Are you considering trekking to Everest Base Camp? A place to stay is one of the paramount questions that crosses a walker's mind when planning such an epic journey. The accommodation along the Everest Base Camp (EBC) is quite the opposite of what most people expect. Trekking for approximately 12-14 days, the Everest Base Camp Trek finds trekkers staying in the classic mountain lodges, or teahouses. With the teahouse, however, it is not about fancy accommodations; they are the kind of places maintained by Sherpa families where trekkers can get warm beds and hot meals and lay their heads in a safe environment after long days of hiking.
Mostly, the teahouses offer shared accommodation with two singles in each room. Bathrooms are shared, clean, but basic, with wooden walls, little more than some boards, and simple furniture. As trekkers ascend, accommodation grows rougher, given the adverse mountain conditions. Hot showers cost a donation; sometimes, one has to do without electricity. The tea house experience is special because trekkers meet the locals and learn about their culture. The dining areas are cozy, with fires burning all day. Here, trekkers eat and share stories about their trek. As trekkers move higher toward base camp, the cost of staying in teahouses increases.
This blog will cover all the different types of accommodation on the Everest Base Camp Trek and also provide some insights and useful hints and tips on what to expect at all the stops, as well as prepare you for a stay in mountain lodges or to luxury staycation.
Types of Accommodation on the Everest Base Camp Trek
Having many options along the route, finding accommodation is not difficult during the trek to Everest Base Camp. From simple teahouses to fine lodges, every type of accommodation varies in comfort and price.
Standard Teahouse
Standard teahouses are the most common accommodations during the Everest Base Camp Trekking. There are family-run lodges scattered from Lukla to Gorakshep that provide basic accommodation with twin rooms and shared bathrooms. Usually, the walls are of simple wood, and the furniture is pretty basic. Everybody in the dining area shares dal bhat and other local food.
Tea house on EBC Trek
These teahouses provide hot water for washing, but will charge extra money for hot showers. There is WiFi at some locations, but it is unavailable farther away at higher altitudes. For trekkers wanting to experience a real local teahouse without paying too much, the typical teahouses are a great choice. The atmosphere is very social as you can find trekkers from all over the world mingling with each other and exchanging stories in these lodges. These teahouses are found all over the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trekkingtrail.
Basic Lodges And Homestays
Basic lodges and homestays come with fewer facilities than standard teahouses. They occur mostly in bigger villages such as Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. Such places would be run by Sherpa families who are willing to open their homes to trekkers. The rooms are very basic with just beds and simple furniture. The place has shared toilets and very little hot water, so sharing a room with others is often the preferred way to cut costs. The best part about homestays is the culture and lifestyle of the Sherpas.
Lodge on Everest Base Camp Trek route
Families cook simple food and share it with their guests either in the kitchen or dining room. These places are cheaper than regular teahouses but provide a much more personal touch. The trekkers opting for these experiences get to have a look at how local people live in the Khumbu region. Local hospitality is amazing, and families are always willing to share stories about the mountains and mountain life.
Luxury/ Fancy Lodges And Hotels
There are a few luxury lodges between the trek for trekkers wanting comfort on their way to Everest Base Camp. Yeti Mountain Home at Namche Bazaar and Tengboche offers rooms with private bathrooms and better food. Hotel Everest View is known for its views of the mountains and comfortable rooms and is located near Tengboche. Panorama Lodge offers warm rooms with good heating facilities at Dingboche. These luxury lodges have rooms with attached bathrooms, reliable hot showers, and better Wi-Fi. The food is much better than the basic food of teahouses, with more variety and fresh ingredients. Some of the luxury accommodations even have heated rooms and beds with good mattresses. Trekkers go to these places when doing theEverest Base Camp Luxury Trek. The price is much higher than the basic teahouse accommodation, but for many, the luxury is worth it.
Camping Option
Another rare option is camping on the Everest Base Camp trail. Some trekking agencies organize camping where trekkers spend nights in a tent instead of a teahouse. This is good for the travelers who want privacy or are traveling in large groups. The camps are commonly laid near villages, while campsites usually involve eating at any local teahouse. Camping can be pretty hard as it gets cold. Hence, mountain camping can be harder.
ebc trek camping option
Paying the camp staff, porters, and cooks makes it pricier. Typical camping is not so popular because of cold and wind; it is said to be quite popular for longer and remote treks, such as the Everest High Passes Trek. Most trekkers prefer to enjoy safely through to the mountain guesthouse rather than setting up tents, camping in cold and windy conditions. It certainly can be less expensive than luxury accommodation while giving a different mountain experience.
Accommodations on the trek to Everest Base Camp: Day-to-Day Basis
The trek to Everest Base Camp offers many villages for overnight stays. Every stop offers diverse types of accommodations and magnificent mountain vistas.
Lukla (2,860 meters /9,383 feet)
Lukla is the gateway to the Everest region. There are types of teahouses and guesthouses to welcome trekkers in this little mountain town. Some popular lodging facilities are Paradise Lodge, Thamserku View Lodge, and Numbur Lodge. Most of the rooms offer twin beds with a common bathroom, while private toilets can be arranged at extra cost. Most dining halls on this route serve local cuisine, dal bhat, and some international dishes too. Trekkers can expect hot showers and Wi-Fi in most of the lodges.
There are some shops in Lukla for last-minute gear and supplies. This scrambling place sees most trekkers spend just one night, as after an early morning breakfast, all are on the road to the EBC. Then the town remains alive with helicopters and small planes ferrying trekkers from Kathmandu through Lukla airport. Lukla presents mixed accommodation options from budget to mid-range; thus, you surely will find comfort in a place before commencing your journey.
Phakding (2,610 meters /8,563 feet)
What just about everybody knows about Phakding is that it is mainly the first night's stay during a typical itinerary of a trek to Everest. This really beautiful, charming village is very well located by the Dudh Koshi River and offers very comfortable teahouse accommodations. Among the best lodges are Sherpa Guide Lodge, Khumbu Lodge, and Mountain Lodge. The family-run lodges provide small rooms with simple furniture, warm pillows, and blankets. These lodges mostly contain communal dining rooms where trekkers interact during meals. There is a supply of hot water, and showers are available at an extra charge. The atmosphere is casual; therefore, it is a fine way to chill out during the first night of hiking. The hospitality is great and the Sherpa families are much ready to welcome the strangers.
Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters /11,280 feet)
Namche Bazaar is the most significant place of acclimatization during the trek. This bustling market town has the best accommodation available throughout the trek. Trekkers choose anything ranging from the simple teahouses to luxurious lodges such as Yeti Mountain Home and Hotel Sherpaland. Namche is often considered the starting or finishing point for theEverest View Trekand the Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek. Most lodges in Namche have private bathrooms, decent WiFi, and hot showers. The dining halls feature very good food and great mountain views. There are bakeries, shops, and even Internet cafes in Namche. Two two-night stays are the usual duration trekkers prefer here for sufficient acclimatization before ascending to higher altitudes. The social mingling here is amazing as trekkers from several Everest region treks, such as the Gokyo Lake Trek, meet here. Many lodges offer hot showers, WiFi, and private bathrooms. It has friendly rooms and a colourful market, which makes the place to rest marvelous.
Tengboche (3,867 meters /12,673 feet)
Tengboche is a charming village with comfortable accommodation in teahouses and Hotel Everest View, which is popular. Some of the famous ones include the Tashi Delek Lodge, Tengboche Lodge and Rivendell Lodge among others. Their rooms are quite basic but very clean, giving you an extraordinary mountain view through the windows. Most of these places come with shared bathroom facilities; however, some have en-suites with better amenities. Hot water is usually provided on a few occasions, but with a price attached to it because of the high altitude. Tendgoche comes in as another perfect stopover for the longer routes. The mountain guesthouse experience is very special due to the calmness of the monastery. This Buddhist hospitality is extremely warm.
Dingboche (4,410 meters /14,468 feet)
Dingboche is another key acclimatization stop in the EBC trek. Several beautiful teahouses ensure nice accommodation, accounting for Panorama Lodge, Good Luck Lodge, and Himalayan Lodge. The lodgings at Dingboche provide heated rooms with thick walls to protect from the cold mountain climate. Most lodges have separate bathrooms and share dining facilities facing Mount Ama Dablam. Hot water is available, but at a high price due to the high altitude. The dining hall fills you up with simple, wholesome food that helps you recover from all the hiking so it is a great stop on theEverest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo Trek. Trekkers spend two nights here for proper acclimatization before heading to Lobuche. The mountain guesthouse offers chances to socialize with other paying trekkers in other camps who are directly on their way to the Everest Base Camp.
Lobuche (4,940 meters/16,207 feet)
Lobuche is situated much higher relative to other villages with accommodations on the Everest Base Camp trek. The teahouses are very basic and are meant to be a last bit of refuge before the final walk to Everest Base Camp (EBC). The rooms are small and simple, with twin beds and very little furniture considering the harsh high altitude conditions. Most bathrooms are shared, and hot water is offered on certain occasions. The dining rooms are also small but are a bit more intimate since every trekker would rally around a heating stove. Sleeping bags are a must as it can get pretty chilly during the night. The cost for accommodation is more here as compared to the lower villages because it's more difficult to bring supplies over. The local hospitality is nothing fancy, but surely heartfelt, since the lodge owners know well how difficult life can be, as a trekker at this altitude.
Gorak Shep (5,164 meters/16,942 feet)
Gorak Shep is the highest accommodation stop along the EBC Trek. It has very basic teahouses because of severe weather conditions and high altitude challenges. The rooms have beds, tiny furnaces for heating, if at all, so very good sleeping bags are a must. Most of the lodges either have shared bathrooms or, if theirs are private, the hot water supply is very limited, given the harsh environment. The dining room in these lodges is also something like a shelter with a few tables inside and serves simple meals. Gorak Shep acts as the base camp for the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar ascents. Trekkers generally stay a night there prior to heading to Everest Base Camp early in the morning. However, the accommodations are subject to a first-come, first-served basis because of the very few spaces. This stop is also a part of all treks in the Everest region, including the package of ending theEverest Base Camp Trek with a Helicopter Return.
Pangboche (3,985 meters /13,074 feet)
Pangboche is a small village providing a calm teahouse stay away from walking crowds. In more general terms, this village is a calm alternative to the very busy locations en route to Everest Base Camp. The rooms are modest but rather nice, providing excellent mountain views. In most places, the bathrooms comprise several bathrooms that must be shared between guests; there are also dining rooms where guests are served the traditional Dal Bhat cuisine offered to trekkers by local family members. Hot showers are, however, charged extra, which follows standard practice in most mountain villages. Being family-run, the lodges offer travelers a true Sherpa cultural experience with the local families. With fewer trekkers passing through, the social scene is more laid-back, and there is also a lovely monastery in Panboche to be visited by trekkers during their stay.
Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters /17,598 feet)
The Everest base camp does not have permanent accommodation for the trekkers. This is mainly the final destination at which mountaineers set up their expedition camps. Trekkers arriving at Everest Base Camp cannot spend the night there. The vast majority just visit during the day and head back to Gorak Shep for the night. During the climbing season, this is a field of multicolored expedition tents of mountaineers attempting to scale Mt. Everest. One can camp there only if they are serious climbers with a proper permit and equipment. A few Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour packages do make a quick stop here for sightseeing purposes. The sight of reaching Everest Base Camp is eternal, with the views of the Khumbu icefall and superb surrounding peaks.
Facilities and Amenities on the EBC Trek: What to expect?
Room Facility
Rooms in teahouse accommodations are pretty straightforward and basic, with some limited furniture. Most have two beds with foam mattresses on top of wooden bed frames. The walls can be made from stone or wooden planks, and these kind of walls usually have tiny windows that give stunning mountain views. Private toilets are very few, yet a few luxury lodges might offer them at an extra price. Rooms also have little tables and chairs for sitting and hooks on the walls where guests can hang their clothes. Small and compact, rooms are generally designed to comfortably fit two guests. Single occupancy is available in some places but would be far more expensive. At high altitude points, walls might be built thicker to provide effective insulation against the cold.
Bedding Configuration
Teahouses typically provide twin configuration beds so that each person gets his own bed. Some of the mattresses are foam, while others are spring types, but the comfort differs between various mountain guesthouses. Most beds will come with very basic pillows and blankets, but again should not be expected to be of great quality from one place to another. Shared rooms will be an option for the budget trekker; couples will often push two twins together for a double bed. Clean sheets will be provided, but it will do no harm to bring a sleeping bag for extra warmth and cleanliness. Blankets will be thick, but may not be enough for warmth at higher altitudes. Some of the fancier places of stay will be able to provide much better bedding with thicker mattresses and warmer blankets.
Bed Configuration - Twoin Bedroom
Toilet And Shower Facilities
Most EBC trekkers' accommodations are with shared bathrooms featuring Western-style sitting toilets in remote villages. The showers might be hot, though you have to pay for them some 200-500 rupees, depending on altitude and place. Showering uses gas or solar heating, though, in some cases, availability of hot water varies with the weather and time of day.
toilet on ebc trek accommodations
Other than that, some lodges that are high above in the splurge category like Yeti Mountain Home and Hotel Everest View do have private bathrooms. The higher one goes, the more basic and limited water for showers will be. In most remote teahouses, squat toilets are found in place of Western-style ones. If you are in search of luxury accommodations, expect better toilet facilities with hot water and private access.
Dining Area and Atmosphere
The communal dining halls are available in all teahouses, where trekkers gather for their meals and social engagements. Long dining tables made out of wood with benches are generally the norm for the setup. There is also one heating stove in the middle. Some of these family lodges have the owner's family sitting around in the same space, giving a homely vibe to the whole place.
Meals are set at fixed times. Breakfast is served between 7 and 8 a.m., and dinner starts at 6 p.m. and is served until 7 p.m. When it warms the place up and gives out some light, the area acts as a walking stick for the evenings when temperatures plummet. Most teahouses stock up on board games and plenty of engaging books to keep their visitors preoccupied.
Wi-Fi and Telephone Facilities
Most teahouses from the Everest Base Camp to Namche Bazar claim to have some sort of Wi-Fi connection, but the service and internet connection are not usually reliable or fast. An internet connection is charged for most places between 300 to 500 rupees per day, though a few offer free Wi-Fi for their guests. Being slow at best, connections do not work during very adverse weather or congested hours. Namche Bazaar has the best connectivity for the internet, whereas places like Gorak Shep have little to no Wi-Fi. Telephone services have been facilitated by satellite phones in some mountaineering guesthouses, but the prices are expensive. Better Wi-Fi services are available at luxury lodges as a part of their premium packages. Trekkers should keep in mind that they cannot bank on an internet connection throughout their trek. Mobile signals are found to work in a few areas but tend to weaken or are out of reach once into high-altitude locations.
Laundry Services
Laundry services are offered at most teahouses en route to meet the requirements of the EBC trek, although the choices reduce towards the higher altitudes. Most family lodges will offer hand washing of clothes for anywhere between 100 and 300 rupees a piece, depending on the kind of item and place. Washing machines can be found only at the Namche Bazaar and some luxury accommodations and are generally rare in smaller villages. At high altitude, it takes even longer for clothes to dry because of the cold weather and low humidity. The laundry charges hike further as trekkers climb higher due to a scarcity of water and increased heating charges. Some tea houses are equipped with drying rooms having heating facilities that can speed up the drying process.
Heating and Warmth In Tea Houses
Teahouses usually accumulated heat through wood stoves in the dining room, thus casting a cozy atmosphere for the guests. Most teahouses for accommodation do not have heating for the individual rooms, so good sleeping bags must provide the needed warmth. The warm dining area starts getting cold when fires are lit. Luxury lodges might have electric heating for some of the rooms and solar-powered heating for others. The higher altitude sites tend not to have much heating because of the cost and availability of fuel. Those systems come into their best use when trekkers gather for a meal in the common dining area.
Accommodation Cost Variation On Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek
Apart from the facilities offered in an Everest Base Camp trek accommodation, the price depends largely on the region, altitude, and the kind of lodging. Thus, getting familiar with the different price ranges just better equips you to plan your EBC trek budget.
Price Ranges for Teahouses and Homestays
Standard teahouse costs in USD range from 5-15 per night, depending on the altitude and location. Lukla and Phakding go for about USD 5-25, whereas Namche Bazaar costs USD 10-30 per night. The higher altitude villages such as Dingboche and Lobuche have prices set from USD 20-35, even higher because it becomes difficult to carry supplies. Homestays generally cost less, between USD 4-25 for a night, with facilities being very basic. Shared rooms are less costly as opposed to private ones. Prices in peak season go 20-30% higher than in the off-season.
Price for Luxury Lodges
High-end lodges like the Yeti Mountain Home charge USD 80-150 a night for private bathrooms and better food facilities. Hotel Everest View offers USD 120-200 a night for premium mountain views and facilities. Panorama Lodge in Dingboche charges USD 60-100 for heating and en-suite bathrooms. Luxury lodges include food, WiFi, and hot showers in the package price. The Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek uses exclusively such upscale accommodation. Advanced booking is a must for luxury accommodation during peak seasons.
Extra Charge For Amenities
Depending on altitude, a hot shower will cost from USD 2 to USD 8, with higher altitudes being more expensive. A WiFi charge between USD 3 and USD 6 daily is the norm in most teahouses, free in luxury lodges. Laundry charges are between USD 1 and USD 3 per piece, with high-altitude sites charging more. Bottled water costs USD 1 to USD 4 per liter, but near Everest Base Camp, prices can skyrocket. Hot water bottles are barely USD 1-USD 2 for rent. It will be USD 1-3 per hour for charging electronic devices. Single-room upgrades are USD 5-15 over the advertised accommodation price.
Booking In Advance Vs On Spot: How It Differs?
Booking accommodation in advance gives trekkers some peace of mind, especially during peak seasons when teahouses fill up within hours. Seats and rooms mean assurance that one will definitely be able to stay at the mountain guesthouse and the luxurious lodge like Yeti Mountain Home and Hotel Everest View. The trekking companies usually pre-book the teahouse accommodation for their own clientele, thereby giving them better rooms and services. With that said, advance booking offers less flexibility if a change in route occurs due to weather or health reasons during the EBC trek.
Spot booking and reservation empower you with the freedom of choosing accommodation in tune with the weather forecast and set up that day, apart from personal preference. This method works well in the off-season when teahouses are mostly vacant. Trekkers may therefore inspect a couple of family-run lodges and get a bargain. The downside to this is the risk of not securing a room when in-demand villages like Namche Bazaar are in high season. A majority of the experienced trekkers like the mixed approach; the first few nights are booked ahead and the remainder on the spot. Luxury accommodation requires an advance booking due to limited availability. Helicopter emergency evacuation companies also recommend that a few accommodations be pre-booked for insurance purposes.
Teahouse Availability in Everest Base Camp Trek during Peak And Off-Season
During the peak seasons of spring and autumn, the teahouses along the EBC Trek route see maximum demand for accommodation. In the process, and in these months, fields occupied by other trekkers are found very crowded in villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche. Most times during these days, the teahouses are usually full, and it might just be necessary to book your accommodation in advance for a guaranteed room. Prices rise by 20-30% during these seasons, while at times, the much-prized luxury lodges come with a marked price much on the higher side. Late arrivals, especially in the evenings, might find no bed in the popular mountain guesthouses. Eventually, the sharing of rooms becomes widespread as lodge owners cram in the maximum number to meet demand. The social atmosphere is lively, but in many dining halls, it can get noisy with hordes of trekkers.
Winter and monsoon are times that have better availability as the teahouses have empty rooms in plenty. Price-wise, they drop down drastically, and trekkers lower their cost at will by finding private rooms. Many will even throw in discounts and bonuses amid their services to lure the few travelers. Yet, the weather certainly is no friend, and a couple of the lodges up the higher altitude might call it quits temporarily. Luxury accommodation options might be scarce as a few lodges shut down amidst severe weather
Budgeting Tips for Accommodation on the EBC Trekking
Book standard teahouses instead of luxury lodges to save 60-80% on accommodation costs in Everest Base Camp trek. Most family-run lodges will be offering the same mountain views and teahouse experience which are way cheaper.
Share accommodation with other trekkers to halve or lessen the charges for accommodation, especially for villages such as Namche Bazaar and Dingboche that are on the higher price spectrum. Most teahouses have twin beds that suit the sharing arrangement well for budget travelers.
Off-season is the best time as prices for teahouses drop by 20-30% and so much availability. With harsh weather, savings are huge.
Avoid booking during peak season, during which accommodation costs are hiked up and teahouses charge premium rates for their basic services and facilities.
Directly bargain with the teahouse during this trek, especially if staying for multiple nights or for group bookings. A number of mountain guesthouses operate with discounts for long stays.
Skip expensive amenities such as hot showers and Wi-Fi so that the daily bills are reduced drastically. Only opt for these services in cases of an absolute requirement.
Carry along personal sleeping bags instead of renting bedding so as to avoid an extra charge and to remain warm in higher altitudes. This way, not only will you save money, but you will also travel in comfort.
Choose homestays over the regular teahouses in smaller villages to experience Sherpa culture authentically and to save some money. Family-run lodge accommodations often charge about 30-50% less than regular lodges.
Pack some light snacks; refuse to buy horrendously overpriced bottled water from teahouses. Water purification tablets are a cheaper option to go for.
Acquire accommodation packages through the agencies that arrange the trek for you so that they include various options for food and lodging. When you compare it to your own payment for the various services throughout the trek, it is more economical.
Tips for Choosing the Best Accommodation on the Everest Base Camp Trek
Prior to starting a trek, look into teahouse reviews so that you may identify family-owned establishments that offer good service. The experiences of past trekkers can steer you away from disappointment and toward comfortable accommodations.
At the higher altitudes of Dingboche and Lobuche, it is the best time to select a teahouse with a good heating system and a warm dining room. Proper heating will let you sit back and enjoy the mountain nights without discomfort.
Look for accommodation that provides hot water and shower maintenance for better hygiene during the long trek; grooming facilities grow more important as the journey goes on.
Select the teahouse that has reputedly good food and a wide variety of food available at its restaurants, so that your energy is maintained. Proper nutrition is a way to complete an EBC trek.
If staying connected is important for work or family communication, go for lodges with good Wifi. Namche Bazaar and Tengboche have the best internet connection.
Wherever possible, choose your accommodation with a private bathroom, especially for couples, or anyone else preferring an extra dose of privacy and convenience. For instance, Yeti Mountain Home is one of the few luxury lodges with such premium facilities.
When trekking towards EBC, however, socializing is one of the highlights, and one should go to teahouses that have dining spaces for trekking parties to meet, mingle, and share stories of their experiences from the trek.
Make your bookings in villages where there are medical facilities or helipads for emergencies. Say Namche
Go for accommodation that offers laundry and gear drying facilities; these are especially important in the monsoon season or in case of unanticipated weather situations. Proper drying facilities help in avoiding health issues from wet clothes.
Food and Drink Options in Everest Base Camp Trek Tea Houses
To keep trekkers energized during their Everest Base Camp trek, the EBC trek accommodation offers different meal options. Knowing about the food availability helps you sort out the nutrition-wise planning.
Meals Served In Teahouses
The teahouses prepare a mix of international and local cuisine along the EBC trek. Their principal traditional meal served is dal bhat (rice with lentils, curry, and pickles) consisting of carbohydrates and protein essential for any trekker. Breakfast may include porridge, eggs, toast, and pancakes served hot in a dining room. Lunch and dinner would consist of dishes like noodle soups, fried rice, momo, thukpa, pasta, burgers, and some basic forms of pizza. Family-run lodges, if they have fresh vegetables and meat, will cook them in the kitchen, most popularly deep-fried vegetable curry, chicken dishes, and Tibetan bread. As one goes higher, the food menu gets shorter and prices go comparatively up, but teahouses try to keep the variety of tasty and satisfying food options available to keep the trekkers warm and strong.
Availability Of Beverages
All along the major trekking route to Everest Base Camp, the teahouses offer all varieties of hot drinks like tea or coffee. All day long, the teahouses serve local warming drinks like butter tea, sweet milk tea, ginger tea with lemon, and honey tea, along with a different kind of hot chocolate. Soft drinks and energy drinks are there but quite expensive at higher altitudes. Some teahouses sell fresh fruit juices, mostly when seasonal fruits come down from the lower regions. Fancy lodges serve a few better selections of all beverages, including imported coffee and fine teas, for their premium guests.
Hot Water And Bottled Water
Most smaller teahouses will provide hot water to fill water bottles for a reasonable price. Bottled water costs from 1 to 4 USD per liter and the price increases steeply with altitude, quite the opposite of Gorak Shep. Many teahouses provide guests with free hot water if they order meals in their dining halls. Water purification tablets are advisable, and they work out to be cheaper than purchasing bottled water. Boiled water is safer than tap water and ensures a lower chance for the adventurers to suffer from stomach ailments during the EBC trek. Some luxury accommodations provide filtered water as part of the package.
Dietary Considerations And Special Requirements
All teahouses provide very basic vegetarian food options and common combinations are dal bhat with vegetable curries. Vegan food is very difficult to come by, limited to rice, vegetables, and lentils with no dairy products. Gluten-free options are almost nonexistent, though rice-based dishes will suit those allergic to wheat. Diabetic trekkers find proper meals; however, they must carry extra snacks to keep their blood sugar in control. Food allergies are the most difficult to negotiate due to the scarcity of ingredients and issues of cross-contamination in small kitchens. However, the more luxurious lodges are better able to attend to requests for special diets; they do require notice, however, and fixed menus can be altered. Luxury lodges do a much better job of accommodating special diet needs; however, they request notice, and menus can be modified.
Accommodation In Kathmandu: Before And After Trek
A Kathmandu accommodation is quite important in the entire Everest Base Camp Trekking experience. During the first 2-3 days, most trekkers would hang around in Kathmandu before flying to Lukla and after the trek, for another night or two in Kathmandu. One can stay around either in Thamel or Boudhanath so this offers easy access to trekking gear shops, some restaurants, and travel agencies. Budget hotels cost some USD 10-25 per night, offering basic facilities like private bathrooms and WiFi. Mid-range hotels charge you USD 30-60 for better rooms featuring hot showers and breakfast included. The luxury class hotels start at about USD 80 and go as far as USD 200 per night, offering mainly services; Hotel Yak & Yeti and Dwarika`s Hotel being one of them. Most of the hotels in Kathmandu provide airport pickup services and help with Lukla flight bookings, apart from providing gear storage for extra luggage and stuff. The social atmosphere in Thamel hotels is perfect for interaction with fellow trekkers and sharing the Everest Base Camp trekking experience. They offer laundry service, money exchange, and other facilities and a celebratory dinner in Kathmandu will be a very special moment after completing the trek and before heading home.
FAQs
Can I stay overnight at Everest Base Camp?
There is no overnight accommodation to lodge trekkers at the Everest Base Camp. There are no permanent accommodations at Everest Base Camp for the general trekkers to stay. Most only visit during the day and then come down to Gorak Shep for an overnight stay. Only those climbers with climbing permits can establish camps.\
Is it necessary to book accommodation in advance?
During peak seasons, you should always opt for accommodation booking as teahouses get full pretty fast. However, during the off-season, you can simply walk in for a booking, owing to the ample availability. Luxury accommodation should always be booked beforehand, regardless.
How much does accommodation cost in general?
Regular teahouses charge accommodation fees of almost USD 5 to USD 20 a night at altitudes. Luxury lodges charge USD 60 to USD 200 a night. The lodge prices at higher altitudes such as Lobuche and Gorak Shep, are higher because of the difficulty in transporting supplies. Price hikes of 20-30% are common during the peak season.
Are teahouses open all year?
Everest Base Camp teahouses are mostly open all year round. Nonetheless, some of the lodges located at higher altitudes may close in the middle of winter weather. Luxury accommodations themselves might also close in the off-season for maintenance and weather safety.
Are there any eco-friendly lodges on EBC Trek?
Along EBC trekking route, a handful of hotels are green lodging establishments. The Himalayan Eco-Resort in Lobuche is powered by solar and sustainable methods. A few of the small lodging facilities operating in Namche Bazaar and Tengboche follow eco-friendly methods of waste management and energy conservation.
How much do I need to spend extra per night on lodging?
Extras might include hot showers (USD 2-8 ), free WiFi (USD 3-6 per day), laundry services (USD 1-3 per piece), and upgrades to single rooms (USD 5-15). Bottled water in high altitudes costs more-USD 1-4 for a liter.
How to book a hotel for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Booking accommodations for trekking should be done through licensed agencies either in Kathmandu or in Lukla. Many teahouses accept direct bookings through phone calls or emails. Online booking is possible for more luxurious lodges like Yeti Mountain Home. Walking in works during off off-season.
What extra do I need to pack for comfort?
For comfort during trekking, you must carry personal sleeping bags rated for -10 degrees Celsius., Inflatable pillows, quick-dry towels, and warm slippers for teahouse comfort. Similarly, one has to carry water purification tablets, portable chargers, and comfy loungewear for dining room relaxation in rest hours.
Conclusion
The accommodation in the entire Everest Base Camp Trekking is an amazing experience, with simple lodges and teahouses to full-fledged luxury lodges. People should get information on the kind of lodges that are out there so that they will be able to select what they can afford most and what suits their comfort most. Standard teahouses offer authentic Sherpa culture experiences, where communal dining is practiced and warm hospitality is given to guests by family-run lodges. Luxury accommodation caters to those demanding their hot showers and private bathrooms, good Wi-Fi, good quality service, and food, but at prices to match. Speaking about accommodation costs, it tends to vary drastically according to altitude, season, and type of lodge. Teahouse memories are created through shared meals and life-changing friendships born in the Khumbu Region dining halls.
Be it homestays for the budget option, or high-end mountain guesthouses, every trekker shall find accommodations fit for their stay during the trek to Everest Base Camp. Well-planned accommodation booking strategies and the information about lodge facilities shall aid them in having an enjoyable and comfortable trek. For all your choices and expert guidance on well-managed Everest Base Camp Trek Packages, get in touch with Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition for professional trekking services. Contact Us!