Machacamarca railway museum
Oruro Department · Culture and history
Machacamarca was a major railway junction in the days of the great tin mines. Its museum keeps steam locomotives, carriages and period workshops in the middle of the Altiplano. A surprising stop for lovers of trains and mining history, on the road south.
3,710 maltitude
0 to 1 dayto spend there
High altitude. Above 3,500 m, altitude sickness (soroche) is common. Arrive gradually, drink plenty and take it slow on the first day.
Things to do
- Steam locomotives and old carriages
- Period railway workshops
- The history of the railways and the tin mines
What to eat
- CharqueDried, shredded llama or beef, fried and served with corn, egg and cheese.
Tip. 30 min from Oruro. Opening hours are irregular: ask in Oruro before you go.
How to get to Machacamarca
Oruro Road (bus, car) · 30 min
Minibus or taxi from Oruro.
Photos of Machacamarca railway museum
More places in this region
Sajama National ParkBolivia's highest peak (6,542 m), geysers, hot springs and llamas.
Curahuara de CarangasThe “Sistine Chapel of the Altiplano”: an adobe church covered in murals.
OruroAn Altiplano mining city, famous for its UNESCO-listed carnival. Starting point of the train to Uyuni.
Obrajes and Capachos hot springsNatural hot-water pools on the Altiplano, less than an hour from Oruro.
Lakes Uru Uru and PoopóShallow Altiplano lakes on Oruro's doorstep, visited by flamingos.
ChipayaVillage of the Uru-Chipaya, one of the oldest peoples of the Andes, with round earthen houses.
Coipasa Salt FlatBolivia's second-largest salt flat, wild and almost without visitors.
UyuniBase town for Salar tours, with a train cemetery on the edge of town.
Salar de Uyuni + Sud Lípez (tour)The world's largest salt flat, then the colourful lagoons of the Sud Lípez. The highlight of many trips.
TupizaWild West scenery: red canyons, cacti and the last ride of Butch Cassidy.- CotagaitaA small green town in a fruit-growing valley, on the road from Potosí to Villazón.
VillazónThe border with Argentina, facing La Quiaca: the crossing travellers use most.