Photo: Ama Dabalm View Lodge
The lodges in the mountains of Everest, Annapurna, etc all had a similar experience for the trekking tourist. Most lodges had 5 to 10 rooms in total and also served meals. Cost of rooms were about $2 to $3 per night.
When you stayed at a lodge, you were expected to take all your meals, usually dinner and breakfast, at the lodge. On the morning that you left, you then paid for all meals, drinks, showers, and room at one time. It was very convenient and simplified the problem of making change which is sometimes a problem.
Photo: Stove in dining area of Ama Dabalm View Lodge
The dining area in lodges many times had a stove such as this one pictured. At lower altitudes, where forests of trees were prevalent, wood was the most common fuel. At higher altitudes where there was less vegetation, dried yak dung was the fuel of choice.
Photo: Dining area of Ama Dabalm View Lodge
Since lodge dining areas were usually heated, and sleeping rooms were not, tourists would spend much time in the dining room. However, some lodge dining rooms had no stove and you could almost see your breath while eating your meal before returning to your chilly sleeping room.