The 14 tallest waterfall is located in Chachapoyas in the Northern part of Peru.
This waterfall has been known by locals for decades, but only recently has its existence emerged as common knowledge. (See map)The German Stefan Ziemendorff is thought to be responsible for bringing the falls to the attention of the Peruvian government in 2002, he was working in Peru for a water project and he realized from far in a expedition that something was there since then he participated in documenting, constructing a trail to and measuring the falls. The falls appear to exhibit a modest to high volume of flow, becoming an immensely powerful cataract when its stream is full. According the list of waterfalls released by a Waterfall database, Gocta is the 14 tallest waterfall in the world. Some weeks ago Gocta was announced as the third tallest but this is wrong.
To reach this waterfall the only way is walking 5 hrs by virgin jungle departing from the village of Cocachimba, through the trek its possible to see another amazing waterfalls, toucans, hummingbirds, monkeys and much more. Although there are some explorer or adventure lovers visiting Gocta but there is not yet tourist circuits or paths at the moment.
Then a question appears, which is the third tallest waterfall? Its name is Las Tres Hermanas (The three sisters) and is also located in Cutiverini reserved zone in Ayacucho, Peru.
For those interested in visit Gocta, InkaNatura recommends spend extra days visiting the Chachapoyas archaeological jewels: Kuelap fortress, Karajia, Revash, Lake of the Condors, and the interesting Leymebamba Museum where visitors can admire more than 200 chachapoyas mummy found at the Lake of the Condors.
More information :
The tallest waterfalls
Kuelap
Chachapoyas tours
2 comments:
The position in the ranking depends only and exclusively of the definition. All in all, there are three definitions of what is a waterfall:
1. UNINTERRUPTED (CONTINUOUS) VERTICAL DROPS OF 180 DEGREES:
According to this criteria, the Salto Ángel (Venezuela) is the tallest waterfall reaching a height of 807 metres; the second tallest is the Kukenan (Venezuela) with a measured 610 metres, leaving the third position to Gocta (Peru) with 540 metres at the second drop.
2. INTERRUPTED VERTICAL DROPS OF 180 DEGREES:
This criteria seems to be applied by the National Geographic Society. It calls the Santo Ángel again the tallest, this time with a considered height of 979 metres (it varies according to source); the second talles are the Tugela Falls in South Africa with 948 metres (even though not all drops are 180 degrees); as the third tallest fall remains Gocta (Peru) with a total 771 metres.
3. DROPS OF VARYING INCLINATION, INTERRUPTED OR UNINTERRUPTED: This is the criteria of the website “World Waterfall Database”; On this site, also those falls are listed where most of the sections are in constant contact with the rocks, such as Utigardfossen (also called Ramnefjellsfossen) and Mongefossen. For some database, this could be a crateria, but nevertheless it is completely contrary to the global general sense of what is a waterfall is: free, vertical drops!
You are right. There is a controversy about Gocta.
We hope that National Geographic informs about their point of view or verdict very soon. It will be very helpful for everyone.
Gocta waterfalls could be an important tourist destination for Chachapoyas and Peru.
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