HULUGAN FALLS AND ALIW FALLS DAYTRIP _ Part 2 – Aliw Waterfalls

With tummies filled, we continued our jaunt to the nearby Aliw Waterfalls.  The flurry from the earlier Hulugan Falls adventure still loiter in our psyches. 

Aliw Falls though part of Brgy. San Jose was less than a kilometer away from Brgy. San Salvador of Hulugan Falls.  The two are actually within strides, just note of the gate of a deserted housing project which served as the jump-off of Aliw Waterfalls.  Earlier on, we informed our guides that we will explore two waterfalls.  They’re the one who suggested what to visit first.

Read More

HULUGAN FALLS AND ALIW FALLS DAYTRIP _ Part 1 – Hulugan Waterfalls

Laguna is famous not just for Pagsanjan Falls but of other waterfalls as well and we’ve visited quite a number already.  So when we heard of gigantic waterfalls in Luisiana, we wasted no time and organized an instant daytrip…

It was 5am when we took off for our Luisiana adventure with a two waterfalls goal, Hulugan Falls and Aliw Falls.  We had a quick breakfast at Paviola in Siniloan and even punned of Buruwisan Falls instead.

Hulugan Falls

We nearly missed Brgy. San Salvador being the first Luisiana barangay after the municipality of Cavinti.  Thanks to the Hulugan Falls poster for directing the way.  At the barangay entrance is an information area where you will first secure your guide.

Read More

A Quick Dayhike to Buruwisan Falls

The New Year day slipped barely and I yearned for an adventure that early.  Exactly 10 years ago, we did a New Year’s Day climb and now, a January 2 hike would not be bad.  With a wide smile, I persuaded hubby for a quick hike...

Read More

MT. MAKILING TRAVERSE DAYHIKE - STO. TOMAS TO UPLB

We took off at the Cabaong Bridge at around 6am and by 630am, we surpassed the last section of the housing development leading to the Makiling trail.

Most of the team were Maktrav hardcore in their college years but with the housing and commercial progress in the area, we got lost on our way up.  We faced boulders unpassable that we backtracked until the recollection of the right trail appeared.

Read More

BUNTOT PALOS WATERFALLS DAYHIKE

BUNTOT PALOS (HIDDEN) FALLS

Pangil, Laguna

This trip was another last-minute spur of the moment adventure for some fresh air and be briefly away from the stresses of the metro… well, regardless of the reasons, alibis and excuses, here we go, just three us, for a dayhike trip to Buntot Palos waterfalls.

The jump-off of Buntot Palos Waterfalls in Pangil, Laguna was nearly 3-hour drive from the metro.  It was already 10:30am when we left the registration area.  Registration fee was at P30 per head while the dayhike guide fee was P300. According to our guide, the average trek to the waterfalls is about 2-1/2 hours and 2 hours more for the return trek.  With a bottle of water each, we pushed through yearning to be back by 1:30pm for a late lunch.

Read More

MT. ROMELO DAYHIKE [2013]

This trip was another motorcycle ride and part-training of our soon Mt. Kinabalu climb.  We left the Metro at 10am and originally bound to Pangil, Laguna for a Buntot Palos Falls dayhike.  We learned at the registration area that a guide is now required due to previous issues of robbery at the trail or campsite.  The guide fee for a dayhike is P300 plus P20/head registration fee.  Ahem... the P300 for the two of us was beyond budget... With that, we diverted our training to Mt. Romelo.

After a quick lunch at the Siniloan junction, we proceeded to Engr. Rodel’s place for our Mt. Romelo trek.  It was already 1:15pm when we made the river cross.  Barely 30 minutes along the trail, we were shocked by the sight of an open field with remnants of chopped trunks, twigs and leaves scattered by the side.  If my memory served me right, that area used to be the famous “kawayanan” where plenty of frightful stories has been told and replayed several times.  Well, I don’t want to judge... maybe the farmers are planting new breed, maybe a pest infestation occurred that necessitate the cutting of trees... maybe, maybe... ahhh!

Read More

PAGSANJAN FALLS VIA THE VERTICALS OF CAVINTI

Our trip to Pagsanjan Falls via Cavinti was one of those last minute “call of nature” adventures.  To my dismay, my February ended with no out-of-town trip while hubby had a short Cebu-trip mid-Feb.  So as a relief, he treated me for a Pagsanjan Falls day tour.  He said he read an article featuring a budget-friendly but adventurous way to reach Pagsanjan Falls.

We left the Metro around 6am via Rizal-Laguna route.  Unfortunately, the Pagsanjan Bridge was under construction and not passable to 4-wheel vehicles.  Our option was either to take the other route which will take about one hour or the P2 Balanac River raft-cross then commute to Cavinti.  We opted for the latter and we joked, “an adventure earlier than expected”.

At the other side of the Balanac River, jeepneys bound to Lucban and Cavinti are lined-up waiting for passengers.  We told the driver to drop us at the terminal for Pueblo el Salvador Nature’s Park and from there we took a tricycle for a P70 15-minute Pueblo ride.

Read More

Seven Lakes of San Pablo -- San Pablo, Laguna

After our Mt. Humarap and Matabungka Falls adventure, the final trip is the Seven Falls of San Pablo.

First stop was the Sampaloc Lake right at the center of San Pablo.  We had the view of Mt. Kalisungan and the neighboring mountains as a backdrop.  This lake is said to be the biggest among the 7 lakes with a circumference of 3.7 kilometers.   But on the downside, it is rated as the riskiest and most vulnerable among the lakes.  The presence of inhabitants surroundings the lake has greatly affected its condition.

Read More

KILANGIN FALLS OR BUKAL FALLS – LILIW / MAJAYJAY, LAGUNA

The falls is located at the foot of Mt. Banahaw and borders the towns of Liliw and Nagcarlan  Majayjay.  In Nagcarlan Majayjay, it is located in Brgy. Bukal, hence the name Bukal Falls while for the Liliw locals, it is called Kilangin Falls.  The Liliw trail is said to be more challenging than the walk-in-the-park trail of Nagcarlan Majayjay. 

Our visit to Kilangin or Bukal Falls was made possible by a friend we met during our Mt. Kalisungan climb.  This climb was her birthday climb and we joked that “we’ll take care of your guests” by bringing guests with us... That was our gift to her -- guests of first time acquaintance but hopefully not the last.

From Manila, we took the Rizal-Tanay-Laguna route to Nagcarlan Laguna.  From Liliw, after crossing the bridge for Nagcarlan, we looked for Brgy Bukal then ask for directions to Bukal Falls... We noticed some road signs but the size were not convincing or visible enough as a guide.

Read More

MT. HUMARAP AND MATABUNGKA FALLS - Paete, Laguna

MT. HUMARAP AND MATABUNGKA FALLS

Brgy. Ilaya Norte, Paete
Height of waterfalls: 20-25 meters

The original plan was to ascend through the 1000-step concrete stairs to get to Tatlong Krus, the landmark of Mt. Humarap, but being lost was a blessing in disguise.  We overshoot the jump-off but with the trike drivers instructions, we found out that there is a road all the way to the top.   

Read More

BUNGA FALLS -- Nagcarlan, Laguna

During our Mt. Kalisungan climb, we came to know Bunga Falls by accident.  The other group of climbers that we overtook during the descent asked us if we know where and how to go to Bunga Falls.  Ooopsss... a falls is nearby!  Being a first timer at Mt. Kalisungan, we were not aware that a side trip to a waterfalls is possible.  So we inquired with the team about the falls and were happy to learn that its just a short drive from the jump-off...  A short drive --- ahem... it means a “must go” for us...

In short, we descended ahead of the team to add Bunga Falls in our “should” have been “day hike” itinerary.  As soon as we arrived at the jump-off, no minute was wasted as we immediately hopped on our bike for Brgy. Bunga in Nagcarlan.  The ride of several “stop and go” took about 25 minutes while the trek to the falls was just about 2 minutes. "Stop and go" because of numerous stops to ask for direction and what was a 3 kilometers for the locals actually meant about 8-10 kilometers for us.

Bunga Falls -- Nagcarlan, Laguna

At the jump-off, we paid a P5 entrance fee and P10 parking fee.  Then after a short walk and as we walked down, the beauty of the falls amid the green bushes slowly unwrapped before our eyes.  I also saw bamboo cottages surrounding the area which could mean a favorite cooling haven for tourist and locals alike.

The first impression was that it looked like Taytay Falls with almost the same height and width but what was uniquely Bunga is the big rock hanging at the center-top causing the water to split before it drops.  It also has a big pond where one can freely dive and swim in the cold water.  I even saw someone diving from the top of the falls which denotes that the depth of the pond is safe for diving.

For other destinations at Nagcarlan, visit Nagcarlan Travel Guide.

Travel Date: June 2012 

Read More

MT. KALISUNGAN -- Calauan, Laguna

MT. KALISUNGAN
Calauan, Laguna
Jump-off point: Brgy. Lamot, Calauan

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-kalisungan-760.html

We left the Metro before 8am and after a 3-hour motorbike ride, we arrived at Victoria, Laguna where we merge with the rest of the team as we complete their “to bring” list.  Hubby and I initially planned to take it on a day-hike but the others were worried that we might not make it before night time.  With that, we decided to do it overnight with “kinulob na itik” for our baon.  Thanks to the AMATS team for inviting us and for sharing their camping equipment and food with us...

Mt. Kalisungan

Read More

TAYTAY FALLS -- Majayjay, Laguna

TAYTAY FALLS (IMELDA FALLS)

Majayjay, Laguna

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/09/taytay-falls.html

During our Lucban visit for the Pahiyas Festival, we decided to do our lunch on a picnic at Imelda Falls or known to locals as Taytay Falls -- about 10-minute drive from Lucban.  The paved concrete roads and barangay hall are only some of the improvements in the area.  The trail down to the falls is a major development with blocks of concrete placed on top of the irrigation system (water canal) serving as path walk for the tourists.  The trek to the falls is just 10 minutes compared to the 30-minute trek before.

I recalled my first Taytay Falls visit in year ’97 where we experienced a storm just before we left the falls.  Back then, the access road from the highway to the barangay is not yet paved and to our misfortune (because of inaccessibility even to tricycles), we trekked all the way to the highway under the drenching rain and in a muddy trail – we even have to pull our legs up to rid from the almost knee deep mud.  But the experience at the falls was all worth it -- from the chilling water, to my first glimpse of a dahong palay snake, to the lambanog toast, to the firefly show at night, to the deafening sound of the water drops, and more...  It was truly paradise lying at the bottom of Mt. Banahaw.

Read More

MT. ROMELO - Siniloan, Laguna

MT. ROMELO (Day Hike)
Siniloan, Laguna

THE WATERFALLS OF MT. ROMELO

This was my n^th daytrip to Mt. Romelo but the most explorative one.  We ascended through the so called executive private trail leading us straight to Sampalok falls.  The trail from the jump-off to Sampalok falls was not that established and limatik was very much present.

Read More