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Peru🇵🇪 | townsCerro de PascoOpen-pit rim, mining facades, potato market, highland gateway | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Cerro de Pasco
👀 For curious travelerstown ranked #7
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Cerro de Pasco is famous for the enormous open-pit mine that has swallowed part of the city, and you can walk right up to the rim and stare into a terraced void of orange, gray and rust. What gets overlooked is that this is the gateway to the Huayllay stone forest and the Junín highlands, so the city works as a launchpad, not a destination. It sits high in the central Andes of Peru, and its streets climb steeply past mining-era facades to a lively plaza with hot soup waiting. Hostels are scarce, evenings are quiet, and you will meet few backpackers. I once left for the stone forest too late and lost the whole day, so I now go early. Know this before you arrive: colectivos for the outlying sights leave in the morning.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #7 town in PeruReasons people choose to visit here

Cerro de Pasco earns a stop because it is the practical base for the Bosque de Piedras de Huayllay, a field of wind-carved rock formations that most people reach from here with a morning colectivo and a hired driver. Add the city itself, where the Raúl Rojas open-pit mine sits beside the streets and gives you a rare look at how mining shapes a place, and you have a compact, offbeat day or two. Most travelers stay one night, two if they want an unhurried excursion to the rocks or the Junín plateau. Social life is thin, so this suits solo travelers, hikers and slow-travel types who enjoy local markets, cheap set lunches and small family-run guesthouses more than hostel bars. If you want a polished tourist scene, pass through quickly. If you like places with real working-town character and a few startling sights, linger.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Raúl Rojas Open-Pit Mine Viewpoint: the city's defining sight is a vast terraced pit right beside the streets, and you can peer over the edge from the town side. Come in the morning when the light is clearest. Free, 30 to 60 minutes.
  2. Plaza Chaupimarca and the Cathedral: the central square is the city's meeting point, with the cathedral on one side and old mining-boom buildings around it. Late afternoon is best, when locals gather. Free, about 45 minutes.
  3. Mercado Central: a working market for potatoes in many varieties, cheese, herbs and hot breakfast broths. Go before 10 AM for the fullest stalls. A meal costs around US$2 to 4, and a visit takes about an hour.
  4. Laguna Patarcocha: the lake at the edge of the city is a reminder of how mining has changed the surroundings, with open highland views
… read more 👉
  1. Raúl Rojas Open-Pit Mine Viewpoint: the city's defining sight is a vast terraced pit right beside the streets, and you can peer over the edge from the town side. Come in the morning when the light is clearest. Free, 30 to 60 minutes.
  2. Plaza Chaupimarca and the Cathedral: the central square is the city's meeting point, with the cathedral on one side and old mining-boom buildings around it. Late afternoon is best, when locals gather. Free, about 45 minutes.
  3. Mercado Central: a working market for potatoes in many varieties, cheese, herbs and hot breakfast broths. Go before 10 AM for the fullest stalls. A meal costs around US$2 to 4, and a visit takes about an hour.
  4. Laguna Patarcocha: the lake at the edge of the city is a reminder of how mining has changed the surroundings, with open highland views and birds at the margins. Late morning is best. Free, about an hour.
See the pit first in the clear morning light, then walk the plaza and the market together. For day trips, the Bosque de Piedras de Huayllay, the Junín National Reserve around Lake Junín and the mining village of Goyllarisquizga are the best options nearby.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsWhere things are and how it's laid out

Cerro de Pasco sits at about 4,300 meters, so every stroll comes with thin air and a good excuse to slow down for a coffee. The center is compact, and the real landmark is the giant open pit mine right beside it.
  • Plaza Carrión and the center: Walk the grid of steep streets around the main square, past the cathedral and bakeries with warm bread and hot chocolate at dawn. Everything is within 15 minutes on foot, and you finish with a cheap, filling menu lunch.
  • Mine edge (Raimondi/Paragsha side): Head to the rim of the huge open pit that has eaten into the old town. Stand at the fence and watch trucks crawl along terraces of orange and gray rock, a view you won’t find anywhere else in Peru.
  • Yanacancha: Take a short taxi ride to this residential district with lanes of markets and pollerías. Grab
… read more 👉
Cerro de Pasco sits at about 4,300 meters, so every stroll comes with thin air and a good excuse to slow down for a coffee. The center is compact, and the real landmark is the giant open pit mine right beside it.
  • Plaza Carrión and the center: Walk the grid of steep streets around the main square, past the cathedral and bakeries with warm bread and hot chocolate at dawn. Everything is within 15 minutes on foot, and you finish with a cheap, filling menu lunch.
  • Mine edge (Raimondi/Paragsha side): Head to the rim of the huge open pit that has eaten into the old town. Stand at the fence and watch trucks crawl along terraces of orange and gray rock, a view you won’t find anywhere else in Peru.
  • Yanacancha: Take a short taxi ride to this residential district with lanes of markets and pollerías. Grab roasted chicken with fries and a bubbling pot of caldo, then pick up warm alpaca socks for the cold nights.
  • Chaupimarca: This is the older quarter near the square, where narrow lanes climb past colonial-era houses and small chifas. Wander uphill, gasp a little, and reward yourself with a bowl of trout soup.

⌛️ 1 dayA smart one-day plan

The day runs on foot with a taxi for the outlying bits, and a long pause at midday when the thin air at roughly 4,300 meters makes stairs feel like work.
8:00 AM: Plaza Carrión
Start at the main square with coffee and bread from a bakery nearby. Walk slowly, since the altitude punishes hurrying. The cathedral and the old mining-town facades set the scene for what this city is built on.
9:30 AM: Open-pit mine viewpoint (Raúl Rojas pit)
Walk to the rim on the edge of town. The pit is enormous, a terraced hole that has swallowed whole streets over the decades. Stand at the fence and take it in. It explains the city better than any museum.
11:30 AM: Paseo Daniel Alcides Carrión and Parque Industrial area
Stroll the old center streets, where tin-roofed houses cling to the slopes. Stop at a small market … read more 👉
The day runs on foot with a taxi for the outlying bits, and a long pause at midday when the thin air at roughly 4,300 meters makes stairs feel like work.
8:00 AM: Plaza Carrión
Start at the main square with coffee and bread from a bakery nearby. Walk slowly, since the altitude punishes hurrying. The cathedral and the old mining-town facades set the scene for what this city is built on.
9:30 AM: Open-pit mine viewpoint (Raúl Rojas pit)
Walk to the rim on the edge of town. The pit is enormous, a terraced hole that has swallowed whole streets over the decades. Stand at the fence and take it in. It explains the city better than any museum.
11:30 AM: Paseo Daniel Alcides Carrión and Parque Industrial area
Stroll the old center streets, where tin-roofed houses cling to the slopes. Stop at a small market stall for a mug of hot quinoa or a bowl of caldo.
1:00 PM: Lunch and rest
Order trout or a set menu at a local restaurant, then return to your guesthouse for a rest. Keep the pace lazy so the altitude headache stays away.
3:00 PM: Laguna Patarcocha
Take a short taxi to this lake on the edge of town. It is an unusual stop, shaped by mining and runoff, and few outsiders see it. Walk the shore and watch birds and local life.
5:00 PM: Back to the center
Share a taxi back, pick up a warm jacket if needed, and finish with a plate of pachamanca or a pollo a la brasa dinner as the evening cold sets in.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

May to September is the dry season and the easiest window for Cerro de Pasco, with sunny days around 10 to 14°C (50 to 57°F) and nights that fall below freezing, often to -5°C (23°F).
  • Dry Season (May to September): Bright mornings and cold, starry nights. Roads to the nearby lakes and canyons are most reliable. Prices barely move since tourism is small.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Afternoon rain, hail and fog arrive, with highs near 8 to 12°C (46 to 54°F). Unpaved roads turn muddy and views of the pit and lagoons often vanish in cloud.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October): Showers are patchy, and crowds are never an issue. Daylight stays close to 12 hours all year.
  • Festivals: Carnival in February and the town anniversary in late November bring parades and busier buses.
Plan your first two days … read more 👉
May to September is the dry season and the easiest window for Cerro de Pasco, with sunny days around 10 to 14°C (50 to 57°F) and nights that fall below freezing, often to -5°C (23°F).
  • Dry Season (May to September): Bright mornings and cold, starry nights. Roads to the nearby lakes and canyons are most reliable. Prices barely move since tourism is small.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Afternoon rain, hail and fog arrive, with highs near 8 to 12°C (46 to 54°F). Unpaved roads turn muddy and views of the pit and lagoons often vanish in cloud.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October): Showers are patchy, and crowds are never an issue. Daylight stays close to 12 hours all year.
  • Festivals: Carnival in February and the town anniversary in late November bring parades and busier buses.
Plan your first two days for acclimatizing and pack a real down jacket whatever the month.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

The area around Plaza Carrión in Chaupimarca is the best base, because most budget beds, bus offices and restaurants sit within a few flat-ish blocks. Dorm-style hostels are rare in Cerro de Pasco, so budget travelers mostly book basic private rooms with shared or private bathrooms, usually US$10 to 20 a night. Make sure the room has extra blankets, and ask about hot water, since nights drop below freezing and heating is uncommon.

The center is lively until the evening, then quiet, with a few late taxis. Street lighting is decent and the walk back after dinner is short. Noise comes mainly from … read more 👉
The area around Plaza Carrión in Chaupimarca is the best base, because most budget beds, bus offices and restaurants sit within a few flat-ish blocks. Dorm-style hostels are rare in Cerro de Pasco, so budget travelers mostly book basic private rooms with shared or private bathrooms, usually US$10 to 20 a night. Make sure the room has extra blankets, and ask about hot water, since nights drop below freezing and heating is uncommon.

The center is lively until the evening, then quiet, with a few late taxis. Street lighting is decent and the walk back after dinner is short. Noise comes mainly from early buses and trucks, so earplugs help.

Yanacancha is the second option, a calmer residential district with simple lodgings, markets and pollerías nearby. It is a short colectivo or taxi ride from the center and a little cheaper, though options are fewer. Book ahead during festivals and mining events, when rooms fill with workers and visiting contractors.
Best hostels in Peru


Best quality hotels in Peru

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get from A to B

A shared taxi or colectivo ride within Cerro de Pasco costs about US$0.30 to 0.60, and you pay the driver in cash in soles as you get off. Most backpackers walk the compact center and hop in a taxi for the uphill haul, since the thin air makes even gentle slopes feel like a workout. Traffic is light apart from mine-shift hours, and public transport is frequent but informal.
  • Walking: The center takes 15 to 20 minutes end to end. Streets climb and drop steeply, so take it slowly and enjoy views of rooftops, corrugated iron and the pit’s rim on the horizon.
  • Colectivos and minibuses: Cars and combis run set routes to Yanacancha, Paragsha and Chaupimarca for US$0.30 to 0.50 from early morning until about 9 pm. Shout your stop and you’re dropped at the corner, with a seat among locals bundled in ponchos.
… read more 👉
A shared taxi or colectivo ride within Cerro de Pasco costs about US$0.30 to 0.60, and you pay the driver in cash in soles as you get off. Most backpackers walk the compact center and hop in a taxi for the uphill haul, since the thin air makes even gentle slopes feel like a workout. Traffic is light apart from mine-shift hours, and public transport is frequent but informal.
  • Walking: The center takes 15 to 20 minutes end to end. Streets climb and drop steeply, so take it slowly and enjoy views of rooftops, corrugated iron and the pit’s rim on the horizon.
  • Colectivos and minibuses: Cars and combis run set routes to Yanacancha, Paragsha and Chaupimarca for US$0.30 to 0.50 from early morning until about 9 pm. Shout your stop and you’re dropped at the corner, with a seat among locals bundled in ponchos.
  • Taxis: Short hops cost US$0.80 to 1.50, and you should agree the fare before climbing in. They are the quickest way to reach the mine viewpoint or the bus terminals with a heavy pack.
  • Intercity buses: Departures to Huánuco (about 2 to 3 hours, US$4 to 6), Huancayo (about 5 hours, US$7 to 10) and Lima (about 7 to 8 hours, US$10 to 15) leave from terminals and company offices around town. Early morning departures give you daylight for the high-altitude road across the puna.
  • Hired car for the day: A driver to the lakes or the Bosque de Piedras costs about US$30 to 50 for the day, which gets you to places buses skip.

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Expect to spend about US$38 a day backpacking in Cerro de Pasco, using basic rooms and local eateries.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$10 to 15Few true dorms exist, so you pay for a simple private room, often with shared bath.
MealsUS$8 to 14Set menus cost US$2 to 3.50, and a pollería dinner about US$4 to 6.
Local transportUS$1 to 3Colectivos cost US$0.30 to 0.60 and short taxi rides US$0.80 to 1.50.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$3 to 8Most viewpoints are free, and day-trip shared rides cost US$2 to 4 each way.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$2 to 5Coca tea, snacks, water and the odd warm layer.
Total Daily BudgetUS$38Based on the upper range for rooms and mid-range for the rest.
Save money by eating the set lunch at a local restaurant and keeping dinner light.

source: peru.travel
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsWhere to go beyond the main area

Cerro de Pasco works well as a base for day trips, because the best sights are within 1 to 2 hours by road and return before dark.Bosque de Piedras de Huayllay: Huayllay’s forest of stone is a field of wind-carved rock towers, arches and shapes at about 4,300 meters. Colectivos run from town in about 1.5 hours for US$2 to 4, or hire a car for roughly US$40 for a few hours on site. Go in the dry season and bring sun cream, since the cold air hides strong UV.

Lake Junín (Chinchaycocha): This huge high-altitude lake is home to flamingos, grebes and the flightless Junín grebe. Combis head toward Junín town in about 1.5 hours for US$2 to 4, then a local boat or short taxi gets you to the shore for another US$3 to 8. Many first-timers arrive in the afternoon when wind and clouds spoil the view, … read more 👉
Cerro de Pasco works well as a base for day trips, because the best sights are within 1 to 2 hours by road and return before dark.Bosque de Piedras de Huayllay: Huayllay’s forest of stone is a field of wind-carved rock towers, arches and shapes at about 4,300 meters. Colectivos run from town in about 1.5 hours for US$2 to 4, or hire a car for roughly US$40 for a few hours on site. Go in the dry season and bring sun cream, since the cold air hides strong UV.

Lake Junín (Chinchaycocha): This huge high-altitude lake is home to flamingos, grebes and the flightless Junín grebe. Combis head toward Junín town in about 1.5 hours for US$2 to 4, then a local boat or short taxi gets you to the shore for another US$3 to 8. Many first-timers arrive in the afternoon when wind and clouds spoil the view, so leave early.

Huariaca and the Yanahuanca valley: Dropping to lower altitude, this green valley feels warm after the puna, with small farms and quiet plazas. Buses and colectivos take about 1 to 1.5 hours for US$2 to 4. It is best in the dry months, when the road is clear, and a good break if altitude is giving you a headache.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Cerro de Pasco is broadly safe for backpackers, and the main issues are altitude and cold rather than crime. Petty theft happens around markets and bus terminals, so keep your daypack in front and your phone out of sight. After dark the center is fine until about 9 or 10 pm, but use a taxi for longer distances or the outskirts. Solo travelers, including women, should stick to well-lit streets and avoid wandering near the mine edge at night. Taxis have no meters, so settle the fare first. Dust from the mine can irritate lungs, so a light mask helps on windy days. Take the first day easy, drink water and sip coca tea to ease altitude headaches.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Cerro de Pasco is worth a short visit if you like unusual landscapes, but most travelers use it as a stopover. The giant open pit mine, the Bosque de Piedras at Huayllay and Lake Junín are the main draws, all within about 1.5 hours by road. Expect cold, thin air at roughly 4,300 meters and very few tourist services.
Cerro de Pasco needs one to two days for most travelers. Spend the first day acclimatizing and viewing the mine edge and center, then use a second day for Huayllay’s stone forest, about 1.5 hours away and US$2 to 4 each way by colectivo. Add a third day only if you want Lake Junín too.
Cerro de Pasco is easy to reach as a day trip from Huánuco, about 2 to 3 hours by bus for US$4 to 6, but the altitude makes it tiring. Huancayo is about 5 hours away, which is too far for a comfortable same-day return. Most people stay at least one night to enjoy the sights without rushing the last bus.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Peruvian towns near Cerro de Pasco

Explore more nearby:

  • Oxa Pampa—Austro-German heritage, dairy farms, pine forests| 94 km away
  • Huancavelica—Cobbled lanes, ram’s-head broth, narrow-gauge station, cold nights| 274 km away
  • Paracas—Island boats, sea lions, pier grills, red-sand cliffs| 353 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Cerro de Pasco rewards one night, two if you add the stone forest, and a third day only if you like quiet mining towns. I would arrive early, see the pit and plaza in one morning, and use the second day for Huayllay before moving on.

✈️ When did I visit Peru?
Peru I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Peru, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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