Ferrocarril Central Andino S.A. (FCCA) runs passenger trains from Lima to Huancayo. This railway line includes the highest-altitude standard-gauge railway station in South America, situated at a height of 4781 meters (15,681 feet) above sea level in Galera. However, due to unfortunate events, Ferrocarriles Centrales has been unable to restart train services between Lima and Huancayo. The railway between Chaclacayo and Matucana has been damaged and continues to be so. It will take at least six months to recover from the last landslide.
Ferrocarriles Centrales has been unable to restart the train service between Lima and Huancayo due to a series of unfortunate events in recent months. The El Niño phenomenon has caused heavy rainfall resulting in 20 landslides per day. As a result, cargo train operations on the Lima - La Oroya route have been frequently interrupted for the past 30 days. Moreover, the railway between Chaclacayo and Matucana has sustained severe damage and will take at least six months to recover.
Due to these circumstances, it's impossible to reactivate the passenger train service for now. It may not be possible throughout 2023 as it poses a significant risk to passenger safety. However, Ferrocarriles Centrales will continue to work towards overcoming these events and return with the tourist train service as soon as it's safe and reliable. We recommend postponing trips on the Lima - Huancayo train to 2024.
The train takes about 6-7 hours to climb from Lima at only 150 m above sea level up to Galera at 4781 m above sea level. The entire trip to Huancayo takes about 14 hours, during which the train passes through several spirals and completes six separate zigzags.
The train makes two official tourist stops on the way to Huancayo. The first stop is in San Bartolome, where travelers can observe how the locomotive is turned around to change direction. Drinks and simple fare are available for purchase during this stop. The second stop takes place at the Galera Station, the highest railway station on the journey. No food is available there. On the return trip from Huancayo to Lima, the train stops in Galera only.
The train to Huancayo departs about 8 - 9 times per year between April and November. From January - March (rainy season), are no passenger trains running. The train fare includes airline-style breakfast and lunch. The food quality on the Train is so-so. The service of a nurse and oxygen is available on the Train.
The Train has two travel classes: In "Clase Turistico," you have comfortable Pullman seats, panoramic windows, and air conditioning. Only in "Clase Turistico," you have access to the observation carriage with a bar and lounge.
In "Clase Clasico," the seat arrangements are 2x2 benches facing each other with a small table separating the facing benches. Classico passengers don't have access to the Observation car. The food in "Clase Turistico" and "Clase Clasico" is the same.
🚂 Travel Tip: I strongly recommend paying the supplement for the "Clase Turistico." The journey is much more comfortable, and the views you get from the observation car are the best you can experience on a train if the weather is beautiful enough.
🧨 A Word of Caution: Acclimatize well to the altitude before you undertake this train journey. The Train overcomes a huge altitude difference in a relatively short period, ask your doctor if you have heart or lung problems or suffer from high blood pressure.
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