Teahouses on Annapurna treks: rooms, meals and showers

The Annapurna region has some of the best-developed teahouse infrastructure in Nepal, with lodges every few hours on the main routes. Standards vary by village and altitude, but the basic pattern is consistent.

Rooms

Rooms are usually twin-bedded with a simple mattress, pillow and blanket. Walls can be thin, and rooms are unheated. Bring a sleeping bag for warmth, especially above the middle elevations. At busy times, lodges may ask solo trekkers to share. Booking ahead through your operator helps in October and April.

Meals

Menus are long and similar from lodge to lodge: dal bhat, noodles, fried rice, pasta, momos, soups, eggs, porridge and pancakes. Dal bhat comes with refills, which suits hungry trekkers. Prices rise with altitude because supplies are carried up, and the menu can be shorter in remote side valleys. Eating a hot meal at the lodge where you sleep is customary and often expected.

Bathrooms and washing

Lower villages often have attached toilets and hot showers heated by solar or gas, sometimes for an extra fee. Higher up, bathrooms are shared and may be outside. Bucket showers are common, and in cold weather many trekkers skip them. Wet wipes are useful.

Heat, water and power

The dining room is usually the only warm room, often with a stove or a heater under the table. Bottled water is sold in many places, but refilling with boiled or treated water reduces plastic. Charging is available for a fee, and the number of sockets is limited.

Etiquette

• Order meals at the lodge where you stay.
• Keep voices low in the early morning and evening.
• Leave the room tidy and take rubbish with you where possible.

The character of Annapurna lodges

Lodges in the Annapurna region are often larger and more varied than those in remote areas, with simple rooms, a shared dining hall and menus that range from local dishes to pizza. In many villages the lodges are built along the trail, with terraces or gardens that offer views. Prices rise with altitude, but services are generally reliable. Being close to roads means supplies are easier to bring.

Getting a good night's sleep

Rooms are normally twin-bedded with thin mattresses, so a sleeping bag is essential. If noise is a concern, bring earplugs, and choose a room away from the dining hall or kitchen. In cold seasons, ask for extra blankets and sleep in layers. Keep a headlamp near your bed for night-time visits to the toilet.

Eating and drinking

Breakfast options include porridge, eggs, bread and pancakes. Lunch and dinner often feature dal bhat, noodles, fried rice and momos. Eat what is freshly prepared, and check water sources. Plan your food choices to include enough carbohydrates and protein, and try local specialities such as Thakali dishes in some areas.

Good habits

• Order meals early so that the kitchen can prepare them without delay.
• Respect shared spaces, and keep wet gear away from other people's belongings.
• Carry small notes to pay for extras.