Abode of the Gods and Piuray Lake ATV Tour from Cusco
Full Day Adventure
Up to 10 travelers
3,800 m / 12,467 ft
Easy to Moderate
Overview
This full-day tour combines culture and a light adventure close to Cusco. You start at the Abode of the Gods (Apukunaq Tianan), six contemporary sculptures 15 to 17 m tall carved into the rock in Sencca. After a safety briefing and practice, you ride an ATV with your guide along approved rural roads toward the Chinchero plateau, and finish at Piuray Lake, a high-Andean lake surrounded by fields and farming communities. Groups have up to 10 travelers.
Highlights
- The Abode of the Gods: Pachamama, Wiracocha, a puma head and a portal to the three Andean worlds, carved by sculptor Michael de Titan. It is modern art, not an Inca site.
- The ATV ride: open countryside, farming communities and wide views of the plateau.
- Piuray Lake: in the Chinchero district (Urubamba province), it is one of the sources of Cusco’s drinking water, so please leave no trace.
What's Included
Included 6
- Pre-tour coordination
- Professional bilingual guide
- Round-trip tourist transport
- ATV, helmet and safety equipment
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Small-group service (up to 10 travelers)
Not Included 4
- Tourist entrance fees unless expressly stated
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
- Services or activities not described in the itinerary
What Should You Bring? 8
- Passport or ID
- Water
- Sun protection
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Small amount of cash
- Gloves and clothes that can get dusty
Itinerary
1
Stone sculptures
Cusco – Abode of the Gods (Sencca)
Short transfer from Cusco in tourist transport and a guided visit to the contemporary carvings of Apukunaq Tianan, inspired by Andean imagery.
2
ATV countryside route
Sencca – Chinchero plateau
Equipment fitting, safety briefing and practice, then a guided ATV ride along approved rural roads, with photo stops among fields and farming communities.
3
Piuray Lake and return
Piuray Lake – Cusco
Scenic stop by Piuray Lake and return to Cusco in tourist transport.
Good to know
Difficulty and altitude
Difficulty is easy to moderate. The highest point is about 3,800 m (12,467 ft), roughly 360 m above Cusco (3,439 m according to INEI). There is no long hike: the effort comes from handling the ATV on rural roads, dust and the cold wind. Before riding you receive the equipment, a fitting and a practice session. Read our guide to altitude sickness in Cusco if you have just arrived.
Who this tour is for
Travelers who want an active day without a demanding high-altitude hike, couples and groups of friends, and anyone who enjoys rural landscapes. If you prefer a shorter and calmer visit, the Abode of the Gods half-day tour visits only the sculptures.
Best time to go
The tour runs all year, but conditions change with the season. According to Senamhi, moderate to heavy rain in Cusco can continue until mid-April, which makes rural roads muddy. From May the mornings are cold and the roads are dustier.
What to bring
Passport or ID, water, sun protection, comfortable shoes, warm layers, a rain jacket or poncho, gloves, clothes that can get dusty and a small amount of cash.
Good to know
- The ATV, helmet and safety equipment are included, as are a professional bilingual guide, round-trip tourist transport and a first-aid kit with emergency oxygen.
- The ride follows approved rural roads only.
- Weather, road conditions or community access may require the guide to change the order of the day without removing the main experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ATV tour include in one day?
A guided visit to the Abode of the Gods sculptures in Sencca, a guided ATV ride along approved rural roads toward the Chinchero plateau, and a stop at Piuray Lake before returning to Cusco.
Is there a practice session before riding?
Yes. Before the ride you receive your helmet and safety equipment, a fitting and a practice session, and the guide leads the group along approved roads.
How difficult is this tour?
It is rated easy to moderate. There is no long hike; the effort comes from riding on rural roads, the dust and the wind.
How high does the tour go?
About 3,800 m (12,467 ft), roughly 360 m higher than Cusco, which is at 3,439 m according to INEI.
What is Piuray Lake?
A high-Andean lake in the Chinchero district, Urubamba province. It is one of the sources of drinking water for the city of Cusco (Gestión, November 2023), so visitors should leave no trace.
Should I choose this tour or the half-day Abode of the Gods tour?
The half-day tour costs from USD 35 and visits only the sculptures, for up to 16 travelers. This ATV tour is a full day from USD 80 for up to 10 travelers and adds the countryside ride and Piuray Lake.
What should I wear?
Warm layers, a rain jacket or poncho, gloves, comfortable shoes and clothes that can get dusty. Sun protection is important even on cloudy days.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. Weather, road conditions and community access may require the guide to adjust the order without removing the main experience.
