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Author: Salar de Uyuni Editorial Team
Quick Summary: The smoothest way to combine Peru and Bolivia is to travel north to south: Cusco and Machu Picchu first, then Lake Titicaca via Puno and Copacabana, then La Paz and an overnight bus to Uyuni. Two weeks is enough for the highlights if you fly into Cusco; three weeks lets you go fully overland from Lima. Remember the mandatory SIGEMIG pre-registration for Bolivia, a one-hour time change at the border, and buffer days for road disruptions in 2026.
Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Salar de Uyuni sit on one of the best overland routes in South America. They are close enough to link in a single trip, but far enough apart, and high enough, that the order you visit them in really matters.
This guide shows you how to put them together in 2026: which direction to travel, how many days you need, how to handle altitude and the border, and which transport works best for each leg. For the Bolivian end of the trip, our Peru to Uyuni overview covers the final connections.
The Classic Route at a Glance
The standard combined route runs roughly north to south:
- Lima (sea level), optional start
- Paracas, Huacachina and Arequipa, optional coastal and canyon stops
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Puno and Lake Titicaca (Peruvian side)
- Copacabana and Isla del Sol (Bolivian side)
- La Paz
- Uyuni and the Salar de Uyuni
- Exit via a flight from La Paz, or overland to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile
Travelling in this direction has a big advantage: you gain altitude gradually. Arequipa sits at about 2,335 m, Cusco at about 3,400 m, Puno at about 3,830 m, La Paz at roughly 3,640 m and Uyuni at 3,656 m, with the 3-day tour climbing to around 4,900 m at Sol de Mañana. By the time you reach the salt flats, your body has had two weeks to adjust.
How Many Days Do You Need?
| Trip length | What fits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 10–12 days | Cusco, Machu Picchu, Titicaca, La Paz and a 1-day Uyuni tour | Short holidays, travelers who accept a fast pace |
| 14–16 days | Fly into Cusco, then overland to Uyuni with a 3-day salt flats tour | Most first-time visitors |
| 21+ days | Full overland route from Lima via the coast and Arequipa | Backpackers, slow travelers |
With less than 10 days, choose one country. Trying to squeeze both into a week means most of your trip is spent on buses and recovering from altitude.
Sample 14-Day Itinerary: Cusco to Uyuni
This version assumes you fly into Cusco via Lima and finish with a 3-day tour of the salt flats.
- Day 1: Arrive in Cusco. Rest and take it easy at altitude.
- Day 2: Explore Cusco’s historic centre.
- Day 3: Travel through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 4: Visit Machu Picchu, then return to Cusco.
- Day 5: Spare day in Cusco for rest, a day trip, or weather delays.
- Day 6: Travel from Cusco to Puno.
- Day 7: Visit Lake Titicaca’s floating islands, then cross the border to Copacabana.
- Day 8: Day trip to Isla del Sol.
- Day 9: Travel from Copacabana to La Paz.
- Day 10: Explore La Paz, then take the overnight bus to Uyuni.
- Days 11–13: 3-day Salar de Uyuni tour, returning to Uyuni or ending in San Pedro de Atacama.
- Day 14: Fly or take the night bus back to La Paz for your flight home, or continue in Chile.
The Day 5 spare day matters more than it looks. In 2026, protests, strikes and road blockades disrupted Bolivian roads several times, and a single buffer day can save the rest of your plans.
Sample 21-Day Itinerary: Lima to Uyuni Overland
With three weeks, you can start at sea level and travel the full route by road.
- Days 1–2: Lima
- Days 3–5: Paracas and the Huacachina oasis, then on to Arequipa
- Days 6–8: Arequipa, with an optional Colca Canyon trip
- Days 9–13: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
- Days 14–15: Puno and Lake Titicaca
- Days 16–17: Copacabana and Isla del Sol
- Days 18–19: La Paz, then the night bus south
- Days 20–22: 3-day Uyuni tour, then your onward flight or border crossing
This is the more relaxed version. You gain altitude slowly, you see the coast and the canyons, and you have room to absorb a delay.
Transport for Each Leg
The trip combines three types of transport: organized hop-on hop-off buses, public buses, and flights. Each fits different legs.
| Leg | Organized option | Public bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lima to Arequipa via Paracas and Huacachina | Peru Hop, with stops built in | Yes, but you plan each stop and terminal | Lima to Arequipa only, skipping the coast |
| Arequipa to Cusco | Peru Hop | Yes, overnight | Yes |
| Cusco to Puno | Peru Hop | Yes | Usually via Juliaca, not ideal |
| Puno to La Paz via Copacabana | Peru Hop, then Bolivia Hop | Yes, with a separate border crossing | Not practical |
| La Paz to Uyuni | No hop-on hop-off service | Todo Turismo or local lines, overnight | BoA, about 1 hour |
Organized buses vs public buses
On the Peruvian section and the Puno to La Paz crossing, Peru Hop and Bolivia Hop are useful for first-time visitors. You get hotel pickups and drop-offs, a bilingual local host, help at the Kasani–Yunguyo border, and a flexible pass that lets you stay longer in places you like. Bolivia Hop’s pass is valid for a year, and date changes are free up to 12 hours before departure.
Public buses may look cheaper at first. Once you add taxis to and from terminals, extra waiting time, luggage worries, schedule changes and handling the border on your own, the difference becomes much smaller. Public buses are a good fit for locals and fluent Spanish speakers who want to go directly from A to B and are comfortable in busy terminals.
For La Paz to Uyuni, there is no hop-on hop-off service. Most travelers take the Todo Turismo overnight bus or fly with BoA. See our La Paz to Uyuni guide for the options.
Can you fly between Peru and Bolivia?
You can fly between Lima and La Paz. Direct flights from Cusco to La Paz or Uyuni have been announced and operated at times, but availability has been inconsistent, so most air routings still connect through Lima. Flying saves time but skips Lake Titicaca, which for many travelers is the reason to go overland in the first place.
Crossing the Border: What You Need to Know in 2026
Most travelers cross between Peru and Bolivia at Kasani–Yunguyo, between Puno and Copacabana. Two things changed recently.
- SIGEMIG pre-registration is mandatory. Every foreign visitor must complete Bolivia’s free online SIGEMIG migration pre-registration before arrival. Keep the confirmation on your phone and on paper.
- US citizens no longer need a tourist visa. Bolivia ended its visa requirement for US tourists in December 2025. Requirements differ by nationality, so check the US State Department Bolivia page or your own government’s advice.
Other practical points:
- Your passport needs at least six months’ validity.
- Bolivia is one hour ahead of Peru. Adjust your watch when you cross.
- Check your entry stamp before you walk away. A missing stamp causes problems when you leave Bolivia.
- Border hours are limited. The Kasani crossing has operated roughly 07:30 to 18:00 Peru time, which is 08:30 to 19:00 Bolivia time.
When to Do the Trip
The best season depends on what you want most.
| Season | Machu Picchu and Cusco | Lake Titicaca | Salar de Uyuni |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry season (May–October) | Clear skies, busiest months June–August | Sunny days, freezing nights | Dry white salt, full 3-day route, very cold nights |
| Wet season (December–April) | Rain, fewer crowds; the Inca Trail closes every February | Afternoon storms | Mirror effect from roughly late December to late April; some routes may change |
| Shoulder (November, April) | Mixed weather, good value | Mixed | Chance of early or late water on the salt |
If seeing the mirror effect matters most, travel between January and March and accept wetter weather in Cusco. If clear skies at Machu Picchu matter most, aim for May to October. Our best time to visit the Uyuni Salt Flats guide explains the salt flats seasons in detail.
Money Across Two Countries
- Peru uses the sol; Bolivia uses the boliviano. Use up or change your soles before you cross.
- Bolivia’s currency now floats. The Banco Central de Bolivia official rate was Bs 11.90 per US dollar on 2 October 2026, compared with the old fixed rate of 6.96. Older guides quoting prices at 6.96 are badly out of date.
- Carry clean US dollar notes as backup, and withdraw bolivianos in La Paz before heading to Uyuni, where ATMs are limited.
Booking Order Checklist
Book in this order to avoid the most common bottlenecks:
- International flights, into Lima or Cusco and out of La Paz or Lima.
- Machu Picchu entry tickets and train, which sell out first in high season.
- Your transport pass for the Peru and Peru to Bolivia legs, if you are using one.
- Your Uyuni tour, especially in July, August and over New Year; see our guide to Salar de Uyuni tours.
- The La Paz to Uyuni bus or flight, a few days ahead.
- SIGEMIG pre-registration, before you reach the Bolivian border.
FAQ
How many days do you need for Peru and Bolivia?
About two weeks is enough for Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, La Paz and a 3-day Uyuni tour if you fly into Cusco. Three weeks lets you travel overland from Lima with stops on the coast and in Arequipa. With less than 10 days, it is usually better to focus on one country.
Should I visit Peru or Bolivia first?
Most travelers start in Peru and finish in Bolivia. Travelling from Lima or Cusco south toward Uyuni helps you acclimatize gradually, since the highest points of the trip, on the 3-day salt flats tour, come at the end when your body has had the most time to adjust.
How do I get from Machu Picchu to Uyuni?
Return from Machu Picchu to Cusco, then travel to Puno, cross the border to Copacabana, continue to La Paz, and take an overnight bus or a short flight to Uyuni. Overland, allow at least four to five days from Cusco to Uyuni with stops at Lake Titicaca.
Do I need a visa to enter Bolivia from Peru?
It depends on your nationality. US citizens no longer need a tourist visa since December 2025, and many European nationals are visa-exempt. All foreign visitors must complete the free SIGEMIG online pre-registration before arrival. Check your own government’s travel advice for current requirements.
Can I see the Uyuni mirror effect and Machu Picchu on the same trip?
Yes, but you need to travel in the wet season, roughly late December to late April, when the salt flats are most likely to hold water. That is also Cusco’s rainy season, and the Inca Trail closes every February, so plan for wetter days at Machu Picchu and flexible plans in Bolivia.
Limitations
Entry rules, visa policies, transport schedules, flight routes and prices in Peru and Bolivia can change quickly, and Bolivian roads were affected by fuel shortages, strikes, blockades and states of emergency during 2026. Border opening hours, Machu Picchu ticket rules and seasonal conditions on the salt flats also vary. Confirm entry requirements with official government sources, check current road and border conditions before each leg, book key tickets well in advance, and build at least one buffer day into your itinerary.
