beautiful place

Buscalan Mountain Province

Mountain Province DIY Trip: Buscalan Village, Sea of Clouds at Sagada, and Side Trip Baguio City

Posted on by shellan

This tour probably was the most meaningful among all trips I have experienced. But I would like to emphasize that all trips and adventures we experienced are worth it and have brought so much joy in my heart. This Mountain Province trip is meaningful among all perhaps because it had teach me so many things that might contribute to how I see and understand life plus the fact that we really had our quality time given that this was a Mountain Province DIY Trip.

Truly, a visit to Buscalan Village, where Mambabatok Tribe resides, is a must in your lifetime. Mambabatok is centuries old tribe and was only made famous at the latter part of 1900s. And spending overnight at the village is a privilege one can be proud of all through his/her life. Not only that, being up close and personal to the oldest Mambabatok in the village, Apo Whang Od, who is 108 YO as of writing is truly overwhelming. What an honor to be standing next to a living legend who has so much history sorrounding her wellbeing, that one might not fathom.

Going to the village can be likened to a short trek. Their village is located on an elevated area and you will go through crossing a narrow bridge and perhaps more than 500 steps on a cemented stairs before .

 

If you are planning to visit the village, please bear in mind that you are entering centuries old sanctuary that seeks for your respect not only to the area but most especially, to the locals. If you cannot do that, don’t dare go there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to get the signature tattoo of Apo Whang Od, be at the registration area during afternoon, so you can line up and get the tattoo by tomorrow. And if unfortunately you failed to have the signature tattoo of Apo herself, her grandchildren will be pretty much available to put that signature tattoo on you. Also, you can still have amazing photos with Apo Whang Od. So yeah, it’s still so much worth it.

Aside from Apo Whang Od, you can also explore the place and have a swim at the falls:

I can recommend you the homestay and tour guide we booked so you can advance your booking to lessen the hassle on the day itself. At the homestay, you can cook you own meal. There is available mini palengke along the registration area. They have fish there too. Rice and coffee are unlimited at the homestay. Also, our homestay and tour guide is highly recommended. Message me, so I can refer them to you.

 

  • Buscalan Mountain Province

After spending an overnight, we left around 3AM to experience sunrise at Sagada. We have experienced road blockages of huge rolls of stone as we ride away from the village, this is because it had rain for the night. Good thing, we have boys with us who moved the blockages inch by inch. So you might, take note of that if you plan to visit Buscalan.

We have arrived past 6AM at Pogo Hills, and not only we have experienced the sunrise but the amazing sea of clouds as well. The very first beautiful sea of clouds I have witnessed.

  • oppo_2

We had breakfast along the way and then headed on to Baguio City.

It took us almost 6 hours to reach Baguio City where we enjoyed some activities like boat kayaking. There are plenty of outdoor and indoor activities at Burnham Park. We had our lunch there and bought our pasalubong from the public market. At this time, I am very much exhausted, but I am also very much enjoying the company

 

Here’s the trip motion documentation of our trip so you can visualize it more: A Trip to Mountain Province

Anyway, to help you plan your trip, here’s our itinerary:

Day 0

6:30 PM – leave Cavite

10:30 PM – dinner

Day 1

6:30 AM – Buscalan Registration

700 AM – start of trek to Buscalan Village

7:30 AM – Arrived at Homestay

7:30 AM – 2:00 PM – Chillax / Lunch / Nap Time

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM – done with their tattoo

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM – going to and back from Buscalan Falls

5:30 PM – done with picture taking with Apo Whang Od

6:00 PM – dinner / coffee

7:00 PM – sleep time

Day 2

3:30 AM – going to Sagada

6:30 AM – Pogo Hills Sagada

7:30 AM – Breakfast at Sagada

8:00 AM – Going to Baguio

12:00 NN – arrived at Baguio

1:00 PM – lunch

2:00 – 5:30 PM – going back to Cavite

12:MN – home

 

Budget breakdown:

Registration Buscalan: 100/pax

Transpo: 3085/pax (cavite-buscalan-sagada-baguio-cavite)

Guide Buscalan with tip: 300/pax (1 tour guide for 5 is 1500 overnight)

Meal: 70/pax (we divided our pinamalengke)

Homestay: 400/pax

Sagada Pogo Hill entrance: 50/pax

Driver’s meal and Parking Fee: 150/pax

 

Our rented vehicle is recommendable if you are looking for one. Message or comment down so I can provide you details.

May you find your trip here as meaningful as how we have experienced and perceived it. God bless.

Mt. Pinatubo and its Adrenaline Activities

Posted on by shellan

Mt. Pinatubo is one of the destinations that climbers and non climbers would agree to put on their travel bucket list. It is coined as “A Beautiful Disaster” of the Philippines, and it seems that everybody wants to know why or perhaps to just simply witness its beauty first hand. And since we are at the age of social media, where we can easily view and be influenced by the hype and be enchanted by the beautiful sceneries world wide, Mt. Pinatubo has become more popular, especially to the youth.

But what should we really expect to experience by trekking Mt. Pinatubo? If you’re in a rush and preferred a motion documentation, here’s the link for it (⁠☞ﾟ⁠∀ﾟ⁠)⁠☞Mt. Pinatubo and its Adrenaline Activities Video Documentation you can view our adventure there.

Anyway, since here you are continuing to read my written blah blah blah, allow me to start lay down our adventure at Mt. Pinatubo with the instagrammable photos below:

  • 0-0x0-0-0#

  • 0-0x0-0-0#

  • 0-0x0-0-0#

  • 0-0x0-0-0#

  • 0-0x0-0-0#

0-0x0-0-0#

Now that you know that Mt. Pinatubo is really worth that booking/trip, you should also know that trekking it comes with not so-okay experience — perhaps, a beautiful disaster. Here, I’ve already made a list of the things you should know and consider before booking a trip:

1. If you live far from Tarlac, this will not be an easy trip. We were from NCR and Cavite and we left around 12MN to be able to arrive at the drop off / registration point in time. So if you’re not used to getting sleep on a moving vehicle, this will be a challenge. So might as well bring something that could help you sleep comfortable, like pillow neck.

We arrived at Capas, Tarlac around 4:30AM and start the registration process where we signed waivers. Also, 40 and above YO climbers are required to undergo blood pressure check-up before setting off.

By the way, there are several registration places.

2. Do not book your trip on weekends if you are not a fan of crowded area. And when I say crowded, I mean CROOOWWDEED. If you haven’t checked the link above, where you can watch our video documentation, here’s a short clip to help you visualize what I meant:

According to our source, we were more than 1,000 tourists that Saturday, where around 300 units of 4×4 vehicle were dispatched by the tourism office.

3. 4×4 vehicle is a required ride to get to the starting point of trekking. It comes on different models and can accommodate 4 pax at most. Many preferred a jeepney type where tourists can stand and feel the adrenaline rush of being tossed around since the ride is an off-road.

Please spare being brats and be picky with the 4×4 vehicle. Accept what is assigned to your group. Most jeepney owners are Katutubo (Indigenous people). Aside from that, being assigned with a closed 4×4 vehicle is a heaven on the way back. Because who wants to be tossed around when you are already exhausted. We learned that as we ride back at the jump off / registration point, sleeping like a baby.

Yes, you can bring your own 4×4 off road vehicle but you need to process its registration at the tourism office.

4. Most part of the off road areas are used for military trainings so there’s a chance to get stranded while you wait for the training to get done.

5. Katutubo. They are seen all over the municipality. They are the original locals of Capas, Tarlac. The local government has given them job opportunities by enlisting them as tour guides. Although, they are going to be paid by the LGU, be generous to your tour guide and tip them big time. And most especially, be respectful of them.

Also, I advice you to bring spare money or food so you can buy and give it away (though they don’t ask for it, they wait for tourists to initiate) to the katutubo who sells stuff along the trail.

I have learned, upon interviewing our guide, that their lands were taken away from them by the national government since former Pres. Ramos has declared their area non-inhabitant. They didn’t push for an uprise, though. Instead, they find other ways how to sustain their lives in their hometown.

6. You can bring your own food / packed lunch if you are on a budget. But if you prefer to travel with less bagage, food and drinks are very much available along the trail. They even have inasal there.

7. The trail is somehow can be described as a walkathon rather than hiking. It is easy and very much beginner friendly but the walkathon is also tiring and exhausting. But worth it.

8. Remember your tour guide’s face and name, just in case you still picked weekend for your trip and got mixed with thousand of people at the crater. You will spot them after several minutes because he/she will also look for you.

Also, don’t fall in line at the crater unless you want a drone shot and pay.

9. The trail is a mix of rocky and shallow river trek. So, yeah, it’s better to wear sandals.

And, here’s our day hike itinerary to help you plan out your trip:

1:00 AM – leave Manila

4:30 AM – Regstration Point / Drop Off / Breakfast / Prep Up / Waiting in line

6:30 AM – Board 4×4

7:30 AM – start of trek

10:30 AM – Mt. Pinatubo Crater / Lunch / Rest / Savor the beauty of Pinatubo

11:20 AM – Descent

1:00 PM – Board 4×4

2:30 PM – Regstration Point / Drop Off / Breakfast / Clean Up / Waiting for the other group (since we booked a travel agency)

5:00PM – back to Manila

 

Budget breakdown:

Php 2,875.00 all in for:

Van RT

Parking fee

Guide fee

Environmental fee

Bagtag

Climb permit

4×4 Vehicle

 

Requirements:

Valid ID

Backlava Mask

Spare Coins (for the usage of CRs, which is also available along the trail)

 

If you are less than 8 pax, I suggest that you opt booking a travel agency instead DIY. It will be more budget friendly. Our tour is recommendable if you are looking for one. Message or comment down so I can provide you details.

To sum it up, indeed Mt. Pinatubo is a beauty. No doubt about it. But you have to go through a lot before you witness her beauty. And at the end of your trip, you will have no choice but to agree that it is indeed “a beautiful disaster” not only because of what you went through just to see her but mostly because of the devastation she has done to its surrounding places which perhaps has changed geography but has add to its beauty and providing tourism income opportunities to its locals.

I just hope that those thousands of people who went there not only came for awra photos showcasing their beauty and outfit but have also been overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of Mt. Pinatubo and the disaster that has shaped the lives of the locals and the municipality as well. And that she’s a beauty, but she can be danger as well.

Ilocos Tour 2024

Posted on by shellan

It’s been almost a decade since the first time I booked a tour in Ilocos. You can read our previous adventure here: Ilocos Tour

This year’s ilocos tour is quite exhausting than my last visit but ironic as it may seem, I found it quite enjoyable, perhaps because I have experienced nerve wrecking activities like the 4×4 sand dunes ride and sand boarding. Plus, I have enjoyed and savor my moment at a nice beach in Pagudpud. And to top it all, I am with my very patient husband.

  • 0-0x0-0-0#

If you’re looking for a budget breakdown, I cannot lay itdown here. Message me and I’ll refer you the budgetarian tour we have booked or you can click on our last tour at Ilocos because it’s the same tour agent.

Ilocos is a very nice place, actually one of the best places in the Philippines. They know how to maintain their place and by maintain it does not only mean culture and heritage preservation but also the cleanliness of their surroundings. It is evident with the photos below, from shoreline to the most urban place, decipline with cleanliness is always present. So please tourists, do not litter. The locals are also respectful with their tourists so please reciprocate.

Here’s the video documentation of our tour: Ilocos Tour 2024 side trip Apari

Meanwhile, here are the instagrammable photos we took at each stop:

 

  • facing:0

 

  • 0-0x0-0-0#

Have a safe trip, enjoy and God bless us all!

Manila Bay’s Instagrammable Spots

Posted on by shellan

If you’re thinking about the infamous dolomite sand of the city, which became one of the Metro’s tourist attractions, you’re wrong. But we are not writing this to disregard the aesthetic features of the dolomite sand in Manila Bay. In spite of the lingering controversy, we cannot deny the fact that it is indeed beautiful, based on the circulated photos in social media because we failed to witness it first-hand. Perhaps some other time, we could make a blog and vlog about it.

Anyway, so which spot in Manila Bay I am talking about that has Instagrammable spots?

Make a guess with the photos below:

 

 

 

If you still can’t figure out which part of Manila Bay this is, maybe this short clip will help you identify it more. Am sure this will:

In case you really have no idea about Manila Bay, this location is just beside the CCP Complex. You’re welcome.

Anyway, to conclude this blog, I think we made it obvious that Manila Bay is a gem in landscape photography, you just gotta find the perfect spots. Adding dolomite sand is not supposed to be the priority, perhaps. Rather, they could have focused more on the maintenance and rehabilitation of Manila Bay, such as but not limited to, clean up drive. But as I have mentioned above we are not here to discredit the beauty that the dolomite provides to the site. And surely, it attracts more tourists, if that was their goal then they have achieved it.

What do you think? Have a safe trip.

Budget Friendly Beach Resort in Cavite

Posted on by shellan

It’s rare to find budget friendly beach resorts with promising environment and ambiance. Good thing we found one just around the corner.

With these instagrammable photos, who would have thought that we only spent P320? Not to mention that we got to enjoy swimming without too much crowd. Perfect serenity, indeed. Here’s the video documation of our trip there https://youtu.be/1QsBXKTFmjU

Food is also available just around the corner.

You can also bring your own food and use the grilling area. Comfort rooms are available with minimal fee that ranges from P5 – P20, depending on how much water you are going to use. Karaoke or KTV is also available for rent. So, if you’re looking for a budget friendly family get-away, this is one of the best choices, presumably you are from NCR or Cavite.

Just search Coastline Beach Resort on google to know how to get there via private vehicle but if you are going to commute, here’s how to get there:

– From PITX, ride a bus going to Naic;

– Tell the conductor to drop you on Sto. Niño Beac Resort or Coastline Beach Resort;

– Ride a tricycle to Coastline Beach Resort. 

You might spend, around two hundred for the fare going to and back to PITX. 

 

Anyway, here’s the budget breakdown of our trip there:

Cottage – 300 / good for 2 pax

Parking Fee – 20

There is no entrance fee. 

 

Please be a responsible tourist when you get here. Leave no garbage and avoid littering. Enjoy God’s amazing creations and savor the moment!

Pico De Loro is now Accepting Tourists; Find out the New Things you Need to know Before Climbing

Posted on by shellan

Finally! A climb after more than 3 years has happened. We have been planning to climb a long time even during pandemic, but due to various circumstances, we always end up rescheduling our hike. But not this year, the wait is way too long already. Hence, we booked a climb to Pico De Loro.

If you are planning to hike Pico De Loro too, here’s their website where you can schedule: https://mppmngnp.com/

There are many changes on the site, one of those is the entrance fee, that now costs P200 each. I remember around 2015, it was only P30 and tour guide was not required, not unlike now, it is mandatory. Well, perhaps now, all of the mountains open for hiking require tour guides.

It was my third time on Pico de Loro, but it kind of felt like the experience is something new. There are new spots and new trail at the site. Here are the photos:

Aside from that there are more restrictions than before. Overnight camping is still not permitted, as well as traversing. Monolith is now close and will never open again due to the evaluation made by the DENR; cracks were found which made it unsafe for climbing.

But although they offer less activity now, I admire the management’s determination to protect and put first the nature than the adventurers’ demand. It was also a best decision that they closed Pico de Loro for several years to regenerate and heal itself from the constant human footprints it gotten over the years. Now you will see on our video (video documentation of our adventure) that the forest has been regenerated, indeed.

Before the climb, you will be watching an 8-minute avp about Pico de Loro, here you will know that you are actually going to climb two mountains: Mt. Palay-Palay and Mataas na Gulod. Both declared as DENR’s protected areas. But since people know the site as Pico de Loro, let’s call it that way.

At the summit, you now have stairs to help you reach it. Unlike before, you will only rely on the bushes to help you with the grip ascending and descending.

I will leave behind some information regarding the modified Pico de Loro for you to get insights on your own and first hand ask the employees or the tour guide assigned to you. But just in case, you are so eager to know now, okay, then ask away below the comment section.

Meanwhile, here are the beautiful photos at the top:

I know you are looking for the budget breakdown:
Entrance/Eco Fee – 200!pax
Parking fee – 30
Tour Guide Fee – 500/maximum of 5 pax

If you are planning to commute, well, be thankful, because it is easier now. Just hop on a bus going to Nasugbo, Batangas via Kaybiang tunnel. The earliest leaves around 5AM at PITXT.

Enjoy and be a responsible hiker! God bless.

buhay forest top

Buhay Forest: Underrated Nature Get-away (and some update on Pico De Loro, Pantihan Falls, and Mt. Buntis)

Posted on by shellan

Before we head on the details about Buhay Forest let us talk about first Pico De Loro. Yes, dearest bundokeros and bundokeras! Pico De Loro is now open. The bad news is, you are reading this along the way, all prepped and ready going to Pico De Loro. Because here you will know, as you keep on reading, that they are only accepting advance booking and walk-ins are strictly prohibited. But since you have already planned this day for an unwinding get-away, allow me to introduce you to Magallane’s Buhay Forest. Don’t worry it is only 30 minutes away from Pico De Loro.

Buhay Forest is located at Magallanes, Cavite and can found on google map. If you are following our blog, you knew that we already went there but it was close. They are close every Monday and Tuesday. Actually, prior going here, we tried Mt. Buntis, but it was close so we headed on to Buhay Forest for our last resort. You can see our trip here for a motion documentation of what I’m talking about: Buhay Forest in Magallanes (and update on Pico de Loro + other tour in Cavite), rest assured, contacts and the link for Pico De Loro’s booking are also posted below.

So, what should you expect at Buhay Forest?

First, there is a trek that almost all ages can partake and reach the top. Actually, it has Stations of the Cross, to which elders are mostly the ones participating. So I believe, even seniors can do this trek.

We trekked unto the top for around 10 minutes, I guess, with casual rest once we need and also to savor the beauty of the scenery as we head on to the top.

Actually, the place isn’t that crowded, which is very okay, but that made me realize that this is an underrated nature get-away. Maybe because the trail is so easy for the hikers or because there is not much post online about Buhay Forest. But really, if you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the nature, this is a perfect place for you. Especially, if you are on a budget.

The views at the top will show you a set of mountain range from the nearest places: Mt. Marami (Wet and Mildly Wild Adventure at Mt. Marami), and Pico De Loro (Pico de Loro (Mt. Palay-Palay, Pico De Loro, Second Time Around).

You can istambay and enjoy the nature, take a pose to whichever spot you like, eat your own baon, enjoy seesaw and swing, with no time limit or until they close for the day, for only P30. They open at 6AM and closes at 5PM. They do not accept overnight camping.

There is no parking fee, or perhaps it is already included on the amount you paid for ecological fee/entrance fee.

Here are the additional photos, which were taken at the bottom part of the forest:

Meanwhile, here are some photos we took at Pantihan Falls, also in Magallanes, and which is also already closed for tourist but some part is still open for public viewing:

Please be good to the nature and leave no garbage. Enjoy!

Here are the details for Pico De Loro and Mt. Buntis:

Island Tour at Patungan Beach in Maragondon, Cavite

Posted on by shellan

We’ve been planning to hike a mountain before the year ends. But because we also want to spend quality time with our furr babies, we decided to spend the holiday on a beach instead. Thus, we booked at Patungan Beach in Maragondon, primarily because they offer island hopping too.

But let me clarify this early that we have not experienced island hopping due to heavy waves. That’s what your get when you scheduled a beach adventure during Ber months. Instead, it was replaced with an island tour (watch our adventure here: Maragondon Island Tour), which happened to be the wildest ride we had on an ocean so far. Well, as what I’ve said, that’s what you get when you scheduled a beach adventure during ber months.

The main highlight of our stay here at Patungan Beach is the Island tour and the swimming on the fish sanctuary. The island tour takes more than 2 hour-boat ride (back and forth). We stay at fish sanctuary less than an hour and head back to Patungan Beach. It costs us 2,500 but it’s so worth it, especially when the boat driver masters the art of riding big waves. We were terrified by the waves and thought that the boat would flip. And thank God it didn’t. I think we also passed by the island which we stayed during a trip where we own an island for a day, it was our trip to Carabao Island, but I couldn’t distinguish the island anymore.

 

The stay at the beach cottage is also a first hand nature experience. If being close to the nature is what you are looking for, then Patungan Cottages is right for you. Toilets are available too. We spend a night at the cottage and went home before lunchtime the next day. To proper guide you with the itinerary, here’s ours:

Itinerary:
5AM – departure
6:30AM – Arrived at Patungan Beach
7:00AM – settled at the cottage
8:00AM – finished Breakfast
9:00AM – cooking lunch
10:00AM – Lunch time
10:45AM – board the boat for island tour
10:45AM – 12NN – island tour
12NN – arrived at fish sactuary
12:50PM – board the boat back to the beach
12:50PM – 1:50PM – boat ride back to Patungan Beach
2:00PM – 5:00PM – Siesta
5:00PM – 5:30PM – Preparing Dinner
7:00PM – Dinner
8:00PM onward – free time until sleep time
6:00AM – Preparing breakfast
7:00AM – Breakfast
8:00AM – Pack Up
9:00AM – 10:00AM – Free time
10:30AM – Board tricycle back to pick up point back home

Things to bring:
Uling
Flash light
Mineral Water
Toiletries
Under water cam
Power bank
Garbage bag

Note: The community doesn’t have electricity yet, they only rely on solar panel that provides them energy so there will be times that all the can provide you is light at the cottage. However, some locals offer generator for rent if you badly need electricity.

Budget:
2,500 – island hopping / island tour
2,000 – overnight cottage with 1 room
50/pax – tricycle going to the beach

We recommend Sir Allan Agustine for island hopping / island tour boat ride. Simply look for him. I can also give you our contact for the cottage accommodations, they will provide things for you that you forgot to bring, (e.g kawali). If you are wondering if there are stores at the community, there are. But I suggest, that you bring your own things because we do not guarantee that all items you need are available at the stores.

Here are the instagrammable photos we took at the beach:

Enjoy your stay and escapade!

Hidden Instagrammable Spot at Aguinaldo Shrine

Posted on by shellan

If you are planning to tour in the Province of Cavite, then Aguinaldo Shrine should be on your top list.

Whatis Aguinaldo Shrine? Historically, it is the first Malacañang of the Philippines. It is where our first official President, Emilio Aguinaldo, resided together with his family. I am not here to google-feed you, so the rest information is up to you to search or research.

received_197928371297006.jpeg

During “Ber Months” it becomes more attractive and becomes 200% tourist attraction due to its dancing lights. But what do we expect here during the first 3 quarters of the year? Aside from the annual celebration of the birth of Aguinaldo, this place could also be perfect for tourist/vloggers/bloggers who are looking for instagrammable place.

This  place is already well known to many Caviteños, but I don’t think that they already know this hidden spot somewhere the parameter. So here I am, sharing these tips.

First of all, photoshoot is prohibited inside the palace (maybe unles you ask permit from the municipality office), so you can only do it outside. But you can take photos inside like this one, Reminiscing Independence Day at Aguinaldo Shrine

Alright, let’s cut the blah, blah, blah… Here are the photos and portraits we have taken at the hidden spot I’m talking about:

Now, maybe you’re thinking where’s this hidden spot. It’s not as hidden as you thought it could be. Just go around the corners and you’ll discover it too.

Meanwhile, here’s the footage of our trip here: Roadtrip at Cavite, Aguinaldo Shrine

Have a safe tour. Hope you had learned something. Shalom!

Nagpatong Rock Formation and Tungtong Falls of Tanay, Rizal, Philippines

Posted on by shellan

Finally! After being cancelled for several times due to bad weather and certain circumstances, this trip has finally happened. And indeed, it was considered a ‘right timing’. It was neither hot nor raining on the day of our hike.

I already lost count of all the mountains I have conquered, but this one is surely memorable. Just like in Mt. Daraitan, we have experienced not just trekking but also several kinds of outdoor activity such as: cliff diving, rappelling, etc. And that made this adventure a memorable one.

 

 

We registered at Brgy. Cayumbay and started the trail at around 7:30AM. And because we were already in rainy season here in the Philippines, as expected, the trail was muddy and that made it a bit harder for us to climb.

 

It took us almost 2 hours to reach Nagpatong Rock Formation, because we had to stay and wait for our turn to go to the top/summit at a kubo, just like the other group of hikers. Refreshment are available there. We took this chance to rest for a while and eat our packed lunches although it was only around 9AM.

 

And after several minutes of waiting, we resumed climbing all the way to the top of Nagpatong Rock Formation. And then, charaaaaaann…

Nagpatong Rock Formation

IMG_20180828_154203IMG_20180828_154305topDCIM100MEDIAtop tambaytopgrouptopsittopsitlongtop posing 1top posing 2top posing

topedge

But before seeing that wonderful scenery at the top, here were the obstacles we had to go through:

 

(Yes, it was a little bit difficult. You will need extra courage, and of course, you have to listen to your tour guide’s instruction carefully.)

We stayed at the top for more than an hour because there were no group next in line yet. We took that opportunity and took lots of photo for souvenirs. 😀 Our tour guide, Kuya Pio, was the one who served as our photographer because he already knew the perfect spot and angle for each shot.

We went down at around 11AM and reached the jump off  point at around 1PM.

Here’s another beautiful spot along the trail, (it’s up to you to discover the others :p):

forest

We went back to Brgy. Cayumbay to start the trail going to Tungtong Falls at around 1:30PM. And it only took us an hour to reach the falls.

 

Here, you can do cliff jumping with the help of a rope, held by an authorized guide, wrap around your waist or a life vest, provided by your tour guide.

cliff diving

We stayed there for only an hour. But the highlight of Tungtong Falls could only be experienced when you do a shortcut back to Barangay Registration area.

It is where we experienced two sets of rappelling and it wasn’t that easy but with the right amount of courage and strength and prayer, you too can do it.

fallswayrapelling

But first, we stayed there for more than 30 minutes to take lots of picture, of course. 😀

falls

 

 

fallspose

fallsstand

It took us almost two hours to reach Brgy. Cayumbay again because of the time we spent taking pictures at the falls you see above. And it was all worth it. Challenging and satisfying at the same time.

To further understand what we went through with this adventure, click the following link where you can watch our video footage at Nagpataong Rock Formation and Tungtong Falls.

Meanwhile, here are additional tips if you are planning a trip at this place:

Itinerary:
3:00AM – Tejero
7:00AM – Cuyambay Jump Off Registration / Gear up
7:30AM – Start of Trek
9:30AM – Lunch
10:00AM – Nagpatong Rock Formation
11:00AM – Trek back to Jump Off
1:30PM – Trail to Tungtong Falls
2:30PM – Tungtong Falls
3:30PM – Back to Brgy. Cayumbay with picture taking
5:30PM – Clean / Freshen up
6:30PM – Back to Tejero (Dinner along the way)
10:00PM – Tejero

Budget breakdown:
350 – Van Transpo (3500/10)
100 – Registration fee
100 – Tour guide
50 – Tour Guide Tip

600 – Total / each
Note: Kubo near Nagpatong Rock Formation costs P50.

Also, bring a pair of gloves. It will help you a lot with the climb. I also encourage you to look for Kuya Pio and ask for him to be your tour guide. You will enjoy your adventure (and pictures) more with him. 😀 Use waze to navigate your way to Nagpatong Rock Formation located at Brgy. Cayumbay, Tanay, Rizal. When you pass by Masungi Georeserve, you are already near the barangay.

And here’s a bonus picture to encourage you to go there 😀 :

Nagpatongpuppy