Inca Empire: Self-Launched La Paz to Lima Adventure
15 days · Bolivia & Peru
G Adventures charges £1,560
No-markup version: ~£718 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 15-day self-launched version of G Adventures' "Inca Empire" trip, running from La Paz across the Bolivian altiplano to Lake Titicaca, Puno, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and the classic 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, finishing in Lima. You'll book the same hostels, homestays, guided day trips and trek permits yourself, use local buses and trains instead of a private group vehicle, and keep essentially the identical route and experiences. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget rates in GBP and exclude international flights and insurance.
Day-by-day
Arrive La Paz — acclimatise and city orientation
La Paz, Bolivia
Land at El Alto airport and take a shared taxi or airport minibus down into La Paz (~£2-3). Check into a Miraflores or central hostel and spend the day gently acclimatising — La Paz sits at 3,600m so take it easy, drink plenty of water and avoid heavy exertion. Wander the Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas) in the afternoon, then ride the Mi Teleférico cable car network (~40p-60p per segment) for panoramic city views at sunset. Eat a light dinner at a local salteñería.
🚌Airport shared taxi/minibus (~£2-3)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget private room, central La Paz (~£10-15)
- →Mi Teleférico cable car network
- →Witches' Market visit
- →Miraflores neighbourhood walk
Tiahuanaco ruins day trip
Tiahuanaco / La Paz, Bolivia
Take a morning bus or shared tour van to the Tiahuanaco archaeological site (~1.5 hrs, ~£3-5 each way, site entry ~£8). A local guide at the gate costs ~£8-12 shared between a few travellers, or join a GetYourGuide day tour (~£25-30 including transport and guide). Explore the Sun Gate, Kalasasaya Temple and Akapana pyramid, then return to La Paz for the evening. Optional add-ons back in the city: Valley of the Moon tour (~£12) or the La Paz city tour (~£20-35).
🚌Local bus or shared tour van to Tiahuanaco (~£3-5 each way)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget private room, central La Paz (~£10-15)
- →Tiahuanaco ruins guided visit
- →Valley of the Moon (optional)
- →La Paz city tour (optional)
Cross the border: La Paz to Puno
Puno, Peru
Cross the Bolivia–Peru border by land. Cheapest option is a local bus to Desaguadero then a colectivo to Puno (~£6-10, most of a day). More comfortable is a through bus service (e.g. Bolivia Hop / Titicaca bus) La Paz–Puno/Copacabana (~£20-30) which handles border formalities for you — book direct online. Arrive Puno (3,830m), check into a hostel near the Plaza de Armas and keep the evening light. Note the time changes crossing into Peru (set your watch back 1 hour).
🚌Cross-border bus/colectivo La Paz to Puno (~£6-30 depending on service)
🛏Hostel in Puno centre (~£10-14)
- →Bolivia-Peru border crossing
- →Plaza de Armas evening stroll
Lake Titicaca boat tour to Taquile and Luquina homestay
Lake Titicaca / Luquina, Peru
Join a small-group Lake Titicaca boat tour from Puno (~£30-45 booked via GetYourGuide or at the Puno pier) visiting the Taquile Island weaving community with a set lunch and spectacular lake views. Continue to the Luquina peninsula for a community homestay — arrange independently via the Luquina community tourism association or a registered homestay network (~£25-35 including dinner and breakfast). This is the trip's most authentic cultural night and mirrors the operator's homestay exactly.
🚌Shared tour boat on Lake Titicaca
🛏Luquina community homestay, shared family room with meals (~£28)
- →Taquile Island weaving community visit
- →Luquina homestay with local family
- →Local lunch with lake views
Uros Floating Islands then back to Puno
Uros Islands / Puno, Peru
Morning boat back toward Puno with a stop at the Uros Floating Islands (reed islands) — often included in the homestay return trip, or book as a half-day tour (~£12-18). Learn how the islands are built from totora reeds, then return to Puno. Optional afternoon: Sillustani burial towers tour (~£15-20) or a Lake Titicaca kayak excursion (~£20-25). Overnight back in Puno.
🚌Shared tour boat back to Puno
🛏Hostel in Puno centre (~£10-14)
- →Uros Floating Islands visit
- →Sillustani burial site (optional)
- →Lake Titicaca kayaking (optional)
Puno to Cusco
Cusco, Peru
Take a full-day bus from Puno to Cusco (~6-7 hrs). Scheduled tourist buses (Cruz del Sur, Transzela, Oltursa) cost ~£15-25 and are comfortable; cheaper local buses run ~£8-12. Alternatively take the scenic Andean Explorer train if you want to splurge. Arrive Cusco (3,400m) and settle into a San Blas or historic-centre hostel — go easy on the first night at altitude.
🚌Long-distance bus Puno to Cusco (~£8-25)
🛏Hostel/hospedaje in Cusco centre or San Blas (~£12-18)
- →Scenic Andean bus journey
- →San Blas evening wander
Cusco — ruins, museums and markets
Cusco, Peru
Get to know Cusco on foot. Buy a Boleto Turístico (~£30 for the full 10-day pass, or a partial circuit pass cheaper) covering Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Coricancha/Santo Domingo, the Archaeological, Regional History and Religious Art museums. Alternatively just wander: Plaza de Armas, San Pedro Market for cheap eats, San Blas artisan lanes. Optional extras: a Cusco cooking class (~£25-35) or a Rainbow Mountain full-day hike (~£25-40) if you want to add a day later.
🚌Walking (taxis ~£1-2 for longer hops)
🛏Hostel/hospedaje in Cusco centre or San Blas (~£12-18)
- →Boleto Turístico ruins and museums
- →Coricancha and Santo Domingo
- →San Pedro Market
- →Cusco cooking class (optional)
Sacred Valley communities and Ollantaytambo
Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo, Peru
Take a shared colectivo or a Sacred Valley day tour (~£20-30) from Cusco through the valley, stopping at the Ccaccaccollo women's weaving co-operative, a Cuyo Chico pottery demonstration, and a community buffet lunch at Parwa (supporting the local community, ~£8-12). Continue to Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town — entry to the fortress ruins is covered by the Boleto Turístico. Overnight in Ollantaytambo to be close to the Inca Trail trailhead. Optional: hike the Pinkuylluna storehouse ruins above town (free) or visit a local chichería.
🚌Colectivo or shared tour van Cusco to Ollantaytambo (~£5-10)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Ollantaytambo (~£12-20)
- →Ccaccaccollo weaving co-op visit
- →Cuyo Chico pottery demonstration
- →Parwa community lunch
- →Ollantaytambo ruins and Pinkuylluna hike
Inca Trail day 1 — Km 82 to Wayllabamba
Inca Trail, Peru
This is the start of the classic 4-day Inca Trail. You must book a permit months in advance (they sell out fast) through an authorised operator via the official MINCUL portal — the permit itself is ~£45, but you must trek with a licensed guide and porter team, so the package is typically ~£450-650 per person for the 4-day / 3-night trek, covering guide, porters, cook, meals, campsites and Machu Picchu entry. Transfer to Km 82 trailhead early morning, hike through Llactapata and up the Cusumayo valley to the Wayllabamba campsite.
🚌Bus/van to Km 82 trailhead (included in trek package)
🛏Inca Trail campsite at Wayllabamba (tent, included in trek package)
- →Inca Trail hike day 1
- →Llactapata archaeological site
- →Wayllabamba camp
Inca Trail day 2 — Dead Woman's Pass and Pacaymayo
Inca Trail, Peru
The hardest day: climb to Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,215m, then descend to the Pacaymayo valley and climb over the Runkurakay pass to camp. Steep, high-altitude and demanding — take it slowly, use your porter support and drink water. All meals and camping are included in your trek package.
🚌On foot (porter support included)
🛏Inca Trail campsite (Pacaymayo/Chaqui'cocha area, included in trek package)
- →Inca Trail hike over Dead Woman's Pass
- →Runkurakay ruins
Inca Trail day 3 — Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna
Inca Trail, Peru
A gentler, hugely scenic day through cloud forest past Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and down into Wiñay Wayna, with sweeping views over the Urubamba Valley and Cordillera Vilcabamba. Camp close to the final checkpoint so you can reach the Sun Gate for sunrise. Meals and camping included in the trek package.
🚌On foot (porter support included)
🛏Inca Trail camp near Wiñay Wayna (included in trek package)
- →Inca Trail hike day 3
- →Phuyupatamarca
- →Wiñay Wayna ruins
Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, then back to Cusco
Machu Picchu / Cusco, Peru
Rise very early, hike to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) for the classic first view of Machu Picchu as the sun rises, then descend to the citadel for a guided tour (a licensed guide at the gate is ~£15-25 shared, or included in your trek package). Explore the site (Huayna Picchu or Circuit 1 climbing tickets must be booked separately and sell out). Take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes (~£9) and the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo (~£30-55 with PeruRail/IncaRail, booked direct in advance), then a colectivo/bus to Cusco.
🚌Machu Picchu shuttle bus (~£9) and scenic train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~£30-55) plus colectivo to Cusco
🛏Hostel/hospedaje in Cusco centre (~£12-18)
- →Sun Gate (Inti Punku) sunrise viewpoint
- →Machu Picchu guided tour
- →Scenic train to Ollantaytambo
Cusco free day
Cusco, Peru
A well-earned free day in Cusco. Options depending on energy and budget: horseback riding or mountain biking in the hills (~£20-35), a Rainbow Mountain full-day hike (~£25-40), more museums on the Boleto Turístico, or simply rest, hit the San Blas cafés and pick up souvenirs. Great day to do laundry and recharge after the trek.
🚌Walking / local taxis
🛏Hostel/hospedaje in Cusco centre (~£12-18)
- →Rainbow Mountain hike (optional)
- →Mountain biking or horseback riding (optional)
- →San Blas cafés and markets
Fly Cusco to Lima
Lima, Peru
Take a domestic flight from Cusco to Lima (~1 hr, ~£45-80 booked in advance with LATAM, Sky or JetSmart) — far faster and usually cheaper than the 21-hour bus. Transfer to a hostel in Miraflores or Barranco and spend the afternoon exploring the Miraflores malecón (clifftop walk) and Larcomar. Optional: a Lima city tour (~£30), a 4-hr cooking class (~£35) or a full-day Lima experience (~£110).
🚌Domestic flight Cusco to Lima (~£45-80)
🛏Hostel in Miraflores or Barranco, Lima (~£12-18)
- →Miraflores malecón walk
- →Lima city tour or cooking class (optional)
Lima and departure
Lima, Peru
Final morning in Lima — explore Barranco's street art and the Puente de los Suspiros, taste ceviche and a pisco sour, and visit the Museo Larco if time allows. Then take a taxi or airport bus to Jorge Chávez International Airport for your onward flight. Trip ends.
🚌Taxi/airport bus to Lima airport (~£8-12)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Barranco street art walk
- →Museo Larco (optional)
- →Ceviche and pisco tasting
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£718 | £1,560 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £842 per person (54%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£718
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 Inca Empire: Self-Launched La Paz to Lima Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £718 per person for 15 days in Bolivia & Peru. 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,560 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £718 — a saving of roughly £842 (54%) per person.
How long is the Bolivia & Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Bolivia & Peru.
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 Bolivia & Peru, 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?
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