The journey aboard the Tren de las Nubes is one of the top and most renowned attractions in Salta Province. While the area boasts many incredible destinations, the thrill of being so high up and riding on the country's highest train makes this experience truly unforgettable.

The train departs from the train station of San Antonio de los Cobres, a small mining town, located 165 km from the city of Salta.  It is one of the highest altitude towns in Argentina at 3,775 meters above sea level.  

The tour starts at 7:00 am with the departure by bus from Salta Train Station to San Antonio de los Cobres. The bus travels along National Route No. 51, passes through Campo Quijano and travels along a road full of beautiful natural landscapes that change as it goes along. From the yungas full of vegetation, it passes to a series of stony mountains of multiple colors and crosses arid landscapes full of cacti.  On a road of curves and counter-curves you cross viaducts, zig zags, and tunnels and make photographic stops at various attractions such as the El Toro Viaduct and the Yacoraite Geological Formation at Km 66 and the bus stops at Paraje El Alfarcito so that passengers can recharge their batteries with a country breakfast among adobe huts. On the way, the guide on board the bus informs about the geography, history and customs of the local people of the area.  

The second part of the tour corresponds to the exciting train ride that starts at noon from San Antonio de los Cobres and ends at the Viaducto La Polvorilla, the most impressive engineering work of the last century. This work built between 1930 and 1932 is 224 meters long and 64 meters high.   

When you reach the top, the train built in 1921 by the American engineer Richard Maury, stops at over 4220 meters above sea level and passengers can descend. There the Argentine flag is raised and the traditional song Aurora is sung. There is about 30 minutes of time to enjoy the scenery, buy handicrafts and take pictures in this incredible place.  

Then you will return to San Antonio de los Cobres for a free lunch and from there you will take the bus back to Salta. This is the third stage of the tour and has a stop in Santa Rosa de Tastil, where you will visit the local museum and have time for a snack. 

Source: https://www.daytours4u.com/en/travel-guide/tren-de-las-nubes-everything-need-know?srsltid=AfmBOorg-dD0ibAHlpGtgZujnaqhr4PZBstIUJTB6TCtCgoEzKDJtNFi