Pagsanjan Falls Getaway...

I with my running friends Alain, Jeric and Doc Cindy decided to take a weekend break to wash away our stress in our daily work – and that is going to Pagsanjan Falls.

Diego (me), Jeric, Doc Cindy and Alain taking a souvenir shot

Though the waterfalls is named as “Pagsanjan”, the falls is actually not located in the town of Pagsanjan but in Cavinti. The locals called it as Cavinti Falls. However, it is more popularly known as Pagsanjan Falls. But for us, it doesn't matter whether the waterfalls is in Cavinti or Pagsanjan. There are 2 routes available for tourists to reach this beautiful work of nature.

Pagsanjan Route- The most popular option for travelers to reach the falls, that starts from any of the resorts along Balanac and Bumbungan rivers through riding a wooden boat known as “Shooting the Rapids” paddled by 2 skilled and licensed boatmen (bangkeros).

Arriving tourists riding a shooting rapid (boat) via Pagsanjan Route

Cavinti Route - For those who loves adventure (just like us), the Cavinti route offers a chance to hike/trek and rappel to reach the location of the falls. The vertical trek includes a downward climb on a steep steel ladder for the tourist to reach the falls. A floating bamboo raft at the bottom will take the tourists to the “devil’s cave” located behind the cascading curtains of the main falls.

Relaxing near the registration center at Pueblo El Salvador before trekking to the falls.

We decided to take the Cavinti route. As part of our journey, here is our actual itinerary:

PAGSANJAN FALLS (MAGDAPIO FALLS)

Itinerary via Cavinti, Laguna Route
May 4, 2014

05:30 AM      Meet-up at 7-11 Lucena Bayan

05:54 AM      ETD Lucena to Lucban, Quezon

06:41 AM      ETA Lucban, Quezon stop over ate some pancit habhab

07:00 AM      ETD Lucban, Quezon to Cavinti

07:20 AM      ETA Luisiana, Laguna

07:49 AM      ETA Pueblo EL Salvador Cavinti Nature's Park & Picnic Grove, Rest, Take Brunch.

08:00 AM      Start Trek, Rappel.

08:30 AM      ETA Magdapio Falls (a.k.a. Pagsanjan Falls), Photo-ops.

11:30 AM      ETD Magdapio Falls, Start Back Track.

12:01 PM      ETA Pueblo EL Salvador Cavinti Nature's Park & Picnic Grove, Rest, Snacks, Tidy up.

12:30 PM      ETD Pueblo EL Salvador Cavinti Nature's Park & Picnic Grove, Take a side trip to Lake Caliraya, Cavinti

12:40 PM      ETA Lake Caliraya

01:00 PM      ETD Lake Caliraya to Kamayan sa Palaisdaan, Tayabas Quezon

02:00 PM      ETA Kamayan sa Palaisdaan, Tayabas, Quezon (Food Trip)

03:00 PM      ETD Kamayan sa Palaisdaan to Lucena

03:30 PM      ETA Lucena board Manila bound Bus (w/ Alain).

Eating Lucban Pancit Habhab before going to Cavinti

Excited @ the registration center

We started our trek to the falls with the tour guide named Dennis, after paying a Php 270.00 each for Pueblo El Salvador Entrance, Environmental and Guide ship Fee. Approximately, after a 15 minute concrete-paved trek, not all are well-paved some are trails, we entered the forest. We started to hear the splashing sound of the water from the water falls. After a couple of minutes of trekking, the steel ladder trek started at the Statue of El Pueblo and we have to wear a safety harness going down the cylindrical tube with steps.

Doc Cindy rappelling down through the cylindrical tube

Jeric poses after rappelling

The route is very challenging and full of adventure. And this is not for fainthearted person because you will pass 2 stations where you need to rappel in 90 degrees point  (twice) to get down. During that time, it was very difficult because the trail was so slippery because of the rainfalls.  The stairs are getting sharp and steeper until we finally reached the stunning beauty of Pagsanjan Falls. And take note that the most challenging episode of this journey is when going back.

Walking down with the metal ladder

Alain rappelling in 90degrees point

All of us got so excited when we were approaching the falls, Jeric was already shouting out of excitement like WHOA!!!! YAHOO!!! Then after the last scary stairs we walk down with almost 60%-70% inclined ---- We finally see what we’re looking for after our challenging experience. The stunning Pagsanjan Falls!!! And of course our visit is not complete without the raft ride experience going to the waterfalls curtain to the devils cave beneath the falls. It was like a natural massage with a bit of pressure because water falls down on our heads.

Bankeros (botmen) seen in the upper view before going down near the falls

Post arrival pose :)

Ready to climb the cylindrical tube

Riding at the Bamboo Raft

Swimming @ the falls

Thank you Alain for this photo

Souvenir shot before going to the Devil's cave beneath the falls

Trekking back

Side trip: Caliraya Lake

Our reward: Dining at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan, Tayabas, Quezon

Over all, it was really fun!!! We really enjoyed and our hard work paid off because of the gratifying chance to see the beauty of Pagsanjan Falls plus the trekking, climbing, rappelling, rafting, passing through the falls to devil’s cave and swimming; it was one heck of a memorable experience. It’s worth the sweat!