A hardy hike deserves nothing less than some hardy food -- and on our Inca Trail treks you'll get it; sometimes with little extras that leave a big impression.
For example, last time I was traveling in Peru my husband was celebrating a birthday during our trek. Surprise -- a cake and candles were presented at his birthday dinner. Another personal touch the cook added en route was freshly picked avocado that was growing wild in the region. And each morning, our wake up call included hot coffee or tea served at our tents. A bit of a peace-offering for the early-morning rise -- but it worked.
In other words, prepare to be spoiled.
This is just a sample menu, but gives you a good idea of what type of food and the variety to expect on your Inca Trail trek. Vegetarians out there (yours-truly included) don't worry – you are easily accommodated and I promise you won't have to make due with mere beans, bread and butter substitutes (that drives me crazy).
Inca Trail Menu
Day 1
-Snack: Chocolate bar, dried fruit, chocolate cookie, candies, banana
-Lunch options: Chicken pickled, bread, yucca, sweet potato OR Roast Chicken with salad OR Swiss chard pie with salad
-Tea time: three kinds of corn (grey, chullpi, white), cheese, coffee, tea, cookies, peanut butter and jam
-Dinner: Vegetable soup, Trout Meuniere, mashed potatoes, salad with vanilla flan or apple strudel
Day 2
-Breakfast: Oat with Kiwicha (a super grain like quinoa –think super oatmeal), scrambled eggs and bacon, toast, coffee, tea, cookies jam and butter
-Snack: chocolate bar, chocolate cookie, candies, tangerine and apple
-Lunch: Corn cream, chicken salad, avocado, olives, breadcheese and chicha morada juice
-Tea time: Tequenos rellenos (fried cheese sticks – they are delicious), guacamole, coffee, tea, cookie, peanut butter and jam
-Dinner: Tomato soup with grated cheese, Lomo saltado (soymeat, potato and rice), with strawberry jelly and peaches
Day 3
-Breakfast: pancake with honey, yogurt, granola, milo, coffee, bread, jam and butter
-Snack: orange, cookie, chocolate bar and candies
-Lunch: Macaroni salad with avacado, eggs, cheese, olives and basil with peach juice
-Tea time: pop corn, cookies, coffee, tea, bread, peanut butter, butter and jam
-Dinner: Inca soup (with quinoa), milanesa de eggplant con rice (eggplant and rice) and flan for dessert
Day 4
-Breakfast: Omelet with cheese, coffee, milo, bread, jam and butter
-Snack: red apple, peach juice, chocolate bar, granola bar and candies
-Lunch: Cream asparagus soup, causa rellena (a potato dish with or without tuna), salad and pineapple juice
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.