasing popularity of smartphones, cameras, and GPS devices on the trek, the need to charge electronics is a common concern. Most teahouses offer charging services, but at a cost. Lower down, it may cost 100-200 NPR ($1-$2) to charge a device. However, at higher altitudes, it can cost 500 NPR ($4.00) or more per device. Since electricity is often solar-powered and limited, charging is usually only available for a few hours a day.
Etiquette in Teahouses
Teahouses are typically family-run, and the people who operate them work hard to make a living in a remote and difficult environment. As a guest, it’s important to be respectful of local customs and the effort that goes into providing accommodation at such high altitudes. Here are a few key etiquette points to keep in mind:
- Order meals where you stay: Most teahouses expect guests to order dinner and breakfast if they’re staying the night. It’s generally considered rude to stay at a teahouse but go elsewhere for meals, as food is their primary source of income.
- Be mindful of noise: The walls in teahouses are thin, so sound travels easily. Try to keep your noise level down, especially if you’re staying in a shared room or dormitory.
- Respect the communal spaces: Teahouses often have limited space, so be considerate of others in the dining hall or shared areas. Avoid spreading your gear all over the place and be mindful of taking up space near the stove, which is a hot commodity during cold evenings.
- Use water sparingly: Water is a precious resource in the Himalayas. Be mindful of how much you use, especially at higher altitudes where it has to be carried by yak or porter.
Booking Teahouses: Do You Need to Book in Advance?
One of the most common questions trekkers ask is whether they need to book teahouses in advance. During the peak trekking seasons (March-May and September-November), the teahouses can fill up quickly, especially in popular areas like Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. While it’s not strictly necessary to book in advance, it’s a good idea to have a rough plan and aim to arrive at your next teahouse by mid-afternoon to secure a room.
Most trekkers rely on their guides to help with booking, as local guides often have relationships with teahouse owners and can secure rooms even during busy periods. If you’re trekking independently, you can book rooms through some online platforms for lower-altitude areas, but higher up, it’s usually first-come, first-served.

The Role of Teahouses in the Local Economy and Culture
Teahouses play a crucial role in supporting the local economy of the Khumbu region. Many families depend on teahouse income as their primary source of livelihood, especially in villages that are too remote for other types of industry. The rise of teahouse trekking has also allowed these communities to maintain their traditional way of life while benefiting from the global trekking community.
Many teahouse owners are members of the Sherpa community, and staying in these establishments offers trekkers a unique opportunity to interact with local people and learn about Sherpa culture. It’s common to hear stories of Sherpa climbers who have summited Everest multiple times, or to witness the deep Buddhist faith that underpins life in this region, particularly in villages near monasteries like Tengboche.
FAQs
1. What is a tea house?
A tea house is a small, local guesthouse along trekking routes in Nepal that offers basic lodging and meals to trekkers. They are commonly found on the Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek.
2. What are the rooms like in tea houses?
Tea house rooms are usually basic with twin beds, a small table, and blankets. The walls are thin, and bathrooms are often shared. In higher altitudes, the rooms may become more basic, with fewer amenities.
3. Are tea houses heated?
Dining areas in tea houses usually have a central wood or yak-dung stove to keep the room warm. However, the individual sleeping rooms are typically unheated, so it is essential to have a good sleeping bag, especially at higher altitudes where temperatures drop at night.
4. Is hot water available in tea houses?
Hot water is available in most tea houses, but it often comes at an extra cost. You can either pay for a hot shower or request a bucket of hot water. At higher altitudes, the price increases due to the difficulty of heating water.
5. What kind of food do tea houses serve?
Tea houses offer a variety of meals, ranging from local Nepali dishes like dal bhat (lentils and rice) to Western options like pasta, pizza, or pancakes. The menus are quite similar throughout the trek, and while the food is generally hearty, it becomes simpler as you ascend in altitude.
6. Is Wi-Fi available in tea houses?
Some tea houses offer Wi-Fi, but it is often slow and may come with an additional charge. As you go higher up, the signal becomes weaker, and some tea houses may not have Wi-Fi at all.
7. Can I charge my devices at tea houses?
Yes, you can charge your devices in most tea houses, but there is often a fee, especially at higher altitudes. Charging stations may only be available in the dining area, and power cuts are common, so it is a good idea to bring power banks or solar chargers.
8. Do tea houses provide drinking water?
Tea houses offer boiled water, but this also comes at a cost. You can either buy bottled water or bring a reusable bottle and use water purification tablets or filters to treat local water sources.
9. Are tea houses crowded during peak trekking season?
Yes, during peak trekking seasons (spring and autumn), tea houses can get crowded, and especially in popular stops like Namche Bazaar or Gorak Shep. It is a good idea to book in advance if possible or arrive early in the afternoon to secure a room.
10. Are tea houses safe and hygienic?
Tea houses are generally safe, and most maintain basic hygiene standards, though they can be rustic. The rooms and dining areas are usually clean, but it is advisable to bring your own sleeping liner and hand sanitizer, especially at higher altitudes where resources are limited.
11. How much do tea houses cost?
The cost of a night’s stay in a tea house ranges from $2 to $10 per night, depending on altitude and season. However, the expectation is that you will purchase meals at the tea house, which helps to subsidize the lower room costs.
12. Do tea houses provide blankets?
Most tea houses provide blankets, but at higher altitudes, they may not be warm enough on their own. It is recommended to carry a quality sleeping bag rated for sub-zero temperatures.
13. Can I book tea houses in advance?
In some larger villages like Namche Bazaar, you can book in advance, but along most of the trail, tea houses operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Your Trek Tour Operator or Guides can often help secure accommodations ahead of time, especially during busy seasons.
14. Do tea houses accommodate dietary restrictions?
While tea houses offer a limited range of meals, most can accommodate dietary restrictions like vegetarian or gluten-free diets. However, the options become more limited at higher altitudes, so it is advisable to communicate your needs early and bring along some snacks that suit your diet.
15. Are toilets in tea houses Western or squat-style?
Toilets in tea houses vary. At lower altitudes, you may find both Western-style and squat toilets, but as you ascend, squat toilets become more common. Toilet paper is not usually provided, so bring your own or purchase it along the way.
You can also read Everest Base Camp Trek FAQs

Final Thoughts: Preparing for Your Teahouse Experience
Staying in teahouses is an integral part of the Everest Base Camp Trek experience, offering not only a place to rest but also a window into the culture and resilience of the people who live in this remote region. While the accommodations may be basic, the warmth and hospitality of the teahouse owners make it a memorable aspect of the trek.
To make the most of your teahouse experience, come prepared with the right gear (including a warm sleeping bag), a flexible mindset, and a respect for the people and environment. By doing so, you will be able to fully enjoy this incredible journey to the roof of the world.
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