Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno

Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno

Price from:
$ 129.00 USD
(See: Pricing)
Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno
Tour Type
Historical & Heritage Tours
Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno
Maximun Altitude
3,885m (12,746 ft.)
Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno
Physical Level
Moderate
Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno
Recommended Season
March to December

Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno

Price from: $ 129.00 USD (See: Pricing)

Visit the Gateway of the Sun in Tiwanaku. Take a short walk to see different temples and amazing stone structures in the Tiwanaku archaeological complex in Bolivia.

Tour Tiwanaku from Puno, Peru: Gateway of the Sun Tiwanaku

Bolivia ruins Tiwanaku 1 day from Puno, Peru is an exciting trip. You can see the mysterious ruins of the Puma Punku Megalith Blocks. The sun’s gateway is the Inca culture’s origin:

  • “Discover the archaeological site of Puma Punku.” The stone’s work is the most intriguing thing about the Sun Tiwanaku gateway.

Tiwanaku Ruins: These stone blocks’ technical precision is incredible. The ancient buildings at the Tiwanaku archaeological site are exact. A razor blade cannot fit between the carved stones.

Join the Tiwanaku Titicaca Tour for a memorable trip between Peru and Bolivia. Enjoy a 1 full day guided tour from Puno, traveling by land through Desaguadero.

Explore the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku, a pre-Columbian archaeological site near Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. This full-day tour from Puno takes you on a journey through history. You will discover the fascinating culture and architecture of the Tiwanaku people.

Trending Tour
Price From
$ 129.00 USD
Trip Length: 1-Day
Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno
Tour Type
Historical & Heritage Tours
Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno
Maximun Altitude
3,885m (12,746 ft.)
Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno
Group Size
1 to 23 people
Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno
Physical Level
Moderate
Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno
Recommended Season
March to December
Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno
Duration
1-Day

Take a trip through time and visit the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku and Pumapunku on a guided day tour.

Overview

Tiwanaku Tour Overview

Explore the impressive engineering and architecture of these fantastic sites. Learn about the rich history and culture of the Andean people who lived there. Visit the Kalasasaya Temple, the Gate of the Sun, and the Akapana Pyramid. Your guide will explain the importance of each site.

Tour Tiwanaku schedule

  • 05:30: The trip begins in Puno with the Peruvian vehicle.
    • Puno to Desaguadero: Travelers travel only with the vehicle’s driver on this trip! If the client requires an additional Peruvian guide, write to us so we can send you the information.
  • 8:00 arrival time in Desaguadero, at the border between Peru and Bolivia.
    • Meeting with the official Bolivian guide in Desaguadero! The guide assists visitors at the immigration office on the Peruvian and Bolivian sides (they are two different offices). Consult the guide for any assistance with border crossing.
    • Visa control and currency exchange: Bolivia uses Bolivian currency, but not dollars. Visitors must get a stamp to leave Peru and enter Bolivia at two different immigration offices.
      • The Peruvian Migrations Office takes between 20 and 55 minutes to register for departure from Peru.
      • The Bolivian Migrations Office takes between 20 and 55 minutes to register to enter Bolivia.
  • The trip will restart at 09:40.
    • We will travel from Desaguadero to the Tiwanaku ruins.
    • A local Bolivian vehicle will be used.
    • A tour guide from Tiwanaku will accompany us
  • 10:30: Approximate time of arrival at the Tiwanaku ruins
  • 10:30–13:00: We will have a guided tour lasting about 2 hours. This tour includes the Tiwanaku ruins, the Tiwanaku lithic museum, and the Puma Punku lithic blocks.
  • Several restaurants are open for lunch from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. They are located near the Tiwanaku ruins and the town square. Two typical dishes to try are Silpancho and Saice. Lunch is not included!
  • 14:00 After visiting the ruins of Tiwanaku in Bolivia, we return to Peru.
  • 14:40: Travelers must present their passports to register to exit Bolivia and enter Peru (in the two offices).
  • 15:40 At this time, we return to Puno from Desaguadero in our tourist vehicle. The trip takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to reach Puno at the respective travelers’ hotels.
  • After visiting the Tiwanaku ruins, the approximate arrival time in Puno, Peru, is 18:30.

Important note about Tiwanaku Titicaca Tour

  1. Visitors must obtain a visa to enter Bolivia in advance. It is best to do this 3 to 13 days before the trip to the Tiwanaku ruins. The visa process must be done in person at Bolivia’s embassies in Peru.
    1. Travelers can process their visas in Cusco, Arequipa, or Puno (Peru). Working days are Monday to Friday (Saturdays and Sundays are not working days).
      1. Bolivian Embassy In Cusco, Peru
        Address: Oswaldo Baca 101, Cusco, 08003
        Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
      2. Bolivian Embassy in Puno, Peru
        Address: Cajamarca 664, Puno 21001
        Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
      3. Bolivian Embassy in Lima, Peru
        Address: C. Los Castaños 235, San Isidro 15076
        Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  2. Registration at the immigration offices in Peru and Bolivia:

On the day of the trip to the Tiwanaku ruins from Puno, you will travel for 2 hours and 20 minutes. You will arrive in Desaguadero. Desaguadero is the border between Peru and Bolivia. Visitors must register their departure from Peru to enter the Tiwanaku ruins and have the Bolivia entry stamp. There are two different offices in Desaguadero for this purpose!

    1. PERUVIAN MIGRATIONS: Clients need to register their departure from Peru. There is a line to register, which takes 20 to 55 minutes. Many people come and go during border migrations.
    2. BOLIVIAN MIGRATION: Crossing the border bridge is part of Bolivian migration! Clients must register to enter Bolivia. It takes between 20 and 55 minutes; the registration system is slower. Let’s be patient. Visitors must register daily to avoid fines. Paying these fines in La Paz, Bolivia, is complex and confusing! That is why they have to register (mandatorily).

Tiwanaku Tour travel distances from Puno

We have two travel distances. The first route is from Puno, Peru, to Desaguadero. Desaguadero is the border town between Peru and Bolivia

The trip’s second leg is from Desayuadero towards Tiwanaku on the Bolivian side. After the expedition to Tiwanaku, we will return to Peru by the same route to Puno.

  1. Puno to Desaguadero travel: 2 hours and 20 minutes. 147.1 km / 91.40 miles
  2. Desaguadero to Tiwanaku trip: 40 minutes, 45.4 km, 28.21 miles.
Tiwanaku Tours Highlights
  1. Impressive ruins just outside Tiwanaku Town and a true wonder of the world!
  2. Explore the Tiwanaku Titicaca Tour of Akapana Ruins, “built 14,000 years BC.”
  3. Andes Sun Gate: Incredible construction cradled in the basin of the Peruvian-Bolivian Altiplano, around the Titicaca region.

Itinerary

Detailed itinerary of Tiwanaku Tours

DAY 1

Explore Tiwanaku Ruins from Puno

Tiwanaku Titicaca Tour: Our staff from Puno, as the tour guide plus the vehicle driver, go to the client’s hotel at 05:30 to start the trip to Tiwanaku. It is essential to bring warm clothing and rain gear since the climate is frigid in the Andean plains.

The trip from Puno to Desayuadero takes around two hours and 40 minutes; from Desaguadero to the Tiwanaku ruins, it takes 40 minutes, approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. Upon arrival in Desaguadero, visitors will register with the Bolivian and Peruvian immigration controls to present their visas and continue the trip. There are two different immigration offices; customers must note this at both sites!

In Desaguadero, we use a local Bolivian car to get to the Tiwanaku ruins. We begin the guided tour with the Tiwanaku resident guide, exploring the splendid Tiwanaku ancestral ruins, the fantastic Tiwanaku lithic museum, and the megalithic blocks of Puma Punku.

At the end of the guided tour of Tiwanaku, we have free time to walk around Tiwanaku or go for lunch to taste typical Bolivian tourist dishes before starting the return trip to Peru towards Puno.

Characteristics of the Gateway of the Sun Tiwanaku

Tiwanaku was the oldest culture in America, 27 and a half centuries ago, from 1580 BC to 1172 after Christ. You enter through a seven-step stretch in the middle of the eastern wall.

Tiwanaku is the preferred Andean site in the country of Bolivia. An area of 30 hectares presents a set of Templar remains of the Tihuanaku culture. There is a plateau between two mountains, some fields, and local communities within its environment.

Tiwanaku ruins I / Tiwanaku Titicaca Tour
  • Semi-subterranean temple: There are three monoliths; you can see 175 nailed heads in its interior walls.
  • Kalasasaya Temple: We have
    • The Estela Ponce Monolith (at the center of the inner courtyard)
    • The Monolith of El Fraile (at one end)
    • The famous INCA SUN GATE “sculpture of Tihuanaku.”
  • The pyramid of Akapana is an imposing pyramid structure of the Altiplano culture. Akapana has an 800-meter perimeter, and according to the chronicles, there are beautiful buildings at its top. In 1753, the Spanish explorer Diego Ayardeburo excavated the pyramid, searching for treasures, and destroyed the top. In 1900, La Paz-Guaquil used the platforms as a quarry during the railroad construction.
Tiwanaku ruins II
  • Agro-fields (Sucacollos): crops formed by elongated loins of earth.
  • Kantatallite: Its name comes from Aymara, meaning “light of dawn.”
  • Putuni and Khery Qala: The Ruins of Two Buildings, Putuni (Palace of the Coffins) and Khery Qala
  • Bennett Monolith: This piece measures 7.30 meters and weighs approximately 20 tons.
  • Winter Solstice in Tihuanaku Temple: A great manifestation of the Andes religion and customs of local sun worship. The central action occurs every June 21 (winter solstice) inside the temple of Kalasasaya in Tihuanaku. At dawn, those present gather in the temple and await the sunrise with their hands extended toward him.
Tiwanaku Ruins III: Puma Punku Mysterious Artifacts
  • Imagining a more inappropriate place to develop an advanced Altiplano civilization is difficult.
  • The first vestiges of the Altiplano (Aymara Inca) culture date from 400 BC. At best, 400,000 people lived in the area.
  • Puma Punku is not a port. It makes no sense to make that port.
  • Pumapunku culture flourished between 300 and 1000 after Christ.
  • The ancestral blocks fit together like a puzzle.
  • Stones are the size of a mammoth.

There is scientific evidence that the Puma punku h-blocks are artificial geopolymers!

Food

None

Physical Level

Easy

Walking Distance

A light walks

Hiking Time

15 to 35 minutes

Starting Altitude

Puno City: 3,827m (12,555 ft)

Minimun Altitude

Desaguadero: 3,827m (12,555 ft)

Highest Altitude

Tiwanaku: 3,885m (12,746 ft)

Inclusions

Tiwanaku Titicaca Tour Full Day Included

  • Active itinerary in Bolivia ruins Tiwanaku
  • Private service.
    • An English-speaking tour guide: Meeting with the Bolivian guide in Desaguadero
    • 1 1/2-hour guided tour of the archaeological group and the museum
  • Transport:
    • Peru area: round-trip transportation in the air-conditioned motorcoach “Puno-Desaguadero-Puno.”
    • Bolivia area: Transportation “Desaguadero – Tiwanaku – Desaguadero”
  • Entrance fee to Tiahuanaco
  • All Local Taxes “Tiwanaku Tour”

Tour Tiwanaku is omitted

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Spending money: Plan to spend about $150-$200 each day. This will cover meals, snacks, drinks, some souvenirs, laundry, tips, and extras.
  • Tips: “Tour guide and chauffeur.”

What to bring for this Tiwanaku full day from Puno

  1. ORIGINAL PASSPORT AND MIGRATION CARD TO ENTER THE BOLIVIAN COUNTRY
    1. In Desaguadero, visitors need to go to the Bolivian-Peruvian migration office. There, they will show their visas and get their passports stamped. It is essential to mention that visas cannot be processed in Desaguadero! Travelers must get visas days before their trip. They can do this at the Bolivian migration offices in Puno, Cusco, or Arequipa.
  2. Cash in Bolivian currency for extra services in Tiwanaku Tours that the client deems convenient. You can exchange Peruvian money (Soles) or dollars for Bolivian currency at the Peru-Bolivia border in Desaguadero.
  3. A good daypack is the Eagle Creek Afar Backpack, or an appropriate pack for carrying your personal belongings!
  4. Lighter trekking boots with good ankle support!
  5. One pair of hiking pants—not jeans!
  6. 1 RAIN JACKET.
  7. One warm winter jacket is essential. “Changing weather always.”
  8. Bring some meds!
  9. Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness
  10. Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher is recommended)
  11. Reusable plastic or metal water containers for your water
  12. Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips for your Kondor Path staff

Travel Guide

The Tiwanaku Tour is a guided tour of Bolivia’s ancient Tiwanaku archaeological site.

Tiwanaku is an ancient city in Bolivia that was once a thriving center of Andean civilization.

The Tiwanaku Tour can take anywhere from half a day to a full day, depending on the tour operator and the itinerary.

A Tiwanaku Tour typically includes transportation to and from the archaeological site, a guided tour, and sometimes lunch or other refreshments.

The cost of a Tiwanaku tour can vary depending on the tour operator, the tour length, and the services included. Generally, prices range from $135 to $290 per person.

It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking on uneven terrain. Sunscreen and a hat are also recommended, as the site can be very sunny.

Tiwanaku was once a powerful empire that flourished between 300 and 1000 CE. The city was eventually abandoned and rediscovered in the 19th century.

On a Tiwanaku Tour, visitors can see the ruins of the ancient city, including the Akapana Pyramid, the Sun Gate, and the Temple of Kalasasaya.

The Tiwanaku Tour can be suitable for children, but it is recommended to check with the tour operator first to ensure that the tour is appropriate for the age and interests of your children.

The Tiwanaku Tour can be challenging for disabled people, as the site has uneven terrain and steep stairs. However, some tour operators may be able to accommodate visitors with disabilities.

Yes, visitors are generally allowed to take photos on the Tiwanaku Tour. However, it is recommended to check with your tour guide first to ensure that photography is permitted in all areas of the site.

Visitors cannot bring food, drinks, or smoking materials onto the archaeological site. It is also recommended to leave large bags or backpacks on your transportation.

There are souvenir shops and markets near the Tiwanaku site where visitors can buy locally-made handicrafts and other souvenirs.

The Tiwanaku Tour can be taken year-round, but avoiding the rainy season (November to March) is recommended to prevent muddy and challenging roads.

  • Yes.
  • Many tour operators offer Tiwanaku tours in Spanish, English, and other languages.

It is recommended to book the Tiwanaku Tour in advance to ensure availability, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Yes, many tour operators offer combined tours that include Tiwanaku and other popular destinations in Bolivia.

Yes, it is possible to visit Tiwanaku independently

The Tiwanaku archaeological site is open daily to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for certain national holidays.

The Tiwanaku Tour has no specific dress code, but visitors are encouraged to dress modestly out of respect for the ancient site and the local culture.

Visitors cannot bring their food and drinks to the archaeological site. However, there are food and beverage options available for purchase nearby.

Tiwanaku is located at an altitude of approximately 3,850 meters (12,630 feet) above sea level.

Altitude sickness can be a concern for some visitors on the Tiwanaku Tour, as the site is at a high altitude. It is recommended to consult with a doctor before the trip and to take precautions such as drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol.

Yes, there are restroom facilities available for visitors at the Tiwanaku site.

No pets are prohibited on the Tiwanaku Tour or the archaeological site.

There are no strict age restrictions for the Tiwanaku Tour, but an adult is recommended to accompany young children.

No, the Tiwanaku archaeological site is only open during the day, and visitors are not allowed to visit the site at night.

No, visitors are not allowed to climb on the ruins at Tiwanaku out of respect for the historical and cultural significance of the site.

Nearby attractions to Tiwanaku include the town of Tiwanaku, which has a museum and other historical sites, and the city of La Paz, known for its colorful markets and street food.

Some tour operators may offer discounts to students, seniors, or influential groups. It is recommended to check with the tour operator for any available deals.

Referential elevations between Puno Peru and Tiwanaku, Bolivia

PUNO CITY: 3,827 meters (12,555 feet).
DESAGUADERO: 3,827 meters (12,555 feet).
TIWANAKU RUINS: 3,885 meters (12,746 feet).

Pricing & Click to Pay

Full Day Travel Tiwanaku from Puno COST

Season 2026: PRIVATE SERVICE. Tiwanaku Tours: We run this travel experience

*The 1-day tour service to the Tiwanaku ruins from Puno is only offered as a private service. We do not want to add more people to your group to have an epic and pleasant trip between Peru and Bolivia.

PersonsPrice (p/p)
1$ 470.00 USD
2$ 275.00 USD
3$ 210.00 USD
4$ 180.00 USD
5$ 162.00 USD
6$ 155.00 USD
7$ 146.00 USD
8$ 138.00 USD
9$ 129.00 USD

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INQUIRE ABOUT THE TIWANAKU TITICACA TOUR

Tiwanaku Tour Bolivia From Puno, explore the tremendous ancient ruins of Tiwanaku and the Tiwanaku site museum, where unique stone monoliths are presented as spectacular and unique artifacts. The visit ends with exploring the megalithic Pumapunku blocks scattered in Bolivia’s different areas of the Tiwanaku plain.

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