Tiwanaku Tour Overview
Discover these fascinating sites’ incredible engineering and architecture, and learn about the rich history and culture of the Andean people who once inhabited them. Visit the Kalasasaya Temple, the Gate of the Sun, and the Akapana Pyramid, and learn about the significance of each site from your knowledgeable guide.
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.
- 09:40 A restart of the trip from Desaguadero to the Tiwanaku ruins in the local Bolivian vehicle and with the Tiwanaku resident tour guide
- 10:30: Approximate time of arrival at the Tiwanaku ruins
- 10:30–13:00 We have an approximately two-hour guided tour of the Tiwanaku ruins, the Tiwanaku lithic museum, and the Puma Punku lithic blocks.
- 13:00-14:00 Several restaurants are open at lunchtime on the outskirts of the Tiwanaku ruins or around the Tiwanaku town square. One of the typical dishes to try is 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, 18:30 is the approximate arrival time for Puno in Peru.
Important note about Tiwanaku Titicaca Tour
- Visitors must process their visa to enter Bolivia in advance (recommended between 3 and 13 days before the trip to Tiwanaku ruin); the visa process is personal in Peru’s Bolivian embassies’ offices.
- Travelers can process their visas in Cusco, Arequipa, or Puno (Peru). Working days are from Monday to Friday (Saturdays and Sundays are not working).
- Bolivian Embassy In Cusco, Peru
Address: Oswaldo Baca 101, Cusco, 08003
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Bolivian Embassy in Puno, Peru
Address: Cajamarca 664, Puno 21001
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Bolivian Embassy in Lima, Peru
Address: C. Los Castaños 235, San Isidro 15076
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Registration at the immigration offices in Peru and Bolivia:
On the day of the excursion to the Tiwanaku ruins from Puno, you arrive at Desaguadero after 2 hours and 20 minutes of travel! 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!
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- PERUVIAN MIGRATIONS: Clients must register their departure from Peru (there is a line) to register, which takes between 20 and 55 minutes. Many people come and go during border migrations.
- BOLIVIAN MIGRATIONS: Crossing the border bridge is Bolivian migration! Clients have to register for entry into Bolivia. It takes between 20 and 55 minutes; the registration system is slower. Let’s be patient. There are daily monetary penalties if visitors do not register, and paying them in La Paz, Bolivia, is tedious and complicated! That is why they have to register (mandatorily).
Tiwanaku Tour travel distances from Puno
We have two travel distances: the first travel route is between Puno on the Peruvian side, heading towards Desaguadero; “Desayuadero 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.
- Puno to Desaguadero travel: 2 hours and 20 minutes. 147.1 km / 91.40 miles
- Desaguadero to Tiwanaku trip: 40 minutes, 45.4 km, 28.21 miles.
Tiwanaku Tours Highlights
- Impressive ruins just outside Tiwanaku Town and a true wonder of the world!
- Explore the Tiwanaku Titicaca Tour of Akapana Ruins, “built 14,000 years BC.”
- Andes Sun Gate: Incredible construction cradled in the basin of the Peruvian-Bolivian Altiplano, around the Titicaca region.
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).
Full Day Travel Tiwanaku from Puno COST
Season 2025: 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.
| Number of persons |
Price per person |
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| 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.
