Hulugan and Aliw Falls Luisiana, Laguna

Summer is ON! and it's my mom's birthday last March 5,2016, so we decided to go to Hulugan and Aliw Falls to celebrate. We rent a jeep to get to Brgy. Salvador Luisiana, Laguna. The huge Hulugan Falls poster lead us the way to the house of the Brgy. Captain/ Registration Area. Registration fee is 10 pesos while the guide fee depends on you. Children below 7 years old are not allowed. However, if you wish to bring your children, you need to sign a waiver stating that they are not liable if in case of accidents.

The terrain going to the falls is a bit muddy and slippery probably because it is a rain forest. My mom and some of her office mates slipped as they walk,so extra caution is necessary. During that time I was wondering why it was called Hulugan Falls. I just thought, that maybe, because maraming nahuhulog at nadudulas before reaching the falls. After going through the muddy terrain, there is an on going construction road followed by a forest with a steep trail. 

Muddy and slippery terrain

On going construction road

Steep and challenging trail

After an hour, we had a glimpse of the mighty Hulugan Falls. It's like having a reward after all your hard work. Yey! It's a Saturday so it is a bit crowded and many people wanted to see how beautiful the falls is. We were not able to go to the other part of the falls because we are with the tanders (my mom's office mates) and as per our guide, the trail is more challenging and slippery than the previous. So after taking pictures and swimming, we head back to the registration area to get early to Aliw Falls.

First glimpse of Hulugan Falls

Majestic Hulugan Falls

 Aliw Falls is just 5-10 minutes away from Hulugan Falls. It is located at Brgy. San Jose Luisiana, Laguna, jump-off point is at Dafi Resort. Unlike Hulugan Falls, registration is not required in Aliw Falls. Entrance fee is 10 pesos but we paid 30 pesos to have access to the swimming pool and the guide fee depends on you. 

Road to camp site at Dafi resort

Dafi Resort's swimming pool

Fish pond

Koi fish

Starting the trek with a fish pond, koi fish aquarium and a rice field. Unlike Hulugan Falls, the trail to Aliw Falls is not as muddy and slippery and you can see more scenic views. 

Start trek, the one in gray jersey is our tour guide.

After 20-30 minutes, we reached the beautiful Aliw Falls. Aside from the local children, we were the only tourist there. We even saw the local children cliff dive at the left side of the falls. Our guide told us that it is better to swim at the top of the falls since it has a jacuzzi-like basin.

Time to Rest

The Beautiful Aliw Falls

Jacuzzi-like formations at the top of the falls

Top of Aliw Falls

Look at how happy and sweet my parents are.

ITINERARY:

0600H: Meet up Santa Rosa
0630H: ETD Santa Rosa
0830H: ETA. Registration Area Brgy. San Salvador Luisiana, Laguna
0900H: Start trek for Hulugan Falls
1000H: ETA. Hulugan Falls
1200H: Start trek back to Registration Area
1300H: Back to registration area
1330H: Lunch and rest
1430H: ETD. Head to Aliw Falls
1500H: Registration at Dafi Resort/ Start trek
1530H: Arrival at Aliw Falls
1630H: Head back to Dafi Resort
1700H: Arrival at Dafi resort/ Swim/ Pack
1800H: ETD. Head back to Santa Rosa
2000H: Home sweet home

Things to Bring:

• Trail water (1L)
• Sun block
• Wet wipes
• Camera
• Food
• Extra clothes for swimming

Gwatlo's Comeback Climb: Mt. Daraitan, Tinipak River and Tuntong Cave

Gwatlo's Comback Climb: Ibalik ang lakas at Sigla!

Location: Mt. Daraitan Tanay Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon

Trail Difficulty: Minor climb, 4/9

Features: Tropical Forest, limestone formations, river trek

Highlights:

• Great view at summit with other Sierra Madre mountains on the background.
• Amazing rock formations/ clean water of Tinipak River (campsite).
• Very cold water and amazing rock formations of Tuntong Cave.
• Limestone rock formations at the summit.

Gwatlo Happy Hikers Meet up at Don Bosco Church Santa Rosa, Laguna

11 km away from Brgy. Daraitan

Balsa ride

Tinipak River

Round 1. Fight!

Camp site at Tinipak River

Tuntong Cave

We started our trek at around 4:30AM. It was dark and a head light/ flash light is needed.  We had 2 local guides to trail up the summit (front and end guide). There were no store in the stop overs/ camps so bringing snacks and water is a must to avoid dehydration.  

Cloudy morning

Doing the Gwatlo pose at the summit. woohoo!

Found a green snake at the summit. Yay!

Since it was drizzling on our way down,we had a hard time because the trail is muddy and slippery. Luckily, no one was injured but 4 in our team was lost and ended up at the other part of the trail that lead them back to the barangay hall. 

Start descent

After waiting for the others to reach the camp site at Tinipak River, some of us prepared for our lunch and some went to swim and wash muddy clothes and shoes.

Itinerary:

      Day 1

     0530H: Meet up

     0600H: ETD. Head to Brgy. Daraitan Tanay, Rizal

     0700H: ETA Crossing, Cubao

     0900H: ETA. Brgy. Daraitan Tanay, Rizal (Secure Parking)

     0930H: ETA. Brgy. Hall of Daraitan (Secure guides and register)

     1000H: Start Trek

     1130H: ETA. Tinipak River (Set Camp)

     1200H: Lunch and Rest

     1300H: Explore Tuntong Cave

     1500H: Back to camp/ River swimming

     1600H: Prepare for dinner

     1800H: Dinner

     1900H: Socials (Drinking Session/Games/Kwentuhan)

     2100H: Lights off/ Sleep time

     Day 2

      

      0400H: Wake up call. Prepare for summit assault

     0430H: Start trek to summit.

     0600H: ETA summit

     0700H: Start descent going back to camp

     0800H: Back at Camp

     0830H: Prepare Breakfast

     1000H: Breakfast

     1100H: Break Camp/ Start descent

     1300H: Back at Brgy. Hall

     1400H: Head back to Laguna

     1700H: Back to Laguna

Things to Bring:

     

• Trail Water (2L)
• Camp Water (2L)
• Trail food (biscuits/candy)
• Cap
• Sleeves
• Sunblock
• Gatorade
• Headlamp
• Flashlight
• Wet wipes
• Off lotion
• Camera
• Extra clothes (Bring more for swimming)

     

Mt. Batulao Nasugbu, Batangas Day Hike

“You must give everything to make your life as beautiful as the dreams that dance in your imagination.”  ― Roman Payne

This is our first time to write a blog about our adventures and this will serve as our travel diary. To start our travel diary, here's our trip to Mt. Batulao Nasugbu, Batangas with our team (Gwatlo Happy Hikers). 

Mt. Batulao's trail difficulty is 3/10 which is good for beginners/newbies. Wear sleeves and leggings because it is an open trail and nothing would protect us from the sun's heat. The trail to the summit is not too exhausting but you need to bring extra water just in case.

Gwatlo Happy Hikers

My favorite part of the trail. 

 Camp site view :D

Breath taking view of Mt. Batulao

1st part of the trail
.

Here's our itinerary:

0500H - Meet up at Paseo

0515H - Board to Nasugbu, Batangas via Silang, Cavite to Tagaytay road

0630H - ETA Evercrest, Nasugbu, Batangas

0700H - ETA jump off, start ascent

0815H - Arrival at Fork (take left, downward trail for OLD trail or continue the straight path for NEW trail)

* We took the new trail since this is advisable for beginners

0900H - Arrival at Peak 8, rest and register.

0915H - Summit assault

1000H - Arrival at summit, take pictures.

1030H - Start descent

1230H - Back at jump-off

1300H - Lunch time

1400H onwards - side trip to Caleruega or Tagaytay.

1600H - Head back to Laguna

1730H - Home sweet Home

Things to bring:

• 2 - 3 Liters of Water each
• Packed Lunch
• Snacks / Trail food (candy, gum, peanuts, chocolates, junk foods)
• Extra clothes and toiletries
• Umbrella
• Sunblock
• Garbage bag

Must wear:

• Jogging / Trekking Pants / Shorts
• Leggings (for those who will wear shorts)
• Longsleeve Dri Fit / Comfortable shirt with arm sleeves
• Cap
• Scarf
• Sandals / Shoes