7-Day Southern Americas Cross-Country Rail Journey (Focus on scenic train routes): Peru & Bolivia in January
Embarking on a cross-border journey through Peru and Bolivia in January offers a unique perspective on the Southern Americas. While this is the rainy season in the Andes, the landscape is transformed into a vibrant emerald green, and the clouds dancing over the peaks provide a dramatic backdrop for the world's most scenic rail routes. This itinerary is designed for the ultra-lean backpacker who prioritizes authentic experiences, local markets, and slow travel over luxury.
By utilizing local buses and the historic Bolivian rail system, you can traverse massive distances while keeping your daily costs near the $22 mark. From the high-altitude markets of Cusco to the gravity-defying cable cars of La Paz and the steel rails of the Altiplano, this is a classic route that proves you don't need a fortune to witness the majesty of the South American continent.
Day 1: Cusco, Peru - The Incan Gateway
Arrival & Acclimatization
Arrive in Cusco and check into a budget-friendly hostel like Milhouse or Pariwana. Spend the morning resting to adjust to the 3,400m altitude with a cup of free coca tea provided by most receptions.
San Pedro Market Lunch
Head to the Mercado de San Pedro for a 'Menu del Dia'. For less than $3, you can get a bowl of hearty quinoa soup and a main dish of Lomo Saltado while sitting on wooden benches with the locals.
Free Walking Tour
Join a tip-based walking tour starting at the Plaza de Armas. Explore the cobblestone streets of San Blas and see the Twelve-Angled Stone without paying a cent in entry fees.
Plaza de Armas at Night
Enjoy the evening atmosphere of the illuminated cathedral. Grab a $1 'Anticucho' (grilled heart skewer) from a street vendor for a cheap and delicious local dinner.
Day 2: Cusco to Puno, Peru - The Altiplano Route
The Scenic Bus Journey
While the luxury train is expensive, budget-friendly tourist buses offer a similar scenic experience across the Altiplano toward Puno. The route climbs through mountain passes and past traditional Quechua villages.
La Raya Pass Stop
A brief stop at the highest point of the route (4,335m). Snap photos of the snow-capped peaks and browse the local alpaca wool stalls at the roadside market.
Arrival in Puno
Arrive at the shores of Lake Titicaca. Puno is a high-altitude port city; settle into a local guesthouse near the Plaza de Armas to save on transport costs.
Dinner at Jr. Lima
Walk down the pedestrian street, Jr. Lima, and find a 'Pollo a la Brasa' (rotisserie chicken) joint. It is the most calorie-efficient budget meal in Peru.
Day 3: Puno, Peru to Copacabana, Bolivia - Lake Crossing
Floating Islands of Uros
Take a cheap local boat from the Puno pier to the Uros floating islands. Built entirely of reeds, these man-made islands are a unique cultural landmark of the lake.
Border Crossing to Bolivia
Board a budget cross-border bus to Copacabana. You will exit Peru at Kasani and walk across the border into Bolivia, an easy and scenic crossing.
Cerro El Calvario Hike
In Copacabana, hike up to the Calvario hill for a stunning sunset view over Lake Titicaca. The hike is free and provides the best panoramic views in the city.
Trucha (Trout) Dinner
Eat at the stalls lining the beach. Freshly caught Lake Titicaca trout served with rice and potatoes costs roughly $4 and is a local specialty.
Day 4: Copacabana to La Paz, Bolivia - Into the Chaos
Tiquina Strait Crossing
Board a bus toward La Paz. The journey includes the famous Tiquina crossing, where passengers take a small boat while the bus is ferried across on a wooden barge.
Arrival in La Paz
Enter the world’s highest administrative capital. The bus descent from El Alto into the La Paz basin offers a breathtaking view of thousands of houses clinging to the canyon walls.
Witches' Market Exploration
Visit the 'Mercado de las Brujas' to see dried llama fetuses and traditional herbal remedies. It's a fascinating, free cultural experience in the heart of the city.
Calle Sagarnaga
Wander this famous street for the cheapest alpaca sweaters and souvenirs in the Americas. Eat a 'Salteña' (Bolivian empanada) for a quick, cheap evening snack.
Day 5: La Paz, Bolivia - The Sky Train
Mi Teleférico Tour
While not a traditional train, La Paz's cable car system is the world's most advanced urban transit. For about $0.40 per ride, use the Red and Silver lines for a 'scenic rail' experience from the sky.
Lunch at Mercado Lanza
Eat at the massive concrete Mercado Lanza near Plaza San Francisco. Try a 'Chola' sandwich (pork sandwich) for about $1.50 at one of the stalls.
Plaza Murillo
Visit the government center of Bolivia. Watch the changing of the guard and admire the colonial architecture of the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral.
Overnight Bus to Oruro
To prepare for the rail journey, take a late-night or early-morning bus to Oruro, the gateway to the southern rail lines of the Altiplano.
Day 6: Oruro to Uyuni, Bolivia - The Altiplano Rail
Board the Expreso del Sur
Head to the Oruro Train Station. The 'Expreso del Sur' or 'Wara Wara del Sur' trains are the crown jewels of Bolivian transport, cutting directly across the flat Altiplano.
Scenic Rail Landscapes
Watch as the train passes through desolate, beautiful landscapes, occasionally spotting wild vicuñas and flamingos in the high-altitude lagoons along the tracks.
Arrival in Uyuni
Disembark in the dusty town of Uyuni. This is the jumping-off point for the Salt Flats. Check into a budget hostel like Piedra Blanca to find tour partners.
Train Cemetery Visit
Take a short taxi or walk to the 'Cementerio de Trenes.' In the golden hour, these rusted 19th-century steam locomotives offer a hauntingly beautiful photo opportunity.
Day 7: Uyuni, Bolivia - The Mirror World
Salar de Uyuni Day Tour
Join a budget day tour (shared jeep) to the Salt Flats. In January, the 'mirror effect' is at its peak due to the thin layer of rain on the salt crust.
Lunch on the Salt
Most budget tours include a simple picnic lunch on the salt flats. Eating in the middle of a white expanse that stretches to the horizon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Dakar Monument & Salt Hotel
Visit the monument made of salt and the original salt hotel (Playa Blanca), now a museum, located in the middle of the Salar.
Farewell Andean Dinner
End your journey with a 'Pique Macho' (a massive plate of meat, fries, and eggs) shared with new friends from your hostel. It's the ultimate celebratory backpacker meal.
Best Time to Visit Americas
In the Southern part of the Americas, January falls during the Southern Hemisphere's summer. However, in the high-altitude Andean regions of Peru and Bolivia, this coincides with the rainy season. While it may rain daily, the showers are usually brief, the air is incredibly clear, and the landscapes are lush and green rather than brown. This is considered the 'low season,' meaning hostel prices are at their lowest and major sites are far less crowded. If you want to see the 'mirror effect' on the Uyuni Salt Flats, January and February are the only times it occurs.
Visas & Border Crossings
Most Western travelers (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) do not need a visa for Peru for stays under 90 days. However, Bolivia has different requirements: US citizens must apply for a visa (which costs $160), while most EU and Commonwealth citizens are visa-free. When crossing from Puno to Copacabana, ensure you get your exit stamp from Peru before walking across the 'no-man's land' to the Bolivian immigration office. Keep your 'Tarjeta Andina' (entry paper) safe, as you will need it to exit the country.
Getting Around Americas
For budget travelers in South America, buses are the primary mode of transport. Companies like 'Bolivia Hop' offer hop-on-hop-off services that are safe and convenient for English speakers. For the 'scenic rail' component, the Bolivian rail system (Ferroviaria Andina) is reliable and incredibly cheap compared to European standards. Within cities, look for 'Collectivos' (shared vans) or, in the case of La Paz, the 'Mi Teleférico' cable car system, which provides the most efficient and scenic way to navigate the mountainous terrain.
