3 Tours That Visit San Antonio de los Cobres

1. Train to the Clouds Excursion

This tourist train was inaugurated in 1990. Named "the old railway of General Manuel Belgrano", the famous Train to the Clouds, or Tren a las Nubes offers a route above the mountains through absolutely incredible scenery to the border of Chile and across the Andes. One of the stops on this Salta excursion is San Antonio de los Cobres, where passengers can get off the train and walk around the mining village and explore the handicrafts market.

The train, which has eight carriages, departs from Salta Station at 7:50am and returns at 11.50pm from April through to November.

Advantages of the Train to the Clouds excursion:

• Being able to discover the landscapes across the Chilean border, the high viaducts and the traditional markets.
• The possibility of seeing 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 spirals and 2 zigzags with absolutely breathtaking scenery.
• Travelling at an incredible altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level, the train to the clouds is one of the highest train journeys in the world.
• Lunch is included and a bilingual guide will accompany you throughout the journey

2. San Antonio de los Cobres Full Day Tour

This San Antonio de los Cobres tour, which is usually carried out in a mini bus, offers a tour of the village of San Antonio de los Cobres and also goes via a route which is parallel to the Train to the Clouds, taking you 4000 meters above sea level and making a stop in the small village of Santa Rosa Tastil.

• Being able to discover the landscapes through the Chilean border, via high viaducts and bridges and the "Quebrada Del Toro"
• The many stops, starting with the Train to the Clouds and each of the viewpoints alongside the viaduct, and the small villages such as Santa Rosa Tastil.
• The mini bus holds up to 10 people and a friendly, attentive bilingual guide explains everything you need to know along the route.

3. Tour to Salinas Grandes (via San Antonio de los Cobres)

This comprehensive tour of the region, the Salinas Grandes Day Tour, also known as Vuelta por las Alturas, takes you on a complete route. Follow the road parallel to the Train to the Clouds, stopping in San Antonio de los Cobres, then passing through the "Quebrada Del Toro." The excursion visits the famous Salinas Grandes, before making a final stop in the village of Pumamarca and the Mountain of Seven Colours.

Advantages of the tour to the Salinas Grandes:

• Experiencing the combination of three absolutely unmissable destinations: San Antonio de los Cobres, the Salinas Grandes and the Mountain of Seven Colours.
• The many stops along the route to take pictures and admire the different landscapes.
• The round trip takes you along two different routes: Route 51 which takes you to San Antonio and on to the Salinas Grandes, and Highway 40, which descends via the Mountain of 7 Colours
• The mini bus holds up to 10 people and a friendly, attentive bilingual guide explains everything you need to know along the route.

To get to San Antonio de los Cobres, you can choose between taking a tour dedicated to this high altitude town, getting there by train, or visiting as part of a comprehensive tour that also visits Salinas Grandes. Now you just have to decide which most appeals to you!

To book these excursions visiting San Antonia de Los Cobres and to explore more tours and activities in Salta, head to our website.

By: Fannie Marti / Translated by Milly Day