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 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 after 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 heads 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 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

REMINDERS/GUIDES/TIPS

LOCATION:

• Barangay San Salvador, Luisiana, Laguna, Philippines

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 the 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 = ₱15

POWER PACK:

• Dry Bag
• Aqua Shoes
• Swimwear
• Trekking shoes/slippers
• Trekking Pole
• Raincoat
• Umbrella
• Trail Food
• 2-3 Liters of Water
• First Aid Kit
• Cap/Hat
• Insect Repellant
• Packed Lunch
• Extra Clothes

ACCOMMODATIONS:

• ACCOMMODATIONS IN LAGUNA:

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• Enchanted Kingdom Tickets
• Mountain Lake Resort Day Access
• Paintball, Zip Line, Biking, and Wall Climbing in Global Gutz Laguna

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CONNECT:

• Contact Number (Kap Ramon – Barangay Captain): (+63) 928 975 9752

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 barefoot. I even slipped and injured my foot.
• There is no specific amount of how much to pay for 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 that come from the strong rush of the falls 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.

©CHASEJASE