Day 8: Tren a las nubes
In colonial times, this was the way to travel from northwestern Argentina to Lima in Peru. 20 days, 800 km, packed trains.
Today Argentinian railways are almost extinct. To Lima you travel by bus or by plane. But for touristic purposes, the "Train to the clouds" remains Argentina's most famous train ride. It's a very long day, 7am-11 pm, rising from 1180m (Salta) to 4220m up in the mountains (beware altitude dizziness).
Train worming its way through the rugged landscape ...
Disturbing a lama party.
After the deterioration of the region's mining and its railway, the tiny vilages now depend totally on the Tren a las nubes for income.
La Polvorilla, a breath-taking engineering achievement at 4220 m. A 64 high and 224m long viaduct spanning a vast desert canyon. Its construction was a challenge more than a necessity. It feels like Disneyland in real nature.
A happy tourist (not even missing his SNCF).
A stop in San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina's highest village (3775m).
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