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Vegetarian Food on the Inca Trail
Most of use have dreams of traveling to far away destinations to see wonderful and exotic places, Peru is no exception with much to see and do. For the adventurous, trekking is a great way to experience the best of the destination, experiencing the sights up close is the best way to make wonderful lifetime memories.
For many it is troublesome when thinking what will I eat in different countries when traveling abroad. This is true especially for vegetarians and vegans. On the Inca Trail in Cusco travel companies like SAM Travel Peru specialize in delicious vegetarian, vegan and special needs foods for all their passengers. On booking you need to advise your travel advisor in advance of your dietary needs. This ensures that they can plan and pack appropriate food supplies.
Some of the speciality foods to include a delicious range of local grains and fresh produce all prepared by the Inca Trail chefs. Locally sourced fruits and vegetables are a stable for all the vegetarian passengers. Most meals are full of carbohydrates needed to sustain you on your trekking experience.
A typical menu may look like the following:
Breakfast, Oatmeal with fresh fruit, pancakes, scrambled or boiled eggs, served with vegetables, bread with butter and jams. Hot tea and coffee to wash it all down.
Lunch, Quinoa Salad, vegetable soups, rice with stir fried vegetables or stir-fried tofu, fresh avocado. Fresh fruit juices with Hot tea and coffee. Desert is generally served and could be fruit with jelly.
Dinner, Vegetable stew, pasta with various sauces including tomato sauce, mashed potatoes with sauteed vegetables, lentil soup. Fresh juices with Hot tea and coffee. Desert is generally served and could be a freshly baked cake.
Meals on the trail are generally filling and are full of nutritious produce that comes from the Andean regions of Peru, some of the typical food that you may receive are:
- Quinoa, a staple grain in the Andean diet, used in soups, salads and main dishes
- Potatoes, Peru has thousands of Potato varieties, used in stews, served mashed or boiled
- Vegetables, fresh and cooked vegetables like corn, tomatoes, avocados, peppers and carrots
- Legumes, Beans and lentils are often included for vegetarians to give protein
- Pasta and Rice, Simple, energy rich carbohydrates often served with vegetable-based sauces
- Fruit, fresh fruit for snacks and desserts.
Some tips for Vegetarians traveling to Peru
- Bring Supplements, pack some of your favourite snacks or protein bars in case you need an extra boost.
- Hydration and Hygiene, stay hydrated and ensure any fresh produce is properly washed to avoid any stomach issues.
- Specify Clearly, make sure you advise your travel company of any other special dietary requirements.
For those wishing to do the 4 Day Inca Trail it sells out quickly so if you want to do the trek, you will need to book at least 6 months in advance. With the new government regulations there are only 500 trekking permits released each day. This may sound like many but what you have to remember is that this includes, guides, porters and the cooking staff, which brings this number down considerably. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous in the world, share in the beauty of the Andes and the magic of the Inca.
The other Inca Trail for those who are short on time but not on desire is the 2-day short Inca Trail, this trail is 1/3 of the Classic Inca Trail but only 2 days. See some of the famous sites as well as Machu Picchu and get a taste of the famous trek.
If you miss out on the Classic Inca Trail then don’t worry there are many other alternative treks available the Inca trail is not the only trek to consider when thinking of Peru. There are many different treks to choose from. Not as famous but equally as beautiful is the Salkantay trek, passing some of the most wonderful scenery anywhere in the world. See some spectacular turquoise lakes and soak in some hot springs that will guarantee to relieve the aches that you are feeling after your trek.
Or another great trek is to the sister ruin of Machu Picchu, Choquequirao, said to be 3 times as big as Machu Picchu, the trek is relatively unknown and you will have the path to yourself. An interesting 4 or 5 days through the Peruvian Andes to a new discovery that is still being excavated.
When you have finished your trek in the Peruvian highlands there are many great vegetarian restaurants in Cusco to experience. Peru has the reputation as a leader in world cuisine and it shows in the wide range of food on offer in the city. Here are some fine establishments to try on your visit to Cusco
Green Point Vegan Restaurant, an oasis in the middle of Cusco city, in a garden full of plants and fruit trees where you can have a unique experience of Peruvian and International food all plant based, healthy and delicious. In the daytime you can enjoy the sun and at night the place lights up into a magical garden.
Vida Vegan Bistro, Small vegan restaurant whose owner makes Peruvian and Italian dishes, including pasta in the center of the historical center of Cusco.
El Jardin, located on the Plaza de Armes, here you will find healthy, vegan and vegetarian fool prepared with fresh and organic ingredients. Great coffee and desserts for those with a sweet tooth.
The Vegan Temple, a few blocks from the main square in Choqechaka St, a vegan restaurant serving a mix of cuisines from curry to tofu dishes to burgers and brownies. A must when you visit Cusco.
As you can see there is plenty of vegetarian and vegan food not only on the Inca Trail, alternative treks but also in Cusco, with a variety of restaurants to choose from. If you are traveling to other cities in Peru like Lima, Puno or Arequipa all these cities have many vegetarian restaurants to choose from so you will never go hungry. Book your Peruvian trek and make sure to check out all the other parts of the wonderful country of Peru in South America.
