Apukunaq Tianan and Piuray Lagoon ATV Tour

Fresh air, open roads, and giant stone gods.

This three-hour outing from Cusco combines a scenic ride around Piuray Lagoon with a visit to Apukunaq Tianan, known as the Abode of the Gods. I like the mix of quiet water views and a modern outdoor attraction, and I also like that the group is capped at 10 people. The main consideration is cost: at $65 per person, you still pay separately for the Apukunaq Tianan entrance and bottled water.

You meet at Plaza Regocijo and finish near Plaza San Francisco, two blocks from Cusco’s main square. Helmets, gloves, and a professional guide are included, while the tour is offered in English. The schedule gives the lagoon the larger share of time, so this suits you best if the ATV ride and highland scenery matter more than a long visit to the sculptures.

Key points to know before you book

• Piuray Lagoon gets about two hours: You travel along the lagoon’s edge and stop for photos at several points.
• Apukunaq Tianan features huge modern sculptures: The stone figures measure roughly 4 to 8 meters high.
• The group limit is 10 people: That keeps the outing smaller than a large coach excursion.
• The price is $65 per person: Add $4 for the entrance and 5 soles for bottled water if needed.
• A 30-minute ATV ride comes after the sightseeing stops: The schedule combines viewing time with a short recreational ride.
• Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours ahead: A full refund is available if you cancel within that window.

Why Piuray Lagoon is the heart of the outing

Piuray Lagoon is the first major stop, and it receives roughly two hours of the three-hour program. That tells you something important about the experience. This is not simply a quick photo stop before a ride. The lagoon is the main scenic portion, with time to follow its edge and pause for pictures.

The water has practical importance as well as visual appeal. Piuray supplies much of the water used by Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. That gives the stop a useful connection to daily life in the region. You are not looking at an isolated scenic pond with no role beyond tourism. You are seeing a water source tied to nearby communities and the city.

The route is described as a tour along the entire edge of the lagoon. The supplied details do not state the exact riding distance, road surface, or elevation, so you should not expect a precise technical riding plan before arrival. What you can count on is a series of stops for photographs and a route built around the shoreline.

I like this part for people who want a slower change of pace from Cusco’s streets. The lagoon gives you room to look around, take photographs, and appreciate the setting without packing the day with several unrelated attractions. If you want constant ATV action, though, two hours of scenic touring and photo stops may feel less exciting than expected.

What the ATV portion really includes

The title puts ATVs front and center, but the schedule gives you a mix of sightseeing and riding rather than a full-day off-road excursion. After visiting Apukunaq Tianan, you return to the base for a 30-minute ATV ride.

That final half-hour matters because it gives the outing a clear hands-on element. You are not only driven from viewpoint to viewpoint. You get time on a four-wheeler, with a helmet and gloves provided. The guide is also included, which is useful for keeping a small group together and helping the activity run smoothly.

The supplied information does not specify the ATV model, whether each person drives their own vehicle, or the exact riding route. It also does not state the age rules, license requirements, or clothing recommendations. I would confirm those points with Andean Top Expeditions before booking if they affect your decision.

The short ride is probably enough for a first ATV experience or for someone who wants a little adventure without giving up most of the day. It may not satisfy you if your main goal is a long, technical ride through rough terrain. The tour’s real appeal is the combination of a scenic lagoon visit, sculpture viewing, and a brief ATV session.

Apukunaq Tianan and its modern stone figures

The second stop is Apukunaq Tianan, also called the Abode of the Gods. Here you see large lithic sculptures recently carved by Cusquenian artist Michel de Titan Monteagudo Mejia.

The figures are dedicated to gods and symbols associated with Inca culture. The named works include La Pachamama, the Puma, and a three-dimensional gate. A viewpoint is also mentioned, but it remains under construction. That last detail is worth noting because the attraction is still developing, and the finished appearance may change over time.

The sculptures measure approximately 4 to 8 meters high. Size is the main visual force here. You are looking at contemporary stonework made to feel monumental, with figures that reference older Andean religious ideas. The attraction is modern, not an ancient Inca ruin, so it is best understood as a present-day artistic tribute rather than an archaeological site.

That distinction helps set the right expectations. If you want original Inca masonry, Apukunaq Tianan is not the same type of place as the historic sites around Cusco. If you enjoy large outdoor art with cultural themes, it adds a different note to the day.

The stop lasts about one hour, and admission is not included. The stated entrance fee is $4. Since the ticket costs extra, add it to the advertised price when working out your real budget. You will have time to contemplate the sculptures and take photographs, but the listed schedule does not promise a guided lecture about each figure.

A practical look at the $65 price

At $65 per person, this is not the cheapest short outing near Cusco. The value depends on how much you want in one compact package. Pickup is offered, a professional guide is included, safety equipment comes with the ATV activity, and transportation connects the city meeting point with the two attractions.

You also get three different elements in one booking:

• A shoreline tour and photo stops at Piuray Lagoon
• A visit to the large sculptures at Apukunaq Tianan
• A 30-minute ATV ride at the base

The $65 does not cover everything. Apukunaq Tianan charges $4 for entry, and bottled water costs 5 soles. Those are modest additions, but I would still budget for them rather than treating the headline price as the complete cost.

The value is strongest if you want a half-day outing with both scenery and activity. You avoid arranging separate transport to the lagoon and sculpture site, and you have a guide with the group. The value is weaker if you only want a long ATV ride, since the actual scheduled ATV portion is 30 minutes.

The experience has a perfect five-star rating from four submitted reviews, including praise for the beautiful lake, enjoyable route, and four-wheeler ride. That is encouraging, but four ratings are still a small sample. I would treat the score as a positive sign, not a guarantee that every road condition or guide experience will be identical.

Meeting points, timing, and the city return

The tour begins at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco, with the listed address in the 08002 postal area. The end point is Plaza San Francisco. Transportation drops you about two blocks from the city’s main square, which is convenient if you want to continue walking through central Cusco afterward.

Pickup is offered, but the information does not state the exact pickup area, pickup time, or hotel coverage. You should check those details when you book. If you are staying outside central Cusco, do not assume that every accommodation is included in the pickup service.

The stated duration is approximately three hours. The stop durations are two hours at Piuray Lagoon and one hour at Apukunaq Tianan, followed by a 30-minute ATV ride at the base. Because the descriptions overlap slightly, I would read the timing as a compact half-day schedule rather than a minute-by-minute guarantee.

The group maximum is 10 people. That is small enough to make meeting up easier and should feel less crowded than a large bus outing. It can also make the pace more personal, although the experience will still depend on the guide and the group’s riding speed.

The tour is offered in English. That is useful if you want instructions and explanations in English, but the supplied details do not name the guide or describe the depth of the cultural commentary.

Safety equipment and what remains unclear

Helmets and gloves are included, and a professional guide accompanies the group. Those are the most important practical inclusions for a short ATV activity. You should use the equipment provided and follow the guide’s instructions, especially if you have little experience with four-wheelers.

The details do not specify whether protective clothing, rain gear, goggles, or fuel are included. They also do not explain the rules for passengers, drivers, children, or people with medical conditions. Most people can participate, but you should ask Andean Top Expeditions about any personal limitation before paying.

Dress for an outdoor activity rather than a city stroll. The supplied information does not provide a formal packing list, so I would keep it simple: wear clothes that can handle dust or outdoor conditions, and bring water or budget 5 soles for a bottle. Since the attraction is outdoors and the plan includes photography, comfortable clothing makes more sense than anything delicate.

The tour does not advertise luxury transport or a long cultural presentation. Its strengths are movement, scenery, and a clear set of stops. You should book it for that reason, not because you expect a formal archaeological tour.

Who will enjoy this combination near Cusco

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a short break from Cusco’s urban center and like the idea of pairing scenery with a little action. It works especially well for a first ATV experience, a small group of friends, or anyone who wants photographs at a highland lagoon and a distinctive sculpture site in the same morning or afternoon.

It also suits you if you prefer variety. Piuray Lagoon is tied to regional water supply, while Apukunaq Tianan presents modern stone art inspired by Inca symbols. The two stops feel different, and that contrast keeps the three-hour plan from becoming repetitive.

You may want another tour if your priority is ancient archaeology, a long ATV route, or a full-day mountain adventure. Apukunaq Tianan is a modern attraction, the ATV segment is only 30 minutes, and the lagoon portion includes photo stops rather than a long list of activities.

The tour is also a reasonable fit for someone with limited time in Cusco. You get a scenic outing without committing an entire day. Just remember that the short duration means each part has a defined limit. You will not have hours to linger at the sculptures or keep riding after the scheduled session.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. The tour is operated by Andean Top Expeditions, and the maximum group size is 10 people.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you do not receive a refund, and changes made inside that same window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time in Cusco, so check the clock carefully if your plans are uncertain.

I would also confirm three details before booking: the exact pickup arrangement, how the 30-minute ATV ride is organized, and what the $4 entrance payment covers. Those questions are not complaints. They are the sensible checks that help you know exactly what you are buying.

Should you book the Piuray Lagoon and Apukunaq Tianan tour?

Book it if you want a compact, varied outing with a beautiful lake, giant modern sculptures, and a short ATV ride. The small group limit, included equipment, English service, and central Cusco return point add practical value.

Skip it if you want a serious off-road driving day or an ancient Inca site. At $65, plus the $4 entrance fee and possible water cost, this is best seen as a mixed sightseeing and recreation trip. For that purpose, it offers a pleasant change from the city and a memorable pair of stops, especially if the Piuray Lagoon views are your main draw.

FAQ

How long does the Apukunaq Tianan and Piuray Lagoon ATV Tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco, Peru.

Where does the tour finish?

It finishes at Plaza San Francisco. Transportation drops you about two blocks from Cusco’s main square.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. The supplied details do not specify the exact pickup area or hotel coverage, so confirm those arrangements when booking.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $65 per person.

Is the Apukunaq Tianan entrance included?

No. Admission is not included, and the stated entrance fee is $4.

Is bottled water included?

No. Bottled water is available for 5 soles.

What equipment is provided for the ATV ride?

Helmets and gloves are included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.