Written by:
peru.travel
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
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Located between green mountains, cloud forests and archaeological complexes, Amazonas has become one of the most visited and favorite destinations for tourists who travel to Peru. It is a place full of impressive moors, lagoons and waterfalls that look like beautiful paintings, which offer you a great opportunity to disconnect yourself from the routine and get in touch with nature.
One of the most beautiful attractions that this region has is the Gocta waterfall. Considered one of the highest in the world - it is 771 meters high -, appreciating this spectacle is a unique and wonderful experience. To visit it and contemplate it in all its dimensions, we recommend the following tips.
Get to know the legend
It was the German researcher Stefan Ziemendorf who discovered the Gocta Falls in 2002 when he was doing research in the caves found in the Amazon, considered the northern gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. Four years later, when confirming that this place had not been explored, he decided to return together with local guides in order to measure the size of the waterfall: the calculation showed 771 meters and a total of 22 cascades throughout the place.
According to a legend, no one visited the Amazon because of a blond-haired mermaid who spent the night in the lagoon located in the lower area of the waterfall. A resident of Cocachimba would have disappeared into its waters after being seen next to this character, who apparently guarded a brilliant treasure. There are many people who claim to have seen this same woman prowling the lagoon.
But, legend aside, Gocta is a place that you should not miss, especially if you are an extreme adventurer or a lover of archeology. Amazonas offers you, among other attractions, the archaeological complex of Kuélap, the Quiocta caves and the Cóndores lagoon.
Getting there
To enjoy this magical place, you must first travel to Chachapoyas, capital of the region. From Lima, it is a 24-hour trip by land and the ticket has a cost of 80 soles. You can also go by plane from Lima to Jaén, Tarapoto or Cajamarca, and then complete the tour by bus.
To get to the waterfalls, you must go to the town of Cocachimba. You can take a taxi or a bus, with a travel time of one hour. A five or six hour walk begins here, but first you have to pay an entrance fee and the guide service. It is important that during the days before you prepare very well physically, because the first kilometers of the route are quite demanding due to the steep ascent.
As you get closer to your destination, the journey becomes more bearable. The sound of the water and the song of the birds, like the gallito de las rocas, will accompany you throughout the journey, making the route more comfortable. Finally, when crossing a group of trees, you will have in front of your eyes the imposing waterfall that will envelop you with all its energy. It will be an unbeatable sensation.
Do not forget to bring a waterproof jacket, suitable shoes, water, a cap, sunscreen and repellent. The Gocta waterfalls can be visited throughout the year, although in the rainy season (December to March) you will be able to appreciate them in their maximum splendor.
Sources: Redbus / Furgoenruta / Polviajero / Viajeros.com
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