Pastoruri Glacier
Recuay, Peru, 02410
Perched at more than 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) in northern Peru’s Cordillera Blanca mountain range, Pastoruri Glacier is a vast ice wall with towering peaks for a dramatic backdrop. It’s a rare tropical glacier and one that’s melting very quickly. While Pastoruri Glacier remains a top destination for visitors to Huaraz, the impacts of climate change are transforming the ice in real-time.
The basics
Pastoruri Glacier is among the easiest glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca to reach by car—you can see it right from the parking lot. To get a closer look at the glacier’s impressive headwall, make the 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometer) hike from the parking lot, following a winding walkway wrapped in big views. Hiking tours featuring Pastoruri Glacier typically include a guide for this portion of the walk; other guided tours simply check out the views from the trailhead.
Things to know before you go
Plan to bring plenty of layered clothing. Even when the weather is mild in Huaraz, higher-elevation areas can be cold and wet.
Take it slow on the hike if you’ve recently arrived from a lower elevation—the altitude change can leave many tired, dizzy, and short of breath.
Pack a polarizing lens filter for your camera if you have one. It can help cut glare when photographing the glacier, especially if you’re visiting near midday.
How to get there
Pastoruri Glacier is located in the southern part of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, about two hours by car from Huaraz. Because public transit is limited within Huascaran National Park—and throughout the Cordillera Blanca—guided tours are the most popular way to access Pastoruri Glacier. Such tours typically include round-trip transit from Huaraz.
When to get there
The dry season from May through September is the most popular time to visit Pastoruri Glacier and the Cordillera Blanca—those months are known for clear, cold, and stable conditions. Rains tend to start in October, but travelers will find quiet trails and plenty of excellent hiking weather in a shoulder season that lasts through December.
Best day trips from Huaraz
Pastoruri Glacier is a top Huaraz day trip for a reason—it’s a rare chance to see a tropical glacier in Peru. Other popular options include sightseeing and hiking at Lake 69 (Laguna 69), Paron Lake (Laguna Parón), and the Chavin de Huantar archeological site. Even beginning climbers can join guided mountaineering tours; the 16,896-foot (5,150-meter) Mateo Mountain (Nevado Mateo) is a challenging climb that doesn’t require technical skills.
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