Smart Backpacker: Greenview Beach Resort

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Waterfalls Chasing in Mauban, Quezon

barangay road leading to Barangay Macasin

Day 1 - Mauban, Quezon

After my 20-day tour in Mindanao and Visayas, I found myself chasing waterfalls in Mauban, Quezon. There was only a one-day gap. I had to attend the FEU graduation and the following day, I was again traveling!

How to get there

Mauban is 147 kilometers from Manila and 40 kilometers from Lucena City.

It is accessible by bus and other modes of transportation.

Options 1 - Quezon City
Go to JAC Liner bus terminal at Kamias, Quezon City. The first bus leaves at 5 am. The afternoon bus leaves at 1 pm. Travel time is more or less 5 hours.

From Mauban, JAC Liner leaves at 4 am and 2 pm en route to Kamias Bus Terminal and 4:30 am to Buendia Terminal.

Option 2 - From Buendia, Pasay City
Go to Buendia-LRT Taft station. There are several buses servicing the route to Lucena Grand Terminal such as JAM Liner, DLTB, and JAC Liner. As early as 4 am, they offer the trip to Lucena. Last trip going to Lucena is around 9 pm. Board a bus going to Lucena. Fare from Buendia to Lucena Grand Central Terminal is P209.50 (127 kilometers). Travel time is 4-5 hours from Buendia.

Once you reach Lucena Grand Terminal, board the NCR Bus to Mauban. First trip is 4:30 am, then followed by 5:10 am and so on. Every 40 minutes, the NCR bus leaves. Travel time is 1.5 hours and fare is P54. Last trip going to Mauban is 5:30 pm.

Airconditioned vans are also available at SM City Lucena and Metro Gaisano Lucena City Va Terminals from 10 am to 9 pm. Fare is P70.

first hanging bridge

Thanks to Mark Christian Apordo, Rara, and Melvin De Los Santos - 0999-905-8490 (aka "Bok"), my tour guide for guiding me along the trail to my first falls.

the trail

From Fiesta Royale, I boarded a habal-habal to Barangay Macasin. It took us only less than 15 minutes and we reached the jump-off point.

second hanging bridge

Before we started our trek, we ate a light breakfast and we started the trek.

Macasin River

We had to cross two hanging bridges! I was excited! The trail was challenging and entertaining. Rara led the way to the falls.

We even crossed acres of rice fields and rice paddies.

Entrance

Finally, after nearly 40 minutes, we reached the area.

Entrance fee - P10

DAHOYHOY FALLS

According to my guide, there are a total of 20 waterfalls in Mauban. To date, only four are ready or available for tourism purposes.

Bgry Balay Balay near Guardians headquarters

We spent only 30 minutes in Dahoyhoy Falls and afterwards, we went back and headed to our second falls.

Another habal-habal ride for 12 minutes and we reached the jump-off point to our second falls for the day in Barangay Balay Balay.

Tito Bolan leading the trek

We hired another guide for the trail. The name of the guide is Tito Bolan (0910-222-3390). Guide fee depends on your kindest and most generous consideration.

Mark and Bok enjoying the river crossing

This time we had to endure a lot of river crossing but it was still fun!

After 22 minutes of fast-paced walking and river crossing, we reached our destination -

HAGDAN-HAGDAN FALLS

We started from the bottom of the falls and ascended to its peak.

Hagdan Hagdan in English means staircase.

According to Tito Bolan, trekkers and mountaineers normally spend the night at the falls.

The water is clear and refreshing. Enticing!

We spent another 30 minutes and went back to the jump-off point.

We rested at Mark's house and in the afternoon,

I was given the Inland Tour (another blog) of Mauban.

Day 2

The following morning around 7 am, we (Mark, Bok and I) met the town's Municipal Hall. We boarded a tricycle en route to Quezon City. Trike fee is P40. Travel time is 10 minutes only.

First boat ride to Barangay Luya-Luya is 8 am.

Fare in the boat is P7. Travel time is 10-12 minutes.

There is only one boat servicing the route and the interval is 20-25 minutes.

After 12 minutes, we reached Barangay Luya-Luya.

Then, habal-habal ride to Barangay Alitap. Fare is P30. Travel time is 12-15 minutes.

You will definitely enjoy this ride! =)

Imagine, crossing small bridges and narrow roads!

After reaching the Alitap Barangay Hall, we hired a guide named Lidon (0910-556-2985).

He is the head of security in the barangay.

After nearly 40 minutes of trekking, we reached our destination -

ALITAP FALLS

Alitap Falls is composed of of seven Falls!

Yup, 7 falls!

And this is just Falls Number 1.

Due to time constraint, we were able to reach only Falls No.1.

Trekking time for the falls

1st falls - 35- 40 minutes

2nd falls - 15-20 minutes

3rd falls - 15-20 minutes

4th-7th falls require a lot of patience, determination and sweat!

AFTERNOON

Thanks to RDML Travels (Contact persons: Randell Dy 0917 836 6506, 0998 995 7876, 0922 858 4337 and Mae Llamas, 0917 821 2796), we were able to go to our last falls by boat.

After nearly 1 hour of travel, we were able to reach one of the famed tourist spots in Mauban - Butas-Butas Beach. Part of our side trip to Cagbalete Island.

Bisibis Falls

We caught only a glimpse of the falls. We should have docked the boat and trekked the falls, but we were excited to go to Cagbalete Island. I promised myself that there will definitely be a next time.

Four waterfalls down and sixteen more to explore in Mauban.

Waterfalls Chasing in Mauban

SIMPLY AMAZING!!

Special Thanks to

Mr. Mark Christian Apordo

My tour guide - Melvin T. De Los Santos (0999-905-8490)

and

RDML Travels

It is the first travel agency in Mauban, Quezon. It offers hassle-free and absolutely affordable customized tour packages. It provides the following services -

Mauban town guided tour

Private boat transfers to Cagbalete, Island,

Room accommodation

Yang-in Island tour via Bamboo raft (Balsa) where you can savor your sumptuous feast, drink, party and relax while enjoying the view of the island

Island tour via boat. (activity includes swimming, snorkeling, fish feeding, cliff diving)

Private shuttle Transfers From/To Manila or Lucena, City

Side-trip to Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon

Soon to offer: Waterfalls chasing

Promotional Video: https://www.facebook.com/rdmltravels/videos/1602884273256884/?l=4830850612137853618

https://www.facebook.com/rdmltravels

INSTAGRAM

@rdmltravels

Contact person:

Randell Dy - 0917 836 6506, 0998 995 7876, 0922 858 4337

Mae Llamas - 0917 821 2796

Greenview Beach Resort

Near island port, about 100 meters or a 5-minute walk to the resort

Budget-friendly resort

Common and private bathrooms

Beautiful sunset view

Island tour services

Room rates for as low as Php 325.00 per person/night based on Quad-sharing. Air-conditioned rooms also available.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenview-Beach-Resort/366849580173011?sk=photos_stream

Contact person and number.:

MAE 0917 821 2796

Enjoy Mauban and Cagbalete Island

through RDML Travels!

Yang-In, Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon, Philippines

private boat to Cagbalete Island

Day 2 in Mauban, Quezon

Thanks to RDML Travels (Contact persons: Randell Dy 0917 836 6506, 0998 995 7876, 0922 858 4337 and Mae Llamas, 0917 821 2796), we were able to have this island hopping tour.

Originally, we were supposed to go directly to Cagbalete Island but part of our tour is the island hopping tour to Butas Butas Beach and Yang-In.

Butas Butas

After nearly 1 hour of travel, we were able to reach one of the famed tourist spots in Mauban - Butas-Butas Beach.

After seeing the Butas Butas Beach and Bisibis Falls, we went to our next spot - Yang-In. During high tide, Yang-In is the best spot to take a swim. On the other hand, on a low tide, it is the best place to take souvenir pictures and enjoy the sand ripples.

I could not help myself, I enjoyed the waters of Yang-In. I do not normally swim on a tour but Yang-In's waters tempted me to enjoy its crystal-clear waters.

Heaven on Earth!

Day 3

After watching the sunrise in Cagbalete Island, we went back to Yang-In and this time to see and enjoy the sand ripples! But this time our mode of transportation was the the floating bamboo raft (balsa). Again, this was part of the tour provided by RDML Travels. Good thing we were accommodated by RDML Travels!

The bamboo raft was tugged by a boat. You can enjoy your breakfast or lunch at the floating bamboo raft for a minimal fee.

We walked around Yang-In and enjoyed the scenery!

Sand Ripples!

Yang-In is the best spot to take souvenir pictures. A place for relaxation. An escape from the the stress and pressures of the work in the city.

Public Transportation to Cagbalete Island

There are only 2 schedules of the public boat transportation from Mauban to Cagbalete island – 10:00 am and 3:00 pm (from Cagbalete to Mauban – 7 am and 1 pm).

Travel time is 45 minutes only and the fare is P50. It is better to arrive at the port early. During lean season, the boat leaves 10:30 but during peak season, it leaves 9:30 am.

However, that during the influx of tourists (most often during Saturdays, holidays and summer season), the coast guard allows passenger boats to sail in varying times.

Maximum capacity of the boat is 50 passengers only.

Again, try to go to the port early or else you might miss your ride to the island. In case you miss the 10 am ride, wait for the 3:30 ride or you can charter a boat for P1,000 to go to the island.

Leaving the port, you can look back at the town of Mauban and wonder at the scenery.

Environmental fee – P50 (payable at Brgy. Sadsaran Ticketing Office)

Terminal fee – P20

Chartered Boats / Tourist Boats
1-2 passengers - P1,000 (one-way) / 1,500 (round trip)

3 pax - P1,500 (one-way) / P2,000 ( round trip)
4-5 pax - P2,000 / P2,500
6 pax - P2,500 / P3,000
7-8 pax - P3,000 / P3,500
9-12 pax - 3,500 / P4,000
13-15 pax - P4,000 / P4,500
16-20 pax - P4,500 / P5,000

Tour around the island by boat is P1,000