Aliwagwag Falls, Tinuy-an Falls, and Enchanted River in Just One Day of Adventure!

My main target - Aliwagwag Falls, Cateel, Davao Oriental 

Is it possible? 

I mean we are talking of two different provinces, namely: Davao Oriental and Surigao Del Sur. We are talking of kilometers of  bus, habal-habal, and tricycle ride!

Yes, I made it possible by using a habal-habal ride from 6:00 am up to 4:00 pm.

Cateel, Davao Oriental

I was billeted in Edar's Place in Cateel, Davao Oriental. I arrived at the hotel 10 pm from Davao City (using the Mati route of 8 hours!), slept past 11 pm  and woke up 5:30 am. Upon arrival in Cateel, I immediately hired a habal-habal driver named Edgardo Linaza (he has no cellphone) for my tour to Aliwagwag Falls.

I immediately took a bath and meal and we proceeded to Aliwagwag Falls. Normally, the rate for the 23 kilometer ride is P500 (round trip with waiting time of 2 hours). But since I promised that I will be taking only pictures and we will be staying only at the site for not more than 45 minutes, I was able to hire him only for P350.

We proceeded to the spot and it took us 45 minutes. The staff members were  still opening the compound when we got there. I immediately paid P50 for the entrance fee. 

Last time I was In Aliwagwag Falls was December 2014 and there was a typhoon when I had my first sight of the falls. 

I was accompanied by one of the staff members and we ascended to the hanging bridge. There are adventures available at the falls such as 680 meters zipline across the river (P225/pax) and 45 meter hanging bridge across the falls (P50/pax).

Rates 

P50 - Adult

P10 - children

Below 3 years old - exempt

Chairs and table rental

Long table - P75

Small table - P50

 How to Get There

First, you have to get a flight to Davao City. there are several airlines servicing the route such as Philippine Airlines (PAL)  or Cebu Pac (Cebu Pacific), cheapest flight is through Cebu Pacific or if the other airlines offer their promo fare. Travel time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Air fare ranges from PhP5.000.00 to PhP8,000.00 (all-in). It is better to book 6 months in advance to get the lowest possible rate. 

There are other airports in Mindanao aside from Davao such as General Santos, Cotabato City, Surigao City, Cagayan De Oro and Butuan. But if you choose any of these airports, you have to labor the long road travel to Cateel. And so the best choice/option is to have the Davao flight. Davao offers several flights (8-10/day) from Manila. The other airports only offer 2-3 flights a day or sometimes none.

Second step, from Davao airport go the Ecoland Bus Terminal or the Gaisano Mall Terminal and take the bus either via Mati or Compostela Valley. Several bus lines service the route such as Mallen Express, Lyra Express, and Bachelor Express.

Davao via Mati using the the bus is 8 hours using the Bachelor Bus. Then, van ride in Mati to Cateel for another 3-4 hours..

Davao via Compostela Valley (ComVal) using the Mallen bus is 5-6 hours or 170 kilometers.

The Compostela Valley route is shorter but during rainy season it is not advisable to use this route because of land slides along the ComVal.

From Agusan to Surigao via Cuevas it is 250 kilometers.

Upon reaching the town of Cateel, the next step is to hire the best ride in town and that is using the habal-habal. The town also offers private vehicles in case you are traveling as a group. Barangay Aliwagwag is more or less 30 minutes from the town. Habal Habal rent is PhP300 (one-way) or PhP500 (round trip). From Papag Bridge to Aliwagwag Falls it is 23 kilometers and from the town it is 28 kilometers. From the town, travel time using the habal-habal is 25-30 minutes.

In case you want to know more information about the area, Travel Teller is the best resource person since he grew up in Cateel.

picture of Aliwagwag Falls last December 2014 during a typhoon

I did not bother to avail of the zipline but I finished the hanging bridge. I stayed only for 30 minutes and I went back to Edar's Place.

I packed my bag, paid the bills and bid goodbye to Mrs. Edar. 

Normally, the rate for habal-habal ride from Cateel to Mangagoy is P800. But the bus ride is only P120. But there is only one bus schedule everyday which is slated 5:00 am and I missed the bus. I was left with only one option, habal-habal ride. But I was given a discount for P400 but up to Lingib only (the nearest town to Mangagoy).

town of Boston

After 30 minutes, we reached the town of Boston. Another 50 minutes and we reached Lingib. We traveled more or less 55 kilometers from Cateel to Lingib. From Lingib, I hired another habal-habal for P100 to Mangagoy and endured another 21 kilometers of habal-habal ride!

Bislig, Surigao Del Sur

In Mangagoy past 12 noon, I hired another habal-habal ride for P1,000 (nromal rate is P1,200) for both the falls and the river. My driver/tour guide was named Helbert Santos (0948-238-3928). The fee is only P1,000 but the excess of P200 from the P1,200 is given to the driver of another habal-habal at the site of the falls.

So from Mangagoy, another 25 kilometer ride towards the falls or a 45 minute ride in habal-habal.

cottages are available at the site of the falls

Entrance fee is P50/pax.

The majestic Tinuy-an Falls!

How to Get There

From Butuan Bancasi Airport
From Langihan Terminal, ride a bus bound for Mangagoy (Bislig).


From Surigao Del Norte
Take a bus bound for Butuan and then take the bus bound for Mangagoy.

From Cateel, Davao Oriental

Take the Lyra Express or Mallen Bus to Mangagoy (once-a-day trip only at 5 am). Travel time is 2.5 hours and the fare is P120.00. In Mangagoy, you have to rent a habal-habal (single motorcyle) to Tinuy-an Falls. Travel time is 20-30 minutes from the town or 17-18 kilometers. The habal-habal can accommodate up to 3 passengers for a price of P100.00/pax or P500.00 round trip ride.

Should you opt to go to Enchanted River in Hinatuan, the price is P1,000.00 round trip back to Mangagoy, Bislig.

From Davao City

Take the bus going to Cateel either at Ecoland or Gaisano Mall Terminal. Better use the Ecoland Terminal. The fare is P300.00 for 200 kilometers and travel time is 7 hours. In Mangagoy, you have to rent a habal-habal (single motorcyle) to Tinuy-an Falls. Travel time is 20-30 minutes from the town or 17-18 kilometers. The habal-habal can accommodate up to 3 passengers for a price of P100.00/pax or P500.00 round trip ride.

Sidetrip to Awao Falls, Monkayo, Compostela Valley

From Bislig, it is 120 kilometers for the price of P135.00. Travel time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

I stayed in Tinuy-an Falls for only 30 minutes. Thereafter, I went to my last destination and my grand finale for a very long and tiring day.

Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur

I endured another habal-habal ride for 55 kilometers, more or less, just to go to my last destnation. Upon arrival, there were plenty of local tourists inside the site. I paid the entrance fee of P30.

Last time I was here was 2012, part of my first Mindanao tour. Even though it was a bit different since are so many structures inside, it was still a sight to behold!

How to get there

Book a flight to Davao, Surigao City or Butuan, then board a bus to Surigao Del Sur. Then, board another bus going to Mangagoy and alight at Hinatuan. Then, at the Hinatuan Bus Terminal, hire a habal-habal ride for P300. From the town, it will take you 25 minutes or 16 kilomters of bumpy ride!

I am lost for words to describe the Enchanted River!

Mr. Edgardo Linaza, my driver to Aliwagwag falls and to Lingib.

Mr. Helbert Santos (0948-238-3928), my driver in Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River.

With Ma'am Edar, owner of Edar's place.

Enjoy your adventure! =)

My Top 10 Habal-Habal (single motorcycle) Adventures in the Philippines

It is inevitable in exploring Philippines 

that one must ride either the habal-habal, skylab or pabahay!

All these means of transportation involve riding a single motorcycle (usually a Honda TMX motorcycle for its strength, endurance, and power to carry numerous passengers).  In Mindanao, the habal- habal and skylab are common sight and mode of transportation. It is a-must to experience the ride as an adventurer/explorer!

In my nearly ten years of travel around the Philippines, here are my ten most unforgettable and best rides using the habal-habal!    

1. Monkayo, Compostela Valley

The skylab ride towards the Awao Falls is the best ride ever in my entire life! Imagine, 11 passengers on board the skylab and cruising around 50-60 kilometers in a rugged, muddy, uphill, downhill, and zigzaging road! We even had to cross a river which was then three feet high!

In case you are not convince, what about using the single motorcycle to carry logs!

2. Baganga, Davao Oriental

Number two is my ride to Campawasan Curtain Falls and Cateel, Davao Oriental. Imagine, going to Campawasan Curtain Falls from the town of Baganga (30 plus kilometers back and forth) under the siege of Typhoon Seniang and crossing the river four times.

But that is not the end of the story, after going to the falls, I hired him again as my ride to Cateel Davao Oriental (45 kilometers from Baganga) and then reaching Cateel, going to Aliwagwag Falls (24 kilometers) and then going back to the town of Cateel (24 kilometers again) for my overnight accommodation. I was wet, tired, and cold after the adventure!!!  

3. Maragusan, Compostela Valley

Third in the list is the 5-hour adventure in the banana plantation of Maragusan, Compostela Valley. Nothing beats the  the terrain, slippery and rocky roads and the sight of the plantation. Getting lost in the plantation was part of the adventure! According to my driver Rahim, he was awarded as one of the best drivers in town. I learned it the hard way! =)

4. Calbiga, Samar

There were three of us on board the habal-habal and we were descending from the mountain at the speed of 40-50 kilometers. The road was muddy and rugged. And topping the scene was the Signal No. 2 in Samar! 

5. Sabtang, Batanes

The Sabtang ride is memorable in the sense that we had to board the motorcycle to the boat going to Sabtang Island and then journeying the entire island (all the barangays!) using the motorcycle and it took us nearly 5 hours to do the feat.

6. Camiguin

It took me two days of habal-habal ride before I was able to finish going to all the major tourist spots in Camiguin. 

  

7. Bislig, Surigao Del Sur

How about getting lost? The driver did not know the way towards Tinuy-an Falls! Normal travel time is only 20 minutes but it took us 1 hour and 45 minutes before reaching the falls.

8. Kanlaon, Negros Oriental

Searching and seeing three falls, getting bewildered by the biggest tree, and climbing the mountain using the habal-habal was really an adventure!

9. Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

Using the extended habal-habal, we went to the 7 falls, 3 lakes and mingled with the tribe!

10. Samal Island, Davao 

This one is the most expensive. Imagine, P300/hour! And we had to go to the major tourism spots in Samal Island. We finished the tour in four hours of fast-paced tour!

Worthy of mention is my long ride in Biri Island, Northern Samar!

Riding Motorcycles

More Fun In the Philippines!

Mati, Davao Oriental

Going to Mati, Davao Oriental was not part of the plan, I went to Mindanao last December 2014 for my waterfalls chasing adventure.

But  since it was along the way from Maragusan, Compostela Valley, I decided to pass and see the famous white sand beach of Mati called Dahican Beach.

the big jeepney ride from Maragusan

How to Get There

Best way is from Davao City and get the ride either from Ecoland or Gaisano Mall Terminal.

Several buses service the route such as Mallen, Davao Metro Shuttle and Bachelor Express.

Travel time is 3 - 3.5 hours using the bus. The fare in the aircon bus is P250. Using a van, travel time is only 2.5 - 3 hours.


From Mati's bus terminal, hire a habal-habal ride (single motorcycle) towards the beach and the rent is around P150 (round trip).

But it was different on my part, since I came from Maragusan, Compostela Valley, I had to ride the jeepney from Maragusan to Mati. Fare is P120.00. Hiring a habal-habal to Mati is P500-P700. Travel time is 2.5 to 3 hours or 66 kilometers of rough road. There are only 3 scheduled trips for a day (8:00 am, 9:00 am and 11:30 am). Make sure you are on the terminal at least 40 minutes before the departure.

Along the way, I was entertained by the rough roads of Compostela Valley. Good thing I was seated in front of the jeepney ride because the ride was a bit bumpy and rough!

entrance of Dahican Beach

After 2.5 hours, we reached Mati and immediately I hired a habal-habal ride to Dahican Beach. The driver/tour guide was Tata Mabioy (contact no. 0910-109-5968). The ride was more than 10 kilometers and it lasted for 20 minutes.

The resort offers huts, cottages, tents and rooms for accommodation.

Dahican Beach

 You can do surfing and beach bumming while at the beach.

I roamed around and took pictures of the beach. After 30 minutes, I went back to town, I had to go to Baganga that day to see the Campawan Curtain Falls.

I enjoyed my short stay in Dahican Beach, 

Mati, Davao Oriental!

Aliwagwag Falls, Cateel, Davao Oriental, Philippines

According to Travel Teller (Olan), 

whom I met in Cateel, Davao Oriental, "Aliwagwag Falls is the tallest falls in  the Philippines!". And that is the sole reason why I went to Cateel, to explore, see, and be mesmerized by the beauty and grandeur 

of this magnanimous falls!

December 25, 2014, I landed in Davao International Airport and spent the night in the city. The following morning, I went to Maragusan, Compostela, Valley to start my waterfalls chasing adventure in Mindanao. The itinerary was a tough one involving the Maragusan Falls, Campawan Curtain Falls, Aliwagwag Falls, Tinuy-an Falls and Awao Falls. Originally, Asik-Asik was part of the itinerary but since it was located in Alamada, North Cotabato and it was far from the other falls, I decided to skip it for the meantime and wait for summer.

And so from Baganga, I hired a habal-habal ride towards Cateel for P600.00. Typhoon Seniang was in Mindanao that time and it was difficult on my part to get a van or bus ride to Cateel. And what I did was to hire a habal-habal ride. Normally, the rate of the habal-habal is only P500 (one-way) but my driver (Manuel Fuentes # 0910-495-7454) told me that the reason why it was P600 is that from the town of Cateel, it is another 24 kilometers. In sum, I paid P600 for 45 kilometers to Cateel and 24 kilometers to Aliwagwag Falls. The price was good enough!

From Baganga, we endured and labored the ride under the strong winds and unceasing rains of Typhoon Seniang. And it took us more than 2 hours, before we reached the spot.

Along the travel, we passed by, several falls and I was getting excited already. 

How to Get There

First, you have to get a flight to Davao City. there are several airlines servicing the route such as Philippine Airlines (PAL)  or Cebu Pac (Cebu Pacific), cheapest flight is through Cebu Pacific or if the other airlines offer their promo fare. Travel time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Fare ranges from PhP5.000.00 to PhP8,000.00 (all-in). It is better to book 6 months in advance to get the lowest possible rate. I got my promo flight via the delayed flight of Cebu Pac for for only P1,800.00. 

There are other airports in Mindanao aside from Davao such as General Santos, Cotabato City, Surigao City, Cagayan De Oro and Butuan. But if you choose any of these airports, you have to labor the long road travel to Cateel. And so the best choice/option is to have the Davao flight and it is the only international airport in Mindanao. Davao offers several flights (8-10/day) from Manila. The other airports only offer 2-3 flights a day or sometimes none.

Second step, from Davao airport go the Ecoland Bus Terminal or the Gaisano Mall Terminal and take the bus either via Mati or Compostela Valley. Several bus lines service the route such as Mallen Express, Lyra Express, and Bachelor Express.

Davao via Mati using the the bus is 10-12 hours using the Bachelor Bus and the fare is PhP500.00 (325 kilometers).

Davao via Compostela Valley (ComVal) using the Mallen bus is 6-7 hours or 170 kilometers.

The Compostela Valley route is shorter but during rainy season it is not advisable to use this route because of landlsides along the ComVal.

From Agusan to Surigao via Cuevas it is 250 kilometers.

Upon reaching the town of Cateel, the next step is to hire the best ride in town and that is using the habal-habal. The town also offers private vehicles in case you are traveling as a group. Barangay Aliwagwag is more or less 25 minutes from the town. Habal Habal rent is PhP300 (one-way) or PhP500 (round trip). From Papag Bridge to Aliwagwag Falls it is 24 kilometers and from the town it is 28 kilometers. From the town, travel time using the habal-habal is 25-30 minutes.

In case you want to know more information about the area, Travel Teller is the best resource person since he grew up in Cateel.

Side trip to Bislig (Tinuy-An Falls)

In Cateel, you can take the Bachelor Express bus (1 pm once-a-day trip only). Or the Mallen or Lyra Express (5 am once-a-day trip only) to Barangay Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao Del Sur. Travel time is 2.5 to 3 hours. 

Side trip to Monkayo (Awao Falls)

In Cateel, take the Mallen bus to Montevista (5 am once-a-day trip only). The trip is 3 hours. Then in Montevista, take the ride to Monkayo either using a van or a bus. Fare in Bachelor is P180.

Back to Davao City

Mallen bus is 7 hours via ComVal and schedule of the trip is 5 am and 3 pm. Fare is PhP250.00.

Bachelor Bus via Mati is 12 hours and the schedule of the trip is 10:30 am and 4:30 pm. Fare is PhP580.00.

Tip - buses in Mindanao usually leave early. It is better to be at the terminal 1 hour before the trip to get the best set and in order not to miss the trip. 

Accommodations

Cateel offers several lodging establishments but the best place to stay is in Edar's Place Resto Bar and Lodging (Contact no - 0921-4766-907). Rates vary from PhP800-1,000 all air-conditioned rooms. It is located in Poblacion near the bus terminal of Mallen, Bachelor and Lyra. You will never miss the spot!

The food is great and they have wifi for your internet browsing. The owner is very accommodating and hospitable. I enjoyed my stay at the place!

Going back to my adventure!

from EAZY Traveler

Under normal circumstances, the Aliwagwag falls looks like the picture above. But Typhhon Seniang was in the vicinity and it was already Signal No. 1 and the landing point was Hinatuan which is just 4 hours from Cateel.

view from the bridge

There was a gigantic surge of waters dropping from the 130 cascading waterfalls and the sight was really something to behold. It was the strongest surge of waters that I have seen in my entire life (not to mention the havoc caused by Typhoon Ondoy in NCR!) plus the unceasing rains! My gadgets and cameras were nearly wet. 

According to Travel Teller, the falls is 1,110 feet of cascading falls and 20 meters in width. It is regarded as the tallest and the most beautiful falls in Mindanao!

view from the left side near the registration area

I was planning to trek the top of the falls but my driver/guide told me that it was not possible! The road to the top was not passable! I was a bit frustrated but for my own safety, I obliged.

But that was not the end of the story! Fortunately, I met Byaheng Mindanaw! The group was shooting their video and the team was headed by Travel Teller (Olan). Among the bloggers present are Journeying Sarah and Nomad's Perspective (Louie). There were other bloggers but I was not able to get all their names. The group was very friendly, enthusiastic and vibrant that day shooting their video. Good thing I met them in Aliwagwag. 

It was Really More Fun in Aliwagwag Falls!

Nice meeting the Byaheng Mindanaw group!

Baganga, Davao Oriental (Campawasan Curtain Falls)

Baganga is a first class first class municipality in Davao Oriental, Philippines.

Aside from the town of Baganga, one can also explore  Mati and  Cateel for various tourist spots.

The town has a population of more or less 60,000 according to the 2010 census.

I went to Baganga for my water falls chasing adventure. Unfortunately, Typhoon Seniang was in Mindanao during the time of my visit but it did not deter me from exploring Baganga's tourist spots. 

I hired a habal-habal ride to explore the town and I was able to find out that Baganga offers the following tourist spots, namely:

1. Campawasan Curtain Falls

from King Francis Genilla

2. Baganga Sunrise Boulevard 

This relaxing place which is the best site for sunrise viewing is 12 kilometers away from the town.

3. Baliti Hotspring 

from : www.pinoyexchange.com

This hot spring is just 16 kilometers from away the town of Baganga.

4. San Victor Island

from http://localvacationplaces.blogspot.com/

A small 3 hectare white powdered beach which can be seen along the highway in Baganga going to Cateel, Davao Oriental. It is 14 kilometers away from the town. 

5. White Sand Beaches (just along the highway)

6. Ban-ao Secret Island 

from Yusof  Sabas

There are numerous islands along the coastline of Baganga. This island is is the second best island aside from San Victor. Along the coastline, there are saltwater falls that you can see when the strong waves hit the small islands. 

7. Surfing Spot

Surfing is the best water sport activity in town. The huge waves coming from the Pacific Ocean  offers the ideal wave for surfers.

But the main reason why I went to Baganga is to see the famous Campawasan Curtain Falls.

From the town's market place, I was able to find a habal-habal ride for my exploration. I hired Manuel Fuentes (Contact No. 0910-495-7454). Normal rate in going to Barangay Campawasan is P200.00 only. But since it was raining hard and the road was muddy and slippery, I was able to hire him for P300.00. The barangay is more or less 18 kilometers from the town.

According to my driver/guide, we will be passing 4 barangays before reaching the falls. 

In fact, the travel time is 1.5 hours from the town and we crossed 5 bridges before reaching the jump-off point. But there were times we had to cross the river itself and I had to alight because the current of the river was strong. 

Finally, we reached the river. From the river, we had to trek for another 15 minutes. It was raining hard already when we reached the spot.

Normally, the river is only ankle-deep but upon arrival at  the river, it has reached 5 to 6 feet and according to the locals it was very dangerous to cross the river. The rate for the guide towards the falls is P200.00. But nobody would like to be our guide. And after several thoughts, I gave up the notion of crossing the river. Another buwis buhay (life-threatening) activity!

And so we went back to the town and I rented him again towards Cateel, Davao Oriental to see the Aiwagwag Falls. There are buses and vans plying the route. But it was scarce that day. Cateel is 45 kilometers from Baganga. And so after driving under the rain for 3 hours (36 kilometers back and forth from the town), I decided to use the habal-habal to Cateel. It was really an adventure! Typhoon Sensiang was already in Hinatuan (which is just 4 hours away from Baganga). Along the way, it was raining hard and the wind was carrying us.  

Normal rate for the ride is P500 but since he will be bringing me to Aliwagwag Falls (18 kilometers from the town of Cateel), I paid the driver P600.00 plus free lunch (bonus). It took us nearly 2 hours before reaching Aliwagwag Falls. And the ride was really an adventure!!!

Imagine, 35 kilometers for Curtain Falls, 45 kilometers for Cateel, and 18 kilometers for Aliwagwag Falls under a typhoon on board a habal-habal!!

The day before the adventure, I stayed in Trellis Lodge.

Trellis Lodge and Greenyard Resto Bar

Quirino Street, Poblacion, Baganga, Davao Oriental

Contact Nos. - 0912-519-7920 / 0907-179-2549

Lowest rate for backpacker in a dormitory-room type room is P300. Shared room for 4 pax.

And the other lodging establishment is Janice Lodging House. All air-conditioned  rooms and the lowest rate is P800.00. It is less than 5 minutes away from the town using a tricycle.

It's More Fun in Baganga!!