Vegetarian and Vegan Food on Our Treks
Each year, we're finding that more and more of our participants are vegetarian and vegan. So we thought we'd put together a quick blog on vegan and vegetarian food in our three main trek destinations.
Everest Base Camp
Asia is home to some of the best veggie and vegan food and Nepal is certainly no exception. Whilst trekking, the most popular form of carbohydrate is of course rice, which you'll find served with a variety of stir fried vegetables and curries. A key protein source while you're in Nepal will be lentil dishes, such as daal, which you can have as a soup or a side dish. It's usually lightly spiced - and totally delicious!
One dish not to be missed - if you can get hold of it - is momos. These are delicious little dumplings filled with vegetables and sometimes tofu, with a mixture of spicy dips on the side. Traditionally found in both Tibet and Nepal on street food stools, they won't break the bank either.
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Machu Picchu
In a country that's best known for it's ceviche and, perhaps even more worryingly, it's guinea pig, you'd think it would be a struggle to find decent vegetarian or vegan food. Although it's not a concept that is widely understood in the foot hills of the Andes, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that some of Peru's staple dishes are perfect for veggies.
In fact, some of the main ingredients we now associate with the vegans of Instagram such as avocado and quinoa actually originate from Peru. Common dishes include delicious guacamole accompanied by home cooked tortillas, risotto dishes made with quinoa to up the protein content, and quinoa soup.
Peru is also home to 40,000 varieties of potato!
Kilimanjaro
Tanzania isn't known for it's food and, as everything that you eat on the challenge needs to be taken by porters up the mountain, the choice isn't as varied as it can be elsewhere. But it is still delicious and filling and being vegetarian or vegan doesn't mean that you are missing out. Delicious pancakes and bowls of porridge give you the energy that you need for trekking, and big bowls of pasta and the infamous Kilimanjaro pizzas will warm you up at lunch time and in the evening, along with tasty bowls of vegetable soup all prepared freshly for you.
There are also some delicious fruits that, even if not available on the mountain, you should try to hunt down whilst you are in Tanzania. There is the exotic, creamy custard apple (tomoko), the stinky durian or, if you want something more tart, try the baobab fruit (ubuyu).
If you have specific dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, or something else!) for your trek this Summer, then please let us know ASAP so we can make arrangements for you! Just pop us an email at team@chooseachallenge.com.
