Tea Houses to Mountain Villages: Local Hospitality on Annapurna Treks
Annapurna trek
Annapurna treks are not only about roaming around the mountainous rural routes. These treks are meant to cater to both the adventurous souls and hearts of the trekkers. Trekking through the trails of the Annapurna region is not even close to being easy as one may think. However, when you are in this part of Nepal, you will be getting a lot more than a trekking adventure. The most endearing factors that trekkers are likely to come forth during their trek are the hospitality and the service provided by the locals and the teahouse owners in the region. There will be almost nothing one should complain about when they are on a journey in the Annapurna area.
While the Annapurna Circuit trek is very common among trekkers, an easier yet very explorable trek has to be that of the Annapurna base camp. Annapurna base camp trek is one where you will be experiencing the best of hospitality and the most comfortable little yet authentic teahouses to stay in. There are many things that you need to know as a trekker before starting your trek to Annapurna base camp or anywhere around the Annapurna region. Make sure to read till the end of this article to know more!
What are tea houses in the Annapurna region?
The teahouses in the Annapurna region are little guest houses catering to trekkers that are owned by the locals of the region. The teahouses in the Annapurna region are possibly the best alternative for an expensive hotel, that, though rarely found and preferred, can be opted for luxurious treks and travels. Although tea houses are not as luxurious, you will get almost all the facilities you can ask for in a trekking journey there.
The make of a teahouse also depends on where they are located. Those in the lower parts of the Annapurna region are bigger and have many more amenities in comparison to the teahouses in the upper Annapurna region. That being said, the teahouses in the upper Annapurna region are smaller and may not have the facilities and amenities as those in the lower region.
One of the most attractive elements about the teahouses in the Annapurna region is that they are monitored directly by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). Henceforth, the prices and almost every other factor included in the accommodation are fixed by NTNC. This has helped the local tea houses benefit greatly while also remaining legally compliant with the rules set by the higher authority. The tourists have also been able to build a better trust in tea houses because of this.
Rooms in teahouses of the Annapurna region
Trekkers have the freedom to choose from either a shared room or a private room during their Short Annapurna base camp trek or when they trek to any location in the Annapurna area. The private rooms usually have a single bed and all the other facilities that you can enjoy in a shared room. A shared room, on the other hand, has two to three beds. However, trekkers have to keep in mind that the rooms are almost always asked to be shared by the teahouse owners as there aren’t many teahouses in the region and peak months can be tough on the trekkers who have not already made their booking.
Likewise, if you are a hygiene freak, then you might have to carry a liner or a sleeping bag of your own. There is no guarantee as to what type of teahouse you are going to find. And, many tea houses are occupied as soon as a group of trekkers leave. For ventilation, there is always at least one window in each room. And you will get blankets, pillows, and a bed with comfortable foam pads in every other teahouse.
Dining area
Many tea houses have satisfactory dining areas. There is a likelihood for almost all of them to have a single dining room where everyone in the teahouse has to collectively eat their food. You can get the authentic-most vibe of a Nepali kitchen when you see a burning stove made out of mud cooking delicacies for the trekkers.
If you visit the tea houses during the peak season, then the dining room might be overcrowded, given that almost all the trekkers have the same time for food and rest.
Toilets and bathrooms
The toilets and bathrooms might be a bit of an issue for those who are not familiar with the local toilet seats and lack of toilet paper. There are rarely any tea houses that are going to provide their trekkers with proper toilet paper or even warm water. Bringing along a hand wash or a hand sanitizer will be the best if you want to keep yourself hygienic and healthy throughout your stay in the teahouses.
Similarly, you might or might not get a separate bathroom only to shower. Trekkers can ask for hot or lukewarm water if they are not willing to shower with cold water. With a bit of adjustment, trekkers are likely to have a positive experience with both the toilets and bathrooms.
Wi-Fi and electricity
Annapurna region is one of the most rural regions in Nepal. Moreover, it is located in the most mountainous regions in Nepal, making it hard for trekkers to land a teahouse with proper Wi-Fi and even a good electricity facility. With time and the popularity of trekking in the Annapurna region, the electricity factor has improved to a good extent. Some tea houses also offer Wi-Fi service, especially in the lower regions of the area. You may have to pay an extra sum to enjoy the internet service. Trekkers can also use data packages offered by mobile network services in Nepal.
Food and drinks
Trekkers can enjoy food and drinks at all the different times of the day at the same teahouse they are staying in. Almost every other teahouse offers the same types of food and drinks. For breakfast, trekkers might get to choose from options of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice, eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, potatoes, rice and muesli porridge, cereals, toasted bread with butter or jams, crepes and pancakes, chapati and vegetables, etc.
For lunch and dinner, the options may include traditional Nepali thali (dal, bhaat, tarkari, meat curry, pickle, etc.), pizza, pasta, noodles, sandwiches, soup, spring rolls, momo, and desserts may include rice pudding, chocolate pudding, fruit fritters, chocolates, curd, etc. You can choose from either nonvegetarian or vegetarian options of food. Many tea houses may even have alcoholic drinks that you can purchase by paying an extra amount.
Front Yards
Many trekkers like to rest outside the tea houses instead of just staying inside a single room or even only in the dining area. Hence, the front yards of these teahouses can be a great place for you to talk and even have a campfire with other trekkers. These front yards are not regular in any way since you can enjoy the view of the massive mountains, green landscapes, and beautiful mountain villages by simply sitting in front of the teahouses. Front Yards can be a refreshing location to pass your time as a trekker amidst hectic trekking journeys.
Mountain Villages in the Annapurna region
The mountain villages of the Annapurna region are filled with Gurung, Tamang, and Sherpa people. The lower region villages are usually full of many ethnic groups, while the upper region villages have a dense population of Sherpa people. Both the Gurung and Sherpa populations have been said to have come to the Annapurna region in Nepal from Tibet. It has been more than a century since people have been setting habitual places in this region.
Some popular stops amongst the mountain villages during your Annapurna region treks include Tirkhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Ghandruk, and Dhampus. These villages are vibrant and will give you much comfort during your rural trek. Trekking around abandoned and isolated locations can be both dangerous and scary to the trekkers. Therefore, there is always a benefit when it comes to exploring the beauty of the Annapurna region through these mountain villages.
Trekkers will also get an opportunity to interact closely with the locals living in the Annapurna region when they are trekking through these villages. The inhabitants of the villages are very friendly and many make a living out of tourism activities. Asking the locals about the history and stories of the region is going to keep your trek all the more interesting than it already is. The hospitality of the locals is heartwarming to the extent that many trekkers have even stayed overnight at the houses of the Annapurna inhabitants. Though they interact and see many trekkers daily, the locals are always as curious and friendly as ever.
Conclusion
Annapurna treks will give you an essence of the natural beauty of Nepal as well as the inner beauty in the hearts of the locals in the Annapurna region. The hospitality of the locals is almost unmatchable. From teahouses to mountain villages, you can enjoy the warmth in the service and caring language of the people. The teahouses, though not as established and to a great extent rural, are not what you might call luxurious. But, they will satisfy all your necessities throughout the treks. And then again, it is always better to have people and guest houses around when you are going to a rather isolated place for a trek.
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