Yep, we’ve walked to Phaplu twice now, once up, once down, once went there by bus, once flew. We have posts on all of this. They’re probably in the related posts content here.

Yes they have beds. One we used on that trail, I don’t think she’d had customers in years, no menu, we just asked for dal baht, room was free. One had a little shop below so we got some beers and soft drinks, a lot of local porters arrived late at night. Bucket and scoop toilet facilities. Two were really nice, in small towns.Chef even had a hot shower. If you go look at our Instagram you’ll see a sunset mountain shot with Chef standing outside one of the lodges on that stretch, really pretty. Another of our first view of ” the snows”, that was the very first lodge. I have video of being there in that woman’s house with her cooking for us on the fire with a couple of toddlers hanging off her. The food was great, very ” authentic” but it wouldn’t suit some people. There is cloud forest, a lot of mud and donkey poo and wee depending on weather, at least one suspension bridge. I should write it up in full for you but we’re busy with a reef / dive promotion the next few days. When are you going? They all had beds and warm blankets of some sort. It’s hard to describe, but you will see the change, certainly when you get to Namche and find bakeries, shops, pubs, coffee and steak houses. You come out of Phaplu airport and turn left up the hill, starting on the road you passs through trees, it’s all uphill. Yes, it’s easy to navigate. There are jeeps that will take you up that first hill, for a fee. Have you read our difficulties of the EBC trek post? There’s a little bit about it in there.