Self-Launched Best of Peru & Bolivia: Lima to La Paz on a Backpacker Budget
13 days · Peru & Bolivia
Peru Trek 4 Good charges £2,015
No-markup version: ~£777 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 13-day run through Peru and Bolivia covering Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca, Copacabana, Isla del Sol and the Uyuni salt flats with all the lagoons. Instead of a partially-guided group tour with private transfers, you book every piece yourself: local colectivos and tourist buses, the PeruRail/Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes, shared minivans to trailheads, the official 3-day shared 4x4 Uyuni tour, and the overnight bus across the altiplano. Costs below are realistic backpacker estimates per person in GBP (excluding international flights) and assume dorms or simple private rooms in hostels/guesthouses. Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu tickets sell out months ahead — book at least 3-4 months before you travel.
Day-by-day
Arrive Lima — Miraflores & Barranco on foot
Lima, Peru
Land at Jorge Chávez Airport and take a licensed taxi or the Airport Express Lima bus to Miraflores (~£6-8). Check into a hostel in Miraflores or Barranco. Spend the afternoon walking the Malecón clifftop path to Parque del Amor, then catch sunset over the Pacific. Evening: cheap ceviche or menu del día in Barranco, then wander the graffiti lanes and Puente de los Suspiros.
🚌Airport Express Lima bus or taxi from airport (~£6-8)
🛏Hostel dorm or simple private room, Miraflores/Barranco (~£12-18)
- →Malecón clifftop walk
- →Parque del Amor
- →Barranco street art & Puente de los Suspiros
- →Cheap ceviche dinner
Lima colonial centre & San Francisco catacombs
Lima, Peru
Take the Metropolitano bus or a taxi to the historic centre (~£1). Free walking tour of Plaza Mayor, Government Palace exterior, Cathedral and City Hall (tip-based, ~£5). Pay the small entry (~£3) for the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs — the guided visit is included with the ticket. Lunch at a Mercado Central stall (~£3). Late afternoon head to San Isidro's Parque El Olivar, then back to Miraflores. Book your Lima–Cusco flight for tomorrow evening (LATAM/Sky/JetSmart, ~£60-90 one way) — the operator's own guidance is an evening flight so you get a full day in Lima.
🚌Metropolitano bus / local taxis (~£3 total)
🛏Hostel dorm or simple private room, Miraflores/Barranco (~£12-18)
- →Free walking tour of the historic centre
- →San Francisco Convent & catacombs
- →Mercado Central lunch
- →Parque El Olivar, San Isidro
Fly to Cusco — gentle altitude acclimatisation & city tour
Cusco, Peru
Morning free in Lima, then afternoon/evening flight to Cusco (~£60-90). Take a taxi or the airport colectivo into the centre and check into a hostel in San Blas. Take it very easy today: coca tea, light walking only. In the late afternoon join a tip-based free walking tour of the Plaza de Armas and San Blas (or a cheap shared city tour ~£10 covering Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay with a boleto turístico). Buy the Boleto Turístico General (~£18) at any site — it covers all of these plus Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
🚌Flight Lima–Cusco (~£75); airport taxi/colectivo (~£4)
🛏Hostel dorm or private room, San Blas (~£12-16)
- →Free walking tour of Cusco
- →Qorikancha & Sacsayhuamán (Boleto Turístico)
- →Q'enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay
- →Coca tea & acclimatisation
Sacred Valley — Pisac, Urubamba & Ollantaytambo, train to Aguas Calientes
Sacred Valley → Aguas Calientes, Peru
Take a local colectivo from Cusco to Pisac (~£2, 1hr) and hike up to the Pisac ruins with your boleto turístico; then browse the handicraft market. Colectivo on to Urubamba (~£2) for a cheap set lunch, then another colectivo to Ollantaytambo (~£1.50) to explore the Inca town and fortress. Catch an evening PeruRail or Inca Rail train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (~£45-65 one way — book the 'Expedition' or 'Voyager' class online well ahead). Check into a guesthouse in Aguas Calientes and buy your Machu Picchu bus ticket for the morning at the ticket office (~£10 return).
🚌Colectivos Cusco–Pisac–Urubamba–Ollantaytambo (~£6); train Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes (~£55)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Aguas Calientes (~£15-22)
- →Pisac ruins hike
- →Pisac market
- →Urubamba lunch
- →Ollantaytambo fortress
- →Evening train through the Urubamba gorge
Sunrise at Machu Picchu — back to Cusco
Machu Picchu → Cusco, Peru
Get up early and queue for the first Consettur buses (~5:30am) up to Machu Picchu for opening. You MUST have booked your Machu Picchu entrance online in advance (official site: machupicchu.gob.pe, ~£40 for the standard circuit; Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain add ~£15-20 and sell out far earlier). Explore the citadel at your own pace, or hire a licensed guide at the gate for ~£12-15 split between a few travellers. Mid-morning bus back down, lunch in Aguas Calientes, then afternoon train to Ollantaytambo (~£45-65) and a shared minivan/collectivo to Cusco (~£6).
🚌Consettur bus (~£10 return); return train (~£55); colectivo to Cusco (~£6)
🛏Hostel dorm or private room, San Blas (~£12-16)
- →Sunrise at Machu Picchu
- →Optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb
- →Self-guided or locally hired guide tour
Rainbow Mountain big day out (or Humantay Lake / Maras & Moray)
Cusco, Peru
Book a shared day tour online or via any Cusco agency for Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): pickup ~4:30am, ~£15-20 including transport, breakfast and lunch. Walk the 2-2.5hr ascent (or rent a horse for ~£12) to 5,036m — altitude is brutal, so go slow. Alternative if you'd rather a lighter day: shared Humantay Lake tour (~£15-18) or a Maras salt mines + Moray half-day tour by shared van (~£10-12). Either way, book via GetYourGuide/Viator or a Cusco tour office the day before. Evening back in Cusco for a cheap menú dinner.
🚌Shared tour minibus (included in tour price)
🛏Hostel dorm or private room, San Blas (~£12-16)
- →Rainbow Mountain hike (or Humantay Lake)
- →Optional horse rental
- →Optional Maras salt mines & Moray terraces
Scenic bus Cusco to Puno with Andahuaylillas, Raqchi & Pucará stops
Cusco → Puno, Peru
Take a tourist-class 'Inca Express'-style bus (e.g. Cruz del Sur or a tourist bus operator) from Cusco to Puno (~£18-25, 10-11hrs) with guided stops at the Andahuaylillas Chapel, the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi and the Pucará museum — these tourist buses bundle the entries and a buffet lunch into the fare. Cheaper alternative: ordinary Cruz del Sur bus (~£10) and skip the stops. Arrive Puno in the evening, check into a hostel near the Plaza de Armas, eat a cheap trout dinner and layer up — it gets cold at 3,800m.
🚌Tourist bus Cusco–Puno with sightseeing stops (~£22)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse, Puno centre (~£10-15)
- →Andahuaylillas Chapel
- →Temple of Wiracocha, Raqchi
- →Pucará museum
- →Buffet lunch en route
Lake Titicaca & the floating Uros islands, then into Bolivia
Puno → Copacabana, Bolivia
Morning shared boat tour to the Uros floating islands (~£10-12 for 3-4hrs, book locally at the Puno pier). Back in town by early afternoon, collect your bag and take a shared minivan/colectivo or a tourist bus from Puno to Copacabana (~£5-8, 3-4hrs) — remember the border crossing at Kasani, so bring your passport and check Bolivian visa rules for your nationality. Check into a guesthouse with lake views in Copacabana, climb Cerro Calvario for sunset and eat fried trout at the lakeshore.
🚌Uros boat (~£11); shared minivan Puno–Copacabana (~£7)
🛏Guesthouse, Copacabana (~£12-18)
- →Uros floating islands boat tour
- →Border crossing at Kasani
- →Cerro Calvario sunset
- →Lakeside trout dinner
Isla del Sol hike & Basilica, overnight bus to Uyuni
Copacabana → Uyuni (overnight bus)
Morning boat to the south of Isla del Sol (~£5-7 return), walk the ridgeline path past Pilkokaina Palace and the Inca Garden down to Yumani (~2-3hrs, spectacular). Back in Copacabana, visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana and its museum, eat lunch, then take the evening bus/tourist bus from Copacabana to La Paz (~£5, 3.5hrs). In La Paz transfer to the overnight bus to Uyuni (Todo Turismo or similar, ~£25-30, 10-11hrs, reclining seats). This is a long day — pack snacks and a headtorch.
🚌Boat to Isla del Sol (~£6); bus Copacabana–La Paz (~£5); overnight bus La Paz–Uyuni (~£28)
🛏Overnight bus (reclining seat)
- →Isla del Sol south hike
- →Pilko Kaina palace
- →Inca Garden / Yumani steps
- →Basilica of Copacabana
Uyuni: train cemetery, Colchani & the salt flats — shared 4x4 day 1
Uyuni → San Juan, Bolivia
Arrive Uyuni early and join the standard 3-day shared 4x4 salt flats tour (book direct with a Uyuni agency or via GetYourGuide the day before, ~£110-140 all-in for 3 days including driver, fuel, food and basic hostel stays). Day 1: Train Cemetery, Colchani artisan village, Ojos del Salar, the vast Salar de Uyuni, hike Incahuasi Island (cactus island), classic perspective photos and sunset on the salt. Overnight in a basic salt hostel in San Juan (bring a warm sleeping bag liner — heating is minimal).
🚌Shared 4x4 with driver (included in 3-day tour)
🛏Basic salt hostel, San Juan (included in 4x4 tour)
- →Train Cemetery
- →Colchani village
- →Ojos del Salar
- →Incahuasi Island hike
- →Salt flat sunset photography
Lagunas route — Honda, Hedionda, Siloli Desert & Laguna Colorada
San Juan → Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
Full day in the 4x4 heading south through the altiplano: Laguna Honda, Laguna Ramadita, Laguna Hedionda (flamingos!), the Siloli Desert and the Stone Tree, finishing at the red waters of Laguna Colorada. Long, bumpy, high (4,000-4,800m) and unforgettable. Overnight in a very basic hostel near Laguna Colorada — expect no heating and shared bathrooms. Bring cash in bolivianos for park entries (~£18 total) not always included in tour prices.
🚌Shared 4x4 (included)
🛏Basic hostel near Laguna Colorada (included in 4x4 tour)
- →Laguna Honda
- →Laguna Hedionda flamingos
- →Siloli Desert & Stone Tree
- →Laguna Colorada
Geysers, Dalí Desert & Green Lagoon — overnight bus back to La Paz
Laguna Colorada → Uyuni → La Paz
Sunrise start: Sol de Mañana geysers, a soak in the hot springs (~£3 entry), the Dalí Desert and the green/white lagoon at the Chilean border. Return to Uyuni by mid-afternoon (long drive), then take the overnight bus back to La Paz (~£25-28). If you'd rather finish in Chile, shared transport from the border to San Pedro de Atacama is ~£50 and onward buses/flights from Calama — but note the operator charges extra for that too, and flights home from La Paz are more limited.
🚌4x4 (included); overnight bus Uyuni–La Paz (~£27)
🛏Overnight bus to La Paz (reclining seat)
- →Sol de Mañana geysers
- →Hot springs
- →Dalí Desert
- →Laguna Verde
La Paz — witches' market, cable cars & departure
La Paz, Bolivia
Arrive La Paz early morning, drop your bag at a hostel and spend the day on the cheap: ride the Mi Teleférico cable car network (~£0.50 a ride) for skyline views, browse the Witches' Market in El Alto, wander the colonial streets and Plaza Murillo, and eat a salteña lunch (~£1). Taxi to El Alto International Airport for your onward flight.
🚌Mi Teleférico (~£1); taxi to airport (~£6)
🛏None (day use / departure day)
- →Mi Teleférico cable cars
- →Witches' Market, El Alto
- →Plaza Murillo & San Francisco church
- →Salteñas lunch
Self-launched vs. Peru Trek 4 Good
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Peru Trek 4 Good | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£777 | £2,015 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,238 per person (61%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Peru Trek 4 Good-style trips? Check them out here.~£777
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Best of Peru & Bolivia: Lima to La Paz on a Backpacker Budget cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £777 per person for 13 days in Peru & Bolivia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Peru Trek 4 Good?+
Yes — Peru Trek 4 Good charges around £2,015 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £777 — a saving of roughly £1,238 (61%) per person.
How long is the Peru & Bolivia trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Peru & Bolivia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Peru & Bolivia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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