Tren a las Nubes, Salta Travel Guide

The Tren a las Nubes, or Train to the Clouds, is one of the highest railways in the world, offering a thrilling journey through the Andes. The service operates on the C-14 branch of the General Belgrano Railway, ascending to a staggering 4,220 meters above sea level. The train departs from Salta, winding through the Valle de Lerma and Quebrada del Toro before reaching the Puna de Atacama.The railway's construction began in 1921, spearheaded by engineers Josep Heinrich Theodor Rauch and Richard Maury, and involved over 1,300 workers. The project took 27 years to complete, overcoming extreme weather and challenging terrain. The first official tourist trip took place on July 16, 1972. The railway was initially intended to transport goods from Argentina to northern Chile.The name "Tren a las Nubes" originated from a film made by two university students in the 1960s, who captured the journey from Salta to Socompa aboard a passenger train. The train travels to the Polvorilla Viaduct, an impressive feat of engineering. Along the way, passengers can witness stunning landscapes, including frozen streams and remote churches. Today, the Tren a las Nubes remains an iconic symbol of Argentine ingenuity and a must-see attraction for visitors to the Salta region.