Gocta Lodge

Urquhart x 2 Testimonial - Trujillo, Chiclayo & Chachapoyas

Urquhart x 2 Testimonial - Trujillo, Chiclayo & Chachapoyas

In November, 2023, PeruNorth received the following enquiry from Thomas, in Portland, Maine: “I have been interested in the Moche/Chimu ever since reading an article in The New Scientist about their engineers who were priests because they knew how to bring the water to the desert (as I remember). My wife and I are interested in finding out more about your coastal civilization itineraries and how they work.”

Northern Peru Archaeology & Low Amazon Lodge Testimonial

Northern Peru Archaeology & Low Amazon Lodge Testimonial

Roberto and Paola from Turin, Italy got in touch with PeruNorth in February 2023 looking for a 24-day itinerary to take in the archaeological and natural highlights of Northern Peru, along with some time in or around an Amazonian reserve, such as Pacaya-Samiria.

Here are their comments about the trip, along with a selection of photos they took:

Helen & Chris Binge - Chachapoyas & Pumarinri Testimonial

Helen & Chris Binge - Chachapoyas & Pumarinri Testimonial

Read the full review and see images of Helen & Chris Binge’s extended (and reversed) version of our Tarapoto & Gocta itinerary, flying into Jaen airport and out of Tarapoto.

Crozier Family - Tarapoto & Gocta Testimonial

Crozier Family - Tarapoto & Gocta Testimonial

Review from a young US couple living in Lima, who travelled to Northern Peru with their 2-year-old son in July 2021:

“We spent a lovely week traveling from Lima to visit Tarapoto and Cocachimba.

Olde-Heuvel & Velasquez - Tarapoto & Cocachimba Review

Olde-Heuvel & Velasquez - Tarapoto & Cocachimba Review
  • Read thoughts of Dutch-Peruvian couple who visited Northern Peru over New Year.

  • Their itinerary was expanded version of Tarapoto & Gocta trip, with additional nights at Pumarinri Amazon Lodge.

  • Included a short visit to Gotas de Agua, a private dry forest reserve, near Jaen.

“Our trip to Peru was great we enjoyed both of the stays and both of the places, Tarapoto and Cocachimba.

Naylor & Choy - Kuelap & Gocta 6D Review

Naylor & Choy - Kuelap & Gocta 6D Review
  • Anglo-Peruvian couple, Michael Naylor & Angelica Choy, spent five nights at Gocta Andes Lodge in late 2019.

  • They visited the main Chachapoya archaeological highlights of the region: Kuelap, Revash, Leymebamba Museum & Karajia.

  • Also made the hike / horse ride to Gocta Waterfall, and back.

Here are their thoughts:

Frazer x 2 - Northern Peru Archaeology Tour Review

Frazer x 2 - Northern Peru Archaeology Tour Review

Read the comments from an epic tour of Northern Peru’s archaeological hotspots.

  • In company of expert driver-guide, Ronald Watger.

  • Included Huaraz, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Chachapoyas & Cajamarca.

‘Mike and I had a truly wonderful trip round northern Peru …

O'Donnell x 2 - Pumarinri Lodge & Chachapoyas Review

O'Donnell x 2 - Pumarinri Lodge & Chachapoyas Review

Here are the comments from California couple, the O’Donnells, on their itinerary to Northern Peru that included:

  • 2 nights at Pumarinri Amazon Lodge with a boat trip on Huallaga River & hike to Pucayaquillo Waterfall.

  • Drive via Moyobamba & Abra Patricia to Cocachimba

  • 4 nights at Gocta Andes Lodge, with visits to archeological sites of Kuelap & Revash, Leymebamba Museum, and hike to Gocta Waterfall.

Elizabeth Harrold - Tour Diary - Gocta-Pumarinri-Iquitos

Elizabeth Harrold - Tour Diary - Gocta-Pumarinri-Iquitos

Read in her own words Elizabeth Harrold’s odyssey to Northern Peru, sampling various types of Amazon rainforest:

  • 4 days at an eco-lodge in cloud forest (Gocta).

  • 2 days at a lodge in high rainforest (Pumarinri).

  • Finally, a 4-day cruise on the Amazon River itself (M/V Zafiro).

'Luxury' in Northern Peru

'Luxury' in Northern Peru
  • Redefinition of what luxury means to modern traveller.

  • More about unique experiences than supreme comfort.

  • Northern Peru full of this type of luxury!

Schamhart x 2 - Chachapoyas & Vichayito Review

Schamhart x 2 - Chachapoyas & Vichayito Review

PeruNorth arranged a 10-day itinerary for Canadian mother & daughter, Irene & Marie-Ann in Jan 2018.

  • Staying at Gocta Lodge, they explored Chachapoya ruins of Kuelap & Revash.

  • Also hiked to Gocta Falls, visited Yerbebuena market & mummies at Leymebamba Museum.

  • Ended the trip with 5 nights staying in a Bedouin-style tent beside the beach at Vichayito.

Here is what they say:

‘We had a great time and really appreciate all the help you provided in booking our vacation …

Top 7 Swimming Pools in High Amazon

Top 7 Swimming Pools in High Amazon

The water in the vast Amazon River system is largely run-off from the Andes Mountains, and some of the most spectacular scenery and interesting wildlife can be found in the region of Northern Peru where these two gigantic geographical features meet - an area known in Spanish as ceja de selva (literally 'jungle's eye-brow') and incorporating a wide range of eco-systems between the altitudes of 500 m (1,640 ft) and 3,000 m (9,840 ft) above sea level. 

Even at a slightly higher elevation, the heat can be stifling, and so a nice swimming pool is extremely welcome for the purpose of cooling down and calmly taking in one's surroundings. We therefore list below some of our favourites in the high Amazon provinces of San Martin and Amazonas.