Not as famous as the Iguazu Falls or Angel Falls, Gocta Falls nevertheless is an impressive waterfall in the north of Peru. At 771m high, it is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. At one point, it was considered the third highest waterfall in the world, and is now regarded as being in fifteenth place. La Chorrera, as it has been dubbed by locals, was discovered in 2002 by the German explorer Stefan Ziemendorff, who stumbled upon it while exploring sarcophagi located on the other side of the Utcubamba valley, in the province of Luya-Lamud, Amazon department.
The waterfall is near the Caseríos of Cocachimba and San Pablo, in the district of Valera, Bongará province, in the department of Amazonas. To reach the pool below the waterfall it is necessary to cross the extensive valley of rainforest that surrounds it. The trail takes 5 ½ to 6 hours (there and back) from the starting point of Caserío de Cocachimba. Along the trail there are a total of 22 further waterfalls that get bigger and more impressive during the rainy season.
