CATARATA YUMBILLA

Gocta had barely achieved fame and recognition when another name was whispered: Yumbilla. At 896 metres, it is one of the top five highest waterfalls in the world according to the World Waterfall Database. And it is located further north, near the village of Cuispes, about 30 minutes by motorcycle taxi from Pedro Ruiz. Which one to see? Both would be ideal. Even though Gocta is not as high and only consists of two waterfalls, the panoramic view from the Cocachimba viewpoint makes for a beautiful and unique picture. But Yumbilla does not lack assets, less known, wilder and more impressive. A muddy but flat path of 4 km (1h30-2h) leads to the bottom of the^first jump and to the beginning of the^second one, not without having seen two smaller waterfalls on the way. Another trek leads to the foot of the beautiful one where a natural cave has formed, amazing. And a^third one at the top of the mountain where it originates, at the bottom of a cave and a stream lined with white sand. And this is without mentioning Pavilion and Chinata, the twin sisters of Yumbilla, other waterfalls that can be seen from the road and that can also be approached... In short, Yumbilla is a series of adventures and explorations, in the heart of the cloud forest, also pleasing for the flora (orchids, bromeliads, trees covered with moss, ferns) and the large number of birds seen on the way. It is not one but several waterfalls, in the heart of what is now known as El valle de las cataratas.