Catarata de Gocta - Hiking Chachapoyas - Peru

Northwest of Chachapoyas, near the villages of Cocachimba and San Pablo, is the Catarata de Gocta, the world's 16th highest waterfall. Gocta's two-step cascade plunges 2,529 ft (771 m) through the jungle to a pool guarded by a blond mermaid. Legends say she is the mother of the river’s fish and she will bewitch all those who dare to bathe in her waters, to protect the treasure that lies in their depths. The name Gocta is thought to come from the cry of the endemic yellow-tailed woolly monkey.

Location:
Chachapoyas, Peru

Hiking

Getting There

Take a Chachapoyas-Pedro Ruiz colectivo taxi to Cocachimba ($3). From there, it is a 16-kilometer (9.75 mi; 2 hr) walk to the falls.

Price Description:

Entry: $2

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: beginner/easy.

Currencies accepted
Peruvian nuevo sol

About this Page

By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began...

Updated: 25 Apr 2012