2 days Iruya tour

• Northern Argentina
• Private Trips
• Tours from Jujuy

A magical place that does not go unnoticed by travelers. Reaching this remote village becomes a true adventure.

Iruya was founded in 1753. Perched on the side of a mountain, it is a village full of ups and downs, slopes, cobbled streets, houses and buildings that remain frozen in time, transporting us back about 200 years.

The church of Iruya is one of the most picturesque and oldest in the north — a must-see when visiting.

Excursion to Iruya from Jujuy

DEPARTURE LOCATION & TIME	8:00 am – San Salvador de Jujuy 9:00 am – Purmamarca 9:30 am – Tilcara 10:00 am – Humahuaca
RECOMMENDED CLOTHING	Comfortable sportswear, shoes with grip, cap, sunglasses, a jacket, and sunscreen. What’s the weather like in the north?
INCLUDED	Transfers Guide Insurance Pickup from central hotels
NOT INCLUDED	Meals and drinks

 
United in the eastern Andes, Salta and Jujuy offer us a breathtaking landscape.

Crossing the Quebrada de Humahuaca and climbing the Santa Victoria range form a unique route that reaches nearly 4000 meters above sea level.

Navigating winding roads and crossing rivers are just some of the challenges on the way to this mountain-carved village.

After traveling north along National Route 9, we leave the Río Grande valley near the town of Iturbe and arrive at the Condor Pass at 4000 meters above sea level.

The scenery shifts with stunning shapes and colors until reaching the village of Iruya at 2780 m.a.s.l.

We walk through the town’s narrow, uneven streets and stop for lunch.

After midday, we visit the Cruz viewpoint, then descend and begin the return journey, wandering through the village’s corners until reaching its church.

On the way back, we enter the native community of Hornaditas, where we visit the “Tata Churqui” and the “Cardón Abuelo” — two native plant species remarkable for their size and longevity in the community.

History and Features of Iruya

This area was primarily home to indigenous settlements, the most ancient being the Ocloyas.
They belonged to the Kolla ethnic group, descending from the Kollasuyo, one of the four regions of the ancient Tahuantinsuyo (Inca Empire).

Numerous ruins scattered around the area prove the existence of a fairly homogeneous ethnic group before the Spanish arrived.
An example is the Titicónte ruins, located 8 km east of Iruya.

The first inhabitants practiced agriculture and livestock rearing, both on a small scale for subsistence only.
They cultivated corn, potatoes, oca, etc., and raised sheep, goats, and llamas.

Just like in ancient times, barter in Iruya is still one of the most traditional forms of commerce today.

Its name means “Place of high grasslands.” Iruya is surrounded by two rivers: the Coranzulí and the Milmahuasi.

Iruya features colonial-style architecture, mainly built with adobe, stones, and straw.
Its streets are very narrow and steep, cobbled to prevent water erosion.

Currently, due to poor urban planning, the village is changing its appearance with large constructions that do not follow basic urban standards.

What’s most fascinating is that its inhabitants still preserve traditional clothing and customs dating back more than 250 years.

Although the village is accessible by vehicle, exploring the surrounding areas requires being in good physical condition for hiking.

Climbing to the Condor Pass, the highest point

The climb begins along a winding road with countless curves and switchbacks carved into a true desert landscape, until reaching 4000 meters above sea level at the Condor Pass.

This natural border between the provinces of Jujuy and Salta offers a view of the area’s vast immensity.

From here, a descent of 1220 meters begins over just 19 km.
A winding cliffside road with a truly breathtaking landscape.

After crossing the Milmahuasi River (which sometimes blocks access during summer), you arrive at Iruya, already in full view — nestled magnificently between the mountains.