How long has it been since I last time posted? Well I am really sorry for the overlong hiatus. I was so busy at work and short weekend trips that’s why I don’t get the chance to update lakwatsera that much.

Just this last Independence day me and bf decided to go on a picnic. We found something on the net that says Buruwisan Falls is 15-20mins trek. Oh it was a serious joke. We went to Siniloan and bought our packed lunch on a picnic bag, everything was perfect. Just until we arrived and realized that we are going to climb a mountain. We were shocked but since we were already there, we decided to go.

A mountaineer couple kindly agreed to accompany us on our hike since it’s our first time and its very likely that we might get lost inside the forest. So while walking we were talking about the place and they have told us that it will likely take us 2 hours to get to the falls. And the best of it was we are actually climbing.  I am seriously in trouble! I lack exercise and just recovered from the miniscal tear. We are just starting the hike when I started to get exhausted. I felt like I was going to collapse so we took a break and since we don’t want to bother the couple we told them to go on without us and we’ll be having a rest. I was on the midst of giving up when a man with a horse (he was supposed to harvest coconuts) came and we asked if I could ride in it. So we made a deal. For 200pesos one way he accompanied us on our destination. Oh thank God! The deal was actually cheap it was a very hard course for me. Good thing my bf was a CAT officer back in highschool and he is so used to such physical challenges.

We passed through 2 mountains and four nipa hut stop overs. Even riding a horse was not really comfy it was like I am riding a mechanical bull. plus, I could actually feel the horse sweating and that made me feel sorry for the her.  Whew! Finally, kuya freddy the horse owner said that we have arrived so we got our stuff and find a place to picnic. While checking out the perimeter we found no falls it’s just a plain river. Oh dear. So we tried to find the way to get to the falls. And there it was, we found it. It was a very narrow kinda like a stairway of roots and rocks. So again another climb, but this time it was more difficult. We felt like Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider going on adventure.

Alas we found the falls. It was so beautiful, and so relaxing. The sound of the water falling down was music to my ears. We felt a bit relieved, looked for a place to put our stuff, took a rest and ate lunch (Tuna Pesto! Yum yum!).

And enjoyed the relaxing view and dipped in the ice cold water. Thing is when you actually dip in a cold water it relaxes your muscles. It was like a spa after all the hard work. Yay!

We were able to talk to the campers there and they said that there are more adjacent falls to it. Around four. (A reason to go back and this time all set for camping!)  we were so tired that we didn’t dare to go the other falls. We promised ourselves we are going back to this place.

How to go to Buruwisan Falls

There are actually two routes that I learned.

The one we took was the one that passes to  Antipolo. We rode a bus at Raymond Transit Going to Famy. The other route is you have to ride a bus going to Sta.Cruz Laguna. From Sta.Cruz, you’ll ride a jeep going to Siniloan then go to Famy.
From Famy, you will ride a tricycle and say you are going to Buruwisan Falls, they will drop you to the start of trek. Around 15-20mins walk until you arrived at the registration area and you have to pay around 20.00. Good thing about the registration is that in case you got lost or whatever, they can track you.

Tips and tricks

It’s a camping trip so you have to travel light as much as possible.

Bring Food. There is a store there but I don’t think you’ll find everything you need in there. They sell more alcohol that water.

If you are not so particular with drinking water just bring chlorine tablets. It’s a big hassle to actually bring loads of stuff. But you can always hire a horse to carry your luggage.

Lakwatsera’s Budget

Bus fare 2ways (Raymond Transit)- 400.00
Tricycle – 20.00 – 40.00
Registration fee – 20.00
Horseback ride (2ways) – 400.00

When we hear Pagsanjan, you would likely be reminded of the Pagsanjan Falls. But do you know that aside from the typical boat ride, you can access the beautiful falls by land? August of last year, we had a very tiring but equally memorable Pagsanjan adventure. Thanks to my friend Miss Gemma Sajise for giving us pointers and our itinerary.

Factual Tidbits:

Pagsanjan Falls is not exactly located at Pagsanjan but in Cavinti.

It’s indigenous name is Magdapio Falls which is named after a legend of two brothers that asked the gods for water.

Magnifico, the internationally acclaimed movie (a movie that made me cry, apart from The Lion King) was shot in this town.

Magdapio Falls has a staggering height of 90meters.

Lakwatsera’s Tip:

Put your stuff in a waterproof backpack.
Waterproof your phones, cameras, clothes, and everything that shouldn’t get wet.
Be prepared to get wet!
I recommend slippers or hiking shoes. There are muddy surfaces and you are definitely going to get wet.

Bring water and eat breakfast.

Suggested itinerary (from Miss Gemma)
ITINERARY
0500 Take bus to Sta. Cruz
0730 ETA Sta. Cruz, take jeep to Cavinti
0830 At Cavinti, take tricycle to Cavinti Eco Park, Brgy. Tibatib
0900 ETA Eco Park, register
0930 Start trek to Nakulo Falls and viewdecks
1000 Proceed to steel ladder rappel
1030 ETA Madgapio Falls; proceed to raft through falls
1130 Proceed to Pagsanjan by boat
1215 ETA Pagsanjan / Lunch
1330 Head back to bus terminal in Sta. Cruz
1430 ETD Green Star bus for Buendia or HM Transport for Cubao
1500 Back in Manila

We met at around 6:00 in the morning in Cubao to get a bus ride going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. It was a 2-hour travel from that point. Upon arriving at the last station, we took a jeepney going to Cavinti. What I liked most about Laguna are the people. They are very polite and kind. I can’t help but notice it. They’ll always smile at you and offer you directions very kindly.

Upon arriving at Cavinti, we had a short walk (the jeepney driver said to save money we can just walk because it’s not too far) around 5kms with around 25-degree slope. Haha. You would want to ride a tricycle if you’re not used to walking.

Finally, we arrived at the Cavinti Eco Park. We paid Php500.00 each which includes a one way- rappel going to the falls, then a balsa ride to the falls then boat ride going home. They have different charges for the local and foreign tourists, and a Cavintinian enjoys a much lower price. A boat ride back and forth costs Php800.00 each but was quite worth it. The boat was maneuvered manually by the bankeros.

The hike was a blast! Despite the fact that it was very tiring, it was still very much enjoyable. From the hike trail, you’ll be going up the mountain, then from there, you can see the Nakulo Falls (named from the word “kulo”  which means boil. It‘s not boiling hot but it looks like it‘s boiling big time). Plus the view, OMG, again I was embraced by nature with the animals freely moving around (don’t worry they won’t harm you).  Then, when you are ready, you’ll go down by ladder rappel. It’s very safe so you don’t have to worry.  You’ll be rappeling twice then go down on a 75-degree slope ladder (just an estimate)  and it has 672 steel ladder steps, it’s kind of a long way down!

After going down, whew! Your  efforts are very well paid off. The Magdapio Falls is very beautiful. My fatigue vanished the moment I saw the falls. We had a balsa ride that is pulled going inside the falls. there is a mini cave inside where you can swim.   I just want to say again, that the people there are very kind and trustworthy. They even held the gadgets and money of the tourists while they explored a bit. Plus all of them were slash photographers. They could operate any kind of cameras that the tourists brought! Haha! Of all the places that I’ve been too, I could say that I love the Pagsanjeños the most.

We were asked to lay our stomach at the balsa while passing through the falls, it was an instant massage, it stinged a bit but it was relaxing.

We went back by the traditional banca ride to complete our Pagsanjan experience. The rapids is very quiet, surrounded by mountains and some mini falls.

The funny thing is that when we got to the drop off point, there was no water at the bathrooms so we bathed at the river! Haha.. While some were doing their laundry, we were there washing ourselves. Haha! And a horse was bathing around too! Good thing we were farther upstream from where the horse was! Hahaha!

Our lunch was recommended by the tricycle driver. It was at a restaurant that served the authentic Laguna Binalot meal.

Overall, it was very good way to spend a weekend and a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of life in the metro..