Leaving Chivay we headed back over the pass to 4800+ m and back to the highway northeast to Puno in 284 km. This route is also over a second pass to 4500 m. The view of the city and lake Titicaca are stunning
We stayed in the same hotel and ate at the same good Chinese restaurant. Since we had a short 137 km to Copacabana and the border to Bolivia we took the opportunity to get the bikes cleaned up from all the mud and changed the oil.
Heading to the border along the 3S there is no sign marking to turn to the north border to Bolivia so just head to the town of Yunguyo on the RN 2. The drive along lake Titicaca is very scenic.
The first step at the border is to head to the police office. They will check your passport and stamp your tourist card.
Then go to the migration building and get your exit stamp.
The last step is to go across the street to the Aduana (note they are closed from 1230 to 130). Here they want your temporary permit. They will enter your info in a ledger and then into the computer. Then they will stamp your portion of the permit and give it back. Don’t loose this if you ever want to go to Peru again.
Next drive up the hill and into Bolivia. Just past the STOP gate park to your left. Go down the stairs to the migration office. Fill in the tourist form and get your entry stamp for Bolivia.
Then go back up the stairs and into the Aduana (closed from 1-2 and it is an hour later here). Here they want your original title and a copy and a copy of your passport.
Then head 8 km down the road to Copacabana, which is a bit of a sketchy town. We got a decent place with a view. We had heard from the back packers at the border that the road to La Paz had been closed for 4 days. In fact they all took the bus back to this border so they could go to the south border to bypass La Paz and head south. We asked the aduana official and he said the road would be normal tomorrow. HMMMMM
