Argentina Tours: Train to the Clouds in Salta

Sitting in the Lerma Valley, in the northwestern part of Argentina, the charming small town of Salta is a great destination if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires. This lovely colonial city boasts an eternal spring-like climate that makes it a year round destination, as well as the country’s best preserved colonial architecture. It is also ideally located in a fertile valley, surrounded by lush green landscapes, the striking polychrome canyons of Cayafate and the desolate plateau of La Puña.

The city deserves a few days visit as it if home to countless attractions and its friendly atmosphere makes it a great base for your explorations of the north region of Argentina. Stroll down the narrow streets and take the cable car up the San Bernardo Hill to enjoy amazing views of the valley.

Make sure to ride the Train to the Clouds departing from Salta’s downtown that will take you on an amazing journey winding through the beautiful landscapes of northwest Argentina until the border to Chile. Among the three highest railroads in the world, this train takes you across the vertiginous mountains of the Andes and above the clouds, at a dizzying height of over 4,200 meters above sea level.

Covering 434 kilometers on an almost 15 hour journey round trip, the Train to the Clouds crosses a striking number of 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 132 viaducts, 2 spirals and 2 zigzags. The most elevated viaduct of the line, La Polvorilla, is part of the city of Salta. The 10-car train can accommodate up to 640 passengers and travels at about 35 kilometers, giving you the chance to fully appreciate your stunning surroundings.

Enjoy the many entertainments available aboard the train, including a restaurant, panoramic car, folkloric spectacles and guides, and disembark the train for a few minutes in the many villages to admire the handicrafts displayed by the inhabitants of the region. A must-do on your Argentina tours, the Train to the Clouds will leave with unforgettable memories.

This guide to the Train to the Clouds in Salta was written by an Argentina travel expert at Argentina For Less available to help you custom design exciting and adventurous Argentina tours.