Hulugan Falls – Luisiana, Laguna (Travel Guide)

MAJESTIC – the best word to describe Hulugan Falls.

Instead of climbing Mt. Batulao (Our original plan from the very start, but there’s this force that won’t let us :P), we decided to visit Hulugan Falls. A recently opened destination for adventurers and nature lovers. It is located in Barangay San Salvador, Luisiana, Laguna.

GOING THERE

We rode a JAC Liner bus in Buendia going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. We left late and got stuck in the traffic. We dropped at SunStar Mall in Sta. Cruz and bought groceries. Just on the left side of the mall, there’s a jeepney terminal. We rode a jeepney bound to Lucena and told the driver to drop us at Barangay San Salvador. We register at the registration area as soon as we arrived at the barangay. They’ve introduced us to our guide and rode a trike going to the Barangay Captain’s home where we register again and paid the fee (registration or environmental) of 10 pesos. After registration, we rode the trike again and stopped at the jump-off point.

We started our trek around noon. The trail was muddy and rocky. It took us 30 minutes to tread the trail. As we are descending, we can hear the loud splash of the falls and just a few more steps, we saw Hulugan Falls.

MAJESTIC HULUGAN FALLS

It was MAJESTIC! The flow was very strong as it rained days before. Mists were created and spread throughout the area. We can hear the loud flow of water which is music to the ears. It’s 200+ ft high and we raised our head in awe. The color of the water resulted from the eroded soil caused by the rain. According to our guide, the water can be as clear as a drinking water.

Our guide told us to visit the cave near the base of the falls, but the current of the water was too strong to make a good footing. So, we decided not to go, safety first. Instead, we went to the middle to take pictures.

We stayed at the middle but we can’t swim, the current was really strong. All we can do was appreciate the falls’ beauty and it was worth it.  After taking pictures, we tried to eat our lunch but the mists were everywhere. We cook our food and ate behind a huge boulder, but the rain came. Everything is wet but that’s okay, we’re with nature and it was fun.

Before leaving, I closed my eyes, listened to the rushing waters, felt the mists and took deep breaths. I can’t describe the feeling but I was very happy being here even if I got injured. We were in awe and it was hard to leave, but it was time to go. We took our last glance of the falls and thought of returning again someday.

ITINERARY

 

EXPENSES

Bus from Buendia to Sta. Cruz, Laguna	140 Pesos
Jeepney from Sta. Cruz to Brgy. San Salvador	30 Pesos
Trike going to Barangay Captain’s house and jump-off point	20 Pesos
Guide Fee (400 Pesos/3 persons)	133 Pesos
Shower	15 Pesos
Bibingka	33 Pesos
Trike back to Highway	20 Pesos
Jeepney to Pagsanjan	25 Pesos
Bus back to Manila	132 Pesos
Food and Necessities	300 Pesos (Personal)

Total: 848.00 Pesos per head

 

 

REMINDERS/GUIDES/TIPS

How to get there:

• Take a bus (DLTB) from Buendia Bus Terminal bound to Sta. Cruz. Drop off at SunStar Mall. (Fare = P140, Travel time = 2 Hours and 30 Minutes)
• Take a jeep at the terminal beside SunStar going to San Salvador. (Fare = P30, Travel time = 45 Minutes)
• Ride a trike from highway (San Salvador) going to Barangay Captain’s house/Jump-off (Fare = P20, Travel time = 30 Minutes)

 

Fees:

• Guide Fee  = no specific amount (Depends on how much you will give the guide.)
• Wash up Fee = P15

 

Power pack:

• Sandals/Slippers/Outdoor shoes
• Dry Bag
• Snacks
• Extra Clothes
• Swimwear
• First Aid Kit

 

Notes:

• Wear outdoor shoes or sandals that hold your feet firmly, the trail is muddy and rocky. I wore slippers and it was easily filled with mud. It snapped just at the beginning of the trail and I end up walking on barefoot. I even slipped and injured my foot.
• There is no specific amount of how much to pay the guide. According to other tourists, they paid 300 pesos. We paid 400 pesos, the 100 being a tip (We’re good kids ;P).
• Waterproof your stuff. Strong mists come from the strong rush of the falls which can really wet anything.
• Don’t litter. Leave No Trace. We were lucky to see the place still untouched and it was pleasing to see.
• Contact Person: Kap Ramon – 0928 975 9752 (Barangay Captain)

 

TRAVEL DATE: NOVEMBER 2016