Everest Base Camp is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and finding the right teahouse to stay in along the trek will really make the trip break the trip. The accommodations, called teahouses, are uneven in quality and offerings, and though a five-star hotel is out of the realm, a little bit of planning can go a long way.
Booking Through a Reputable Agency
The easiest way to get good accommodation is to let a reputable local agency do all the heavy lifting for you. Your guide contacts the teahouse owners himself. This is a huge advantage, especially during high trekking periods when all the rooms can be taken. Your guide can talk to the teahouse owners and secure a room, or even somehow send a porter to save a room. A plus point is that you avoid the simply-a-room-with-no-bathing-facilities town where much stress is created as one is lacking beds and what the teashouse on their books that they will take you to will have been seen by the agency and is a place they trust to be clean and running business-like.
The Early Bird Gets the Bed
And if you are doing a trek independently (virtually no guide (independent), then timing is everything. The teahouses operate on a first-come-first-served basis. You depart early in the morning – at about 7 a.m., you will already be at the next stopover by 3pm, days before the other trekkers arrive. This is your best opportunity to get a room, and you will have more options. This is even more so the case for the higher up villages at Lobuche and Gorak Shep, where there aren’t that many accommodation options.
Understanding Teahouse Tiers
There are so many sorts and varieties of accommodation throughout the EBC trek. The most common version is the so-called traditional teahouse, where you receive little more than the basic: cold rooms with two single beds, a thin foam mattress, and a pillow. You will need your own warm sleeping bag. Plus, in the lower villages like Lukla, Phakding, and Namche Bazaar, you can get the lodge a bit more ‘luxurious’. Some even have en suite bathrooms and hot showers, and a more comfortable bed, but the higher you go, the more difficult they could be to find, and the more they could cost.
The Cost of Comfort
Your room bill is added to your meal bill. While commonplace, teahouse owners make money off the food, not the rooms. So often it’s this: They’ll give you a room at some ridiculous price ($0 or thereabouts), so long as you agree to eat at their restaurant for every meal for the entire duration of your trip. But nothing’s free. You will also have to pay to take a hot shower, charge your devices, and use Wi-Fi. These prices are higher up the mountain, due to the difficulty of getting supplies to the extremely remote place.
Altitude and Amenities
Key word: “expect.”It’s essential to preserve your expectations in the test. You may not discover the services you have seen in Lukla or Namche Bazaar in Lobuche or Gorak Shep. The teahouses at the higher elevations are very rudimentary, and you get a bed… and a warm dining room, but not much else. This is due to harsh weather and difficulty in carrying supplies there. This is about survival and sleeping, not luxury.
Respectful Conduct
A positive relationship with your host will make your stay a better experience. Even a “Namaste” and a smile go a long way. The teahouse is the proprietor’s home, and you’re the visitor. Be privy to their customs and beliefs, ease up after yourself, and contend with your fellow trekkers. This respect might equate to more pleasant service and a better experience.
Do Not Fear Looking Around
Everest Base Camp Trek: You are free and can determine for yourself where to sleep. Once you arrive in a village, it’s advisable to visit a few teahouses to see what the rooms and facilities are like before choosing one. But it can be competitive, especially in the shoulder seasons, so don’t be too low-key when making your selection, or the better rooms will be gone.
Off-Season Trekking
Trek in Shoulder or Off-Season. If you want to escape the rush and have many options for places to stay, then trekking in the shoulder or off-season is the way to go. In late February or early December, the trails are empty and there are a gazillion rooms to choose from. You’ll have to settle for cooler temperatures, but in exchange, there will be peace and individualization.
MUST-HAVE: Your Sleeping Bag
While the teahouses have beds, they don’t provide a good enough sleeping bag. The simplest manner to make sure a great night’s sleep is to bring your personal high-quality down snoozing bag – rated to -10° to -20°. You can use a lightweight sound asleep bag liner for added warmth and hygiene.
final thoughts
Finding the ideal accommodation on the EBC trek Cost is a sort of mix between having done your homework and being a gogo-with-the-flow person. With some idea of what to expect at teahouses at different altitudes, getting there in good time in the day, and travelling with a good guide, you can ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. The accommodation may be basic, but it’s a living testament to the Sherpa people’s objectification and is a great place to lay your head in preparation for the day ahead.
