Tren a las Nubes: take a legendary train in Argentina
Located 4,000 meters above sea level in the Andes, the Tren a las Nubes or « Cloud Train » is one of the highest railroads in the world. It begins its journey from the city of Salta, Argentina, at an altitude of 1187 meters, crosses the Valle de Lerma, enters the Quebrada del Toro and finally ends its journey at the Polvorilla viaduct (at 4220 meters). During the 16-hour journey, the train covers 217 km and climbs an impressive 3,000 meters. It crosses 29 bridges, 12 viaducts, 21 tunnels, two helical loops (a railway technique for climbing steep slopes) and two zigzags. The Cloud Train takes its name from the numerous clouds that are often seen under bridges and on mountain slopes.
The route was established in the 1920s by American engineer Ricardo Fontaine Maury, who was in charge of the project. He designed a unique system supported by various structures (bridges, tunnels, etc.). The zigzags (or laces) allow the train to climb the mountain by going back and forth parallel to the slope. Maury did not use funiculars or rack railroads, which are normally used for steep slopes, relying instead on the zigzags to gain altitude.
The Cloud Train was originally built to service the region’s borax mines, transporting goods from the Chilean coast across the Andes to northwest Argentina. The train began taking tourists in the 1970s.
The train leaves the city of Salta early in the morning (at exactly 7.05 a.m.), crossing the Lerma Valley, then the Quebrada del Toro and, finally, the vast territory of the Puna. The train makes just two stops, practically at the end of the journey. The first is in San Antonio de los Cobres, an old town with a small market. At 3,760 m, it is one of the highest villages in the country. Here you’ll find quaint stalls selling handicrafts, clothing and souvenirs to take home. The second and final stop is the spectacular Polvorilla viaduct. The curved viaduct is 224 m long and 70 m high, overlooking the valley.
The train crosses the viaduct and stops before moving backwards, ready for the return journey. At the final destination, passengers can get off the train, feel the clean, cold air on their faces, walk slowly to accustom their bodies to the altitude and take photos. The return journey to Salta ends in darkness, reaching Salta just before midnight (23:48 to be exact).
The Cloud Train operates from April to November. From December to March, the Tren del Sol runs from Salta to Diego de Almagro station, at an altitude of 3,500 meters.
The price: the round trip on the Tren a las Nubes costs around €120. Some travelers say the price is too high, but this train journey is mythical, and if you have a free day in Salta, why not spend it aboard the Train des Nuages, to reach the Argentine peaks?
Sources: trenalanubes.com.ar, Wikipedia, Amusing Planet