The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a top hike in Nepal. It pulls in many walkers from all around the world. On this grand trail, there are spots to rest, recharge, and get your energy up. This is where the tea houses and lodges come in. Guest houses being what they are i.e a rustic, no frills place to stay (it’s all the better for it – that’s half the point of doing the trek in the Himalaya, not just a place to lay your head and a wonderful way to soak up some culture, eat real Nepali food and pick up tips off other trekkers).

But with so many teahouses and lodges on the Annapurna Circuit ​ and spread out over such a long distance, how can you tell which one will be best for your trek? Plus, here’s a complete guide to finding the best places to stay during your trip.

What is an Annapurna Tea House?

A tea house is a relatively simple, family-owned guesthouse where you can stay overnight if you’re trekking. These basic arrangements are certain to include somewhere to sleep and warm food, at a minimum, access to hot water for tea, coffee, or even a hot shower. Most teahouses are small with rooms that are furnished with a bamboo bed, blanket, et, and common bathrooms. Tea houses are in operation to provide trekkers with a roof for the night, as well as samples of local life on the Annapurna Circuit.

Tea House vs. Lodge

So tea houses are stripped back, while lodges provide a bit more comfort: would be luxurious touches like modern amenities – they tend to have en-suite rooms, running hot water; nice-to-haves like WiFi. Lodges in general offer a bit more by way of staying put, but they’re also apt to be pricier.

Selecting the right Teahouse or Lodge – an Introductory Guide

What the “best” teahouse or lodge is on the Annapurna Circuit Trekking, said, depends on what you’re after and where you have one, though. Here’s how to choose between them:

Location and Accessibility

You’ll be trekking the Annapurna Circuit Trail over consecutive days, so the decision of where you are to stay at a tea house is made for you based on how many kilometres you are from the start point that day. There are a couple of tea houses en route in a village or / small settlement as a rest place. Right here is what you may look for while you plan your stops:

Vicinity the Teahouse (near the points of interest): The closer (shorter the gap) the teahouse is to the landmark (for instance, Poon Hill, Tilicho Lake, or Thorong La Pass), the extra lovable natural scenes you will get, and the extra you will enjoy the trek.

Elevation: High and low elevations also matter, where you are. Tea houses also tend to become a bit less frequent and a bit more basic higher up (at 3,000 meters and beyond — although this is relative), but they also regularly offer the most spectacular mountain views.

Where to find a tea house that serves acceptable food:

Ask other trekkers: There’s a lot of word of mouth on the Annapurna Circuit. If the food is good in a tea house, it will be full.

Local Specialties: Someone who’s a tea house company that also does local specialties is usually a good place to eat. In general, the food will be fresh and made from local ingredients.

Inspect the freshness: Some of the tea houses have fruits and vegetables sitting out. This is generally a positive when it comes to the quality of your meals.

Cleanliness and Hygiene

Sanitation can be highly variable from tea house to tea house. The Annapurna Circuit is covered with hundreds of tea houses, and some are on the cleaner side – but it’s sometimes hard to tell if the brewing vats they are ladling water from are cleaned regularly.

Toilets and washing: Look for a tea house with flushable indoor (preferably Western) toilets and at least water that runs (if not hot) for washing. There is no hot shower or toilet; you use a co-friendly one.

Best Rooms Search for tea houses that offer clean bedding. Politely request to save clean blankets and bedding for a great night’s sleep.

Comfort and Warmth

As you climb the mountains, temperatures above the snow line can fall a lot, way below freezing. So, it all comes down to staying warm and comfy: You’ll mostly find wood stoves in the shared spots of tea houses, which are kind of warm, and sometimes, you might find heated blankets in some spots. And when you do get to come, inquire about heat.

Lodgings for the night: rooms at simple tea houses typically have wooden beds and blankets. A few teahouses offer mattresses, but you are always better off asking, especially if you are going to need to rent an extra blanket to help keep warm.

Wi-Fi and Power Supply

If you must remain connected, the night before at the tea house, see if Wi-Fi is available, or ask if they have charging stations. Wi-Fi: Many tea houses in high altitudes have Wi-Fi, but it’s not always the best or fastest. You can charge up your devices for a fee, but the electricity for recharging both the phone and the camera’s batteries may not be available.

Price

What it costs: Expect the cost of tea house and lodge stays on the Annapurna Circuit to vary by altitude, as well as time of year. That’s all, according to the bed, can be anywhere from 5$ toup too 15$ per night. The prices of these are often more expensive in the remote/ popular treks (Manang, Muktinath, Thorong Phedi) and go up significantly in high season on treks (Autumn, Spring).

Food and room will be a some altitude, a few euros, but it is better to take some more euros with you and change them into cash in the next bigger city, or Besisahar, or Pokhara, before leaving the big trekking region.

Popular Tea Houses and Hotels along the Annapurna Circuit

There are places to stay in quite a few of the various places around the Annapurna Circuit, but these tea houses and lodges are some of the other bush lodges on the Annapurna Circuit, and these have all been commended for their hospitality, their cleanliness, and the standard of food services.

The Heaven’s Gate Lodge & other walking into Ghorepani 

This Tea-House is known for its picturesque location, located just beside one of the best sunrises in the whole world, Poon Hill. A stingy piece of space and view measured in square meters and costing in rupees, this Heaven’s Gate Lodge is famous for its good cooking and warm welcome, where you have eight comfortable rooms with a magnificent view of the terrestrial Annapurnas and glorious Dhaulagiris.

Manang – Himalayan Lodge

In the lovely Manang village, this lodge is a hit for its tasty, big meals, big rooms, and clean area. You can see Gangapurna and Annapurna III in all their beauty from here. Also, it’s a well-known spot to stop and rest for those who trek.

Muktinath- Thorong La Pass Lodge. Orientation in the mountains!

There are plenty of tea houses around selling hot food and providing a warm place to collapse in. Thorong La Pass Lodge is a strongly recommended place to sleep, offering cosy rooms, hot grub, and a sociable atmosphere for swapping trek stories with co-hikers.

Lobuche Everest View Lodge

Just below Lobuche, this tea house stands among a row of lodges that offer trekkers warmth, a meal, and a place to spend the night. It’s a good spot for those trekkers heading in the direction of the Thorong La Pass the next day.

Besisahar – The Inn on Annapurna Circuit

Besishaharonene of the first larger towns you encounter when ‘starting’ the Annapurna Circuit. Annapurna Circuit Lodge Ambition: A cozy base for trekkers offering good food and comfortable rooms. It’s a pleasing location to stay on your first night, or if you need to take a time off earlier than heading into the rougher segment.

Conclusion

Choosing the tea houses and inns throughout the Annapurna Circuit trek wisely can, in reality, make a difference in your experience and life. Yes, comfort will be a consideration, but so will the warmth of the welcome, the authenticity of the fare, and the ambience that makes your journey one you don’t mind doing. Once more, it’s up to you where you choose to lay your head, as long as you do the old ‘look around, test the mattress, ask a couple of questions’ bit and you’ll not fail to find a perfectly decent place to rest your weary bones, fill your bellies and marvel at the stunning views that make the Annapurna Circuit one of the best treks in the world.