The short answer
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Border crossing
- Puno to Copacabana, about 3 hrs
- Bolivia visa
- Not needed for many nationalities since Dec 2025
- Highest nights
- Around 4,300 m on the Uyuni tour
What's changed recentlyShow
- Dec 2025Bolivia removed the tourist visa requirement for US citizens; Australians, New Zealanders, Britons, Canadians and most Europeans also enter visa free. Check your nationality before travelling.
- 2026Bolivia asks visitors to register online (SIGEMIG) before arrival. It is free and takes about 10 minutes.
Peru and Bolivia share Lake Titicaca and much of the Andean highlands, so combining them is natural. The classic route crosses the lake by road from Puno, stops at Copacabana and the Isla del Sol, continues to La Paz and ends at the Uyuni salt flats, one of the most surreal landscapes on Earth.
The route
| Days | Plan | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 7 | Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco. See our 7 day plan | Peru |
| 8 and 9 | Bus to Puno; Uros and Taquile islands | Puno |
| 10 | Cross the border to Copacabana; boat to the Isla del Sol | Isla del Sol or Copacabana |
| 11 and 12 | Bus to La Paz: cable cars, markets, the Valley of the Moon | La Paz |
| 13 to 15 | Fly or take the overnight bus to Uyuni; 3 day salt flat and lagoon tour | Uyuni region |
| 16 | Back to La Paz to fly home, or cross into Chile at San Pedro de Atacama |
Altitude on the Bolivian side
By the time you reach Bolivia you will be well acclimatised, but the Uyuni tour climbs higher than anywhere in Peru you are likely to sleep.
Border and practical tips
- Many nationalities, including Australian, New Zealand, UK, US, Canadian and most EU citizens, can enter Bolivia without a visa. Check before you go, as Bolivia has changed its visa rules several times.
- Complete Bolivia's free online SIGEMIG registration before arriving and keep the QR code offline.
- Check your passport for a clear Bolivian entry stamp before leaving the border post. Missing stamps can mean fines when you leave.
- The salt flats flood with a thin layer of water from about January to March, creating the famous mirror effect; some routes close then.
- Bring US dollars in good condition; Bolivian ATMs can be unreliable outside La Paz.
Rather have a trip to Peru made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Peru and Bolivia?
Two weeks covers Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, La Paz and Uyuni at a fast pace. Three weeks is more relaxed.
Is it easy to cross from Peru to Bolivia?
Yes. Tourist buses run from Puno to Copacabana and on to La Paz, with a stop at the border for passport stamps.
Do I need a visa for Bolivia?
Not for many nationalities, including Australians, Britons and, since December 2025, US citizens. Check the official advice for your passport before you travel.
Sources we checked
Peru month by month
More Peru guides
Best time to visit Peru: the Andes, coast and Amazon explained
May to September is the dry season in the Andes and the best time for Machu Picchu and treks. April, October and November are quieter shoulder months; the coast is sunniest from December to April.
Updated 15 October 2026
Peru itineraries for 7, 10 and 14 days, with altitude charts
Seven days covers Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Ten adds Lake Titicaca, and fourteen adds Arequipa and the Colca Canyon. Each plan below climbs gradually so altitude is less of a problem.
Updated 15 October 2026
Machu Picchu tickets for 2026 and 2027: circuits, routes and prices explained
Every Machu Picchu ticket is for one circuit, one route and one hourly entry slot. Here is what each route shows you, a quick chooser, prices and the new booking rules from September 2026.
Updated 15 October 2026
How to get to Machu Picchu: trains, buses and the budget route
No road reaches Machu Picchu. Most people take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then a 25 minute bus up to the gate. Here are the options, times and prices.
Updated 15 October 2026