A Guide to Visiting Pastoruri Glacier in Huaraz Peru

If you’re thinking about visiting Pastoruri Glacier from Huaraz and want to learn more about what your day trip could look like, then you’ve clicked on the right post.

Pastoruri Glacier is one of the most popular days trips in Huaraz. So, we’ll discuss why it’s probably best to do it via a tour and how your itinerary might look on the day. You can also learn more about the length, difficulty and altitude of the hike and also what to wear and pack to have the best possible experience.

If you’d like to see our adventures, then check out our dedicated Huaraz video on our YouTube Channel. For more Peru videos check out our Peru Playlist.

About Pastoruri Glacier in Huaraz

Pastoruri Glacier is located within the Huascaran National Park near Huaraz in Peru. The 340,000 hectare national park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. The park comprises most of the Cordillera Blanca (“White Mountains”) mountain range. It also boasts Peru’s highest peak: Huascaran Sur (6,768 m / 22,205 ft). The Cordillera Blanca is actually the world’s highest tropical mountain range which means that Huascaran Sur is the world’s highest tropical mountain.

Pastoruri Glacier sits in the southern part of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range at over 5,250 m (17,200 feet). It is a cirque glacier, which means that it has formed in a bowl-shaped or amphitheater-like depression in the side of the mountain. The glacier is one of only a few remaining in the tropical areas of South America.

Unfortunately it is retreating quickly and has lost around one-third of its size in the past 30 years. Unlike in the 90’s, when it was probably one of the main attractions in Huaraz, today the number of visitors is definitely lower than at other places like Laguna 69. Back in the day, people could climb and even ski on the glacier, but today it is prohibited to climb on it…and for good reason. Our guide told us that there’s a high chance that it’ll disappear completely in the next decade. This is because it’s no longer building up ice during the winter, so it’s constantly losing its volume.

Tour or Independent Visit to Pastoruri Glacier?

Whilst many day trips from Huaraz can be done through either a tour or on your own, Pastoruri Glacier can mainly only be visited by a tour.

This is because it’s located at the very southern part of Huascaran National Park and there’s no public transport option to get there easily. If you have your own vehicle or are willing to pay for a private taxi, then you can definitely visit on your own.

However, we recommend booking a tour to visit Pastoruri Glacier because it’s more affordable and convenient. There are many tour companies in Huaraz you can choose from or you could even book it through your hotel or hostel. Alternatively, you can also book your tour online.

Pastoruri Glacier Tour Itinerary

Most tour itineraries will look pretty similar, with your day starting around 9AM from Huaraz. This was definitely one of the later starting tours we’d been on in Peru, especially given the fact that the glacier is very far from Huaraz.

Be prepared to spend the majority of your day on the bus. It was actually a much larger and more comfortable bus than all the other minivans we were crammed in to for our other day trips such as Laguna 69 and Laguna Paron.

1. Breakfast Stop in Ticapampa

Once they’ve collected everyone scattered around Huaraz, you’ll finally be on your way to the national park.

However, not long after you leave Huaraz, you’ll stop for a quick breakfast in Ticapampa at Restaurant Faby Star. You can also order your dinner here for on the way back. Food isn’t normally included in the price, so if you want either breakfast or dinner then bring enough cash with you to cover the cost.

They do have free toilet facilities you can use though, so that’s a bonus. Plus, you can always buy some sweets if you’ve already eaten breakfast.

Once it’s time to leave, you’ll be back on the bus and finally driving towards your destination.

2. Laguna Patococha Lake and Visitor Centre

Before you make it to the trailhead of the glacier, the tour makes a few interesting stops within Huascaran National Park.

The first stop will be Laguna Patococha, just after you enter the national park. It’s located around 4,200 m (13,780 ft) above sea level and this is where you’ll also have to pay for your entry fee to the park if you haven’t done so on a previous trip.

The lake is known for its birdlife and apparently a lot of ducks live in this area. It’s supposed to have a lovely reflection of the surrounding mountains but you can only see that if it’s not windy of course.

It won’t be a long stop, but it’s a great opportunity to stretch your legs for a few minutes.

3. The Lake of Seven Colours at Pumapampa

After a short drive you’ll be off the bus again. This time you’ll get to see the Lake of Seven Colours and some bubbling thermal waters.

The lake has some interesting blends of colours that you can definitely appreciate a bit more when it’s sunny. We could just about see a few shades of blue and green but it was too overcast for us to really appreciate it. The scenery around the lake is still beautiful though so make sure to take it all in.

4. Puya Raimondi Plants

The next stop is at some interesting looking giant plants called Puya Raimondi. We didn’t know anything about these plants, but they soon became one of our favourite parts of this day trip after Pastoruri Glacier itself.

You’ll learn that this plant belongs to the Bromeliaceae family, which means that it’s a relative to pineapples. They’re actually the largest plant in the family and can grow up to 15 m (50 ft) high. The plant can take 100 years to reach adulthood. They can only be found in the high Andes in Peru and Bolivia.

They’re also nicknamed ‘the Queen of the Andes’ which we think is pretty appropriate.

5. Pastoruri Glacier Hike

Finally, you’ll reach the start of the trailhead (4,800 m / 15,750 ft) and you can start your hike to Pastoruri Glacier.

Just like any of the other day trips from Huaraz, you don’t have to hike with the group, so you can freely go at your own pace. We do recommend keeping up a good speed though as the quicker you can get to the glacier the longer you’ll have to enjoy it. You’ll have about 1.5-2 hours to get there and back which isn’t that long.

The path will be paved most of the way which is pretty luxurious at over 5,000 m (16,400 ft). It should take anywhere between 30 to 45 minutes to reach the glacier.

Top Tip. If you struggle with altitude, you can hire horses at the start of the trailhead and complete the hike on horseback. Of course this is an extra cost, so bring enough cash with you to cover this.

Be Respectful! Once you reach the glacier, you can enjoy the views from multiple spots. Since it’s a very sensitive environment, it’s important that you do not cross the ropes and climb onto the glacier. It’s not allowed for reasons of preservation, but it can also be very dangerous since it’s melting quickly and parts can collapse without warning. Make sure you don’t leave any rubbish behind either!

6. Dinner Stop in Ticapampa

Whether you ordered dinner or not, unfortunately you’ll have to stop and wait for everyone who did at the same restaurant on your way back. It can be a bit annoying when you’re so close to Huaraz, but we understand that these restaurants wouldn’t get that much traffic through their doors otherwise.

Overall, you can still have a fantastic day hiking to Pastoruri Glacier from Huaraz, as well as seeing some interesting sights within Huascaran National Park along the way.

Cost of a Tour and Entrance Fee to Pastoruri Glacier

Tour costs can vary slightly depending on who you book with. We paid around S/.60 ($17 USD) per person. We recommend having a shop around in Huaraz and booking it once you’re in the city.

During our time in Huaraz we noticed that it doesn’t really matter which tour company you book with. Most companies actually work together and squeeze people from different companies into as few minivans or buses as possible to keep costs down.

Since the glacier lies within the Huascaran National Park, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee of S/. 30 ($8.5 USD). This is basically the cost of a day pass that lets you visit the national park without an overnight stay.

If you’re staying in Huaraz a bit longer and are planning on doing a few more day trips, then we recommend buying a multiday pass. You can buy a 3-day pass for S/. 60 ($17 USD) or a one month pass for S/. 150 ($42 USD).

It’s worth thinking about how many attractions you want to visit within the park so you can purchase the most suitable version of the pass.

You can buy your pass on your first day trip and just bring it along with you on future tours.

Best Time to Visit Pastoruri Glacier

You can technically walk up to Pastoruri Glacier all year round. However, there are better and worse times of the year to visit.

The wet season is normally between December and March/April. Whilst visiting during this time frame doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be hiking in the pouring rain, the chances are much higher. The walk can become a miserable experience in bad weather conditions. You really want to enjoy the scenery and not be wishing that you were back in the bus because you’re soaking wet and cold.

The dry season is from about April to November. This time frame definitely gives you a higher chance of a sunny and enjoyable hike. If you come just before the dry season, around April, then you’ll have a pretty good chance for a pleasant and rain free visit. It’s also less busy with tourists, so a good time to come to avoid the crowds. When we visited in May we had a snowy/rainy walk up to the glacier, but then the clouds cleared so we could enjoy our time at the glacier once we got there.

June to September are the most popular tourist months, so be prepared for more people visiting with you. No matter when you come, bear in mind that you’ll be over 5,000 m so the weather can be unpredictable.

What is the Altitude and Elevation of Pastoruri Glacier

Pastoruri Glacier sits at 5,250 m (17,200 ft) above sea level. Whilst the tour doesn’t include much hiking, you’ll start your walk from nearly 4,900 m (16,076 ft) and will have to gain just under 200 m (650 ft) of elevation. The glacier viewpoint is just over 5,050 m (16,570 ft).

Bear in mind that Huaraz’s elevation is 3,052 m (10,013 ft), so you’ll be gaining nearly 2,000 m (6,560 ft) during your journey there.

This can be a bit of a shock to your body especially if you’ve not acclimatised properly. You can definitely visit some lower altitude places first such as Laguna Wilcacocha (3,725 m / 12,221 ft), Laguna Paron (4,200 m / 13,780 ft) or Laguna 69 (4,600 m / 15,091 ft).

How to Prevent Altitude Sickness at Pastoruri Glacier

It is important to know that anyone can develop altitude sickness and its symptoms can be less or more severe depending on the person. Symptoms of altitude sickness include dehydration, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, heavy breathing, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

If you haven’t visited other high altitude places in Peru, such as Cusco 3,400 m (11,200ft), before arriving to Huaraz, we recommend taking it easy on your first day and not booking Pastoruri Glacier straight away. Starting with an easier day trip, such as Laguna Wilcacocha (3,725 m / 12,221 ft) or Laguna Paron (4,155 m / 13,631 ft), is probably much better since these aren’t very long or physically demanding trails. This way you can acclimatise properly and avoid altitude sickness.

It’s also good to avoid drinking too much alcohol before your visit and not eating too many heavy foods either. Stay hydrated during your visit to avoid dehydration and headaches. You can drink Coca tea like the locals do at high altitudes in Peru. In addition, you can also buy some altitude sickness tablets before you hike anywhere in Peru.

Of course if you’ve done some high altitude hikes in Peru such as the Salkantay Trek, the Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain, or you went on a 2 or 3-day Colca Canyon Trek, then you’ll most likely be fine.

Do you Need Special Travel Insurance to Visit Pastoruri Glacier?

We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have travel insurance before any trip you make abroad. Now, most travel insurance won’t automatically include cover for all the activities you’re planning on doing during your travels.

For example, if you’re visiting Peru and planning on hiking in high altitudes, then you should have cover for high altitude trekking in your insurance policy. Make sure to shop around to find the most suitable one. You just never know what could happen and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

What to Wear and Pack for Visiting Pastoruri Glacier

Although it’s only a 3.5 km roundtrip to the viewpoint, we recommend dressing for cold temperatures. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, you’ll most likely need long trousers, a fleece, hat and gloves on this hike. The temperatures will change a lot during the day so definitely come wearing layers.

Make sure to also pack waterproofs like a rain jacket. When we visited in May it was snowing and raining on our hike up. Luckily, the weather cleared by the time we got to the glacier, but it was still cold. We also recommend packing a waterproof cover for your backpack.

In terms of footwear, we suggest wearing hiking boots or shoes that have good grip and support. The trail up to the viewpoint is paved for the most part, but can be slippery if wet.

We recommend carrying a daypack with all the essentials you might need for the day. Pack your lunch and enough snacks and water to stay hydrated. Don’t forget your camera gear either and perhaps bring a portable charger for your phone. Batteries can die quickly at such high altitudes and in cold weather conditions.

Also have enough cash on you to pay for anything extra such as toilets, snacks at the trailhead and tips for the guide and driver.

We suggest having a basic first-aid kit with you with some painkillers, altitude tablets, band-aids and any prescribed medications in.

Facilities at Pastoruri Glacier

Toilet. There are toilets available for free at Restaurant Faby Star and at the trailhead building for S/.1. Make sure to bring some change if you’d like to use these toilets.

Cafes / Restaurants. Tours normally stop briefly in the morning just outside of Huaraz at Restaurant Faby Star where you can have breakfast and order your dinner if you want to. It’s not included in the tour cost so calculate that in before you leave. We recommend bringing your own lunch, otherwise you’ll be eating quite late.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Pastoruri Glacier in Huaraz

Overall, we enjoyed our visit to Pastoruri Glacier from Huaraz. We feel very lucky and grateful to have been able to see it before it potentially disappears in the near future. Even now the glacier is pretty impressive, so we can only imagine how it looked 20 or 30 years ago.

The only downside to our visit was the fact that you really have to take a tour. Tours aren’t necessarily bad, but sometimes they can be annoying. We wish there was an earlier option to allow you to spend a bit longer at the glacier. The food stop was also a bit annoying at the end of the day when all we really wanted to do was get back to Huaraz. However, we understand that it’s important business for these restaurants.

Have you ever visited Pastoruri Glacier in Huaraz? If so, what was your experience? If not, would you add this day trip to your itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.