Cusco To La Paz

Bus to Puno and Lake Titicaca

From your hotel, we collect you for the transfer to the bus station. We depart early in the morning for the 8 to 10 hour bus journey to Puno set on the shores of Lake Titicaca at 12,530' (3,820m). The journey by first class tourist bus crosses the dramatic Altiplano via altitudes of up to 4300m. During your trip, you will experience quintessential Andean landscapes and breathtaking vistas. The road takes us south along the great valley below Cusco and then as we head further south we start to climb towards the great continental divide at La Raya. To the east we see some of the strange peaks of the Carabaya Range. From the pass we descend quickly onto the vast dry altiplano with its isolated villages and herds of Andean camelid including the alpaca and vicuña. Our first glimpses of lake Titicaca remind us that this is hardly a lake - its more like a vast inland sea that also happens to be the highest navigable lake in the world! If you choose to travel by train from Cusco to Puno (upgrade option upon request at an additional cost), we will pick you up at your hotel early in the morning and transfer you to the train station. The once-in-a-lifetime adventure takes approximately 10 hours 30 minutes. The route is considered by many travel magazines to be one of the most beautiful in the world.We spend the night at our hotel in Puno.

Lake Titicaca - the Uros Islands

Puno is a typical high Andean town, set on the shores of the lake and located on the great altiplano that stretches all the way to La Paz. There will be an opportunity to cruise Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable lake in the world – and visit some of the unique floating ‘tortora’ reed islands of the Uros Indians. The afternoon is free to relax in Puno and explore its streets and markets.

Drive from Puno to Copacabana

We journey by public bus around the lake and across the border into Bolivia to the town of Copacabana - beautifully situated on the shores of the lake. We continue via the straits of Tiquina - the narrowest and also by coincidence the deepest part of Lake Titicaca - and on across the immense Bolivian altiplano to its biggest city, La Paz - at 3,700m the highest 'capital' city in the world. On arrival in La Paz transfer to your hotel.

Free day in La Paz

Today we have a free to to explore the city. There is a chance to join an optional tour of the city or to the ruins of Tiahuanacu or the highest 'ski-resort' in the world at Chacaltaya. Please discuss the options with your local guide.

Trip concludes in La Paz

After checking out of your hotel after breakfast your services end.