Cusco Day Trip Meals: A Tasty Look at Humantay Lake & Salkantay

So, planning a day trip from Cusco to Humantay Lake or Salkantay? That sounds truly spectacular. And you know, while your mind may be fixed on gazing at that turquoise water or tackling those tough mountain trails, there’s still something to think about: the food. As a matter of fact, I thought I’d put together what could be viewed as a comprehensive foodie sort of overview of what to expect on these trips. It could be said that after all, keeping your energy is especially vital when you’re at a high altitude, right?

First Fuel Up: The Standard Breakfast Offering

Okay, before that crazy early morning start, you will want something to set you up for the day. Just a little something! What you will typically get is what is frequently called a “continental breakfast.” Now, a continental breakfast might be thought of as not what you’d anticipate at home, yet it more or less works for this kind of a quick bite. Usually, what they do is dish out rolls (sometimes a bit dry, let’s be honest), jam, butter, and perhaps some cheese. As a matter of fact, you sometimes get a sweet pastry.

Apparently, hot drinks tend to be on offer. This usually means coca tea, which they say can ease altitude issues (and in addition gives you a tiny caffeine pick-me-up). As a matter of fact, some tour operators include coffee, yet do not assume it! A tip could be to bring a little snack with you; something you particularly enjoy to munch on, since that breakfast, to be honest, is designed for speed as opposed to delicious flavors and things like that. By the way, it is often very early in the morning, with a whole heap of excitement for what’s to come; breakfast, it could be said, becomes fuel instead of a feature of the travel itself.

Mid-Morning Pick-Me-Up: The Snack Stop

Okay, a few hours into the trek, you might start to think: I would love something, right now! Now, a snack stop usually takes place. Tour operators often give out something light in order to keep those energy rates in a reasonable position. So, that is a fantastic gesture, isn’t it?

What’s normally up for grabs? Fruits, I believe they sometimes give like apples, bananas, or oranges; simple, natural sugars do exactly what they should at this stage! As a matter of fact, you might get a cereal bar or some biscuits. I reckon they’re practical as opposed to a gourmet experience, however in that kind of setting, something to nibble on is most certainly a welcome morale increaser, to be honest. And I’m just telling you; those mountain views really go well with your fruit, by the way.

Lunchtime Refueling: The Heart of the Culinary Experience

Right, let’s get to the good stuff! So, lunch! Mid-day often turns out to be the biggest meal during these day trips, and most tour companies use it as an opportunity to flaunt some Peruvian dishes. I do think it is wonderful to get a sense of regional food, and that could be the best way of discovering Peru, don’t you think?

And, a pretty typical choice for that area is soup – a warming quinoa or vegetable soup can often feature. It can, at times, be really quite welcome given the cold climate. So warming, just really warming. When you are nice and warm it sets you up for those incredible landscapes.

As for the main event, it could well involve a type of chicken or vegetable dish combined with rice, quinoa, or potatoes (after all, it can often feel as if they live off potatoes in Peru, literally speaking!). Dishes tend to be simply made with fresh ingredients, and as a matter of fact the flavors tend to be comforting rather than exciting. You could also consider vegetarian options, or alternatives. Usually, that only requires just a bit of previous notice to the tour operator.

So that you know, I will give you a bit of a pro pointer: Pack some moist towelettes, you will be thankful that you did.

Afternoon Boost: A Second Snack Attack?

Anyway, depending upon the trek as well as the operator, it is possible that you are getting an afternoon snack, it seems. Typically, it would be something akin to what was offered during the mid-morning. But, as a matter of fact it relies entirely on what you are doing!

It might be extra fruit, biscuits, or possibly an additional drink in order to keep your blood sugar up. However, you might not get this, therefore it may just pay to take your own snacks in order to ensure you are protected, I’d say! And I want you to think hard: are you more of a chocolate person or a candy person?

Drinks: Keeping Hydrated is Crucial

You understand that hydration, is definitely really key. What I would always recommend you do is take a big refillable water bottle, because water isn’t always supplied easily. Even though several operators will give you a bottle of water at first, you can easily refill it at different locations (always make sure that it is secure to do so!).

Hot beverages such as coca tea, particularly at breakfast and sometimes during breaks, are commonly offered; I’ve said it already. As a matter of fact, while I have said before to not necessarily expect coffee, taking a small flask with instant coffee may be very well beneficial assuming that a proper coffee boost is your way to face the day, that sounds obvious, I suppose! What sort of reusable water bottle are you thinking of using? Can I just also remind you: altitude, as I’ve already mentioned, impacts dehydration levels, right?

Specific Dietary Requirements: What to Do?

Right, I am a believer of: being arranged always works. Now, assuming you do have specific food restrictions – whether you are vegetarian, vegan, or have allergy concerns, the ideal thing will be to let your tour company understand when you make your booking. Just do that. Doing that ensures that they might take appropriate plans.

At times, last-minute demands are a challenge. Tour operators usually try in order to focus on popular needs, so they may provide vegetarian options; but options intended for vegans or people that have substantial allergies might have some limitations. So just provide them with a great deal of heads up and then just ask as many clarifying questions as is possible. Really.

Tips for an Excellent Food Experience

• Bring Your Own Snacks: Very well, it usually makes a difference to have the tidbits you really enjoy, because then it means you aren’t reliant on whatever you may be being provided.
• Communicate Needs Early: Just say as much as you can when you book.
• Stay Hydrated: You will notice if you don’t!
• Be Prepared for Basic Fare: While it is possible to get Peruvian food, at times, it truly is more about gas than it is flavor. I have given that example already.
• Pack Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer: Hygiene constantly wins at high altitude when clean facilities might be hard to find.

Final Thoughts: Food on the Go

Okay, regarding foods on Humantay Lake, just the Salkantay day trips aren’t high cuisine, for example. However, with just a little preparation, you can more or less be sure that it serves its goal: making certain you possess the energy necessary in order to completely enjoy the amazing surroundings. Enjoy every piece of food; I mean literally just savor every aspect of it and then those experiences become unique to you and very, very memorable indeed.

Oh just very quickly, when do you intend on going?

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