Train to the Clouds

The Train to the Clouds is a journey of 219 kilometers in a unique train in the world, a circuit that goes into the Andes mountain range, the biggest on Earth. In its journey one travels along fertile valleys and the desert of the " Puna ". It reaches a height of more than 4,000 meters.

This masterpiece of rail engineering has imposing bridges, tunnels, zig zags, and viaducts. At the end of the circuit the imposing Viaduct "La Polvorilla" is crossed, located at 4.220 meters. It is 224 m long and 63 m high, it is a curve, and a slope at the same time. A miracle of engineering. It was finished in 1948 and it has 21 tunnels and 13 viaducts.

But the star is the landscape in its different colours, its deserts and valleys, saline of the most intense colours and snowy mountains as background.

The trip heading to the sky goes uncannily by small Andean towns and ruins of old civilisations. At seven in the morning the train leaves the station of the city of Salta. It travels along the fertile valley of Lerma, it ascends the " Puna ", and then after travelling more than 200 kilometres one arrives at the viaduct.

"The Polvorilla", the highest point in the itinerary (approximately at 2.30 p.m). Here one can get off the train to take pictures and buy crafts.

The speed average of the trip is of 35 kilometres per hour which allows to film, to take photographs and to watch the sceenery.

In the trip back there is a half hour detention at San Antonio de los Cobres where crafts can be bought. The return to the city of Salta is approximately at 10.40 p.m. after having experienced an unforgettable journey.