Lost Cities and Waterfalls – Kuélap and Gocta
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival in Chachapoyas
Most travellers choose to fly to this remote part of northern Peru, using the nearest major airport at Jaen. We’ll arrange for a shuttle transfer for your 3-4 hour journey through the rugged countryside to Chachapoyas – a relaxed, white-washed town surrounded by hills and cloud forest. We’ll usually arrange your stay at an attractive colonial hotel in the centre of the town so that you can enjoy the restaurants and bars nearby. You can also upgrade to a stylish hacienda a few miles away, with a swimming pool and great restaurant on-site. Just chat to your travel specialist before booking.
Day 2 – Lost city of Kuélap
You’ll be picked up after breakfast, joining a guided small-group trip to the ruins of Kuélap. It’s around 2 hours away by minibus, and once you’ve parked up in a nearby village you’ll take a relaxed 20-minute cable car ride across the wild landscape, before a steep 45-minute hike to the ruins. Perched on a mountain ridge with views stretching for miles, the site remained hidden for centuries but many of the structures are still intact, and it’s easy to imagine life unfolding within these walls.
You’ll have a couple of hours to explore, and your guide will talk you through what is known about Kuélap, its various buildings and sectors, and the Warriors of the Cloud Forest who once lived here. You’ll descend via the same route, and take the cable car back to the village where a warm lunch will be waiting. You’ll usually be back at your hotel late afternoon, ready to rest your weary feet.
Day 3 – Gocta Falls
There’s more exploring to be done today, as you set off in search of the spectacular Gocta Waterfalls. Although known locally, the falls were only ‘discovered’ in 2002 and now rank among the world’s highest at 771m. You’ll be travelling with a guide and a small group. It’s around an hour’s drive from Chachapoyas before you begin a 2-hour hike through dramatic, untouched nature, with birds and monkeys watching on. Once at the viewpoint you’ll have some time to relax and appreciate your surroundings, before heading for lunch in a village nearby. You’ll be dropped back at your hotel late in the afternoon.
Day 4 – Departure, maybe…
There’s plenty more to see around Chachapoyas, including the cliff dwellings at Revash and some great walking trails, so if you’d like to extend your time in northern Peru then your travel specialist can arrange this. Otherwise, it’ll be time to catch the morning shuttle back to Jaen Airport to fly to your next destination.
Fancy treating yourself? Check out our extended Special Stay trip below..
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Extend your trip with our Gocta Falls Special Stay
If you have the time then you could try this extended 4-night version of the trip, including our Special Stay lodge. You’ll spend the first 2 nights staying in Chachapoyas and visiting Kuelap, before moving to a lodge in a wonderful location with views of Gocta Falls, a pool, restaurant, and easy access to the hiking trails which will allow you explore this remote area independently.
