Sure thing there was a lapse in my sanity when I saw this. Truly stunning. The two-hour butt-numbing dangerous motorcycle ride through mud, mud and mud to get to one of the most enchanting waterfalls I have explored so far was definitely worth it.
Thanks to Explore Philippines Magazine for including this photo in its December 2016 Issue.
🇵🇭ASIK-ASIK FALLS ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭
🏄🏝🚴 How to get to Asik-Asik Falls, North Cotabato
⏺ Take a plane from Metro Manila (e.g. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific) to Cotabato City (Awang Airport).
⏺ Ride a van to Midsayap, North Cotabato or bus bound for Davao and alight at Midsayap (travel time: less than 1 hour).
⏺ If you are coming from Davao City, ride a bus or van from Davao City Transport Terminal/Ecoland Bus Terminal bound for Cotabato City and alight at Midsayap (travel time: 3.5 – 4 hours depending on traffic condition and number of stop-overs).
⏺ Ride a jeepney to Upper Dado, Alamada.
⏺ Hire a motorcycle to reach the jump-off.
⏺ Alternatively, you may hire a motorcycle in Midsayap that will take you directly to Asik-Asik Falls to save on time.
⏺Register then trek to get to the waterfall.
Visiting this waterfall had always been among the top places in my bucket list. Ever since I started backpacking, I’ve been hearing about this from fellow travelers. And when my friends and I booked our plane tickets for our trip in July 2016, I made sure that Asik-Asik was part of our itinerary.Unfortunately, my friends backed out and I was the only one left who still wanted to pursue the plan. It was going to be an expensive trip since I would be shouldering all the expenses and no one would share the costs with me. But because I badly wanted to see this waterfall in the flesh, I decided to go for it. After all, what would I have to lose if I went alone? Actually, I would lose this opportunity of a lifetime had I bailed out. I kept telling myself, “Stop being a pussy and just do it!” Besides, I’ve always wanted to travel alone in Mindanao. This adventure leg was the best opportunity for that dream to materialize.
⏰⏳ SAMPLE ITINERARY:
6:00 AM ETA Midsayap
6:30 AM Breakfast
7:30 AM ETD for Alamada
9:30 AM Commence trek
10:00 AM ETA Asik-Asik Falls
2:00 PM Wash up
3:00 PM ETD for Midsayap
5:00 PM ETA Midsayap
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler): Php 2,000 – Php 2,500 (exclusive of airfare)
***Expenses may vary depending on personal consumption of food and other necessities.
Asik-Asik Falls was the first destination on my list in this adventure leg of one week here in Mindanao. I landed at Davao Airport in the evening and checked in a hotel in downtown Davao. I slept for a few hours then hailed a cab by 2:00 AM to Ecoland. I originally planned to take the bus but I heard a van barker outside the bus terminal calling out to passengers en route to Cotabato City. My friend who lives in Mindanao always reminds me to ride a bus as much as possible and never take vans due to reckless drivers. Besides, it was still dark which was way riskier. But for someone who grew up in a province with only vans as the means of transport, I’ve been already used to this. We waited for quite some time for more passengers as it was still early. The van finally departed a few minutes before 4:00 AM. Because it was my first solo trip in Mindanao, I was still nervous and scared at that time, but to be honest, I couldn’t contain my excitement.My motorcycle driver/guide was already waiting for me at the town proper of Midsayap when I arrived. He accompanied me first to the lodge so I could leave my huge backpack. While eating breakfast, I asked my guide how muddy the road is. He smiled and replied, “Just see for yourself, Sir.” He also showed me the wheels of his motorcycle caked with mud. It doesn’t look so bad, I thought to myself. My guide lives in the municipality of Alamada where Asik-Asik Falls is located. Alamada is roughly two hours away from Midsayap. I could have taken the cheaper option which is via jeepney then a shorter motorcycle ride but it would cost me a lot of my time. So I hired a guide who could pick me up from Midsayap and take me directly to Asik-Asik. It’s more expensive but I knew it’s going to be worth it.The blogs I’ve read online about Asik-Asik Falls always warn people of the muddy condition of the roads going to this waterfall. As for what I experienced, saying that the road en route to the waterfall was muddy is totally an understatement. It’s not an exaggeration. But it’s part of the adventure anyway. The motorcycle ride usually takes about two hours depending on how muddy the road is. The first leg of our ride was a piece of cake as we traversed the concrete highway to Alamada. But halfway through, the dark skies rained on us. It’s understandable, considering Alamada’s higher elevation where the weather is usually overcast or worse, rainy. So we had to make a stop as my guide needed to put chains around the wheels of our motorcycle. According to him, our ride would have been much easier if it didn’t rain as the sunshine that morning already dried up some portions of the road. Unfortunately, it’s all wet again. Talk about being unlucky! Mum Nature be like: Here’s some fresh mud for you!Thank the gods our descent down the concrete stairs towards the waterfall was relatively quick. Boy was my bum so tired from that two-hour motorcycle ride. My heart skipped a beat the second I heard the faint sound of this jewel hidden in the wilderness. This was the initial angle of Asik-Asik that welcomed me. But do you know what the best thing is? The place was virtually deserted during my visit!My guide and I walked to this part so I could capture the other side of this waterfall. It felt like I was transported to a scene in a fairy tale. I could imagine faeries playing by the sprinkling water against the lush greenery.
📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:
📌The jeepney trips to Upper Dado from Midsayap are limited so it is advisable to hire a motorcycle that will take you straight to the jump-off.
📌The trek takes about 20 – 40 minutes depending on your pace.
📌If you will be coming from Midsayap, prepare yourself for the muddy motorcycle ride for approximately 2 hours to get to the jump-off.
📌There are times that you will be asked to dismount from the motorcycle because of the muddy road.
📌Expect rain and muddy roads during monsoon season (June-February).
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
☎️ Contact:
📌Motorcycle Driver/Tour Guide: Kuya Yson Padrique (09268605767) – he can pick you up at the town proper of Midsayap. He will also serve as your guide to get to the waterfall.
We returned to this face of the stone wall and I just couldn’t help myself but marvel at the splendor of Asik-Asik as the showering sound of the waterfall enveloped the forest. We munched on some pastil (rice packed in banana leaves with chicken; popular in Mindanao especially among Muslims) I bought at a small store in Upper Dado. As soon as we finished eating, I started packing up then drowned myself in one of my “what-ifs” at the back of my mind. I should completely immerse myself in this once-in-a-lifetime experience, I thought to myself.I set up again my tripod and tweak the most appropriate camera settings then taught my guide when to click the button once I signaled. I climbed up the boulders for more of these epic shots. It was so cold yet negligible amidst the ecstasy I was feeling.Normally, waterfalls are part of a river cascading into a ravine. But one feature that I love about Asik-Asik Falls which makes it so unique is how its water sprinkles out of holes falling down its curtain of ferns and moss. My guide said that the source of Asik-Asik is believed to be a lake or spring and this waterfall never dries up even during summer season.I was shivering from the cold after showering under the waterfall so I changed into a dry shirt. The trek back up the stairsteps to the jump-off was a bit tiring because it was assault all the way.On our way back to Midsayap, I had to dismount off the motorcycle because an extremely muddy portion of the road was so steep. I also came across other visitors who had to walk because their motorcycles could not maneuver through the mud. I really salute the locals for their skills as drivers. Visitors may consider the price for hiring these drivers as quite steep but if you’re gonna ask me, I think the price does not suffice for what they have to go through so that they could bring their passengers safely to the jump-off. My guide said that a lot of tourists would try to haggle down the charge of motorcycle rental but we have to accept the fact that sometimes, getting to a piece of paradise like Asik-Asik Falls comes at a price. Besides, it’s all worth it, I swear. So if you opt for the more expensive but less-of-a-hassle option, my piece of advice is to get your drivers/guides from Alamada. These drivers got chains available that they put around the wheels of their motorcycles in case all hell breaks loose and the path is extremely muddy. Besides, their expertise in traversing these muddy roads equates to your safety.As we traveled back to Midsayap, there were instances that I would doze off since I didn’t get enough sleep the night before. My guide must have felt my weight behind him. I tried my best to shake off the little devils dancing on my eyelids but it felt so good to give in. Please don’t imitate what I did as much as possible. You might fall off the vehicle and you will be history. As soon as we reached Midsayap, my guide took me back to my accommodation. I couldn’t thank him enough for that day. It’s undeniable that Mindanao is known among backpackers to be the land of the most grandiose and majestic waterfalls in the country. And after seeing Asik-Asik Falls with my own eyes, I could never ever contest why Mindanao has been dubbed as the Land of Promise.
***For other destinations in SOCCSKSARGEN, you may visit this link.
