Hiking Expedition in Nepal - Lodging, Dining, Hydration, and Sanitation Details
Trekking in Nepal: A Comprehensive Guide to Accommodation, Food, Water, and Waste Management
Embarking on a trek in Nepal offers an unparalleled Himalayan experience, with comfortable lodges, delectable cuisine, and captivating landscapes. However, understanding the facilities and necessary precautions is crucial for a smooth journey.
Lodge Accommodation on Trek
Lodges, known as teahouses, are well-appointed and warm, although they become more basic as elevation increases. Rooms typically feature twin beds and share bathroom facilities unless upgraded during the trek. Upgrade options and single room availability should be arranged with your guide in the morning.
Lodge rooms offer mattresses, pillows, and blankets for chilly nights. The 'living room' area, used for dining and relaxation, is heated in the evenings by a pot-bellied stove. These sociable spaces often host books to read and may have phones. Almost all lodges provide hot showers, typically gas-heated.
Internet Access and Power
Wifi is available throughout the Khumbu region at a good speed but charge attention to data usage as it is sold by the megabyte. Higher up, there's a network between villages allowing credit to be shared between lodges. Electronics can be charged by the hour at lodges, though it can be expensive, so consider bringing a power bank.
Mealtimes and Costs
Breakfast is served at 8 am, and bags should be packed prior for the porters' early departure. Lunch is taken en route at one of the numerous tea houses, while dinner is usually at 7 pm. A list of expected costs for facilities at various lodges is provided.
Toilet Facilities and Waste Management
The quality of toilets varies by elevation. Lower lodges may have western-style flush toilets, while more basic long drop toilets (hole-in-the-ground) become more common as you ascend. Always carry toilet paper as some lodges may not provide it.
Proper waste management is essential to protect the trekking areas. Avoid littering. To minimize waste, our policy encourages trekkers to keep and pack out their own waste.
Food on Trek in Nepal
Food is of excellent quality, with a variety of local and western options. Tastes include dal bhat (lentil stew with rice), Sherpa stew, and different types of pizza. Beverages like tea, coffee, beer, and soft drinks are also available. Prices may vary, so it's best to inquire about costs before ordering.
Drinking Water
Bottled water sales contribute significantly to plastic waste. Instead, we recommend using reusable Nalgene bottles or treating tap water. Tap water is generally clean but still needs treatment due to glacial silt and potential contamination. Iodine drops, chlorine tablets, UV Steripens, or Aquaprove water purification tablets can be used for treating water.
Different Trekking Areas in Nepal
The Everest Base Camp trek and the Annapurna Circuit are the most popular and well-developed trails. Waste management facilities are rudimentary, so trekkers should pack out their waste. Other treks, such as the Gokyo Lakes, Annapurna Sanctuary, Manaslu Circuit, Kanchenjunga Base Camp, and Upper Mustang, are more remote and offer more basic facilities.
Those undertaking climbing trips, such as Island Peak or Mera Peak, will follow similar routes, passing through towns and villages shared with the Everest trek. Langtang Valley and Yala Peak, while offering more basic facilities, attract a significant number of trekkers every year.
Gear Carried on Trek
Traditionally, yaks carried climbing equipment for expeditions, but for shorter treks and peak trips, all equipment and clothing are carried by local people, notably the Rai and Sherpa communities, using a tumpline across their foreheads.
In the Himalayas, the landscape is dotted with stacks of wood, stone, and merchandise carried by locals, demonstrating their resilience and adaptability.
After a day's trek in Nepal, luxurious teahouses, or lodges, provide a cozy retreat, offering warm rooms, delicious meals, and even wireless internet, making it a perfect blend of adventure and lifestyle. As one ascends, the lodges become more basic, but home comforts like hot showers and cold drinks are generally available, catering to the needs of travelers.
