21-day Peru tour: Santa Cruz Trek, Inca Trail, Titicaca

Trek four mountain routes and see five of Peru's most remote landmarks in a single trip

This 21-day Peru tour departs from Lima and covers the Santa Cruz Trek in the Cordillera Blanca, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, and the Nazca Lines. The itinerary includes four days of trekking with a guide, private transport between regions, accommodation in hotels and mountain camps, and all meals during trekking. An English or Spanish-speaking guide leads the entire route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Lima, Peru

• Arrive in Peru in the evening
• Overnight in Lima hotel

Day 2: Bus to Huaraz and city walk

• Transfer by bus to Huaraz (8 hours)
• Walk around Huaraz city
• Overnight in Huaraz hotel

Day 3: Trekking to Wilcacocha and acclimatize

• Trek to Wilcacocha (3725 m)
• Optional excursions around Huaraz
• Overnight in Huaraz hotel

Day 4: Start Santa Cruz Trek to Llamacorral

• Drive from Huaraz to Cashapampa (2.5 hours)
• Start trekking to Llamacorral camp (5 hours)
• Overnight in tents at Llamacorral

Day 5: Trek to Taullipampa camp

• Wake up and have breakfast
• Trek from Llamacorral to Taullipampa (7 hours)
• Admire Santa Cruz and Alpamayo peaks
• Overnight in tents at Taullipampa

Day 6: Climb Punta Unión Pass and descend

• Climb to Punta Unión Pass (3 hours)
• Admire Santa Cruz and Huaripampa valleys
• Descend to Cachinapampa camp (5 hours)
• Overnight in tents at Cachinapampa

Day 7: Trek to Vaqueria and return to Huaraz

• Trek from Cachinapampa to Vaqueria (3 hours)
• Bus drive through Portachuelo Pass to Huaraz (5 hours)
• Relax and shop in Huaraz
• Overnight in Huaraz hotel

Day 8: Return bus to Lima

• Bus transfer from Huaraz to Lima (8-9 hours)
• Overnight in Lima hotel

Day 9: Flight to Cusco and city tour

• Flight from Lima to Cusco
• Afternoon sightseeing in Cusco
• Visit Sacsayhuaman Fortress and Plaza de Armas
• Overnight in Cusco hotel

Day 10: Start Inca Trail trek to Huayllabamba

• Drive from Cusco to Km 82 checkpoint (2 hours)
• Permit check and start trekking
• Trek to Miskay village and lunch
• Trek to Huayllabamba camp (6 hours)
• Overnight in tents at Huayllabamba

Day 11: Trek to Warmihuanusca Pass and Pacaymayo

• Trek from Huayllabamba to Warmihuanusca Pass
• Descend to Pacaymayo camp (7 hours)
• Overnight in tents at Pacaymayo

Day 12: Trek to Winiayhuayna camp

• Climb Runcuracay Pass
• Visit Sayaqmarka and other ruins
• Descend to Winiayhuayna camp (7-8 hours)
• Overnight in tents at Winiayhuayna

Day 13: Machu Picchu visit and return to Cusco

• Early breakfast and trek to Inti Punku
• View Machu Picchu at sunrise
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu (2 hours)
• Bus down to Aguas Calientes and lunch
• Train to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
• Overnight in Cusco hotel

Day 14: Rest day or optional tours in Cusco

• Rest and recuperate in Cusco
• Optional trips or city walk
• Enjoy local cafes and atmosphere
• Overnight in Cusco hotel

Day 15: Rainbow Mountain and transfer to Puno

• Visit Andahuaylillas church and museum
• Stop at Raqchi archaeological complex
• Visit La Raya Pass and Cordillera Vilcanota
• Evening walk in Puno city
• Overnight in Puno hotel

Day 16: Lake Titicaca cruise and transfer to Chivay

• Cruise on Lake Titicaca and visit floating islands
• Learn about Uros people customs
• Optional reed boat ride
• Lunch and walk in Puno
• Drive to Chivay with stop at Lagunillas viewpoint
• Optional hot springs visit
• Overnight in Chivay hotel

Day 17: Colca Canyon and transfer to Arequipa

• Visit Condor’s Cross viewpoint early morning
• Observe condors and walk canyon edge
• Stop at viewpoints on return to Chivay
• Lunch in Chivay
• Drive to Arequipa city
• Overnight in Arequipa hotel

Day 18: Rafting on Chili River in Arequipa

• Pick up from hotel or office
• Transfer to rafting base
• Receive equipment and instructions
• Rafting tour on Chili River (50-60 minutes)
• Return to Arequipa hotel

Day 19: Arequipa city tour and night drive to Nazca

• Visit Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Jesuit Church
• Visit St. Catherine monastery
• Optional Museum of Andean Sanctuaries visit
• Taste local juices at mercado
• Evening Andean music in local restaurant
• Night bus to Nazca

Day 20: Nazca Lines flight and return to Lima

• Arrive in Nazca in the morning
• Optional flight over Nazca Lines
• Optional visit to Chauchilla Cemetery
• Transfer by bus to Lima (7.5 hours)
• Overnight in Lima hotel

Day 21: Lima city tour and departure

• Guided tour of Lima and last shopping
• Transfer to airport
• Flight home

The experience

You arrive in Lima and spend the first two days acclimatizing: one night in the capital, then an eight-hour bus ride to Huaraz. A day trek to Wilcacocha at 3,725 meters prepares you for the Santa Cruz Trek, a four-day route through the Cordillera Blanca. You'll walk from Cashapampa up to Punta Unión Pass at 4,750 meters, the trek's highest point, with views of Huascarán (6,768 m), Alpamayo, and Artesonraju. Mules carry the heavy gear. You sleep in double tents at camp each night. The trek ends at Vaqueria, and you return to Huaraz by bus, then head back to Lima for two nights before flying to Cusco.

The Inca Trail portion runs four days from Cusco. You start at Km 82 on the Urubamba River and climb to Warmihuanusca Pass (4,205 m), then descend through cloud forest past the ruins of Runcuracay, Sayaqmarka, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñaywayna before reaching Machu Picchu at sunrise. A guide leads you through the complex for two hours. You also have free time to explore. You return to Cusco by train and bus, with a full rest day afterward to recover.

From Cusco you travel to Puno, stopping at Rainbow Mountain and the archaeological sites of Andahuaylillas and Raqchi on the way. In Puno, a cruise on Lake Titicaca takes you to the floating reed islands of the Uros people, where you can ride in a traditional reed boat. You then drive seven hours to Chivay in the Colca Canyon region. An early morning visit to the Condor's Cross viewpoint lets you watch condors soar along the canyon rim. The route continues to Arequipa, where you can raft the Chili River (optional), then an overnight bus carries you to Nazca. An overflight of the Nazca Lines (optional, weather dependent) shows the geoglyphs carved into the desert plateau. You return to Lima by bus and fly home.

What’s included

• Private transport from Cusco to Puno, Puno to Chivay, and Chivay to Arequipa with sightseeing stops along the way.
• scheduled buses on the Lima–Huaraz–Lima and Arequipa–Nazca–Lima routes.
• one domestic flight from Lima to Cusco.
• entrance tickets to all sites in the itinerary (Huascaran National Park, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Nazca Lines).
• accommodation in hotels with breakfast and double tents during trekking.
• full board (all meals) during the eight trekking days.
• local guides on trekking and day trips.
• an English or Spanish-speaking guide for the entire 21-day route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Peru Expeditions Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish throughout the tour, so you choose the language at booking. This works well for travelers who want commentary on the history and landscape as you trek and travel, though if you speak neither language fluently, a Spanish-speaking guide means you'll rely more on the guide's English translation or a travel companion who translates.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Santa Cruz Trek like compared to other mountain routes in Peru?

The Santa Cruz Trek crosses the Cordillera Blanca over four days, reaching Punta Unión Pass at 4,750 meters with direct views of Huascarán, Alpamayo, and Artesonraju. You walk through alpine valleys and past snow-covered peaks, with mules carrying gear and camps set up each night so you carry only a daypack.

How many days do I actually spend trekking on this 21-day tour?

You trek for eight days total: four days on the Santa Cruz route in the Cordillera Blanca and four days on the Inca Trail from Km 82 to Machu Picchu. The remaining days are travel between regions, rest days in cities, and sightseeing by bus and boat.

What happens if I want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain at the end of the Inca Trail?

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain require separate tickets purchased in advance (additional cost). You must request these at the time of booking so the operator can secure them for you. They are not included in the standard tour.

Does the tour include meals, and what about food outside the trekking days?

Full board is included during the eight trekking days. Meals outside trekking are not included, so you'll eat on your own in Lima, Huaraz, Cusco, Puno, Chivay, Arequipa, and Nazca. Breakfast is included at hotels throughout the tour.

What's included in accommodation, and do I need to bring my own sleeping bag for trekking?

You stay in three-star hotels or good hostels in cities, with double rooms and breakfast. During trekking, you sleep in double tents at camp. Sleeping bags and trekking equipment are not included. You can rent or bring your own.

Is the Nazca Lines flight included, and what if weather cancels it?

The Nazca Lines overflight is optional and payable separately. It depends on weather conditions. If flying is not possible, you can visit the Chauchilla Cemetery instead, a pre-Columbian burial site about 30 kilometers from Nazca with preserved mummies dating back roughly 1,200 years.