Day Trip to Hulugan Falls

It's one of those hurriedly-arranged out-of-town trips which I am truly glad I decided to join.

The muddy, slippery trek was well worth it. The majestic falls, at 70 ft, is indeed awe-inspiring.

   

What to expect:

1. Prepare to trek for at least 45 minutes. If the trail is muddy due to rains, you'd trek for more than one hour. It will be longer if there's a lot of visitors since there'll be a queue going to the waterfalls.

2. The trail is a combination of cemented road, dirt road, and steep, rocky slopes.

3. Wear proper trekking footwear. I prefer sandals since it will give you a good foothold, especially if the trail is muddy. Don't wear ordinary thong slippers, you'd end up walking barefoot. Don't wear your favorite sneakers. You'll regret it, I tell you. The mud is unforgiving.

4. Grab a walking stick. Ask your guide to provide one. You will definitely need it, especially if the trail is muddy.

5. Bring as little as possible during the trek. You'll need both of your hands to negotiate the steep and muddy terrain. Ask your guide to safekeep your belongings.

6. You may bring food/snacks to the waterfalls area. Just make sure you maintain the cleanliness of the place.

7. Waterproof your gadgets! They will get wet, especially if you go near the waterfalls.

8. There are a lot of food stalls at the jump off area. Don't fret if you didn't have time to prepare or buy food.

9. There are shower stalls and comfort rooms at the jump off point. They charge P15.00 for use of shower. P5.00 for answering the call of nature.

9. Registration fee is P15.00 per head. There is no fixed rate yet for the guide fee. We paid our guide P900 since we made him carry all our things and made one of our friends use his pink boots. There were 7 of us in the group.

10. Since the place is already a popular tourist destination, expect a lot of people during weekends and holidays.

 

  

How to go to Hulugan Falls via commute:

1. From Cubao or Buendia, take a bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. (From Buendia, fare is P140.00.) Tell the conductor to drop you off at the terminal for Lucban-bound jeepneys. The terminal is located at Pagsawitan.

2. Ride a jeepney going to San Salvador.  You may also ride Lucban-bound jeepneys since they pass by San Salvador. You may opt to topload if you feel like being more adventurous. Fare is P30.00

3. Ride a tricycle to the Hulugan Falls registration area. Fare is P10.00 each

If you opt to bring a vehicle, you may park it near the registration area.

Side trips:

1. You may trek further to see Aliw Falls if you have time. It's another 45 minutes to 1 hour of trekking. You may opt to camp out in the area.

2. You may also drop by Magdapio Falls in Cavinti (more popularly known as Pagsanjan Falls).

Sending you happy thoughts...

Mt. Romelo Misadventures

It was a day trip that turned into an overnighter. We were ill prepared for this trek. We didn't have enough food, enough clothes, and enough preparation. All we had was a stubborn desire to conquer the mountain and behold the beauty of its hidden waterfalls. We heeded not the warnings of the locals that it was going to be an arduous climb due to the uber muddy trail. 

The place did not disappoint. The four-hour muddy ascent to the campsite was all worth it. 

Manageable mud at the beginning of the trek

Refreshing vista on the way to the campsite

Healthy drink and snack 

We thought that this was one of the waterfalls, but our guide said it wasn't.
 It rained heavily the night before our trip so some of the waters
that  were gathered in the mountain poured through this gap.

Beau and Lira, happy to successfully get through
one of the most challenging parts of the trek.

A rainbow greeted us and cheered us on so we would proceed with our muddy, arduous trek.

Mud, mud, mud!   It got worse from this point on.
We slipped and slid  countless of times. (Photo credit: Beau Valencia)



Lovely, purple flowers urged us to take on step at a time,
but there were frogs and leeches lurking behind those plants!



See how muddy my Merrells were!
Thanks to gore-tex, the mud didn't get inside my shoes. 
(Photo credit: Monique Sy)

The descent to Buruwisan falls was very difficult.
We had to hold on to vines so we won't come tumbling down
and break our crowns.   

We had to swim our way to Batya-batya falls

Breakfast is a pot of noodles, corned beef, coffee, jellos,
and a pack of candies.  Thanks to Beau and Lira for crossing  the river
to fetch our steaming pot of noodles.

Blue skies and refreshing greenery

Windy day at the summit

We rode horses on our way down because we were in a hurry to get back to the city.
Next time, I'd rather wade through the mud than ride a horse.
(Photo credit: Lira Avedillo)

Sending you happy thoughts...