Tourist places in Pasco: know the main attractions of this department in central Peru

Pasco is a place where contrasts are the basis of everything: mountains and jungle come together to create a chain of cold mountains and lots of vegetation that will allow you to do adventure sports in the circuits of the Huayllay Stone Forest, relax in the baths Calera hot springs, to the waterfalls that give access to the lush central jungle. Start planning your trip and enjoy everything Pasco has to offer.

How to get to Pasco?

To go from cities like Lima to Cerro de Pasco, capital of the department of Pasco, you can travel by bus with companies like Ecosemh. . The ticket price starts at S/60 soles. The average travel time is 8 hours. Travel by bus to Cerro de Pasco. It is a very convenient option that many users choose. You can take advantage of the journey to rest, watch movies, read a book or listen to your favorite music.

Discover the main tourist places in Pasco

Huayllay stone forest

One of the tourist attractions that you cannot miss in Pasco is the Huayllay Stone Forest. It is located in the Huayllay district, 30 minutes by car from the city of Cerro de Pasco. The place is located between 4000 and 4600 meters above sea level and has 6815 hectares where you can see more than 4000 rock formations that delight both locals and tourists. It is such a wonderful and impressive place that it was designated as one of the 7 wonders of Peru. Here you can see rocks that are around 70 years old that resemble animals such as turtles, bears and fish. In addition, you will be able to see 500 cave paintings where anthropomorphic geometric figures that represent the ancient inhabitants of this area are displayed. On the other hand, you will be able to see animals that live in these lands such as foxes, deer, vicuñas, partridges, hawks, and more. Without a doubt, it is a perfect destination for photography.

Chumbivilcas Archaeological Complex

Then, you can visit the Chumbivilcas Archaeological Complex, located in the upper part of the Tapuc district, in the province of Daniel Alcides Carrión. It is located at 3900 meters above sea level. It is a very interesting pre-Inca complex where you can see an ordered system of roads with streets, steps, passages, houses, a chapel, a military fort and an observer. So if you are interested in history and archaeology, do not hesitate to visit it.

Nevado de Huaguruncho

Another attraction in the department of Pasco is the Nevado de Huaguruncho. It is a beautiful mountain located in the Huaguruncho Mountain Range, between the departments of Pasco and Huánuco, 66 km from the city of Cerro de Pasco. It has an altitude of 5723 meters above sea level. This snow-capped mountain has been formed by four glaciers: Ranrajanca, Jacahuay, Incatama and Carhuaraj. Many tourists come to Pasco to trek to the snow-capped mountain and contemplate the lagoons that exist around. So if you are a lover of adventure and nature, don't miss this experience.

Oxapampa

As many know, Oxapampa is a point in the department of Pasco that tourists love. It is a destination that fascinates for the natural attractions it has such as the Tigre River waterfall, the Yanachaga Chemillén National Park, Chontabamba, as well as the towns it houses where the Austrian and German cultures are felt from the architecture to the gastronomy. . Places like Pozuzo and Villa Rica are unmissable, both to contemplate landscapes and to taste the best coffee in the world.

Sacred Citadel of Goñicutac

Finally, another attraction that you can visit in Pasco is the Sacred Citadel of Goñicutac. It is located in the town of Rocco, at an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level. It is a pre-Inca construction of great value and beauty, from where you can contemplate a photographic Andean landscape. It was made with stones joined with mud and has been declared "Archaeological Cultural Heritage of Pasco." Among its main attractions is the Temple of the Moon, a space where religious rituals were carried out, as well as other buildings with agricultural and civil functions. It is said that this citadel belonged to the Yaros, a people influenced by the Wari culture.

The Data

The weather in Pasco varies depending on the area where you are. Cerro de Pasco has a cold and moderately rainy climate, the average annual temperature ranges between 0°C and 12°C. On the other hand, Oxapampa has a warm and temperate climate, the average annual temperature ranges between 13°C and 24°C. So depending on which places you want to visit, the ideal is to include warm or light clothing, a waterproof jacket, trekking shoes, swimwear, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen in your suitcase.
On your visit to Pasco you should try its delicious typical dishes such as Spicy Cuy, Charquicán, Caldo de Cabeza, Pachamanca, Caldo Verde, Pea with meat, Oxapampa grill, among others. They will surprise you!

Best Trekking and Tours in Peru

Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Peru, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.