This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2015. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
In the alpine regions of the Andes, things don’t work quite the same as they do elsewhere.
I still remember the first time I saw a woman in Cusco leading her llama down a cobblestone city street. Or when I ordered a cappuccino in Copacabana, and the waiter left the café, only to return ten minutes later with a steaming plastic bag full of coffee. At first, I had questions. Eventually, I just smiled and rolled with it.
This South America travel itinerary–which my husband and I did during our honeymoon in 2015–was a beautiful blur of unforgettable, sometimes bizarre, and often hilarious moments. We travelled overland from La Paz to Cusco in just under three weeks, and by the end, I knew I’d experienced something really special in this region.
If you’re planning your own adventure, here’s my tried-and-tested itinerary to see the best of Bolivia and Peru—stories and all.
Where to go in Bolivia and Peru:
1 – La Paz, Bolivia
2 – Uyuni, Bolivia
3 – Copacabana, Bolivia
4 – Puno, Peru
5 – Cusco, Peru
6 – Machu Picchu, Peru
La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz is the perfect place for an introduction to Bolivia. At over 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) above sea level, it literally took my breath away. Once I overcame the altitude sickness (and the associated headache), I was intrigued. One of the first things we did was hop on the teleférico, the city’s colorful cable car system, stopping at Mirador Station for sweeping views over the city.
👉 Read more: The best things to do in La Paz: Bolivia’s high-altitude city
We also booked a terrifying (and exhilarating) day trip biking down Death Road. The ride started at a chilly 4,850 meters, followed by a 64km descent along gravel and cliffs with no guardrails—definitely not for the faint of heart. Despite the nerves, it was a thrilling ride. By the time we rolled into the jungle below, I felt like I’d conquered a small mountain—literally and figuratively.
👉 Read more: Feeling brave? How to bike down Bolivia’s Death Road
Uyuni, Bolivia
I’d dreamed about visiting the Uyuni salt flats for years, and finally standing there—surrounded by nothing but white in every direction—was completely surreal. We arrived in Uyuni after a very bumpy overnight bus ride from La Paz (sleep was… ambitious), but stepping out of the bus into that chilly desert air was the beginning of an adventurous day filled with otherworldly landscapes.
We booked a tour with Red Planet Expeditions, and they didn’t disappoint. Driving straight into a sea of shimmering salt, it was everything I hoped for. The dry season meant no mirror reflections, but the cracked salt patterns and wide open skies were just as breathtaking. Climbing Cactus Island for panoramic views over the flats and exploring the eerie Train Cemetery were major highlights.
👉 Read more: From La Paz to Uyuni: How to visit the largest salt flats in the world
Copacabana, Bolivia
Copacabana was… a mixed experience for me. The lakeside views were beautiful, but food poisoning hit me hard, so my memories are definitely tainted. Still, I did manage to catch a gorgeous sunset from Cerro Calvario and I’ll admit that it was a useful destination to launch across Lake Titicaca between Bolivia and Peru.
One bright spot was a day trip to Isla del Sol, a peaceful, car-free island steeped in Inca mythology. I hiked from the northern end to the south, passing ancient ruins, grazing donkeys, and sweeping views of Lake Titicaca that made the long walk totally worth it. It felt like time slowed down there—a much-needed reset in the middle of our trip.
👉 Read more: How to visit Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
Puno, Peru
From Copacabana, we crossed the border into Peru and made our way to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
I don’t remember a whole lot about our stay in Puno, as my main focus was a day trip out to see the floating Uros Islands. Built entirely from layers of totora reeds, these man-made islands are unlike anything I’ve seen before. Stepping onto one feels a bit like walking on a sponge—soft, springy, and slightly surreal.
The visit offered a fascinating glimpse into how the Uros people live, with homes, boats, and even watchtowers all made from the same reeds that float beneath them. We toured one of the islands, chatted with a few locals, and learned about their centuries-old traditions. It was one of those travel moments that really makes you pause and appreciate how differently people live around the world.
👉 Read more: How to visit the floating Uros Islands from Puno
From Puno, we caught a long-distance ‘Route of the Sun’ bus which travelled through the scenic highlands to Cusco, winding past remote villages, stopping at ancient Inca ruins, and admiring epic mountain scenery along the way.
Cusco, Peru
We didn’t spend much time in Cusco—it was mostly just our launching pad for the Inca Trail. But even in that short window, a few things stuck with me. The whole city seemed to glow, with narrow streets winding between warm-toned buildings and old stone walls. I remember walking past a few beautiful old churches, some that were crumbling a little at the seams, that added to the city’s historical charm.
One afternoon, we hiked up to Cristo Blanco, a large white statue of Christ that stands atop Pukamuqu Hill. From up there, the views over the city were incredible—red rooftops stretching out across the valley and misty mountains rolling off into the distance. Even though Cusco was more of a transit stop for us, those first impressions were memorable.
Machu Picchu
The ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu are definitely a must-see for all tourists visiting Peru. We chose to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Inca Trail hike, which undoubtedly tops my list of challenging travel experiences. It was also one of the most rewarding–the four-day hike through cloud forests, past ancient ruins and over dramatic mountain passes really was incredible.
👉 Read more: How hard is the Inca Trail trek? FAQs for tourists
If you’re not keen on the hike, it’s easy to visit Machu Picchu from Cusco on an overnight trip with a stay in Aguas Calientes. If you’re really short on time, you can potentially see it in a day trip from Cusco, however I wouldn’t recommend this as it won’t give you much time to explore the ruins – it would be better to extend your trip out of the city, staying in the lovely Sacred Valley for a night or two along the way to take it at a slower pace.
👉 Read more: How to visit Machu Picchu from Cusco (by train, bus or hike)
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