We are considering hiking the TMB next summer. I'm not sure if we'll do it on our own, self guided via a company, or on a guided trek. I'm a vegetarian, and my boyfriend is a vegan. We were told that vegetarian food is okay to come by, but vegan food is difficult. Any thoughts? I've ordered the Cicerone book to learn more. The guided trek I was looking at is mostly staying at inns versus the refuges. I think if he had access to a grocery store in town, he'd be okay, but I'm concerned that if we stayed in refuges, food might be an issue.

That's a tough one. The French/Italians didn't used to do vegetarianism, but they're much better now. Don't know about the Swiss. Veganism is another matter though. At the hostels there is generally one meal cooked en mass for everybody so producing a variant for individuals may be a problem - although the larger hostels may be able to cope. If a hostel cannot feed eggs and cheese as an alternative meal though they may well be stumped. I don't know if Inns will be able to cope. The best advice I can suggest is to ask the people putting on the guided tour to research for you.

Since you have until next year, you may want to e-mail each place you want to stay and ask if they can accomodate you. It probably isn't an issue for breakfast, since they all have the standard fare of bread and jam with coffee, tea or chocolate. The evening meal is the real issue. I recall seeing some folks getting a special meal at least once, and I thought they must be vegan, but I don't know. For gites that won't work with you, just take your own food, but Bruce is right, they generally serve one thing family style.