Mt. Romelo has always been a popular destination among hiking enthusiasts. But it was only in 2018 that I got the chance to see what Romelo has to offer. 📍Buruwisan Falls
🇵🇭MT. ROMELO ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭
✈️🛳🚌 How to get to Mt. Romelo, Laguna:
⏺ Ride a bus from Metro Manila to Santa Cruz, Laguna (e.g. DLTB in LRT Taft-Buendia; travel time is 2 – 3 hours depending on traffic condition).
⏺ Transfer to a jeepney bound for the town of Siniloan (travel time: 1 – 1.5 hours).
⏺ Upon arrival at Siniloan’s town proper, charter a tricycle to reach Barangay Macatad which serves as the jump-off.
⏺ Register and secure guide/s.
I have always been a fan of waterfalls. I have seen countless ones, even off-the-grid waterfalls from different parts of the country. Lots of my traveler friends would even consult me whenever they’re planning to visit a not-so-touristy waterfall. So visiting these waterfalls of Mt. Romelo was definitely a mission accomplished. 📍Sampaloc FallsMt. Romelo’s summit may not be as picturesque compared to other mountains in the country but it boasts of pristine waterfalls such as this one. 📍Sapang Labo FallsMy friend had always been asking me if we could hike Mt. Romelo. I was hesitant at first. From what I heard, it’s known for its extremely muddy trails and I hate mud. Besides, mountain leeches or “limatik” are also present. And yes, you read it right. I’m scared of them. 📍Buruwisan FallsWe waited for the perfect moment before we could finally chase Romelo’s waterfalls. I had been monitoring the weather first for possible thunderstorms on the day of our hike. 📍Sampaloc Falls
It was raining on the day of our climb! Damn. I had no right to complain anyway as weather forecasts are really not that accurate since weather changes every now and then. But I wasn’t really expecting enormous amounts of rain thrown upon us by Mum Nature. Our guide even said that it’s been sunny prior to the day of our hike and the day of our visit marked the first rain in ages. 📍Buruwisan FallsMy friend and I met up early at McDonald’s Buendia and left for Santa Cruz before 4:00 AM. We were on our way to Siniloan before sunrise. After having breakfast, our tricycle driver and guide then took us to the jump-off. 📍Buruwisan FallsAnd so our (mis)adventures began. The trail was wet and slippery because of the mud. I was somehow blaming my friend (as a joke). “This was your plan and you insisted on this trip,” I grumbled. He just laughed at my remark. 📍Trail en route to Buruwisan FallsIt was a weekday and there were only a few hikers we met along the way. After staying for a couple of minutes at the summit of Mt. Romelo to catch our breath, we continued our way to Buruwisan Falls. We got this place all to ourselves when we arrived. Upon seeing this waterfall with my own eyes, I blurted out right away, “I am taking back everything I said. All the nagging and complaining, I mean.” My friend was like, “See?” 📍Buruwisan FallsWe decided to get closer to the drop of the waterfall to get this shot. When a group of hikers arrived, it was our cue for us to go.
⏰⏳ SAMPLE DAY HIKE ITINERARY:
3:00 AM ETD for Santa Cruz
5:00 AM ETD for Siniloan
6:00 AM ETA Siniloan / breakfast/ buy packed lunch
7:00 AM ETA jump-off / register and secure guide/s
7:30 AM Commence trek
9:00 AM ETA Summit
9:30 AM ETA Campsite
10:00 AM Buruwisan Falls
11:00 AM Lanzones Falls
12:00 PM Back to campsite
1:00 PM Sapang Labo Falls
2:00 PM Batya-Batya Falls
3:00 PM Sampaloc Falls
4:00 PM Start descent
5:30 PM Wash up
6:00 PM ETD for Santa Cruz
7:30 PM ETD for Manila
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler): Php 1,500 – Php 2,000
***Expenses may vary depending on personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the guide fees and tricycle transfer rates.
After walking a few meters, we arrived at this smaller waterfall, Lanzones Falls. This spot where the waterfall is was dim as it was surrounded by trees. The setting plus the gloomy clouds made it perfect for long exposure shots.We only stayed for a few minutes at Lanzones Falls before heading to the next waterfall on our list.We walked the muddy path en route to Sapang Labo. It was almost time for lunch when we finished our pictorial here.We made our way to the campsite to eat and take a rest. A cup of hot noodles was our meal amidst the drizzling and cold weather. Thanks to the small store selling noodles and other snacks for starving mountaineers like us.We proceeded to our fourth waterfall right after lunch. The awesome river trek through this canyon warmed us up before braving the last leg of our hike to Batya-Batya. 📍En route to Batya-Batya FallsThe highlight to reach this waterfall was walking in this chest-deep water. This photo was taken before that plunge. l had to beg my friend (and threatened him too) to delete my behind-the-scene pictures which he took using his cellphone. I looked so funny in those shots and I couldn’t help myself but despise what I looked like as I was submerged in the deep portions of the river while carrying my bag on top of my head. I was like, “Don’t you ever post those photos because my fans will see them or else, friendship over.” 📍En route to Batya-Batya FallsThe water of the river chilled me to the bones. We walked a few more meters before we were finally greeted by the wide basin of Batya-Batya.Batya-Batya Falls is the smallest among the waterfalls we visited. But hikers still enjoy this wide swimming area of the waterfall. There were actually quite a number of people upon our arrival.
📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:
📌The hike to get to five waterfalls in a day would take about 6 – 8 hours depending on your pace and duration of stay in each waterfall.
📌Bring enough hydration. Water source is available at the campsite.
📌Expect rain during monsoon season (June-February). The trail gets really muddy during rainy season.
📌You may opt to join organized hiking events online.
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
We headed to our last waterfall. On our way to Sampaloc Falls, we chanced upon an area with mountain leeches. I frantically walked hoping none of them hadn’t bitten me. As soon as we reached Sampaloc Falls, I double-checked my body if these critters were able to penetrate the fabric of my clothes. Thank the gods none of them had the chance.We capped off our waterfall circuit here at Sampaloc Falls. It may not be as tall as Buruwisan but it is equally beautiful anyway.We would have wanted to see more of Mt. Romelo’s waterfalls but it’s quite impossible to see all of them in just one day. It was an exhausting hike but I enjoyed every moment of it nonetheless. And I wasn’t bitten by leeches too!We spent some more time enjoying our refreshing swim in the cold water of Sampaloc Falls before descending back to the jump-off.
***For other destinations in Laguna and CALABARZON, you may visit this link.
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