After more than half a century of absence, Colombia once again hears the whistle of a tourist train. Since the 1970s, the country had not had a railway route dedicated to tourism, after the old passenger trains were retired due to the expansion of road transport. Today, that tradition is reborn with the inauguration of the “Train of Life and Hope,” a luxury experience that travels through the heart of Boyaca, connecting the towns of Paipa, Duitama, Nobsa, and Sogamoso.
The project, promoted by the National Government, the Ministry of Transport, and the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), was officially launched during the last weekend of September 2025. Its implementation marks the renaissance of Colombian railway tourism, combining history, culture, sustainability, and modernity in a single journey.
@laretoricanoticias ¿Renace el tren en Colombia? Boyacá da el primer paso con su nueva ruta turística Después de más de 50 años, Colombia celebra el regreso del transporte férreo turístico con el lanzamiento del “Tren de la Vida y la Esperanza”, una ruta que conecta los encantadores pueblos de Nobsa, Sogamoso, Duitama y Paipa, en el corazón de Boyacá. La ministra de Transporte, María Fernanda Rojas, destacó que este nuevo tren combina historia, modernidad y paisaje, devolviendo al país la magia de viajar sobre rieles. Lo que empezó como un plan temporal en Semana Santa se convirtió en una experiencia permanente que promete impulsar el turismo y la memoria cultural de la región.
The country relives its railway history with the new tourist train route
For more than 50 years, tourist trains were just a distant memory in Colombia. The railways that once connected the country from north to south in the 20th century fell into disuse due to lack of investment and the rise of automotive transport. With the Train of Life and Hope, the country recovers an essential part of its historical heritage and offers a different travel alternative — one that highlights the landscape, tranquility, and authentic contact with local culture.
The restored carriages, equipped with large panoramic windows, invite passengers to admire the landscapes of the Boyaca highlands, with its green mountains, farmlands, and colonial towns. The journey begins in Paipa, renowned for its thermal springs, gastronomy, and the impressive Sochagota Lake, ideal for wellness and water activities.
@jotaz.vasquez.cre Parque central y Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel en Paipa/ Boyacá #boyaca #paipa #colombia #drones #mavic #djimini3pro #turismo #lugares #vuelosdedrone #fyp ♬ sonido original – FdaCardona
From there, the train continues to Duitama, known as “the Pearl of Boyaca,” where travelers can explore the Pueblito Boyacense, an architectural gem that recreates the traditional styles of the department’s most iconic towns.
The trip then heads to Nobsa, the epicenter of Boyaca’s wool craft tradition. Visitors can tour workshops where artisans weave ruanas and blankets using ancestral techniques passed down through generations. The final destination is Sogamoso, the “City of the Sun and Steel”, home to the Suamox Archaeological Museum, which preserves the legacy of the Muisca culture and its rituals dedicated to the sun god.
@jjdronepilot Una perspectiva diferente de esta hermosa cascada en mi hermosa #Boyacá #FPV #CascadasDeColombia ♬ Bloody Samaritan (Cover ver) – BIGBABYC🎶
Fares for the Train of Life and Hope
Unlike other luxury tourist trains around the world, the Train of Life and Hope aims to be an experience accessible to everyone. Ticket prices start at 15,000 pesos (about US$4) per segment, depending on the season, type of carriage, and special events in the tourism calendar. This makes it one of the most affordable luxury train experiences in Latin America.
The train can accommodate up to 216 passengers per trip and is operated by Acerias Paz del Rio, with support from the Ministry of Transport. Although it was originally designed as a temporary attraction for special occasions such as Holy Week or the year-end holidays, its success has led to its establishment as a permanent service, operating every weekend and on public holidays.
Tickets include access to panoramic carriages, a cultural tour through Boyaca’s municipalities, and complementary activities such as guided walks, food fairs, heritage visits, and artistic performances. Additionally, the project seeks to boost the local economy through partnerships with entrepreneurs, artisans, restaurants, and local tour guides.
In an interview with Caracol Radio, the Minister of Transport highlighted the symbolic value of the initiative, stating that “traveling again on the country’s railway network feels like living in a movie.” She emphasized that “the train not only connects towns but also generations that grew up hearing stories about journeys on the rails.”