Hike to Gocta Falls

Cloud forest, orchids, bromeliads and extraordinary biodiversity welcome you on the outskirts of the town of Cocachimba, north of the Utcubamba Valley, where the trail to the Gocta waterfall begins. Start before dawn to give yourself the best chance of seeing the cock-of-the-rock, Peru's national bird, performing its courtship ritual, and keep watch for the marvellous spatuletail hummingbird and other species that delight birdwatchers. The 12 km hike, which ranges between 1,711 and 2,328 metres above sea level, crosses ravines and suspension bridges through dense forest teeming with life, and although the route is demanding, some sections can be done on horseback. At the end of the trail, Gocta finally emerges with its two waterfalls shrouded in mist and greenery, part of a drop of 771 metres that places it among the highest waterfalls in the world. Breakfast with a wonderful view of the falls feels almost mystical, and you leave convinced that you have journeyed through a sacred landscape. For birdwatchers and waterfall chasers alike, it ranks among the most rewarding things to do in Peru for lovers of nature.