Trekking is a fun and enchanting outdoor activity that involves walking or hiking in natural landscapes, often in remote and rough terrain. Unlike passive walking, hiking usually is in remote or terrain area, often in mountainous areas, which can take days or weeks to complete.
Travel is popular in many parts of the world, where Nepal is one of the popular travel destinations due to its diverse landscapes, majestic mountains and rich cultural heritage. One of the most important decisions you will make when traveling to Nepal is choosing your accommodation along the way. The two primary options are tea house and camping depending upon type of trek, level of comfort, own preferences along with unique experience and advantage.
Here is breakdown of both accommodation option:
Tea House Treks in Nepal
Tea house are traditions, simple, family-run guest house scattered in many popular trekking places in Nepal like Annapurna Base Camp trek, Langtang valley trek and Everest Short trek. Such small lodges offer place to eat, sleep, rest during your trekking. The concept of residential tea houses came to meet the needs of trekkers and to provide convenient and affordable places to stay on footpaths. Such are essential part of Nepal trekking infrastructure and development.
What to expect from the tea house?
Cost
- Tea house are more economic than camping even though price varies from place to place.
- Tea house offers you budget friendly accommodation along with tea and snacks.
Social Interaction
- Since tea house are family run small business, trekkers may have chance to interact with locals and learn about local culture, values and beliefs.
- Tea house are great destiny for local meeting even among trekkers having amazing views and have common rooms with a stove and fire, it is great place to relax, socialize and share stories.
Meals
- Since tea house are mainly found in remote areas, they serve local cuisines and traditional foods at reasonable price.
- Food is usually included in the cost of staying in a tearoom, but you are expected to order food to keep the business going.
Accommodations
- Tea houses provides room that are simple and functional at reasonable price with basic requirement.
- Generally, rooms are shared among trekkers.
- Higher altitude areas like Manang, Mustang etc. provides heating equipment like electric stoves or woods to keep room warm and cozy.
When to choose tea house:
- If one prefers social involvement with locals and other trekkers as local are eagar to share their experience with culture and tradition,
- If one wants to avoid challenges for camping and avoid carrying camping gears.
- If one prefers comfort and hassle-free trekking experience with basic accommodations which are offered by tea house.
- If one prefers budget friendly options with cozy place to stay without all camping hustle.
- If one prefers to stay warm with basic accommodations during cold and higher altitude place.
Camping Trek in Nepal
While tea houses are popular for most trekkers, camping is an alternative for those looking for a challenging, remote and exciting experience. It allows trekkers to explore remote areas, avoid crowded roads and connect with nature which can be difficult to achieve through more developed infrastructure.
Here’s an in-depth look at what camping entails when you’re hiking, what to expect, and when it’s normal to check:
Cost
- Camping is more economic than tea house as it includes cost of guides, logistics along with porters to carry camping equipment.
- Cost of camping varies on length of trek along with solo travel or in group.
Environment
- Nature will surround you and you will find more peace and quiet than the tea house walkways.
- Camping is generally in scenic views which gives you the opportunity to see the Himalayas, Mountains in isolation.
- Camping offers a unique opportunity to see the wilderness up close as allows you to sleep in near to some of the most beautiful scenery in Nepal, from distant hills to glacier edges.
Meals
- On camping, meals are to be cooked or hire a cook by trekkers using stoves or portable kitchen including woods found in nature.
- Variety can be limited as items are to be carried by trekkers like dal bhat, noodles, pasta etc.
Accommodations
- A guide or porters are essential to know route and to carry all essentials for camping.
- Camping is expected to bring their own equipment or rent such gear and tools required for camping.
- Trekkers usually sleeps in nature using tent which are to be setup every night by campers
When to choose Camping Trek:
- If one wants independence and self-reliant in term of food, shelter and gears.
- If one looking for hikes less explored and crowded by mainstream hikers such allows trekkers to explore these untouched trails beyond just tea room stops.
- If one planning for longer trek going deep into mountains and Himalayan regions with unique experience.
- Teahouses are social spaces with groups of travelers, but camping offers privacy and peace in nature.
- If one trekking in remote and less developed areas with no longer access of tea house.
Considerations:
- Tea house are generally economical than camping.
- Tea house provides social interaction where as camping provides privacy and peace in nature.
- Camping requires more planning where as tea house provides well established accomodations.
- Tea house are more of a comfort where are camping provides more rugged experience.
Conclusion:
Tea house are an excellent choice for most walkers looking for a relaxing, hassle-free living experience. Ideal if you are traveling on well-established trails and want a smooth and inexpensive trip.
The camp is perfect for those looking for adventure, solitude and a more challenging experience. It is also ideal for travelers venturing into remote areas without tea houses.
