THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Ride quads across high Andean plains, hike to a glacier viewpoint, and photograph vivid turquoise lagoons—all in a full day from Cusco. This Ausangate quad tour mixes adrenaline with high-altitude scenery and local culture.
Ride quads across high Andean plains, hike to a glacier viewpoint, and photograph vivid turquoise lagoons—all in a full day from Cusco. This Ausangate quad tour mixes adrenaline with high-altitude scenery and local culture.
You leave Cusco before dawn—4:00 a.m.—and the city lights shrink as the Andes widen. On the road to Ausangate the cold air sharpens; by the time you swap a van for a quad the sky is pale and the first ridgelines of snow are visible. The machines rumble, and the trail pushes you through puna grasslands toward bright, high-elevation lagoons that reflect a color so vivid they demand a double-take.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by X Travel Peru · Cusco, Cusco Region
You leave Cusco before dawn—4:00 a.m.—and the city lights shrink as the Andes widen. On the road to Ausangate the cold air sharpens; by the time you swap a van for a quad the sky is pale and the first ridgelines of snow are visible. The machines rumble, and the trail pushes you through puna grasslands toward bright, high-elevation lagoons that reflect a color so vivid they demand a double-take.
Ausangate is an Apu—an honored mountain in Andean cosmology—and the route crosses geology carved by glaciers over millennia. Granite and volcanic beds tilt into the horizon, while moraine ridges and cirque basins hold turquoise pools where meltwater collects. Culturally, shepherd families and llamas punctuate the route; soft-spoken Quechua phrases and woven textiles are a reminder this land remains lived-in, not just visited.
Practically, expect a 12-hour day: pickup in Cusco, a buffet breakfast in Cusipata to acclimate, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes of guided quad riding, then a 40–60 minute uphill hike to a strategic viewpoint for photos of glaciers and lagoons. Guides provide helmets, gloves, oxygen and trekking poles; the trail is rocky and exposed, and weather can change quickly.
Bring layered clothing, UV protection, and water; maintain a steady pace on the hike and listen to your guide about altitude. If you respect the mountain and come prepared, this one-day quad tour is a compact, high-energy way to experience Ausangate’s raw landscape and living Andean culture.
The quad route and viewpoint sit in the high puna—typically between 4,200 and 4,800 meters—so expect thin air and cold temperatures.
No advanced skill is required; a short safety induction is provided, but basic comfort operating an ATV is helpful and guides will assist less experienced riders.
No; the tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or people with significant spinal or cardiovascular issues due to rough terrain and altitude.
Buffet breakfast in Cusipata and a buffet lunch are included; portable first-aid and basic restroom options are available during stops but expect rustic conditions.
X Travel Peru operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You leave Cusco before dawn—4:00 a.m.—and the city lights shrink as the Andes widen. On the road to Ausangate the cold air sharpens; by the time you swap a van for a quad the sky is pale and the first ridgelines of snow are visible. The machines rumble, and the trail pushes you through puna grasslands toward bright, high-elevation lagoons that reflect a color so vivid they demand a double-take.
You leave Cusco before dawn—4:00 a.m.—and the city lights shrink as the Andes widen. On the road to Ausangate the cold air sharpens; by the time you swap a van for a quad the sky is pale and the first ridgelines of snow are visible. The machines rumble, and the trail pushes you through puna grasslands toward bright, high-elevation lagoons that reflect a color so vivid they demand a double-take.
Ausangate is an Apu—an honored mountain in Andean cosmology—and the route crosses geology carved by glaciers over millennia. Granite and volcanic beds tilt into the horizon, while moraine ridges and cirque basins hold turquoise pools where meltwater collects. Culturally, shepherd families and llamas punctuate the route; soft-spoken Quechua phrases and woven textiles are a reminder this land remains lived-in, not just visited.
Practically, expect a 12-hour day: pickup in Cusco, a buffet breakfast in Cusipata to acclimate, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes of guided quad riding, then a 40–60 minute uphill hike to a strategic viewpoint for photos of glaciers and lagoons. Guides provide helmets, gloves, oxygen and trekking poles; the trail is rocky and exposed, and weather can change quickly.
Bring layered clothing, UV protection, and water; maintain a steady pace on the hike and listen to your guide about altitude. If you respect the mountain and come prepared, this one-day quad tour is a compact, high-energy way to experience Ausangate’s raw landscape and living Andean culture.