Tren a las Nubes

The Train to the Clouds journey is dizzying and chilling in equal measure. It is, however, safe: 34,000 passengers rode the train last year. It’s an experience capable of taking your breath away, although if this does occur, oxygen dispensers are on hand. Shortly after departure from San Antonio de los Cobres, complimentary postcards are handed out, which feature an impressive image of the Polvorilla Viaduct to whet your appetite for what’s yet to come. The Polvorilla Viaduct (Viaducto de la Polvorilla) and its 1,600 tonnes of iron are the most important part of the journey, particularly as the train bends on the viaduct itself. The company has a policy to ensure that everyone’s happy with their experience at the bend. Passengers seated on the left side on the way to La Polvorilla will move to the right side for the return. This way no one feels cheated and everyone has equal time with the prized view. While on the viaduct, the train teases and slows down to prolong the excitement. At this point, feel free to stick your head out to take in the full scale of your elevation. The Train to the Clouds later slithers back and off of the viaduct and halts nearby where passengers disembark to admire it from a distance and take the obligatory barrage of photos. A bespoke artisan market is set up specifically for the train’s patrons where one may procure local artifacts and perhaps even get a cheeky llama selfie. The time spent stationed near the viaduct culminates with a national anthem ceremony and group applause. The train leg of the journey is around three hours in total and turns back instead of continuing on to Chile. With the same departure and arrival point, it truly is a journey for journeying sake. When was the last time you sat on a train just to go and not to arrive somewhere?