How to get to the Tupiza canyons by train
Station, train, journey time and the final stretch — the complete guide.
Take the train to Tupiza station (served by both the Expreso del Sur and the Wara Wara del Sur). From there you reach the Tupiza canyons and gorges with a 4×4, horseback or bicycle tour from the town of Tupiza (the station is about a 10–15-minute walk from the centre; the canyons are a few kilometres out).
The canyons are visited on an organised excursion; there is no direct public transport from the station to them.
Nearby station on the line: Atocha (Expreso del Sur and Wara Wara del Sur).
Why visit
Tupiza is ringed by red sandstone hills and gorges —the Quebrada de Palala, the Cañón del Inca, El Sillar, the Puerta del Diablo— that look straight out of a Western. In fact, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid rode through here. It is the lowest and mildest stop on the corridor (2,950 m), a relief after the Altiplano. Tupiza station sits in the town itself; from there you arrange the horseback, 4×4 or mountain-bike excursions that run through the canyons. It is also the last stop before Villazón, on the Argentine border.
Getting there from the corridor
| Starting point | Train route |
|---|---|
| From Oruro | Expreso del Sur or Wara Wara del Sur · ~13 h 15 min journey, then tour to the canyons |
| From Uyuni | Expreso del Sur or Wara Wara del Sur · ~6 h 05 min journey, then tour to the canyons |
| From Villazón | Expreso del Sur or Wara Wara del Sur · ~2 h 05 min journey, then tour to the canyons |
Step by step
Take the Expreso del Sur or the Wara Wara del Sur and get off at Tupiza station.
As you leave the station, take a tour from the town of Tupiza.
This brings you to the Tupiza canyons and gorges.
Useful information
Frequently asked questions
How much is a train ticket?
Ferroviaria Andina fares range from about Bs 20 in Salón class for short legs up to around Bs 170 in Ejecutivo for the full Oruro–Villazón run. Confirm the current fare at the ticket office or on the fares page.
What days does the train run?
It is a long-distance train with few departures: the Expreso del Sur runs Oruro to Villazón on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the Wara Wara del Sur on Wednesdays and Sundays; the return directions run on other days. Always check the schedule before you travel.
How long does it take from Oruro?
From Oruro to Tupiza is about ~13 h 15 min by train, and then a tour from the town of Tupiza to the Tupiza canyons and gorges.
Can you walk to Tupiza canyons from the station?
Not directly: you need a tour from the town of Tupiza. The canyons are visited on an organised excursion; there is no direct public transport from the station to them.
Where can I see more attractions on the corridor?
The what to see near the Bolivia Train guide lists every attraction by station.
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Updated: July 2026