If you’re in Bolivia and Machu Picchu is on your bucket list, there’s good news: you can get there without much hassle. The journey isn’t short, but it’s not difficult either if you plan each stage well. In this guide, we explain step by step how to do it, which borders you can cross, and how many days you need to make the trip worth every hour spent.
Contents
- Where do you cross the border between Bolivia and Peru?
- What documents do you need to cross?
- From La Paz to Cusco: how long does it take and how much does it cost?
- From Cusco to Machu Picchu: the final leg
- How many days do you need in total?
- The altitude along the way: one detail you can’t ignore
- How much does the full trip from Bolivia cost?
- One tip before leaving Bolivia
- Peru Sites helps you organize every step
Where do you cross the border between Bolivia and Peru?
There are two ways to enter Peru from Bolivia, and each has its own advantages.
Via Desaguadero: fast and nonstop
This is the most direct route. The bus leaves from La Paz, crosses the border at Desaguadero, and arrives in Cusco in about 12 hours without changing vehicles. Immigration formalities are completed right at the border: first you get your exit stamp in Bolivia and then your entry stamp in Peru. You only need your valid passport or national ID card. This is the best option if you’re short on time and want to get to Cusco as soon as possible.
Via Copacabana and Kasani: slower but more scenic
If you have an extra day, this route is worth it. From La Paz, you get to Copacabana in about 4 hours, cross the border at Kasani, pass through Puno, and continue on to Cusco from there. The total trip can take between 14 and 16 hours including stops, but the views of Lake Titicaca along the way are some of the most impressive you’ll see on the entire journey.
What documents do you need to cross?
Bolivian citizens do not need a visa to enter Peru as tourists. The valid document is a current passport or national ID card. At the border, you will receive an Andean Migration Card that you must keep until you leave the country. If you lose it, you may run into problems when it’s time to depart. Always carry a copy of your documents just in case.
From La Paz to Cusco: how long does it take and how much does it cost?
The direct bus from La Paz to Cusco via Desaguadero costs between 20 and 40 dollars depending on the company and the type of seat. The trip takes between 12 and 14 hours depending on traffic and the time spent at the border. Buses leave in the morning and in the afternoon from La Paz’s main terminal. If you prefer to go via Copacabana and stop in Puno, the cost is similar, but the trip is divided into two legs and can take a full day.
From Cusco to Machu Picchu: the final leg
Once you arrive in Cusco, you’re already very close. From the city, you take a vehicle to the Ollantaytambo station in the Sacred Valley, a little under two hours away by road. There, you board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu, on a journey of between an hour and a half and two hours through mountains and jungle. From Aguas Calientes, the shuttle bus takes you to the entrance of the citadel in about 25 minutes.
How many days do you need in total?
From La Paz to Machu Picchu, the minimum trip is three days, but four or five days is much more comfortable.
With three days, you go from La Paz to Cusco on the first day, take the train to Aguas Calientes on the second, and visit Machu Picchu on the third. It’s possible, but intense.
With four days, you can stop in Puno or rest for a day in Cusco before continuing. That makes a real difference in how you feel when you arrive at the citadel.
With five days, you have time for everything: Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu without rushing. It’s the most recommended option if you want to enjoy every part of the journey.
The altitude along the way: one detail you can’t ignore
La Paz sits at more than 3,600 meters above sea level, so if you’re coming from there, you already have some altitude adaptation. But Cusco is also at 3,400 meters, and your body may react differently in a new environment. The smartest thing to do is spend at least one night in Cusco before taking the train. Coca tea helps with altitude sickness symptoms, and you can find it in any market or hotel in the city. Staying well hydrated and avoiding intense physical effort on your first day also makes a difference.
How much does the full trip from Bolivia cost?
Adding up the different legs in standard categories, the trip from La Paz to Machu Picchu can range from around 140 to 280 dollars per person, not including lodging. That includes the bus to Cusco, the round-trip train from Ollantaytambo, the shuttle bus in Aguas Calientes, and the entrance ticket to the archaeological site. Prices vary depending on the season, the train company, and the circuit you choose inside the citadel.
One tip before leaving Bolivia
Buy your Machu Picchu ticket before arriving in Cusco. The site has limited daily capacity, and the most requested circuits sell out weeks in advance, especially between June and August. If you arrive in Cusco without a confirmed ticket, you may find that there’s no availability for the date you need. Taking care of that detail from Bolivia saves you a major problem once you’re already on the road.
Peru Sites helps you organize every step
At Peru Sites, we coordinate everything from the moment you arrive in Cusco: your transfer to Ollantaytambo, train tickets, the shuttle bus in Aguas Calientes, and entry to the circuit that best fits your visit. If you want to include Puno and Lake Titicaca in the same trip, we can also arrange it as part of a single itinerary. Write to us before leaving Bolivia and travel with everything confirmed.
