Peru and Bolivia are two of the most stunning countries on Earth, as both are traversed by the majestic Andes and boast an impressive cultural heritage that spans all the monuments built by the Incas.
Through a two-week Peru and Bolivia itinerary, you’ll get to enjoy a flawless combo of mesmerizing sights, mouthwatering food, and thrilling adventure — not to mention the fantastic people you’ll meet along the way.
This trip plan is quite similar to the one a friend and I followed a few years back, so trust me when I say it’s one of the most exciting possible journeys through Latin America!
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How to get around
Peru has set up one of the best tourism infrastructures in South America, so you can usually travel the country quickly and efficiently.
You can ride a comfortable night coach for shorter distances, like between Cusco and Puno on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca.
You might do that for the stretch between Lima and Cusco as well. Yet the trip drags on for 20+ hours, and meals are typically served onboard — which means the whole thing can be pretty exhausting. So, in this case, you may want to book a flight.
Also read: 18 Famous Cities in Peru (And What Makes Them Famous)
One caveat here is that there’s no road link between Machu Picchu and the Cusco region, so you’ll either have to ride the train through the Sacred Valley pictured above (which costs around $150) or take the multi-step Hidroeléctrica route.
Distances in Bolivia are shorter because you’ll be stopping more often, but the bus ride between La Paz and Sucre lasts almost ten hours. As odd as it may sound, both cities are capitals of the country, which means you can find flights for less than $100.
That said, Bolivia isn’t used to mass tourism like Peru, which is why infrastructure is notoriously uneven. Although coaches are comfortable and reliable, in many cases you’ll have to buy tickets directly at the bus station for lack of a dedicated website.
2-week Peru and Bolivia itinerary
Days 1-2: Lima
Where to stay: The Radisson RED to explore the trendy district of Miraflores or the charming Hotel B in Barranco, the quaintest neighborhood in town
Let’s kick off our Peru and Bolivia trip in Peru’s sprawling capital, where you’ll be given a proper introduction to the country’s delectable cuisine and ancient cultural heritage.
A good starting point when exploring Lima is its imposing historic core, which dates back to the 16th century and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. You can take a walking tour of the surroundings to check out must-sees like Lima Cathedral and the Plaza Mayor.
Then head off to the city’s coast, which in trendy areas like Miraflores and San Isidro is rimmed with inviting hilltop parks overhanging the Pacific. Riding a bike along the shore is a great way of ensuring you won’t overlook any of the highlights.
On your second day in the capital, you can visit the quaint district of Barranco, where colorful townhouses are the calling card, and view the thousands of archaeological findings on display at the Larco Museum.
Before setting out for our next stop, don’t miss the chance to dive into the best of the world-famous Peruvian cuisine through a food tour or by treating yourself to a fine dinner in top-notch restaurants like Astrid y Gastón in San Isidro.
Day 3: Cusco
Where to stay: Hotel Rumi Punku, which is great value for money, or the irresistible Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel
Our second destination is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, which was monumental before the Spanish conquest and remained so when the invaders laid out a new city on top of the old one.
Hardly anywhere else in Peru will you come across this much history and culture crammed into one single city, which means you should definitely count on a local guide to show you all the hidden gems.
You’ll get to visit Qorikancha, the no. 1 temple in the whole empire, as well as the Sacsayhuamán complex (below), a huge fortress that represented the pinnacle of the Incas’ architectural accomplishments.
Stop by the San Blas arts district to load up on beautiful handicrafts or snatch your favorite keepsakes at the San Pedro Central Market.
Also read: 16 Exciting Day Trips from Cusco Worth Doing
Days 4-5: Sacred Valley
Where to stay: Those traveling on a budget can pick Hotel Highgarden, while travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind stay can book the Vertical Sky Luxury Suites; both are in Ollantaytambo.
The fertile stretch of land along the shores of the Urubamba River in the heart of the Peruvian Andes is where the Incas managed to grow corn and quinoa and is in part what allowed the civilization to thrive.
Sights in the region are roughly between an hour and 90 minutes by car from Cusco, so you can either stay in town for a couple of extra nights or pick a secluded accommodation in the Sacred Valley.
Agencies in the area offer dozens of combinations of fun tours. You can, for instance, view the fortified walls of Ollantaytambo and the ancient town of Písac, or book a two-day trip that includes the ruins of Chinchero’s royal palace and Machu Picchu.
Travelers seeking an adrenaline-filled experience through dazzling landscapes can go on a quad-bike tour of the Moray salt mines (below) and their surroundings.
Day 6: Machu Picchu
Where to stay: By Machu Picchu’s main entrance, the only option is Belmond’s exclusive Sanctuary Lodge. Downhill at Aguas Calientes, you’ll stumble upon several budget-friendly hotels like Tierra Viva.
No two weeks in Peru and Bolivia could possibly leave out this wonder of the world, i.e. the sacred city of the Incas.
Since it remained virtually untouched for over three centuries, Machu Picchu is extremely well preserved. It was swallowed up by the jungle after being abandoned in 1572 and would only be rediscovered in 1911.
To make sense of the ruins and picture how the Incas lived, you should go on a historic walk of the citadel.
Trekkers will enjoy learning they can pick between several hiking trails connecting the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu in two to four days.
Days 7-8: Lake Titicaca
Where to stay: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca in Puno or Ecolodge La Estancia on Isla del Sol for superb views and the most peaceful ambiance
Straddling the Peru-Bolivia border, the tallest lake on Earth (and the 19th-largest) has been home to indigenous nations from Antiquity.
While the majority of them live along its shores, some have occupied its islands, and others went on to build their own out of a local reed. Those are the Uros, who’ll welcome you onto their floating villages to tell you about their culture and show you their handmade creations.
The lakeside town of Puno makes a good base for exploring the lake, given it has a direct rail link with Cusco. But you can stay also overnight on one of the islands, where the native communities will be your hosts.
Taquile and Amantaní are two of the most popular destinations for that unique experience, as is Isla del Sol on the Bolivian side.
Days 9-10: La Paz
Where to stay: El Museo Hotel Boutique in Sopocachi, La Paz’s coolest district, or the boldly designed Casa Grande Hotel in San Miguel
At almost 12,000 feet above sea level, La Paz is the highest big city on the planet. Spending two days in the capital instead of just one is therefore recommended for your body to adapt to the altitude, even though La Paz isn’t as packed with must-sees as Lima, for example.
On a walking tour of the city, you’ll visit landmarks like the central Plaza Murillo, the spooky Witches’ Market, and the colorful Jaén Street (below).
Afterward, catch a wrestling match between cholitas, indigenous women who proudly wear traditional clothes and are one Bolivia’s cultural icons.
On the second day, you can hop onto La Paz’s cable car and head all the way up to El Alto, where you’ll get a commanding vista of the capital and the snow-capped Mount Illimani (above).
In El Alto, you can take a Cholet tour to discover the striking architecture that the up-and-coming city’s new elites have been setting up for themselves.
Day 11: Sucre
Where to stay: Parador Santa María La Real, a distinguished hotel a block away from the main plaza
The Bolivian Congress and Executive Power may be headquartered in La Paz, yet as per the country’s constitution, Sucre is the official capital. Nicknamed the White City thanks to the homogeneous color pattern of its historic buildings, Sucre is the seat of Bolivia’s Supreme Court.
You’ll love the town’s laid-back mood, especially after diving into La Paz’s hectic pace. Besides strolling the quiet streets of Sucre, you can take a cooking class to savor the underrated Bolivian cuisine, as well as visit Cal Orck’o, the biggest fossil bed on Earth.
Day 12: Potosí
Where to stay: Hostal Colonial, located in a historic villa with a lovely patio
Under Spanish rule, Potosí would become one of the richest cities globally. No wonder; about 80% of the world’s supply of silver was extracted from Cerro Rico, the golden hill that towers over the town.
The mine is active to this day and can be visited through a thrilling tour of the safer tunnels. Then you can soak up Potosí’s suggestive atmosphere of bygone wealth by walking past its sumptuous townhouses and visiting its Baroque churches.
Bear in mind, however, that Potosí is one the tallest cities on the planet, so don’t skimp on that coca tea to avoid falling prey to altitude sickness.
Days 13-15: Uyuni
Where to stay: In the salt flat, book Hotel Palacio de Sal, which was built with salt bricks; alternatively, if you’ll be staying in the village overnight, pick Hotel Jardines de Uyuni instead
A major source of lithium and — of course — salt for the country, the Uyuni Salt Flat is also Bolivia’s no. 1 tourist attraction.
The wet season (i.e. summer) is the most popular time of year to visit, as that’s when the floor perfectly mirrors Uyuni’s blue skies (above).
Still, I visited in winter because that’s a safer period to reach Machu Picchu, and I assure you the vast white expanses you’ll find are just as breathtaking (below).
On a three-day tour of Uyuni, you’ll see other natural wonders in the area like the Red Lagoon and its flamingos or the Atacama Desert in Chile.
Alternatively, you can spend two days at the salt flat and squeeze in a day trip to the gorgeous Huaca China oasis between Lima and Cusco.
Wrap-up
If you’re lucky to have a couple of extra days to throw into your Peru and Bolivia itinerary, don’t think twice before spending three or even four weeks between the two countries.
When I backpacked through Peru, Bolivia, and Chile a few years ago, I spent 10 days in each, which was enough time to see all the major sights and not feel like I was rushing through any of them.
In case you’re pressed for time, though, consider booking an 8-day Peru trip instead and come back again to discover Bolivia at a pleasant pace.
