Discover Ancasti Department

In Ancasti Department, you can plan your trip around different interests: archaeological rock art, historic buildings, local textile crafts, or water-based activities. The location and distance information provides specific guidance for your planning.

Rock Art in La Tunita and La Candelaria

Parque Arqueológico La Tunita protects significant rock paintings and the surrounding 2,000-hectare forest. Most of the paintings belong to the iconography of the La Aguada culture. Depicted motifs include big cats, hybrid beings, and anthropozoomorphic figures. At the La Sixtina rock shelter, the paintings reach their greatest expressive power. Both the imagery and its setting in a protected landscape are central to the site.

Another significant group of rock paintings is found in Cueva de La Candelaria, also known as Cueva de la Salamanca. Its depictions are stylistically attributed to the La Aguada culture and interpreted as expressions with ritual and ideological functions. A free, interactive, immersive virtual tour of this cave was developed in 2024. It offers a different way to engage with the site than the rock art at La Tunita.

The visitor infrastructure at La Tunita also has a history: as part of the park’s improvement, a small shelter and an interpretation room were built in 2018, paths were laid out, information signs were installed, and a park ranger was appointed. Before visiting, check locally which of these facilities are currently operating.

Textile Crafts and Historic Church Ruins

In Santa Gertrudis, textiles made from native Coyoyo silk are produced for the local tourism market. The town is five kilometers from Villa de Ancasti. This craft offers a distinct cultural focus alongside the archaeological sites; a visit or the purchase of textiles is not guaranteed.

The ruins of Iglesia de San Roque de Ancastillo are located in Ancastillo. They are considered one of the oldest churches in Catamarca Province. The church was built between 1606 and 1748 by Jesuits who came from Santiago del Estero. The ruins have not been preserved or restored and are more than 40 kilometers from Villa de Ancasti. Take their condition into account when planning and check current visiting options in advance.

Dique de Ipizca and Road Guidance

Dique de Ipizca lies on the eastern slope of the Sierra de Ancasti; its reservoir is at an elevation of 1,000 meters on the Río Las Beatas. Fishing and boating in small boats are practiced on the water. This makes it a different focus from the rock art and historic buildings. If you plan either activity, ask locally about current availability.

The road from Ruta Provincial No. 2 to Dique de Ipizca is unpaved, but passable by car if driven carefully. Check its condition locally before setting out. Ruta Provincial No. 2 also passes through the center of Anquincila and continues to Villa de Ancasti.

Discover more destinations: Ancasti, Anquincila, Las Juntas, Concepción, Paclín Department, Valle Viejo Department, Antofagasta De La Sierra Department, El Alto Department.

For the broader travel overview: Catamarca.