Gocta Nature Reserve

Gocta Natura Reserve sits within a private conservation area in Peru’s Amazonas region, facing the free-leaping cascades of Gocta Falls, the tallest waterfall in Peru and among the longest in the world. The lodge is reached via Cocachimba village, followed by a short walk into the forest, where you can hear and see the mist of the falls as you approach. The main lodge and surrounding grounds offer outstanding views across Andean cloud forest to the waterfall.

Accommodation is in six low-impact bungalows set amongst greenery. Each cabin is constructed of locally sourced timber and stone and has large windows and a private terrace or deck, most with views of Gocta Falls. Each room is warm and simple, with plenty of natural light and wood and decorated with Peruvian textiles and rugs. You’ll find the main reception stocked with board games, books, a fireplace and a bar for socialising. The Tutamono Dining Room offers Peruvian and Latin American dishes plus wood-fired pizzas and fresh produce grown in the lodge’s hydroponic garden.

The nature reserve is just outside your door, with hiking trails that lead directly through the cloud forest, rich with diverse wildlife, orchids and endemic plant species. You can take a guided hike to the base of Gocta Falls, spotting hummingbirds, toucans and, if you’re lucky, even the colourful Andean Cock-of-the-rock — Peru’s national bird — along the way. Other activities include horseback rides, village visits and longer explorations into the region surrounding Chachapoyas, including nearby archaeological sites, such as Kuélap — the mysterious ancient city of the Chachapoyas culture, often referred to as the ‘Machu Picchu of northern Peru’.