Although individual pace, type of trek and group size ultimately determines the routine, as a general rule it is early to bed and early to rise. The day starts with mustering up the courage to get out of your nice, warm sleeping bag anytime between 6am and 7am. This is followed by a quick wash and a hearty breakfast.
Taking a shower during a trek is almost always a mid to late afternoon event after you’ve stopped for the day and before you relax with a hot drink. Unless you are staying in an upmarket lodge (Ker & Downey, Everest Summit Lodge for example), showering in the morning is not an option (hot water is solar heated and therefore only warm enough late in the day). Additionally, be considerate to other trekkers and don’t spend ages in the shower and hog all the hot water – do what you need to do and then get out.
It’s normal to be out and on the trail by 8am or before and to walk for a good 3 to 4 hours before stopping for lunch. During the morning walk, most trekkers take a 30 minute tea break along the way. Lunch is invariably before or close to midday with plenty of time for digestion and then it’s a shorter walk in the afternoon followed by relaxation time at the teahouse, lodge or camp. This is the time to take a shower if you want (or need) one, write your diary or blog entry (if you keep one), and do any laundry you might have. Personally, I also take this time to sort myself out for the next day of walking – have a look at the map, see where I’ve been, where I’m going, that sort of thing. You will also observe on a trek that you will end up spending an inordinate amount of time packing and re-packing your bag. Don’t ask me why this is the case, it just is, and must be some sort of trekking thing but again, the afternoon is the best time to undertake this time consuming task!
At most teahouses you will be asked to pre-order your dinner when you check in and normally you will eat between 6pm and 7pm. Apart from chatting to other trekkers, there isn’t a whole lot to do after dinner so bedtime is usually not that long thereafter. Keep your torch handy as there isn’t normally any power during the night. And finally … enjoy some of the best night’s sleep you’re likely to have since you were a baby.