Peru and Bolivia itinerary
Are you thinking of embarking on an unforgettable Peru and Bolivia itinerary?
Both of these neighboring countries each have tonnes going for them, and given their close proximity it makes sense to travel both together.
Here we can explore novel Andean cultures, stunning mountainous landscapes as well as various picturesque cities such as Cusco and La Paz.
In this guide we’ll share our customized 2 Week Itinerary for travelers looking to explore both Peru and Bolivia. We’ll also share other practical tips such as how to get around the countries, what to pack and how to budget.
Peru and Bolivia itinerary (2 weeks)
Let’s now take a look at the very best of what both Peru and Bolivia have to offer.
Getting to Bolivia from Peru
The easiest way of crossing from Peru to Bolivia is through Lake Titicaca. Known as the Kasani Border Crossing, it’s a relatively easy one to do and is also quite quick (we highly recommend it for our itinerary).
You’ll first need to head to Puno in the south of Peru, which is a popular stop for most travelers heading around the classic backpacking loop in this country.
There’s daily buses heading from both Cusco and Arequipa (roughly 6-8 hours each). You can also fly from either of these cities, or even from Lima with ease too.
Once you’ve crossed into Bolivia you’ll then arrive in Copacabana, which is located on the southern shore of Lake Titicaca. In total getting from Puno to Copacabana (with the border crossing) will take around 5 hours.
We suggest you brush up on your basic Spanish conversation before you arrive in Peru as it will help you to get what you want (more effectively) while crossing both borders.
Things to know before traveling to Peru and Bolivia
How to Budget
Unless you’re a millionaire, you’ll probably need to budget when traveling like we do. Thankfully you’ll be glad to know that these countries are some of the most inexpensive you can visit in Latin America.
We recommend budgeting for $20-25 per day for a dorm bed, meals and an activity or beers or so. Extras such as long buses or flights are not included and need to be budgeted separately.
What to Pack
This particular itinerary will see us travel through some really high altitude cities and remote Andean landscapes. As a result you’re going to need to layer up.
In places like Cusco and La Paz a coat will be fine, however in Uyuni and Lake Titicaca it can get freezing at night so be sure to buy some thick gloves and jumpers too.
Got travel insurance for Peru?
Peru and Bolivia itinerary (2 Weeks)
Let’s now explore our itinerary and where we’ll be visiting on this two week stint through Peru and Bolivia.
Lima (2 Days)
We’ll first arrive in the Peruvian Capital of Lima. Given it’s the best connected city of all in both of these countries, it makes sense to start your itinerary here. You can find many direct flights for great prices heading here from all over the world.
During your two days here it’s worth basing yourself in Miraflores in the south, and heading out early on your first day to visit the Costa Verde. Here we can walk along the green hills above the Pacific Ocean, and if you want to surf then this is also the place to do it (highly consistent waves rolling in all times of the year!).
From here we can head on a bike ride over to Barranco, where we can then visit the Puente de los Suspiro and also check out some awesome street art and graffiti.
Depending on your time, you can also head to the Historic Center to visit the highlights. These include the Catacombs of San Francisco, as well as to the Plaza de Armas which was the birthplace of Lima.
On your second day we highly recommend heading on this day tour tour Huacachina. This oasis town is located within the Ica desert, and is surrounded by giant dunes which are great for that perfect panoramic shot.
You’ll get to go Sandboarding here, and also enjoy a buggy ride over the towering banks. As well as having all transport and experiences included you’ll also get to visit the Ballestas Islands along the way!
🏁 Lima Itinerary stops:
- #1: Costa Verde Bike Ride (optional:Surfing)
- #2: Barranco
- #3: San Francisco Catacombs
- #4: Huacachina
Cusco, Peru (4 Days)
This Andean city is an absolute must-see when in Peru. You can easily fly from Lima to Cusco for cheap, which just takes an hour (in comparison with the super long bus ride).
It’s wise to spend your first day walking around the city, given the high altitude can be a shock. During this time you can walk around San Blas, enjoying many of the local markets as well as the impressive Twelve Angled Stone.
After that you can head to the main Plaza de Armas, which is home to some really striking colonial architecture (especially the main cathedral, however here and along the nearby streets you’ll find many other beautiful buildings).
It’s also worth heading to the Mercado San Pedro to try regional dishes such as Papa a la Huancaina or Lomo Saltado too to really get into the local swing of things.
On the rest of your days we recommend heading out into the infamous Sacred Valley region by using various day trips, and then enjoying your nights in Cusco after.
One of these is this day trip to Ausangate National Park. Home to 7 brightly coloured lakes, you’ll hike around this awesome national park whilst also taking in the views of the snowy mountains in the backdrop. You’ll also have a traditional Andean breakfast included as well as all transport.
On your other two days you can choose from a whole range of memorable day trips. These include various Incan ruins such as Sacsayhuamán and Moray, and you can also head on a guided trek up Rainbow Mountain too.
🏁 Cusco itinerary stops:
- #1: San Blas
- #2: Plaza de Armas
- #3: San Pedro Market
- #4: Ausangate National Park
- #5: Sacsayhuamán Ruins / Moray Ruins
- #6: Rainbow Mountain
Machu Picchu, Peru (2 Days)
Arguably the most incredible ancient ruin in all of South America, Machu Picchu is by far one of the most popular sites you can visit from Cusco.
Getting here is half the adventure, where you’ll first take colectivos from Cusco to the start of the hidroeléctrica track where you’ll then begin to walk between the spiraling mountains. Whilst it’s a pretty easy walk, it’s still a good idea to have some quality hiking shoes with you to make it easier for your feet. We recommend these for the guys as well as these for the ladies.
Given the distance it’s worth spending the night in the nearby town of Aguascalientes, so you can wake up early and head up to the site around sunrise. During the evening you can also enjoy the hot springs close to town which are perfect for resting those tired muscles.
On your second day we’ll explore the mountain-top site, which is home to various temples, shrines and even an alpaca or two roaming around freely! If you’re strapped for time then we suggest this day tour to Machu Picchu from Cusco.
🏁 Machu Picchu itinerary stops:
- #1: Aguascalientes
- #2: Hot Springs (Baños Termales)
- #3: Machu Picchu
Lake Titicaca (2 Days)
From Cusco we can then take a night bus to Puno, which is a major city located on the Peruvian shores of Lake Titicaca.
This high altitude lake (4000m+) is best known for the man-made Uros islands, which were formed by ancient civilisations who still live on these reeds to this day.
We actually only suggest spending a few hours of your first day seeing these islands in Puno, but not spending the night. It’s better to head over to Copacabana in Bolivia (it’s a 4 hour ride) to enjoy the more authentic town.
On the first night you can enjoy a hot caldo by the lake, and even climb up nearby Cerro Calvario for some panoramic lake views if you fancy it.
Waking up early on your second day, we’ll now take a boat ride over to Isla del Sol (this is a good option which departs from La Paz but can pick you up there in Copacabana).
Known for its terraced ledges and ancient ruins, this island is perfect for hikers who like to get away from the crowds.
You could spend hours enjoying nature here, and even sunbathe on the local beach (the daytime temperatures are surprisingly hot here so wear light clothes and use sunscreen).
🏁 Lake Titicaca itinerary stops:
- #1: Puno
- #2: Uros Islands
- #3: Copacabana
- #4: Isla del Sol
Uyuni Salt Flat (3 Days)
Now we head to another major Latin American Bucket List item. Taking the bus from Copacabana at night, we‘ll arrive in the early morning in Uyuni which is located in the Bolivian Altiplano.
This is important as this Multi-Day Trek you’ll want to take will be leaving early (be sure to get in touch with the operator to find out the exact time of departure).
The Salar de Uyuni is the first stop you’ll make, which is arguably the biggest highlight of all. The largest salt flat on earth, here you’ll see bright white as far as the eye can see, and also explore hidden gems located within such as Incahuasi Island. If you head during the wet season (December until March) you’ll get to see the legendary reflection effect.
That’s not all though in this vast region, hence why we recommend this tour which transports you to all in a private 4×4 (the distances between each gem are big and otherwise unreachable). Here we’ll be able to visit Red and Green alpine lakes, and also see wild Vicuña and Pink Flamingos along the way.
One of the very best highlights (George’s favorite) has to be the early morning visit to the Geysers of Sol de Mañana, which are constantly smoking given the high levels of volcanic activity bubbling right underneath the surface.
The 3 Day Tour is also a bargain since you’ll have all accommodation and meals included as well as the private transport around the region.
🏁 Uyuni itinerary stops: (On the Multi-Day Tour)
- #1: Train Graveyard
- #2: Salar de Uyuni
- #3: Incahuasi Island
- #4: Galaxy Caves
- #5: Hedionda Lagoon
- #6: Árbol de Piedra
- #7: Red Lagoon
- #8: Sol de Mañana Geysers
- #9: Dali Desert
- #10: Licancabur Lake & Green Lagoon
La Paz, Bolivia (2 Days)
After our incredible and memorable journey through southern Bolivia, we’ll now take the night-bus back north to La Paz.
The capital is known for its epic sceneries, and by now you should be able to walk around the high altitude city with little issues (given you’d have spent the last week adjusting well).
We recommend first heading on the MiTeleferico Gondola system which is like the local metro – however in the sky! Not only will you have impressive city views, however you’ll also be able to reach the nearby city of El Alto too this way.
Also on your first day we suggest exploring Plaza Murillo which is known for its awesome architecture, and then heading down to The Witches Market which is home to all kinds of weird and wonderful souvenirs (we’ll leave the surprises up to you when you visit).
On your last day on this itinerary, we highly recommend heading on this Bike Adventure Tour down El Yungas Road. Not for the faint of heart, this epic road is known as the most dangerous on earth, however with safe equipment and a knowledgeable guide (which are all included in the above tour) you’ll be able to explore this epic route without a worry.
You’ll get to see everything from snow-capped peaks and canyons to hidden waterfalls and the Amazon Jungle as you descend over 3000m on a bike! As well as including high quality bikes and a buffet lunch, you’ll also get to visit the town of Coroico at the end.
🏁 La Paz itinerary stops:
- #1: MiTeleferico System
- #2: Plaza Murillo
- #3: The Witches Market
- #4: El Yungas Road
Do you have more than 2 Weeks? (Special Mentions)
The above itinerary is perfect for those who have less time to explore Peru and Bolivia. However if you have more time (and we highly recommend it), then it’s worth adding these destinations into your itinerary:
- Arequipa (Peru) – This white-washed city is one of the most beautiful in Peru. It’s perfect for those who want to see volcanoes, and also to head to the nearby Colca Canyon (which is the second deepest on earth).
- Puerto Maldonado (Peru) – Located in the Amazon Jungle, this town can easily be flown to from both Lima and Cusco. Head on this multi-day trek where you can see everything from Pink River Dolphins and Capybara to Monkeys and Jaguars.
- Potosí (Bolivia) – Somewhat close to Uyuni, this old mining town is steeped in history and colorful architecture. Although the high altitude can be a challenge here, it’s worth visiting the mine of Cerro Rico to get an insider’s view into the eye-opening local culture.
Got travel insurance for Bolivia?
Peru and Bolivia itinerary
That is all for our 2 week Peru and Bolivia Itinerary.
These two countries are some of our personal favorites (especially for George), and here you’ll be able to dive deeper into the more traditional Andean culture and scenes. You’ll also find some unforgettable destinations here too such as the Uyuni Salt Flats, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca.
In this guide we’ve explored all with our customized 2 week itinerary, which we have designed for travelers looking to see the highlights of these two awesome countries.
As well as looking at how to get between each destination, we’ve also covered important things to know for your trip such as budgeting and what to pack.
Be sure to revisit this guide before, during and after your travels to Peru and Bolivia.
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