The province of Anta

Anta is one of the smallest provinces in the department of Cusco. It is made up of nine districts: Anta (capital), Ancahuasi, Cachimayo, Chinchaypujio, Huarocondo, Limatambo, Mollepata, Pucyura and Zurite.

The province covers an area of 1,876 square kilometers where some 56,206 inhabitants live according to an official 2017 census.

Anta has a territory of Andean valleys marked by the proximity of the Salkantay mountain, the Apurímac river and the Choquequirao Regional Conservation Area.

The main tourist attractions in the province are the Chonta viewpoint, the snowy Salkantay and the Humantay lagoon. The latter is one of the landscapes most visited by tourists who come to Cusco.

Where is it located?

Anta, the capital of the province of the same name, is located 25 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco. This district is 3,377 meters above sea level.

The province limits to the north with the provinces of La Convención and Urubamba, to the east with the provinces of Cusco and Paruro, to the south and to the west with the department of Apurímac.

Anta has a territory of Andean valleys marked by the proximity of the Salkantay mountain, the Apurímac river and the Choquequirao Regional Conservation Area.

How to get there?

To get to the district of Anta (capital of the province) you can follow the following route:

From any part of the city of Cusco you must take a taxi or public transport bus to Lanlacuyoc street. There is the bus stop to Anta.
Buses leave every 10 minutes. The trip takes approximately 40 minutes. It costs 5 Peruvian soles on average.
Once in Anta, additionally, you can take a public transport or collective taxi to the town of Mollepata, the town where the Humantay lagoon is located.

Map

History of Anta

The first inhabitants of this region of Cusco were ethnic groups (isolated groups of families) such as the Guallas, the Poques, the Antasayc, the Sahuasiras and the Lares. According to the Peruvian historian María Rostworowski, at the time of the Inca conquest of this territory, the ‘Sayacmarcas’ were the most important ethnic group.

Probably in the fifteenth century the Incas conquered the Ayacmarcas. Evidence of the Incas passing through the territory is visible in current archaeological sites such as the Tarahuasi Palace (current Limatambo) as well as in the ruins of Choquechurco and Chinchaypucyo (both in Mollepata). It was in these territories where the Incas fought their fervent rivals the Chancas and sealed the expansion and creation of the Tahuantinsuyo (Empire of the Incas).

During the colonial era some religious temples were built in the ‘indian reductions’, the future districts of the province. For example, the church of Mollepata stands out, where the Lord of Exaltation is found. Already in the republican era, the province of Anta was created on November 19, 1839 under the presidency of Agustín Gamarra. Today it is one of the most touristic provinces. The main reason is the presence of the Humantay lagoon in the district of Mollepata.

Tourist attractions of Anta

These are the most famous tourist attractions in the province of Anta:

The Humantay Lagoon – This lagoon stands out for the beauty of its turquoise waters and for the snow-capped peaks that crown it: the Salkantay and the Humantay. The lagoon is located at 4,200 meters above sea level. It is reached by a walk of almost 3 kilometers from the Soraypampa camp. This trek crosses Andean landscapes of great beauty. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Cusco.
The snowy Salkantay – This imposing snowy is the highest in Cusco, only after the snowy Ausangate. It reaches a height of 6,264 meters above sea level. Its shape and snow offer an incredible landscape. The mountain can be visited during the tour to the Humantay lagoon or during the famous Salkantay trek (5-day trek to Machu Picchu).
The Chonta viewpoint – In the same style as the famous viewpoint of the condor in the Colca Valley (Arequipa), in the province of Anta you can enjoy the flight of this majestic bird at the Chonta viewpoint. The place has up to three viewpoints that can be reached through a walk of approximately 1 hour. On a good day, from the highest viewpoint, you can see up to ten condors in full flight.
The archaeological site of Quillarumiyoc – Its name, translated from the Quechua language, means ‘A stone that has a moon’. The reason is that in one of its rock formations there is a figure carved in the shape of a moon. The site also has paths, platforms, niches and temples. It is located in the town of Ancahuasi, about 45 kilometers from the city of Cusco.

The weather

In general terms, the province of Anta has a temperate climate that varies according to the district and the altitude in which it is geographically located.

The district of Anta, the capital of the province, has a temperature that varies from a maximum of 24ºC. in the day and a minimum of 3ºC. at night. The rains are more intense from November to April. Less rain occurs from May to October, but the cold is more intense at night.

Photos of Anta

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Additional information about Anta

In the Anta district you can visit the Chacán lagoon, the Yungaqui waterfalls, the Pancarhuaylla petroglyphs as well as the archaeological remains of Uskhuray.

In the district of Cachimayo you can visit the caves of Cuncuya (also called the ‘Hideout of Mateo Pumacahua’). There the Incas probably performed religious rituals. In this district you can also visit the ruins of Mucka Rumi’ and the archaeological complex of Qenqo Wasi.

In Anta there are several patron saint festivities where the tradition and culture of its peoples are appreciated. Some of the most important festivals are: The Cruz Velacuy festival (May 3 in Izcuchaca), the Lord of Exaltation festival (September 14 in Inquilpata), the festival in honor of the Asunta Virgin (September 15, August in Limatambo) and more.

The province of Anta

Explore the province of Anta

1 Humantay Lagoon