Nevado Pastoruri, Mountain summit in Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Nevado Pastoruri is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca, in the Cátac District of Recuay Province, Ancash, reaching 5,240 m. Its summit is a broad ridge of dark grey and brown bare rock and loose gravel with sparse dry grass; a pale snowfield lies at the foot of the slope, and the Pastoruri Glacier descends its northern flank.

In April 2011 the authorities partially reopened Pastoruri to visitors with limited quotas, after a three-year total ban on tourist access. The closure was imposed because the retreating ice was removing the attractions around the mountain, and the peasant community of Cátac, which depends on tourism, was badly affected.

The name Pastoruri comes from Quechua, meaning "Pampa at the bottom" or "Pasto Adentro". The peasant community of Cátac lives partly from tourism here, selling handicrafts, leading horse rides and guiding visitors, and its income fell sharply when access was closed for three years before reopening in April 2011 with limited quotas.

Plan to spend two days in Huaraz for altitude adjustment before attempting the climb. Proper mountaineering equipment and good physical conditioning are essential for a safe ascent.

The summit is reached without technical climbing, but only with an experienced guide. Access was fully closed to tourists for three years and reopened only partially in April 2011, with limited quotas to protect the surroundings.