Embark on a journey through the forests and historical sites of Chachapoyas! You'll stay at unique cabins in a private nature reserve and head out on daily adventures to visit the Gocta Waterfall (third highest in the world), see the remarkable Kuelap archaeological site, and visit with the local community. A blend of active adventure, culture, and relaxation, this multi-day tour offers an opportunity to experience it all!
After your arrival at Jaen airport, an English speaking guide will be there to pick you up in a private car. You will enjoy your first lunch at Central Restaurant in Bagua. A comfortable ride of 3.5 hours will take you to Gocta Natura, and you'll experience your first night at the cabins!
5:30am - Birdwatching and Gocta falls visit. You will depart with a local birdwatching/orchid guide and an English guide. This tour will last 5 hours. Breakfast will be served in route.
12:30 - Arrive at Gocta Natura and relax at the pond. Lunch will be served at 2pm.
4:30 - You will have the choice to either rest, or participate in in a dying and weaving session with the town's best weaver. She uses roots, seeds and leaves to get the natural dying of cotton, sheep and/or alpaca wool.
7:30 - Relax at one of Gocta Natura's stunning decks or Orchid spots before dinner is served.
6:30 - Breakfast
7:00 - Visit the famous Kuelap fortress. Once you reach Tingo, you will embark on a 20 minute ride on a newly built cableway, taking you directly to the most important Chachapoyas site. Spend a couple of hours visiting the compound with an English guide. You will enjoy a snack and continue the ride to Leymebamba, a beautiful town where the Utcubamba river starts. Visit the Leymebamba Museum where you will admire the findings of Laguna de los Cóndores. This museum is host to about 200 mummies in perfect condition, with garments and tools. Lunch will be served at Kente Tambo, while you relax and watch the variety of hummingbirds that come to the feeders close to your table.
6:00 pm Arrive at Gocta Natura for a relaxed evening. Dinner served at 8:00pm
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 - Activities with the Community: Gocta Natura is engaged in the development of sustainable business aimed at strengthening local families income and environmental conservation. Our visitors may choose from the following activities to spend this last day. Most of the visits described below are seasonal, they must be booked with time.
A. Forest Mushroom harvesting and processing - to be done during the rainy season. You will harvest mushrooms in the forest, process them to be dehydrated at the community factory, and proceed to prepare a couple dishes. This activity will take approximately 4 hours.
B. Working at the local dairy - start with milking the cows and proceed to make yogurt, and fresh cheeses with the Sanchez Family. (3 hours)
C. Follow the sugar route - visit the fields and the small artesanal plant where raw sugar and molases are made. Also, visit a small liqueur family operation. (3 hours)
D. The organic vegetable network - five families came together to grow organic vegetables in an articulated network with the objective to widen the variety of vegetables available year around for local consumption and improve the families´ nutrition. This year, they will also engage in beekeeping--using an innovative hive of Australian creation. Visit, harvest, taste. (May take 3 to 5 hours).
Locally Owned Family Business
A family organization committed to the promotion of sustainable development in the Amazons Region in Peru - Gocta Nature Reserve offers stays in one of their five cabins to travelers who want to experience the nature of Chachapoyas and contribute to its conservation. Join them for a peaceful stay amidst the forest of their private reserve or choose to join in some of the activities to learn hands-on about their sustainability initiatives.