Here, the old colonial buildings & the distinctive style of the churches, define this region as having retained a strong sense of the old Spanish past.

Salta is the gateway to one of the most spectacular railway days trips on the Continent - the 'Tren de las Nubes '- the train to the clouds. An early morning departure has the train wind its way up a series of zig-zag switchbacks as it climbs slowly upward. You will see feats of amazing engineering skill as many Viaducts span the gullies & river canyons. The most famous of these is Viaducto La Polvorilla which is some 224 metres long & rises 64 metres providing for breathtaking views.

The daytrip is approx 14 hours but the birds eye perspectives you will get to take in, & the likelihood of seeing the giant Andes Condors soaring at these heady heights is an opportunity too good to pass up.

There is an excellent three night - four day tour roundtrip from Salta that includes Humahuaca, & Cafayate. These small settlements owe their beginnings to the Spanish "Conquistadores" & today, retain this rich cultural heritage blended with Andean Incan influences.
Excellent arts & local crafts are to be found here. This is a region of harsh climates - hot dry summers & cold winters giving rise to a landscape sculptured by the forces of a relentless mother nature.

But don't be put off , as the changes in geological almost 'moonscape' rock strata formations, the dramatic views of mountains & the excellence of the hospitality, & cuisine that will be bestowed on you, provides a reason to experience, that is richness in itself.



The Train to the Clouds

The Province of Salta & the principle city which bears the same name, lie in the northwest of Argentina, bordered by three different countries ; Bolivia, Paraguay & Chile.

The "Tren de las Nubes " is one of the world's most extraordinary works of railway engineering. Touching the sky with your hands can be one of the most tempting invitations amongst Argentina's tourism attractions - & this fantastic daytrip allows you to achieve just that.

Departing saturdays from May to October at 0705am, it travels some 217kms from Salta's General Belgrano railroad station, up the fertile 'Valle de Lerma' & proceeds to loop & zig-zags its way to the dry immensity culminating at the breathtaking 'La Polvorilla' viaduct & the 'Puna' ( the plateau's upper level station ) some 4220m ( 13734ft ) above sea level.

This magical train runs along the same pathway inaugurated in 1941, which was opened up to haul heavy mineral cargo, fruits & vegetables & the products of human endeavour, to the small mountain towns, frozen in time.

Buzzing to conversations in a dozen different languages & filled with peoples from the world over, the train comes alive & winds among greens, ochres, browns, whites & vivid blue hues, that make up the backdrop to the mighty Andes mountain range.

One amazing characteristic of the train, is that it relies solely on Diesel power to pull up the sharp inclines - it does not use a 'rack' whatsoever which makes the climb all the more remarkable.

There is only one class of passenger carriage & seat on the train. Each carriage has a television & video & translators or multi-lingual guides are readily available to provide commentary.

For the comfort of all passengers there is a restaurant carriage & bar, a specially designed medical facility & a post office as at it's zenith, this becomes the world's highest post office with an appropriate stamp & franking mark so as to send correspondence or post cards from this point.

There is ample time at the upper level station for photographs, a short walk & taking in the sheer magnificence of the vistas this journey provides.

The train makes its way back to Salta with the backdrop of the Andes against a setting sun providing for many different & dazzling views.

At the end of the journey, the train pulls into Salta at 2150hrs after completing the 434km roundtrip in 14hrs.45min. Time enough for a good hot shower before heading out & sampling one of the many fine mountain food restaurants & Malbec wines the city of Salta rightly boasts.

The " Tren de las Nubes " most surely is a 'must -do' excursion on the list of this world's most amazing daytrips.

Please note: addicional departures are operated -please enquire from Sundance Spirit for specific dates.