Everything You’ll Eat (and Drink) During the 4 Days

One of the most pleasant surprises of the Inca Trail: the food is much better than you imagine. Here we tell you everything about eating during the trek.

The Surprise No One Expects

When people imagine food on the Inca Trail, they think:

“It’s probably just energy bars and dehydrated food…” “Probably rice and beans every day…” “I don’t expect anything gourmet in the mountains…”

The reality is completely different.

Food on the Inca Trail is one of the trek’s most pleasant surprises. Professional cooks prepare complete breakfasts, three-course lunches and abundant dinners — all in the middle of the mountains, at more than 3,000 meters altitude, with portable equipment.

Many travelers end the trek having gained weight instead of losing it.

What This Article Covers

How cooking works on the trek What’s served at each meal (with real examples) Options for special diets Hydration and drinking water Snacks during the walk How to eat well at altitude Differences between segments What to bring as complement

How Cooking Works on the Inca Trail

Before talking about food, let’s understand the logistics.

The Kitchen Team

Impressive fact: The kitchen team carries approximately 30-40 kg of equipment and food for each day of trek.

The Equipment

All this is transported on foot to feed you:

Daily Logistics

This is how each day works:

The amazing part: The kitchen team walks faster than you carrying more weight than you to have everything ready when you arrive. Deserves applause.

The Dining Tent

Meals are served in a dining tent set up specifically for your group:

The Meals: What to Expect

Let’s get into detail of each meal.

The Wake-up: Coca Tea

Before breakfast, the team wakes you with a cup of hot coca tea brought directly to your tent door.

This small gesture helps you wake up and prepare for the day.

Breakfasts

Breakfasts are complete and abundant you need energy for the day.

Typical components:

Example of real breakfast:

Day 2:

• Natural papaya juice
• Hot oatmeal with cinnamon and raisins
• Pancakes with honey
• Scrambled eggs with vegetables
• Bread with butter and jam
• Chopped fruit (watermelon, pineapple)
• Unlimited coffee or tea

Lunches

Lunch is the most important meal of the day you arrive hungry after walking all morning.

Typical structure (3-4 courses):

Examples of main dishes:

Example of real complete lunch:

Day 2 (after Warmiwañusca pass):

• Starter: Quinoa soup with vegetables
• Main: Chicken in mushroom sauce
• Side: White rice, golden potatoes, fresh salad
• Dessert: Chocolate cake
• Drink: Passion fruit water

Yes, all this in the middle of the mountain at 3,600 meters.

Mid-Morning Snack

During the walk, there’s a stop for snack:

This gives you energy to continue until lunch.

Tea Time (Afternoon)

Upon arriving at camp (4-5 PM), awaiting you:

This is a relaxation moment after the day’s walk.

Dinners

Dinners are comforting and abundant after a long day.

Typical structure:

Examples of real dinners:

Day 3 dinner is usually special it’s the last night and many cooks prepare something celebratory (cake with your name, decorations).

Summary of Meals by Day

Day 4: Only very early breakfast (~4:30 AM). Lunch in Aguas Calientes after Machu Picchu generally not included.

Special Diets and Dietary Restrictions

We can accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice.

What We Can Accommodate

Vegetarians and Vegans

For vegetarians:

Peruvian cuisine has many natural vegetarian options:

For vegans:

Important: Let us know when booking, not the day of the trek.

Food Allergies

CRITICAL: If you have severe allergy (anaphylaxis), inform us in detail. Bring your own EpiPen or medication. Make sure guide knows.

How to Inform Your Needs

Don’t assume they “already know” always reconfirm.

Hydration and Water

Hydration is crucial at altitude and during physical effort.

Water During Trek

Your Hydration System

You need to bring your own water container:

Our recommendation: A 2L camelback + a 1L backup bottle.

Hot Drinks

Tip: Avoid excess coffee at altitude dehydrates and can affect sleep.

Signs of Dehydration

Simple rule: If your urine isn’t clear or very pale yellow, you’re not drinking enough.

Tips for Eating Well at Altitude

Altitude affects appetite and digestion. Here’s how to manage it.

Altitude Effects on Eating

Strategies for Eating Well

Eat More Of / Eat Less Of

If You Have Nausea

Snacks You Should Bring

Although food is included, we recommend bringing personal snacks.

Why Bring Your Own Snacks

Recommended Snacks

How Much to Bring

Don’t overdo it there’s plenty of included food. Snacks are complement, not replacement.

Where to Buy in Cusco

Food Differences by Segment

Food quality varies according to segment you choose.

Segment Comparison

Summit Segment: The Gastronomic Experience

Summit segment elevates food to another level:

A Typical Food Day (Day 2 – Complete Example)

To help you visualize exactly what to expect.

Day 2: The Hardest Day

5:30 AM — Wake-up

A porter arrives at your tent with a cup of hot coca tea. “Good morning, breakfast will be ready in 30 minutes.”

6:00 AM — Breakfast

You enter the dining tent. Table is set with tablecloth. Awaiting you:

• Natural pineapple juice
• Hot oatmeal with cinnamon
• Pancakes with honey
• Scrambled eggs
• Bread with butter and jam
• Chopped fruit
• Coffee or tea

7:00 AM — You leave to walk

You carry your water bottle full (they refilled it with boiled/purified water).

10:00 AM — Mid-morning snack

Team caught up and prepared a table with:

• Hot tea or coca tea
• Cookies
• Fruit (banana, mandarin)
• Popcorn

You take opportunity to refill your water bottle.

1:00 PM — Lunch (after Warmiwañusca pass)

You arrive exhausted at lunch point. Dining tent is ready. They serve you:

• Quinoa soup with vegetables (hot, comforting)
• Chicken in creamy mushroom sauce
• White rice
• Golden potatoes
• Fresh salad
• Chocolate cake for dessert
• Passion fruit water

5:00 PM — You arrive at campsite

Team already set up everything. In dining tent waiting for you:

• Hot chocolate
• Herbal tea
• Freshly made popcorn
• Cookies

7:00 PM — Dinner

• Cream of tomato
• Lomo saltado (sautéed beef with onion, tomato, french fries)
• White rice
• Salad
• Flan for dessert
• Muña tea for digestion

8:00 PM

You go to sleep with full stomach, exhausted but well fed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food

Is food included in tour price?

Yes. All meals from day 1 breakfast through day 4 breakfast are included. Day 4 lunch in Aguas Calientes is NOT included.

Can I have seconds if hungry?

Yes, there’s always extra food. Cooks prepare generous quantity. Don’t stay hungry.

Are there options if I don’t like something?

There are always basic alternatives (rice, bread, fruits). If you have strong restrictions, notify beforehand. During trek, cook can adapt within what’s possible.

Can I enter kitchen to see how they prepare?

Generally not recommended due to space and hygiene, but you can approach to thank and observe from outside. Many cooks appreciate the interest.

What if I get food poisoning?

It’s very rare cooks maintain strict hygiene standards. If you feel ill, inform guide immediately. We have medications for gastrointestinal emergencies.

Can I bring my own food and not eat tour food?

Technically yes, but doesn’t make sense. Included food is abundant and quality. Your personal snacks are complement, not replacement.

Is food spicy?

Food is not excessively spicy by default. Some Peruvian dishes have ají, but mild. If you want more or less spicy, ask for it.

What type of oil do they cook with?

Generally vegetable oil. If you have specific restrictions (only olive oil, no palm oil, etc.), inform us before.

Are dishes disposable or reusable?

Reusable. We use real plates, cups and cutlery that are washed after each meal. It’s more sustainable.

Is there real coffee or just instant?

Depends on segment. Explorer may be instant. Adventure and Summit generally have brewed (filtered) coffee. If you’re very specific about your coffee, bring your own.

Can I drink alcohol during trek?

We don’t recommend alcohol during trek. Alcohol:

• Dehydrates (dangerous at altitude)
• Affects sleep (already difficult at altitude)
• Worsens altitude sickness symptoms
• Reduces your next-day performance

Summit segment includes wine at final dinner (day 3), when worst has passed. Other than that, avoid alcohol.

Good Fuel for a Great Adventure

Food on the Inca Trail isn’t just sustenance it’s part of the experience. After a hard day of walking, sitting at a table with hot and abundant food prepared especially for you is a luxury you don’t expect to find in the mountains.

Our cooks are artists who work in the most challenging conditions so you can enjoy every bite.

Come hungry. We’ll feed you well.

Ready for Your Inca Trail?