The Pastoruri tour is a full day from Huaraz to the south of Huascarán National Park. We leave at 7:00 a.m. by private bus toward Pachacoto, stop at the Puya raimondii plants and continue to Nevado Pastoruri, whose summit is 5,240 m (17,190 ft) high (IGN, Peru's mapping agency). We hike up to about 4,850 m, near the glacier, on SERNANP's Climate Change Route, which shows how the ice is retreating. According to our program, it is about 6 hours on the bus round trip and 5 to 6 hours of hiking.
- Duration
- Full day
- Hike
- 5 to 6 h
- Max. altitude
- 4,850 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Departs from
- Huaraz, 7:00 a.m. (private bus)
- Price
- Ask for price
Park ticket and rules
Pastoruri is inside Huascarán National Park. According to SERNANP (2026), a one-day ticket costs S/ 30 at the general rate (foreign visitors); children under 5 enter free. You must register at the control post, stay on the marked trail and leave no trash.
Highlights
- The Pastoruri glacier, whose summit is 5,240 m high (IGN), on SERNANP's Climate Change Route.
- A stop at the Puya raimondii, the largest bromeliad in the world, with flower spikes of 4 to 5 m.
- The route shows the glacier's retreat and the new lakes it leaves behind (SERNANP).
- Pastoruri is the second most visited area of Huascarán National Park, after Llanganuco (Andina, Peru's state news agency).
Itinerary
- 7:00 a.m.Departure from Huaraz by private bus
We drive south through the Callejón de Huaylas to Pachacoto.
- MorningPuya raimondii
We turn east and stop among the Puya raimondii plants to see them up close and take photos.
- MiddayHike to Pastoruri
We hike up the Climate Change Route to about 4,850 m, near the glacier.
- AfternoonHike down and drive back
We walk back down to the bus and return via Pachacoto.
- AfternoonArrival in Huaraz
End of the service in Huaraz.
Departure at 7:00 a.m. by private bus, according to our program: about 6 hours on the bus round trip and 5 to 6 hours of hiking; we are back in Huaraz in the afternoon. Other times are approximate.
What's included and not included
What's included
- Private bus Huaraz – Pastoruri – Huaraz
- Guide throughout the tour and the hike
Not included
- Huascarán National Park ticket (SERNANP, 2026): S/ 30 general one-day fee (S/ 12 for Peruvian adults)
- Meals: bring breakfast, a packed lunch and snacks
What to bring
- Warm layers: it is cold and windy near the glacier
- Warm hat, gloves and sunglasses (the ice reflects a lot of light)
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- About 2 liters of water
- Packed lunch and snacks
- Hiking shoes or boots with good grip
- Passport or ID for the control post
More information
The Climate Change Route
SERNANP, Peru's protected areas agency, offers Pastoruri as the "Climate Change Route", a one-day visit in the Carpa sector of Huascarán National Park. The route includes Patococha lake, a visitor center, naturally carbonated springs and Pumapashimin, and its goal is to show how the glacier is retreating and which new lakes it leaves (SERNANP).
The retreat goes well beyond Pastoruri: according to INAIGEM, Peru's glacier research institute, the Cordillera Blanca lost 301.40 km² of glacier ice between 1962 and 2020 (2023 inventory).
Puya raimondii: facts and a myth
*Puya raimondii* is the largest bromeliad in the world. Its flower spike is usually 4 to 5 m tall and can reach about 8 m; it blooms only once in its life and then dies, after a cycle of 40 to 100 years. The IUCN lists it as endangered (Wikipedia).
You may hear that it blooms every 100 years, but that is a myth: the cycle varies.
How hard is it?
The challenge is the altitude: according to our program, you hike up to about 4,850 m, near the glacier, in cold and wind. Do it after at least two nights in Huaraz and a lower outing first, such as Laguna Churup. Walk slowly, drink water and tell the guide if you have a strong headache, dizziness or shortness of breath: the right move is to go down.
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Departure from Huaraz | 7:00 a.m., by private bus | our program |
| Bus Huaraz – Pastoruri – Huaraz | about 6 h round trip | our program |
| Hike | 5 to 6 h, up to about 4,850 m | our program |
| Summit of Nevado Pastoruri | 5,240 m (not climbed) | IGN, via Wikipedia |
Warning signs of altitude sickness are explained in our Huaraz acclimatization guide.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Pastoruri?
The summit is 5,240 m (17,190 ft) high (IGN). The tour does not go to the summit: according to our program, we hike up to about 4,850 m, near the glacier.
What time does it leave, and how long does it take?
It leaves at 7:00 a.m. by private bus. According to our program, it is about 6 hours on the bus round trip and 5 to 6 hours of hiking; we are back in Huaraz in the afternoon.
What is the Climate Change Route?
It is the name SERNANP uses for the Pastoruri visit. It shows the glacier's retreat and the new lakes it leaves, and includes Patococha lake, a visitor center, carbonated springs and Pumapashimin.
Does the Puya raimondii bloom only once a century?
No, that is a myth. It blooms once in its life and then dies, after a cycle of 40 to 100 years (Wikipedia).
How much is the entrance fee?
Pastoruri is inside Huascarán National Park. According to SERNANP (2026), a one-day ticket costs S/ 30 at the general rate (foreign visitors); children under 5 enter free.
Is it a good first acclimatization day?
Not as a first outing: you reach about 4,850 m. Do it after two nights in Huaraz and a lower hike, such as Laguna Churup. For a gentler start, see our day tours from Huaraz.
