What is the Argentine railway known as the “Train to the Clouds”?

The Argentine railway known as the “Train to the Clouds” is Tren a las Nubes.

The tourist railway runs from Salta into the Andes in north-western Argentina. Its route crosses dramatic mountain scenery, deep valleys and high-altitude landscapes before reaching the La Polvorilla viaduct, the journey’s best-known landmark.

The railway was built as part of the Salta–Antofagasta line, which connected Argentina with Chile. Construction of the route began in the early twentieth century, and the line contains numerous viaducts, tunnels, bridges and zigzags to gain altitude through difficult terrain.

The nickname refers to the train’s extreme elevation rather than to a particular cloud-related technology. La Polvorilla stands at roughly 4,220 metres above sea level. Tourist services have changed over time, including departures by train, bus and combined transport, so itineraries should not be confused with the historic railway route itself.