Plizio Visual Lab

Pico El Águila

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

peak

Weather…

Pico El Águila, officially designated as Collado del Cóndor, is a prominent mountain pass in Mérida State and serves as the highest point of the Venezuelan Transandean Highway at an elevation of 4,118 meters. The pass was developed in 1925 during the administration of Juan Vicente Gómez to integrate the Andean region into the national road network, facilitating trade and movement. In 1927, a bronze monument of an Andean condor was erected to commemorate the passage of Simón Bolívar's army during the 1813 Admirable Campaign. Geographically, the area is situated within the paramo ecosystem, a high-altitude alpine tundra characterized by extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations and endemic flora such as the Frailejones. The pass lies within the Sierra de la Culata National Park and forms a strategic continental divide between the Chama and Motatán river basins. Due to the thin atmosphere and frequent snowfall during the rainy season from May to October, the pass has been a significant logistical and historical landmark for nearly a century.

Location: Venezuela
Top sights: Pico Mifés · Cerro El Duende · Pico Los Caracoles

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	21	21	22	22	22	22	22	23	23	22	21	21
Rain mm	33	37	72	134	141	106	100	108	131	153	129	70

📋 Practical info

🧭

Getting there

You can reach this high mountain pass easily via the Trans-Andean Highway (Troncal 7), which connects the cities of Mérida and Valera through spectacular scenery.

📅

Best season

The dry season from December to March has the clearest views of the surrounding peaks, though the pass is generally accessible throughout the entire year.

⛰️

Terrain & paths

As one of the highest driveable points, the terrain at the summit is relatively flat near the road, featuring high-altitude páramo vegetation and rocky outcrops.

🎒

What to bring

Due to the extreme elevation, bring warm windproof clothing and layers, as temperatures can drop significantly even when it is sunny in the valleys below.

🅿️

Parking

There is a designated parking area near the monument and the small chapel at the pass, where visitors often stop to take photos and browse local handicrafts.

⚠️

Safety

Be cautious of altitude sickness due to the height of over 4,000 meters; drive carefully on the winding roads which can be shrouded in thick mountain mist.

⏱️

Time needed

A typical stop at the viewpoint lasts between 30 to 60 minutes, allowing enough time to appreciate the views and visit the small shops located at the site.