/ The Himalayas are Calling
4. I need my creature comforts.
Nepal and the Himalayas don’t conjure images of luxury, right? Well, trekking isn’t luxurious by nature, but trekking in the Himalayas is about as luxurious as it gets.
When I did overnights in the White Mountains, it was luxurious if we had an unheated cabin to return to. We’d cook for ourselves and sleep on the floor in sleeping bags. The “toilet” was the long drop kind in a shack if we were lucky. Otherwise, bushes.
Go on a “teahouse trek”.
Most of the popular treks are known as “teahouse treks”. This means you’re walking from village to village while staying and eating all three hot meals at guesthouses.
On these teahouse treks, you do not need to carry a tent or a sleep system, since you will be sleeping indoors on a bed. However, I do recommend a sleeping bag liner — for extra comfort. In fact, guesthouses will normally provide a blanket for free or (on the rare occasion) for a fee.
Eat at a teahouse.
On teahouse treks, you will likely eat at a teahouse for each of your meals. This means three hot meals which you do not have to cook each day.
Trail wisdom: Daal Bhaat power, 24 hour.
Meals can be basic, but usually there is some choice. If Nepali Daal Bhaat (a refillable meal of rice, lentils, curry, and some side dishes) is not to your taste, you can usually get spaghetti, pasta, fried potatoes, fries, fried rice, or egg dishes. There’s literally menus with pages of food options.
Don’t feel like any of the above? Be like me: I was a princess for a couple of days on the Annapurna Circuit and asked for chocolate pudding for breakfast.
Pick a less remote, more supported route.
Trekking routes vary in comfort. Some routes are more established or well traveled. These routes will have WiFi, more food options, and better built facilities. See an overview of trekking route accommodations.
Verdict: Trekking in Nepal is luxurious as far as trekking goes.
With three warm meals, a bed, and blanket each night, trekking Nepal is pretty luxurious for being on the road. Admittedly, the toilet situation isn’t the best, but I’ll let the professionals explain the porcelain throne business.
