To Teahouse or Not to Teahouse

That is the question.

Well it is when you go trekking in Nepal. This kingdom in the clouds has been on my adventure travel list for quite some time now. I have literally had vivid dreams about trekking through the monstrous peaks of the Himalayan highlands.

One decision that people are often faced with when booking a trip is whether or not to stay in teahouses along their trek or to lean more toward the old-faithful tent. The advantages of the teahouse trek are many. One important difference is the opportunities for cultural interaction. Teahouse trekkers can get to know the daily lives of the Nepalese villagers.

Another advantage to teahouse treks is the comfort factor. Teahouses have been notorious with bug-ridden mattresses and showerless mornings. But these rough spots are increasingly a thing of the past. Many trekking companies offer fluffy mattresses, big meals, and even hot showers. The Everest region is best for the comfort factor, but can be more crowded.

If this might be your dream destination then the flight will be the killer. Pushing the $2,000 neighborhood can really hit the pocketbook hard. But once there, things can be cheap. Especially if you are willing to travel independently and research all the pricing options.

Image from Nepaltrekking.com

4 comments March 13th, 2008