Travel Peru: Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from LAX to La Paz, Bolivia - stay at hostel in La Paz $10.65 a night (http://www.theadventurebrewhostel.com/)
Day 2: Tour La Paz and surrounding area - stay at hostel in La Paz
Day 3: Mountain Bike "El Camino de La Muerto" - see below or go back to the hostel

http://gravitybolivia.com/view?page=20

Day 4: La Paz to Copacabana, Boliva (68 miles) to Puno, Peru - spend the night

Buses leave from La Paz' cemetery bus terminal; the fare is around Bs16 and travel time is 3-1/2 hours. At the Tiquina Strait, you get off the bus and take a quick ferry ride (Bs1.50) to pick up the bus (which is ferried across by barge) on the other side. Buses arrive in Copacabana at Plaza 2 de Febrero and leave from Plaza Sucre.

Buses also leave from Puno in Peru, and take roughly the same 3-1/2 hours to arrive in Copacabana; half an hour is typically spent at the border, just 5 miles south of Copacabana.

Puno, Peru to La Paz, Bolivia

Daily buses depart to and from La Paz, Bolivia on two slightly different routes.

Direct route, faster.
Via ferry boat across Lake Titicaca and Copacabana.

You should change some money at the border in order to be able to pay the ferry in Bolivianos. Be prepared to change buses in Copacabana. This will mean you will lose your good seats.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Puno

Reaching Copacabana from La Paz is easy. From the General Cemetery – a main landmark in La Paz – there are minivans leaving for Copacabana and Tiquina. It is possible to bargain; Tiquina can be reached for as low as 8BOB ($1) and Copacabana for 10BOB at the low hours. At peak times Copacabana can cost up to 17BOB. In any case, the ticket does not include the ferry fee at Tiquina. (source)

2) What are the ferry and bus schedules like from Puno to La Paz?
There are two main roads to go to La Paz from Puno. The first one is through Yunguyo and includes a ferry to cross a narrow part of the Lake Titicaca; the other one is by bus completely and it is through Desaguadero. The first one is more scenic and shorter.

3) How long does it take (can it be done in one day)?
Yes, it can be done in one day. The bus ride through Yunguyo takes 8 hours; and through Desaguadero, 10 hours.

Day 5: Puno, Peru - train to Cusco (10 hours) - spend the night in Cusco or Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu - Backpacker Shuttle Economic US$31

Tourist Bus is cheaper $40.55 per person, coach bus with bathrooms on board and stops in towns 6-8 hours (shorter than train)

train schedule

Puno (Lake Titicaca) - Cusco - cheaper??

Departure	Arrival	Price (one way)
08:00	18:00	US$ 143

DEPARTURES

Monday, Wednesday and Saturday all year round.
Friday only during the High Season

Andean Explorer
Lunch and afternoon tea are included on the train ticket. Restaurant and Bar service is available at an additional cost.

Backpacker -- cheaper but can't find a price, still available??

The Backpacker carriages are created for our adventure passengers or for those seeking comfort and security, without all the frills.

These carriages offer travellers a true Peruvian experience. Seats are upholstered with indigenous fabrics, giving a touch of local flavour.

Snacks are served at an additional cost on this service and additional storage space is available for backpacks.

Backpacker runs between Cusco-Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu and Cusco-Lake Titicaca.

Day 6: Cusco tour town- Sacred Valley (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. ) - set up - spend the night in Cusco - permit availability

Day 7: hike the 2 day short Inca trail - itinerary spend the night at Aguas Calientes (thermal springs which are open until 9:00pm (optional entrance fee US$3)) - andean life operator $280 per person for 2 people; inka natura travel $690; peru travel expeditions $??; peru trek (good rep) emailed to see if 2 day available; llama path $350 (for two??); enima $480; sas travel $276; culturas Peru
$570; qente $290 per person (see email)

Recommended Wayki Trek $390 by this post

Bad Companies: Exotic Adventures and Cuzco Explorers

****in 2000 the cost of the entrance fee was only US$17, now in 2008 the cost is 120 Peruvian Soles (about US$80) per person. The price of the entrance fee looks set to be increased again in March or April (we will keep you informed when it does) http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/treks/incatrail4.html

http://www.incatrailperu.com/inca_trail_tour_operators.html

Info:
The price is for a 4 day Inca trek departing during the first week of June in a group service. Some agencies call this service a pool service. All prices included entrance fees and return on the tourist train.

SAS www.sastravelperu.com USD 325
United Mice www.unitedmice.com USD 350
Qente www.qente.com USD 300
Andean Life www.andeanlife.com USD 295
Peru Treks www.perutreks.com USD 285
Andean Treks www.andeantreks.com USD 550
Enigma www.enigmaperu.com USD 320
Inca Explorers www.incaexplorers.com USD 375
Culturas Peru www.culturasperu.com USD 350

Day 8: bus arrive at 7am in Machu Picchu - tour, free time The train departs Aguas Calientes late in the afternoon. - stay one more night?? - do the additional trail listed below??

Day 9: Machu Picchu - stay another night at the Presidente Hotel return to cusco OR Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu - Backpacker Shuttle Economic US$31

?? Aguas Calientes ??? -hot springs

The outdoor thermal pools can be found 15 minutes walk out of town (follow the main street to the right of the Plaza up hill), and costs US$3 to enter. There are changing facilities, showers, luggage storage and a small cafe selling snacks, cold drinks and beer.

There are several pools of varying size and temperature including one filled with ice cold mountain water so check first before jumping in!. The springs have been recently refurbished and are good place to relax, especially after completing the Inca Trail. Open 0500-2100. Take soap and shampoo.

Fun??

If you're feeling adventurous and have plenty of energy left and 4 hours to spare in Aguas Calientes you may consider climbing the breathtaking trail to Putucusi. Putucusi is the mountain on the opposite side of the Vilcanota River to Machu Picchu. The views of Machu Picchu from the top are spectacular but it's the trail up that you'll remember most. It's an Inca Trail that has only recently been discovered and cleared and involves ascending some pretty hair-raising vertical ladders along the way. The trail starts only 10 minutes walk outside Aguas Calientes (along the tracks in the opposite direction to Cusco). You'll see a sign on the right hand side marking the trail start. You have to sign you name in a book at the beginning of the trail and you will come to the most difficult section after only 15 minutes. Here you can decide to turn back (as do 75% of people) or climb the long wooden ladders scaling the rock face! It's best to go early in the day and when the weather is good and, for safety sake, not to go alone

Day 10: Cusco Tours or Sacred Valley -to Lima

Star Peru - Salidas desde Cuzco - (flight between most cities US$ 95.00)

SALIDA	LLEGADA	FRECUENCIA	Nº VUELO	SALIDA	LLEGA	PARADA	VIGENCIA
Cuzco	Lima	Diario	2I 1116	7:30:00	8:35:00	Directo	Vigente
Cuzco	Lima	Diario	2I 1118	10:55:00	12:00:00	Directo	Vigente