The most famous trekking destination, Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/17,598 ft) is nestled in the lap of mountains and blessed with unique natural resources.
The EBC trek is a journey of sheer will and a lifetime experience. This trail amazes you with stunning views of Mount Everest (8,848 m/29,035 ft), unique culture, and verdant landscapes.
However, pleasant accommodation is an essential factor for a successful Everest Base Camp trek.
Facilities vary from basic guesthouses, tea houses, and camping to luxurious lodges and hotels, each offering its significance, comforts, and challenges.
The trek to Everest Base Camp facilitated by teahouses and lodges, which means there is less chance for you to spend a night inside camps.
The trip is indeed favored with modern lodges, luxurious hotels, and comfortable guesthouses too.
In this comprehensive guide, you will gain insights on accommodation stops and lodging options you are facilitated while trekking in the Everest region.
Accommodation Options for the EBC Trek
Most of the EBC trails are dotted with tea houses, guest houses, and lodges. Tourist hubs like Lukla and Namche Bazaar offer diverse 5-star and luxury hotel services.
However, there are basic tea houses and guest houses at every stop. Here’s what you can expect in accommodation on the EBC trip.
Tea Houses:
This type of accommodation is commonly a family-run business. The guesthouses are small mountain hotels run by residents; mostly local Sherpas own these facilities.
Tea houses are a significant part of the trekking journey; these services help you with food and lodging problems.
Expect simple small rooms or basic dormitories with clean wooden beds, bedsheets, plain quills, and blankets, with shared facilities including a shower and bathroom.
Your resting atmosphere, such as the common dining area, will be warm with a fireplace, inviting you and allowing you to connect with other trekkers.
In lower altitudes up to Dingboche, almost all tea houses are multi-story concrete and stone buildings with private rooms and attached modern-style bathrooms.
But as you trek high above 4000 m, the accommodation becomes more basic, should be shared with others, and sometimes you even must wait in line for washroom use.
Additional charges for charging devices, Wi-Fi, and hot shower facilities.
Hotels and lodges:
There are a lot of popular hotel chains you witness while trekking in the Everest region. These services are better and more comfortable, but they are quite expensive.
Trekkers are accommodated in luxurious rooms with attached bathrooms. The facilities are showered with comfortable beds, a cozy room, electric blankets, wide cuisine, and a hot water shower.
Dining rooms are facilitated with heaters, comfortable seats, and carved tables.
As more trekkers fit into lodges, you can share your journey or even gather insights from their stories. You can enjoy your meal by watching, hearing, and sharing experiences that have just conquered or are about to succeed.
Hotels are decorated with exquisite materials and delicate furniture. Rooms are supplied with heaters and free Wi-Fi services.
Some of the most popular hotel chains in the Khumbu region are Hotel Everest View and Yeti Mountain.
Camping:
As the trekking trails are dotted with teahouses and lodges, camping services are quite rare in the region as it is the least accessible and less comfortable, and spending nights outside might be risky as the night invites additional cold in the region.
However, if you are an adventurous lover and like to challenge yourself, you can enjoy this service at some trekking stops. The experiences offer better exposure to nature and starry nights.
Booking:
The Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular destination throughout the world. In the peak season, all the tourist spots receive a large flow of visitors.
So, it’s always a wise decision to reserve such places beforehand; this can help you travel more freely and without any hassle to search for comfortable houses.
You can always customize your accommodation facilities based on your taste, comfort, and preference with a reputed trekking company.
Famous Accommodation Stops on the EBC Trek
The EBC trek stops are layered with teahouses and hotels with comfortable lodging and meal facilities.
The main highlights of these houses are two single beds, shared bathrooms, and a common dining area, facilitated by Sherpa culture and hospitality.
Accommodation in Lukla (2,800 m/9,187 ft)
Lukla is the Everest Base Camp trek’s starting point since it is the main gateway to the Everest region.
This ever-joyous radiant little town offers diverse lodging options according to the needs and desires of trekkers.
Tea House is the most common and popular accommodation in Luka due to its coziness, decent facilities, and, most importantly, cost-effectiveness. Tea House provides single beds and shared bathrooms, which are optional at your cost.
If you seek more comfortable services, Lukla also has a guesthouse with private rooms and attached bathrooms. Some even have hot showers and Wi-Fi facilities.
If you are not on a strict budget, you might want to stay in high-end hotels that offer extremely satisfying services. These hotels are luxurious with exquisite features.
Everest Summit Lodge, Yeti Mountain Home, Buddha Lodge, and Hikers Inn are highly-rated tea houses and hotels.
Accommodation in Phakding (2,610 m / 8,563 ft)
Phakding is a small, serene town with various options for accommodation ranging from basic lodging to nice hotels for visitors.
It lies abreast of Dudh Koshi river and accommodation can be found on either side of the river.
Most rooms are basic and simple, which is good enough for sleeping overnight but some luxury hotels will cost you high, in exchange for a more comforting environment.
Most of the places have a common dining hall. This is due to the belief that food eaten in groups makes the meal tastier and warmer than it is.
The accommodating place depends mainly on your budget. Some of the places where you can stay out are Yeti-Mountain Home, Sherpa Lodge, Panorama Lodge, and Mountain Lodges of Nepal.
Accommodation in Namche Bazaar (3,438 m/11,280 ft)
Namche Bazaar is the biggest commercial hub with various accommodation options.
Trekkers usually acclimatize and spend 2 nights at Namche bazaar then ascend to EBC and spend one night while descending to the lower region.
There are plenty of high-end hotels that offer you extravagant luxurious features.
However, tea houses remain a popular choice for their simplicity and typically introduce the true life of a Nepali resident living in the Himalayas, along with cost-effectiveness.
Some notable tea-house mid-range and luxurious hotels are Hotel Namche, Hotel Khangri, Hotel-Mountain Home, Panorama Lodge and Restaurant, and Everest View Hotel- From where Everest Base Camp be seen.
Accommodation in Tengboche (3,870 m/12,697 ft)
Tengboche Monastery is the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. The most impressive feature of Tengboche is trekkers can have a majestic view of mountains from the top of the monastery.
The accommodation here is also on a tea house basis. Luxurious hotels are rare in Tengboche unlike Lukla and Namche Bazaar. There are very few lodges.
During peak season, Tengboche is crowded but the good thing is Deboche, which is above Tenboche provides a few hotels for accommodation.
Some basic tea houses and lodge areas include Deboche Lodge and Tengboche Guesthouse.
Accommodation in Dingboche (4,360 m/14,305 ft)
Dingboche is an accommodation stop above 4000m high. So, trekkers usually accommodate here for 2 days to acclimatize to the thin air and surroundings.
There are few teahouses which offer basic facilities with common toilets. In season, Dingboche might be fully packed.
Do not expect comfort in higher altitude regions like Dingboche, rather see how Sherpa live their life, feel it, and try to adjust to the situations.
It is a golden opportunity to experience the mountain lifestyle of Sherpas.
Don’t miss it!
Some teahouses are Dingboche Lodge, Valley View Lodge and Restaurant, and Dingboche Teahouse.
Accommodation in Lobuche (4,940 m/16,208 ft)
The second last stop to EBC, Lobuche, is quite scarce. Nestled in high altitude the accommodation facilities are extremely basic. Do not expect anything fancy like Namche Bazaar.
Here most tea houses can provide a warm blanket, and good meals though, the furniture will be minimal.
It is recommended to bring a sleeping bag just in case you are too timid against cold.
Hotels are limited in Lobuche, so finding a room will be a difficult task, especially in trekking seasons. Be prepared to sleep in the dining area.
Some of the decent hotels are Oxygen Altitude Home, New EBC Guest House, Himalayan Eco Resort, etc.
Accommodation in Gorak Sherp (5,190 m/ 17,027 ft)
The final step before EBC is Gorak Sherp, which is a temporary settlement with a few hotels that might not be open all year round.
Securing a proper room for accommodation is a top priority and should not be overlooked.
Of course, the rooms would be basic in Gorak Sherp with only a few beds, and blankets. You must carry a sleeping bag and liner as it can get extremely cold.
Charging facilities are available in dining halls at not-so-cheap prices yet, but they are still affordable.
Some of the hotels you can find are Snow Land Highest Inn, Everest Inn, Buddha Lodge, and Yeti Lodge.
Tips for picking the proper tea houses or lodges at EBC Trek
Right Location: Choosing a convenient teahouse that is located on the main route.
Customer Read Reviews: Insight from reviews like Trip Advisor helps you choose a quality teahouse.
Trekkers Recommended: Recommended by trekkers’ experience and services gained from customer feedback.
Cost-Friendly: Look for a guesthouse or hotel that could be flexible during costing.
Amenities and Services: Look for a teahouse that could accommodate you in comfortable rooms, heated rooms, quality cuisine, hot showers, electricity, charging, and Wi-Fi services.
Flexible Reservation: Buy your package from a reputed trekking company or book from a teahouse that can ensure your reservation and facilitate your room even in peak season.
Eco-Friendly Practices: Consider choosing guesthouses that focus on eco-friendly and sustainable tourism policies. Travel responsibly and preserve your environment.
Conclusion
Everest Base Camp is a beautiful destination yet a challenging fortress.
Conquering this trail is a daunting task as it demands physical strength, endurance, sheer will to move ahead, and accommodate beyond seeking comfort and luxury.
As you trek, you must be willing to stay in local tea houses and lodges, savor the taste of Nepali, Sherpa, and Tibetan cuisine, and witness the folklore, culture, beauty, and lifestyle of the Khumbu region, along with jaw-dropping stories of Sherpa.