Pasco
The Pasco Department connects one of the highest urban regions of Peru with Puna, lagoons, striking rock formations, and the green eastern slopes of the Selva Central. Cerro de Pasco, Oxapampa, and Pozuzo each reveal three very different facets of the same region.
Pasco at a glance
Pasco is located in central Peru, between the high Andes and the Selva Central. The department comprises three provinces and ranges from over 4,000 meters in altitude to humid mountain and rainforests.
Pasco in pictures
Highlands, rock formations, cloud forests, and the settlements of the Selva Central reveal the great landscape contrasts.
Pasco connects the High Andes and Selva Central
Between Cerro de Pasco and Oxapampa, altitude, climate, and vegetation change fundamentally. It is precisely this transition that shapes travel, agriculture, culture, and daily life in the Department.
History and Identity
Mining, Andean traditions, and the cultural diversity of the Oxapampa province have shaped Pasco in very different ways.
Andean History
The high plains were settled long before colonial times. Trails, pastoralism, and regional exchange networks connected the Puna with lower-lying valleys.
Mining and Cerro de Pasco
Silver and later other ores made Cerro de Pasco a significant mining center. Open-pit mining continues to shape the city's appearance, economy, and environmental debates today.
Oxapampa and Pozuzo
In the province of Oxapampa, Yanesha and Asháninka cultures meet mestizo traditions and the history of German-speaking immigrants in Pozuzo.
Cities and Places in Pasco
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Pozuzo
Town in the Selva Central with a unique migration history, wooden houses, coffee, nature, and cultural traditions.
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Landscape and Nature
In the west, Puna, high mountains, lagoons, and cold nights characterize the landscape. Around Huayllay, exceptional rock formations have emerged due to erosion.
To the east, the terrain slopes down to the Selva Central. The Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park protects mountain and cloud forests with great biodiversity near Oxapampa.
Economy in Pasco
Mining remains important, while agriculture, coffee, forestry, services, and tourism play different roles depending on the altitude zone.
Mining
The highland provinces are closely linked to metal extraction. Cerro de Pasco is the most well-known center for this in the region.
Agriculture and Coffee
In the lower and warmer areas of Oxapampa province, coffee, livestock farming, and other agricultural products play a larger role.
Travel and Services
Oxapampa, Pozuzo, Huayllay, and protected areas create demand for accommodation, gastronomy, transport, and local travel offers.
Sights in Pasco
Rock landscapes, protected areas, and cultural sites are among the most important travel destinations. Detail pages will appear here as soon as they are published on PeruMagazin.
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Events in Pasco
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News from Pasco
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Continue through Central Peru
Pasco borders Junín, Huánuco, and Lima, among others. These departments lead into very different landscapes.
Junín
To the south, highlands, the Mantaro Valley, and other parts of the Selva Central connect.
View departmentHuánuco
To the north, Andean regions merge with transitions towards the Amazon basin.
View departmentLima
To the west, the connection via the Central Andes continues towards the capital region and the Pacific coast.
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FAQ about the Pasco Department
Where is the Pasco Department located?
Pasco is located in Central Peru. The region connects the High Andes with the eastern mountain forests and the Selva Central.
What is the capital of Pasco?
The capital is Cerro de Pasco. The city lies at an altitude of approximately 4,330 meters and is one of the highest major cities in the world.
How many provinces does Pasco have?
The department consists of three provinces: Pasco, Daniel Alcides Carrión, and Oxapampa.
What should you see in Pasco?
Known destinations include the Bosque de Piedras de Huayllay, Oxapampa, Pozuzo, and the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park.
When is the best time to visit?
This depends heavily on the altitude zone. Temperatures and precipitation differ significantly between the highlands and the Selva Central, so the specific route should be considered.
How do you get to Pasco?
Important road connections lead from the Lima and Junín areas into the region. For Oxapampa and Pozuzo, winding mountain roads significantly extend travel times.
Sources and Image Credits
- Wikimedia Commons: Pasco Department – Area and population figures; structured data as of 2026.
- Wikimedia Commons: Cerro de Pasco – Altitude approximately 4,330 m.
- SERNANP: Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park and Huayllay National Sanctuary.
- Image "Bosque de Piedras (Huayllay). 10.jpg": Jomel Contreras Espinoza, 2022, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Image "Oxapampa Perú.jpg": Impulsesito777, 2014, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Image "Pozuzo 10.jpg": Ivan Brehaut L., 2016, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Image "Parque Nacional Yanachaga Chemillen, Pasco 03.jpg": Ivan Brehaut L., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Image "Cerro de Pasco.jpg": unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.