Dare to drive the dangerous road to Abra del Cóndor
Abra del Cóndor is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.942m (12,933ft) above the sea level located on the boundary of Jujuy and Salta provinces, in Argentina.
Set high in the northwestern part of the country, the drive to the summit is not for the sissies. It comprises the unpaved RP133 and RP13 roads, known as Carretera de Iruya, straddling Jujuy and Salta provinces. The area offers awesome mountain settings, isolated villages and spectacular off-road trails. It’s the highest point of the road. The road offers spectacular views of the valley and cultivated terraces, surrounded by colorful mountains and bizarrely eroded rock walls.
The pass is 47.4 km (29.45 miles) long, running from the paved RN9, north of Humahuaca, to the picturesque village of Iruya. It’s a difficult drive, with countless curves and hairpin turns, dangerous drop offs with very narrow parts and fording many rivers. The road is very dry usually, but summer rainstorms can make it impassable. The best months to travel in this area are June, July, August, September and October.