An Exciting 2 Weeks Peru Itinerary: Machu Picchu to Isla del Sol

Peru is a wonderful destination for independent travellers, with ancient Inca ruins, spectacular mountain scenery and fascinating historic towns. This 2 weeks Peru itinerary takes you through the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco before continuing to Lake Titicaca and crossing into Bolivia to explore Isla del Sol.

Although Peru was the main focus of my trip, Isla del Sol was actually the reason I planned the journey. I wanted to experience this beautiful island, associated with Inca creation stories. And combining it with the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu made for a memorable adventure.

Starting in Cusco, the route takes you through Pisac and Ollantaytambo before visiting Machu Picchu. From there, you’ll travel to Puno, cross the border into Bolivia and take a boat to Isla del Sol. After 2 nights on the island, you’ll return to Peru via Copacabana.

It’s a fairly busy itinerary, but it allows time to acclimatise and explore the main destinations without rushing through every stop. Here’s how I did it, along with practical tips to help you plan your own trip.

Some of the links in this Bolivia and Peru itinerary are affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase. There is no extra charge to you and it helps to keep this website running. I appreciate your support!

2 Weeks Peru Itinerary: Route at a Glance

Destination	Nights
Pisac	2
Ollantaytambo	2
Aguas Calientes	1
Cusco	3
Puno	1
Isla del Sol	2
Copacabana	1
Puno (return)	1
Total	13 nights

This gives you 14 days and 13 nights, not including any additional nights needed for international flights.

Days 1–2: Pisac and the Sacred Valley

After flying into Cusco, I went straight to Pisac in the Sacred Valley. Pisac is a lovely little town surrounded by towering mountains, with cobblestone streets, a large Plaza de Armas and a relaxed atmosphere. I had stayed in Pisac before and was keen to return to acclimatise to the altitude and recover from my long haul flight. It was a great place to begin my 2 weeks in Peru.

Getting from Cusco Airport to Pisac

You have a couple of options for getting to Pisac from Cusco Airport. You can take a taxi, arrange a private shuttle transfer (both comparatively expensive options), or travel independently using local transport as I did.

I arrived on an early morning flight and took a taxi from the airport to Calle Puputi bus station, where the local minibuses or colectivos depart. The taxi fare should cost around 20 soles, and I was asked to pay by credit card and was charged US$20, effectively tripling the fare. I suggest paying in cash.

Another option is to arrange an Uber from outside the airport area rather than use the official taxi desk.

What to See and Do in Pisac

Allow 2 nights in Pisac to explore the village, visit the impressive Inca ruins and enjoy the surrounding Sacred Valley scenery. The town has a large tourist market, as well as a popular weekend market where you can browse local handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs.

There are plenty of places to eat, too. A few of my favourites were:

• La Placita: A lovely spot for lunch. Grab a table on the balcony overlooking the Plaza de Armas and watch the world go by.
• La Paila: A good option for dinner.
• Pisac Inn: Right on the main square and a pleasant place for breakfast.

Where to Stay in Pisac

I loved staying at Casa Augusta, a charming guesthouse in a quiet but central location near the Plaza de Armas. My room had a balcony overlooking a green courtyard and the surrounding mountains. The owner was very friendly, although she spoke little English.

It was the perfect place to recover from a long haul flight and acclimatise to the altitude.

Getting from Pisac to Ollantaytambo

To get from Pisac to Ollantaytambo, I flagged down a colectivo to Urubamba near the bridge in Pisac and changed vehicles in Urubamba for Ollantaytambo. Allow around 2–3 hours for the journey.

On this 2-week Peru itinerary, I enjoyed travelling by local colectivos, but a private taxi is also an option.

Days 3–4: Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a fascinating little town, with narrow cobblestone streets, traditional Inca stonework and a colourful market near its impressive archaeological site. Allow 2 nights here to explore the ruins and enjoy the atmosphere before continuing to Machu Picchu.

What to See and Do in Ollantaytambo

The main attraction is the Ollantaytambo archaeological site, an impressive Inca fortress and ceremonial centre overlooking the town. I’d recommend visiting early in the morning before the tour buses arrive.

I arranged a private afternoon taxi tour to visit the nearby Salineras de Maras salt mines and the circular agricultural terraces at Moray. While negotiating the price at the Plaza de Armas, I met 2 American women who were looking for the same trip, and we shared the taxi and split the cost. It worked out well for all of us!

You can also hike up to the Pinkuylluna granaries on the mountainside opposite the main ruins. They offer wonderful views over the town and surrounding valley.

Where to Stay in Ollantaytambo

I stayed at Parwa Guesthouse, a quaint, family-run guesthouse overlooking the river and ruins. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the train station, and breakfast was included. The owner speaks excellent English and was very helpful.

I left my larger luggage there and travelled to Aguas Calientes with just a small daypack.

Getting from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

Ollantaytambo is a convenient base for visiting Machu Picchu because you can catch the train directly to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town below the ruins.

I left my guesthouse at around 5:30 am to catch an early PeruRail train.

PeruRail has luggage size and weight restrictions, so check the baggage allowance before travelling. You can leave larger bags at your accommodation or store them at the train station.

Ollantaytambo was one of my favourite stops in the Sacred Valley and well worth including in a 2 week Peru itinerary.

Days 5–6: Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu

From Ollantaytambo, the train to Aguas Calientes takes around 1.5 – 2 hours.

Train tickets should be booked well in advance, particularly during busy travel periods. I booked my PeruRail seats and Machu Picchu entry ticket online at the same time, around 3-4 months before travelling.

Aguas Calientes is a very touristy town, with hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops packed into steep streets climbing the mountainside. I found the town itself less appealing than the other stops in the Sacred Valley, but I enjoyed walking to the waterfall past the hot baths.

 In Aguas Calientes, I stayed at Mantu Boutique, close to the train station at the bottom of the hill. It was fairly average but adequate for one night.

Getting to Machu Picchu

Most visitors take the shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes up to the archaeological site. Bus tickets are purchased separately from your Machu Picchu entry ticket. I bought mine from the ticket office near the bus stop. You’ll soon spot the long queue of visitors waiting for the buses.

The journey takes approximately 30 minutes along a winding, narrow road that climbs steeply up the mountain. The buses pass each other on some very tight bends, which can make for a few hair-raising moments!

You can also hike up, but it’s a steep climb and takes considerably longer.

Allow plenty of time for the shuttle bus queues in both directions, and take water, sunscreen and a hat, as the sun can be intense.

Important: Check your allocated entry time before organising your train and bus connections.

Is It Worth Staying Overnight in Aguas Calientes?

I spent a night in Aguas Calientes and was able to sort out some confusion with my Machu Picchu ticket booking. I ended up visiting the ruins early the following morning.

If I were to return, I would likely pass through Aguas Calientes, stay in Ollantaytambo and visit Machu Picchu as a day trip. But you need to secure the appropriate entry time and coordinate the train schedules to do this. It avoids staying overnight in Aguas Calientes, where accommodation can be surprisingly pricey for what you get.

However, staying in Aguas Calientes does give you more flexibility, if you have an early entry or you want to get late release tickets to Machu Picchu.

I spent the morning exploring Machu Picchu, and caught the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, and after collecting my luggage from the guesthouse, I took a colectivo from the Plaza de Armas to Cusco (around 2 hours).

I arrived in Cusco around 8 pm and had 2 full days to explore this fascinating historic city.

Days 7-8 Cusco

Cusco is easily explored on foot, particularly around the historic centre. Highlights include:

• Plaza de Armas: The impressive main square, with its ornate cathedral.
• The Sacsayhuaman Inca ruins above the city: Worth exploring for their history and panoramic views.
• Qorikancha: An important Inca temple dedicated to the Sun, later incorporated into a Spanish church and convent.

Cusco has plenty to see and do, and you could easily spend several days here. It’s also a great place to shop for traditional woven textiles, colourful shawls and ponchos, and soft baby alpaca clothing.

Where to Stay, Eat and Shop

In Cusco, I stayed at Casa Durand, a comfortable guesthouse in a good location with a friendly, English-speaking owner. The house was rather old, and my basement room had no windows and was a little musty, but overall it was a reasonable stay.

Cusco is very walkable, with Uber, taxis and colectivos available for longer journeys.

A few places I enjoyed:

• El Encuentro: Vegetarian restaurant.
• Basilica Café and Bakery: Coffee and breakfast.
• La Perla Criolla: Restaurant.
• Sol Alpaca: Quality alpaca jumpers, scarves and clothing.

I’ll cover the city’s attractions, accommodation and dining in more detail in my upcoming Cusco travel guide.

Day 9: Cusco to Puno – The Ruta del Sol Tourist Bus

One of the most enjoyable ways to travel from Cusco to Puno is on the Ruta del Sol, a scenic daytime bus journey with a series of cultural and archaeological stops along the way. I booked my Ruta del Sol tour through GetYourGuide and really enjoyed the experience.

As a solo traveller, I chose this option rather than taking an overnight bus. It was another early start, leaving my hotel around 5:30 am, and the journey took most of the day, arriving in Puno at around 5 pm.

Highlights along the way included:

• Andahuaylillas Church: This small village church is filled with extraordinary Baroque artwork, intricate gold frames and colourful decoration. It was the highlight of the day for me.

• Raqchi: Inca ruins and the Temple of Wiracocha.

• Buffet lunch: An all-you-can-eat lunch

• La Raya Pass: A roadside stop at around 4,000 metres above sea level, with beautiful scenery.

• Traditional clay bull painting: A fun little activity, although probably the stop I could have skipped.

The Ruta del Sol breaks up the journey and offers much more than simply travelling from one city to another.

Another hotel worth considering is Puno Sol Plaza, also near the main square

What to Do and Where to Eat in Puno

Puno’s main square and cathedral are worth visiting, and boat tours to the famous floating islands of Lake Titicaca are the main attraction here. I’d visited these on my previous trip, so I skipped them this time.

I can personally recommend eating at Pizzco Pizza on the Plaza de Armas and Mojsa Andean Cuisine, overlooking the square.

If you’re comparing ways to travel from Cusco to Puno, see my upcoming guide to the Ruta del Sol, Peru Hop and local bus options.

Days 10–11: Puno to Isla del Sol, Bolivia

The next leg of this Peru and Bolivia itinerary takes you across the border and on to Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca.

I caught an early Transzela bus booked online through 12Go, leaving Puno at around 6:00 am for Copacabana. This journey includes crossing the Peru / Bolivia border at Kasani.

Crossing the Border into Bolivia

There are a few things to organise before travelling:

• Online registration: Bolivia requires travellers to complete immigration registration through its official Migración Bolivia website. You’ll need a QR code, so try to complete the process before departure and save a copy on your phone. I had trouble accessing the website from Australia, but the bus conductor helped me sort it out on the day. Make sure you also keep a copy of the QR code for your return journey.

• Visa requirements: Entry requirements depend on your nationality. Australian passport holders have visa-free entry, but check the requirements before travelling.

• Yellow fever certificate: I wasn’t asked for mine, but I wasn’t travelling to Bolivia’s rainforest regions on this trip.

• Accommodation details: Take a printed copy of your hotel booking confirmation. Internet access is patchy or unavailable at the border and on the bus.

• Local currency: I changed money in Copacabana rather than at the border, although you can also exchange money at the Puno bus terminal.

• Time difference: Bolivia is one hour ahead of Peru

Getting to Isla del Sol

I left my larger backpack at my hotel in Copacobana (La Cupula) and took a small daypack to Isla del Sol. This is much easier than carrying all your luggage on the boat and around the island’s steep paths.

I arrived in Copacabana around 11 am and caught the 1:30 pm boat to Challapampa in the north of the island. Check the ferry timetable carefully, as not all boats travel to the northern part of Isla del Sol. Allow for the time difference when checking departure times.

While a day trip to Isla del Sol is an option, I recommend spending a couple of nights on the island. There is plenty to explore, and the scenery is spectacular.

Where to Stay on Isla del Sol

The island has 2 main villages: Challapampa in the north and Yumani in the south.

Challapampa – Northern Isla del Sol

I stayed at Ecolodge Illampu. Located outside Challapampa village, it has fabulous lake views and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s also close to the path leading to some of the island’s important sacred Inca sites. I loved staying here, and I could easily have stayed longer.

Yumani – Southern Isla del Sol

Yumani is known for its Inca Staircase, Fuente del Inca and the Temple of the Sun. However, be prepared for steep paths and plenty of steps, particularly if your accommodation is higher up the hillside.

My guesthouse in Yumani cancelled my booking at short notice, and I ended up staying at Hostal del Sol, at the top of the mountain. It was fairly basic, but had stunning views across the lake and a lovely, friendly Spanish-speaking owner.

What to See and Do on Isla del Sol

Allow time to explore the island’s archaeological sites and ancient pathways. Highlights include the Chincana labyrinth, the Sacred Rock and the Tikala Stone Tablet. You can also walk along the ridge path between Challapampa and Yumani, enjoying magnificent views across Lake Titicaca.

For me, visiting Isla del Sol was the highlight of the trip. And my Isla del Sol Bolivia travel guide covers the island’s history, archaeological sites, walking routes and practical accommodation advice.  

Day 12: Return to Copacabana, Bolivia

After 2 nights exploring Isla del Sol, I caught the 10:30 am boat back to Copacabana from Yumani. Other ferry times were 8:30 am and 4 pm.

Copacabana is a pleasant lakeside town with a relaxed atmosphere. To coordinate the ferry, bus and border crossing, I stayed the night here before returning to Peru.

What to See and Do in Copacabana

The main attraction is the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, an impressive white church overlooking the town square. If you have the time and energy, walk up Cerro Calvario for panoramic views across Lake Titicaca. The climb is steep, but the views make the effort worthwhile.

Where to Stay in Copacabana

I recommend Hotel La Cupula, which has a lovely setting overlooking the lake. I loved my quaint room and the pretty windows. But, even if you’re not staying overnight, the coffee shop is a great place to relax, enjoy a meal and take in the beautiful views.

Days 13–14: Return to Puno and Departure

On this Peru and Bolivia itinerary, you’ll return to Puno after a night in Copacabana, crossing the border back into Peru.  I took an early afternoon bus with Trans Titicaca and booked my return bus ticket online through 12Go. The service was good and very similar to Transzela.

I chose to stay overnight in Puno at Hotel Hacienda Histórico rather than trying to connect directly with my international flight.

Getting from Puno to Juliaca Airport

Juliaca Airport is around an hour’s drive from Puno, and I travelled on a shared shuttle booked through my hotel. It was convenient and inexpensive.

I suggest allowing plenty of time for this transfer and your onward flight. Transport strikes are a consideration in Peru and Bolivia. I was caught up in one on an earlier trip to Peru, and on my recent trip, there were election rallies involving a huge number of people that caused delays to some bus routes. If you’re flying internationally, I’d strongly recommend allowing a generous buffer rather than cutting things too fine.

Practical Tips for Planning Your Two Week Peru Itinerary

• Altitude: Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Puno and Isla del Sol are all at significant altitude. Allow time to acclimatise and be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness.

• Transport: Book Machu Picchu entry tickets and train journeys well in advance, particularly during busy periods.

• Border crossing: Check current visa and entry requirements for both Peru and Bolivia, along with bus and ferry arrangements, before travelling.

• Money: Take credit cards & cash US$, but make sure they are new notes with no marks or tears. For Isla del Sol, carry enough Bolivianos for your stay. Card payments and internet access are generally not accepted on the island.

• Packing: Take layers for changing temperatures, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and a small daypack. Leave your larger luggage in Copacabana.

• Timing: Build flexibility into your itinerary. Transport delays, road closures, strikes, election rallies and changing weather can all disrupt travel plans. Avoid tight connections, particularly when catching an international flight.

Final Thoughts: Peru Travel Itinerary 2 weeks

This Bolivia and Peru itinerary combines some of the country’s most memorable Inca sites, Machu Picchu, beautiful Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol.

While Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley are unforgettable, Isla del Sol was actually the destination I planned my trip around.

My Peru Bolivia travel itinerary allows time to acclimatise to the altitude by visiting the Sacred Valley before exploring Cusco and travelling overland to Isla del Sol in Bolivia.

 I recommend allowing at least 2 nights on the island rather than rushing through on a day trip. It gives you time to explore both villages, enjoy the lake views and appreciate the slower pace of life.

If you’d like to experience the atmosphere of Lake Titicaca, you might also enjoy my Lake Titicaca Sonic Earth Journey: Sacral Water & Creative Flow, featuring a guided meditation with original music and a natural soundscape that brings this remarkable place to life.

You might also enjoy…

Sacral Chakra Meditation: Exploring the Sacred Energy of Lake Titicaca Bolivia

How to Visit isla del Sol Bolivia: Discover the Magic of Lake Titicaca

Pin it! If you enjoyed this article, why not save it for later!

Sharing is caring!