Where to Stay in Nepal — City Hotels & Trek Teahouse Guides

Teahouse vs Hotel — What to Expect

Accommodation in Nepal varies wildly depending on whether you are in a major city or on a trekking trail. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you can find everything from $5 backpacker hostels to luxurious 5-star heritage hotels. However, once you hit the trails, the famous "teahouse" becomes your home away from home.

What is a Teahouse?

A teahouse is a simple mountain lodge. They are family-run and provide the essentials for trekkers: a place to sleep and a place to eat. Rooms typically have two single beds with thin mattresses, pillows, and blankets. Walls are famously thin, so earplugs are a must.

Food and Dining

The dining room is the heart of any teahouse, usually heated by a central yak-dung or wood stove. It's an unwritten rule (and often strictly enforced) that you must eat your meals at the teahouse where you sleep. The menu heavily features Dal Bhat (the Nepali staple of rice and lentils), noodles, momos, and various potato dishes.

Facilities and Extra Costs

As you go higher, luxuries become scarce and expensive. Hot showers (usually gas-powered or solar) cost extra. Charging your devices costs extra. WiFi (where available) costs extra. Squat toilets are common, and plumbing can freeze at high altitudes, so a bucket flush is normal.