Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Unusual Pagsanjan Falls Tour (via Cavinti)


My friends and I just wanted to take advantage of another holiday.  But our challenge is, we had to look for a place to go to, wherein we can have fun and adventure on a One Thousand Peso budget.

Unknown to many, there is another way, a new way to get to Magdapio or Pagsanjan falls.  Magdapio is the original name of the falls, but since it's known to many that the way to go there is through the town of Pagsanjan, it became Pagsanjan falls.  The waterfalls is actually located at the town of Cavinti, Laguna.

If you like adventure, then this is your way.  Please take note that I'm discouraging person's with high blood pressure, asthma, and the like to take this route.  This route requires a lot of stamina.  But there's always the usual route to go to the falls, and that is via Pagsanjan by a river trip on dugout canoe.

There's an HM bus liner that travels in ESDA from Cubao to Sta. Cruz, Laguna that leaves every hour.  We boarded at Crossing, asked the conductor of the bus to drop us at Pagsawitan.  Fare from Crossing to Pagsawitan is P140.25.  Travel takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

At Pagsawitan, there are a lot of jeepney's that travels through Sta. Cruz, Laguna.  We had to go to Sta. Cruz to meet our friend at the Cavinti terminal.  You'll know that you are at the Cavinti terminal because it's a street across Mercury Drug Store at the town proper of Sta. Cruz.

When we arrive at the terminal, we agreed to take our lunch at a local restaurant before boarding the jeep, since it's already past lunch time.  Jeepney's bound to Cavinti do not leave until it's full.  And most of the locals are with baggage.  Just ask the driver to drop you off at the tricycle terminal of Juction to Pueblo El Salvador.  Last trip from Cavinti to Sta. Cruz is at 5PM.

Upon arrival at Pueblo El Salvador.  You will be asked to register and pay the tour fee of P150.  That includes your entrance fee, a tour guide and all the things that you need for rappelling.  Here, we left our bags and just brought important things with us, including water.

With Raz at Pueblo El Salvador
The trek to the falls takes an hour or two.  Depends on your speed.  When we reached the statue of El Salvador Del Mundo and after walking for more than 30 minutes, I thought we were half of the trek, but I was wrong.  This statue is just a mark of the beginning of a hundred more steps down.

El Salvador Del Mundo
Longest stairs I've seen

I must admit, my knees and legs were shaking when we reached the falls.  But everything paid off when we were there, specially when were in the cave.  We had to stay there for a while to enjoy the cold and relaxing water.  We even asked the raftsmen to led us back right under the falls.  It was really fun.  But it was short.
On our way to the cave under the falls.

Helping the raftsmen pull us back.
We were wet, refreshed, and relaxed.  And then I remembered that our adventure has just begun.  We had to climb back to Pueblo El Salvador.  I even asked one of the boats men how much will they charge me if I ride on their boat to Pagsanjan.  But then I realized the essence of this trek.  So there's no way for me but UP.
Us playing around.
 There's actually another falls that you can pass by before going to Magdapio.  It's called Nakulo Falls.  Unfortunately for us, we need to come back for that.

Total expenses for this trip:




















Note:  Tips & pasalubong are not included.




If you like this post, please consider sharing it on Facebook and Twitter.  Or you may leave a comment to help my blog.  Happy reading, thank you! :)










7 comments:

  1. Hi Gina,

    Very nice and helpful post. I will be going to Pagsanjan Falls this coming May 19, 2012. Do you think it is possible that I can go there thru Cavinti and ride the rapids to go to Pagsanjan, instead of returning back to El Pueblo Park? And how much?

    Your help will be very much appreciated. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you very much. :D


    LAR
    www.philtravelphotos.com
    www.amazing-philippines.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi LAR,

    I'm also planning on something like that when I bring my kids there. When I asked one of the boatmen, he charges P150 for the rapid ride to Pagsanjan.

    I hope you enjoy the adventure. Good luck! :D

    Gina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi again,

      Thank you very much for the helpful info. I will try it. Is that per head or per boat because I am a solo backpacker? :D

      Thanks again. :D


      LAR
      www.philtravelphotos.com
      www.amazing-philippines.com

      Delete
  3. That's per head LAR. They'll just tag you along with their other passengers. Have fun! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much again! I am sure I will enjoy the trip. I hope you can also go there again with your family. Goodluck to your trips and best regards!


      Salamat!
      LAR
      www.philtravelphotos.com
      www.amazing-philippines.com

      Delete
  4. I also visited pagsanjan falls last month but we took the boat ride. So this is the stair that i saw there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi reyah! Yes, you should try this route next time. It's challenging and fun at the same time. :D

      Delete