We were supposed to go to Corrigidor this weekend as most of us haven’t been there yet but the cheapest package tour available was almost 2000 pesos on a day trip alone. I reckon I could already visit a few tourist spots with this budget so I announced a rushed day hike to Mt. Romelo instead, which promises a short day hike and a chance to see several waterfalls.
Fortunately, my mountaineering friend May had been to Mt. Romelo a couple of times and was still keen on joining our group to another day hike to the waterfalls. She was a great help in organizing the trip and planning the itinerary. On the day of the hike, there were seven of us who showed up at our meeting place near Robinsons Galleria. There was an hourly bus that passes along Ortigas Avenue en route to Infanta, Quezon.
We missed the 5:00am bus going to Infanta, Quezon so we waited for another hour for the second bus to arrive. This was the best way to go to Mt. Romelo in Siniloan for us since all buses plying this route pass through Barangay Macatad - the jump-off point for the hike. After waiting for the bus for more than an hour, we were almost tempted to go to Crossing terminal as an option to reach Siniloan. We planned on taking the jeepney to Tanay and another jeepney to Siniloan but luckily the long awaited bus arrived before we left our meeting place.
Descending towards Buruwisan Falls.
We got off at K3 restaurant located along the highway in Barangay Macatad. We had a quick breakfast here and we bought food for lunch and bottles of water as well. After breakfast we headed straight to the start of the trail excited for the adventures that await us. We didn’t even have to look for a guide as one approached us on our way to the registration area. We paid 20 pesos for our registration fee and we chipped in for the 200 pesos guide fee. Looking back now, it was a meager fee compared to what he had been through to get us into those waterfalls.
Buruwisan Falls
After more than 2 hours of trekking, we finally reached the campsite and got a glimpse of the long stretch of crystal-clear waters of the river. There were about 6 tents at the campsite. It was the perfect time for us to visit the falls since the campsite is usually packed with hundreds of campers during the peak season. We had our lunch near the river banks and after a few minutes of rest, we left our things to one of the stores in the area and headed to our first stop – the Buruwisan Falls.
We descended into a short but very steep slope where we have to hang on to the roots of the trees to reach the area of the catch basin. This place was so captivating it made me forget the arduous hike I just went through. The Buruwisan Falls cascaded smoothly against the long vines that grow on the falls itself. It was named after a variety of hardwood that used to grow in the riverbanks of the mountain. The place is a very good spot to rappel and to practice photography.
Lanzones Falls, Mt. Romelo
Then, we had another 30 minute trek downstream of Buruwisan before we reached Lanzones Falls - a 70-foot waterfall that descends into the ragged- edge of rocks with smaller catch basin compared to Buruwisan. Laguna and Rizal are known for their sweet lanzones and this is one area where this fruit abounds.
To reach Batya-Batya Falls, we have to wade through this stream.
We headed back to the campsite to prepare for our last stop, which was Batya-Batya falls. We had to water-proof our gadgets since we would be wading along shoulder-deep water to reach the falls. It was already past 1:00pm but the water was still very cold. We headed further upstream of the campsite and finally reached the two-level Batya-Batya falls. We saw some campers who were trying to scale the walls of the rock near the waterfalls but we opted to swim in its refreshing water instead, which is deeper than Lanzones and Buruwisan Falls.
Batya-Batya Falls, Mt. Romelo
We didn’t go anymore to Sampaloc Falls and the old Buruwisan falls because they require more skills and equipment and we already ran out of time. We had so much fun and even contemplated on staying overnight. A day hike wasn’t really enough to fully enjoy this place. Even without camping gear, there are accommodation and a sari-sari store on the campsite.
Climbing back to the campsite.
In the end, we decided to head back to Manila but our whole-day adventure had surpassed my expectations.
Total Expenses: 347
Breakdown of Expenses
bus fare from Robinsons to Barangay Macatad- 93
Van from Famy to Robinsons – 100
tricycle from Macatad to Famy market-20
Guide fee – 30 each (guide fee is 200 or less)
Registration fee -20
dinner at Great Valley River Side -65
shower fee -15
food – rice, banana ( bring your own para mas tipid) 24
How to get there:
a. Take the non-airconditioned bus beside Robinson’s Galleria en route to Infanta, Quezon. It passes every hour and it will take you all the way to Barangay Macatad and no need to ride a tricycle from the town of Famy. From this point there will be many guides who will approach you so it’s up to your bargaining skills on how to get a cheaper rate.
b. If you missed the bus and don’t want to wait for another hour, you may ride a jeepney from Crossing terminal en route to Tanay, Rizal which is around 50 pesos . Then upon reaching Tanay proper, go to their terminal and ride a jeepney en route to Siniloan which is also around 50 pesos and take a tricycle going to Famy.
What to bring:
Dayhike
packed breakfast and lunch
trail food
bottles of water
sunblock and hat
change of clothes
toilettries (so you don’t need to buy in the store which costs200% its original price)
rapelling equipment (if you are into this)
camera
Note: I noticed a lot of trash in the trail and a lot more near the campsite. This is really frustrating as the effect of pollution is already evident in the algae that are starting to sprout among the rocks. They are also building concrete posts along the trail to attatch the ropes to make it easier to climb. I hope this will not mean an additional fee when it is done. They should put all those fund instead in maintaining its natural beauty.
Mayo, Bryan, Laryh, Ivy, Ets, and Benjie (lakwatsera taking the pic)
bonggang bonggang jump shot!!!
WoW CLAP ! ! !
Galing, thanks claire for the Shots !
wow ang ganda!
ayus ang jumpshot!
hehehe ^_^
nice shots!!! you upgraded your camera??? mayaman na talaga ang lola ko panay ang trip. siguro marami kang booking noh!!! great job ms. claire!!! continue promoting the PHILIPPINE land!!! mabuhay ka ateng!!!
amazing shots tita claire!
saro kang certified rabason^^ hehehe
kaingit! i wanna go there too and bring my cam..
picture2!!! heheh
nice, u contacted jherwin already heheh,hope u all enjoy anawangin, hay i’m far from being a mountaineer, i sometime bring umbrella in the beach or in the mountain hahahah, i just love nature lang talaga, usually it’s a mix of beginners and seasoned climbers but they always adjust to the group, pag marami beginners mas slow yung phase and more rest time, jherwin and his group usually have open climbs, u can also check pinoymountaineer.com, or dahong palay, they have multiply account din, anyone can join sa open climb, it’s fun ur gonna meet a lot of new friends, i think i met so many people in aspan of 3 months of joining open climbs, and other adventures than in the last 4 years, hehehe
awesome pix ate claire
buhay na buhay yung mga colors 
verry stunning! grabe kulang talaga isang araw dito kung pwede nga isang linggo ako magstay dito 
pasabay minsan…pag-uli ko s pinas…ingatz!di ka takot s linta?!
Thank you!
ayyy!!! sayang… I should have come… now I know what a great experience Ive missed!!! Super Ganda talaga!!!
HI, We are planning to go there.. This April 5.. hope we enjoy it.. See u there maybe
Lah m klayazz! pjoin nmn s world touR!
wow! thanks for sharing! Mt. Romelo was the first mountain I climbed! Sayang ala pang digicam nun!
Hi! we went there and followed your guide. It helped a lot! Thanks we enjoyed the experience!
e2 yung trekking na gus2 ko maranasan kasi nagsisimula plang ako e…
sana pag bumalik keu d2 ngeung summer tx neo ko sama ako e2 no. q 09198010585
ako nga pla c chris 20yrs old taga makati po ako..
thanx poh..
Wow!
another great place to go to.sana i can join you.are you all mountaineers?do you have trips for beginners?can i join?
i haven’t tried hiking.going to pinatubo sana yung first trekking that i’ll do.kaya i’m so excited but it seems i need to delay it for a while.kasi mukhang sa anawangin ako mauuna.(thanks to you and Jherwin!)
until when kayo sa sagada?
thanks!
=)
hi claire!
hanggang kailan kayo sa sagada?pwede sumama?
=)
wow!wala talaga ako masabi sa pagiging lakwatsera mo.kala ko sa june pa kayo punta palawan.i’m planning to ask you nga din sana kung pwede sumabit.hahaha!!!
been there already.ganda ng mga islands noh.sarap mag-snorkling at magpa-kain ng mga fish with your bare hands.ganda din ng subterranean river.hindi pa kasi sure yung anawangin namin kasi konti pa lang yata nagpapa-register kay jherwin kaya naghahanap ako pwedeng pag-lakwatsahan.heheh!sige i’ll just check you web for an update or you can just email me if you want.it’s majadera76@yahoo.com
thanks!
=)
nice photos! I love Mt. Romelo and I trek there several times a year
hi guys! stumbled upon your adventure and the pictures are very nice. i used to be a mountaineer ( still anyway by heart ) when i was in the philippines and i’ve been up famy a number of times and it’s a beautiful place. had some really good memories there. Thanks guys and keep on climbing!!!
I’m a nature-lover as well, i adore all these places, but it seems na para lang talaga sa mga trekkers and mountainers in order to get there (sigh) at hindi na para sa aming mga olds who simply wants to enjoy nature but can’t stand hiking,trekking, climbing, lol ! How do tourists get there?
Hmmm maybe Taal Volcano would be good for you po, They have a donkey ride all the way to the crater if you don’t want to walk for 45 minutes. Mt Pinatubo crater lake is also spectacular, a chopper ride would be fun po, mahal nga lang
. But the one i would recommend the most if you want a laid-back fun in a paradise, EL NIDO! my favorite place in the Philippines. Opps Mt. Makiling Botanical Garden is perfect for a stroll while communing with nature. 
Donkey???????????? Hmmm, interesting. I’m considering El Nido first. Will have to go get back to your blogs and read more about that place. Thanks, very informative including the budget. Very helpful.
Hello again Claire. Are there any shows or entertainment programs like falls -dive-show from the locals, arranged for the tourists to watch as part of their etinerary? Thanks.
Ay tita, I would recommend whale-shark watching for you in Sorsogon, you can see the whales even if you’re just in your boat, no need to swim with them or the dolphin show in Subic po, But if you are going to El Nido, there lots of activities to choose from, kayaking at the Small and Big Lagoon which is manageable po for you, the snorkeling po is fantastic kids and adults love it, the beaches are beautiful! Hopefully when you get home there are festivals you can attend also. Haayy so many po to see in the Philippines I haven’t really explored it yet
hayz…nakaka-miss toh. may album ka ba nito?
Di ko pa na-upload pero my copy pa rin ako nung buong album.
Hello there! Question, is it advisable to trek here this July?
Hi Baba, it would be really muddy if you hike during the rainy season but it is still doable. It’s up to you really how keen you are on doing the trek.
Thanks Claire! Do you have any treks or trips where newbies can travel with you too? Do you have that kind of arrangement? Thanks!
This is Baba, by the way.
Hello Baba, hmmm the only trek I have left right now is Mt. Apo but I might start to do some minor treks again on weekends when I come back from my overseas trip this October. Don’t worry I’m also a newbie in hiking. I struggle as much as anyone else. IF you haven’t been to Taal, it’s an a great trek with a magnificent view waiting for you on the top as well as Mt. Pinatubo. Just travel for now in bigger group to keep the expenses cheaper. Looking forward to travel with you soon. Cheers!
Hey! guys I was planning to going your group as lakwatchera if anyone will welcome me I will be greatful to go with you anywhere together with my girlfriend. thanks!
Hi Nike, I usually travel alone but sometimes i join other groups, ako yung sabitera. If you’re free this March, you can join me and some of my friends around Bicol Region, probably Masbate, Sorsogon and Albay
Hi
Just want to ask, how long did you get from Robinson’s Galleria up to Siniloan, Laguna? I was thinking of having a sort of “road trip” from Muntinlupa to Siniloan to Sta. Cruz, Laguna to Calamba and back to Muntinlupa 
Thanks
I think it was less than 2 hours. That’s a nice itinerary, I love road tripping in Laguna area.
hello po,, nag plaplano po kasi kaming pumunta dito, ilang hours po byahe from robinson galeria? salamat po..^^
napanuod ko ang jessica sojo few days ago and there are lots of featured topics, but the remarkable one was your episode, it really got my attention, lalu na nun umarkila ka na bangka tapos siguro 3 lang kayo dun sa island na yun, you really are adventurous di ka na natakot? more power!!!
Thank you Lito, I’m used to traveling alone and I really like going to remote places so I felt more excited during this trip.
Hi ate claire,
Malalim ba yung Buruwisan Falls? May tumalon na ba dun? Trip ko po kasing mag high jump.,. And By the way check mo ang Biliran Island, its an undiscovered Paradise. Daming Falls and Beaches dun.,
Thanks for the tip Reyn. I’m not sure if it is safe enough for jumping but you can always check first the pool by swimming or surveying the area where you will jump and see if it’s deep enough or safe enough for jumping.
pasali nman sa grupo mis claire pag mag lalakwatsa kayo haha… sna may ganong agenda ka nga para ma experience din namin
reply pls
Oo naman, ika nga, the more the cheaper
Pwede ka din makisabit sa mga mountaineering groups, madalas meron silang open climbs. Marami din nag-oorganise ng tours, marami ka makikilala doon at malamang sila na ang kalakwatsa mo sa susunod na lakad.
hahahhah, na upgrade na nga cam, yung skills naman indi pa, thanks for visiting, balik kau lagi
oo nga akyat ka uli, marami na rin changes pero masarap pa rin maligo sa falls
nice Zerho, i’m glad some of my tips worked, i love that place too,
hi chris, if you have multiply, pinoymountaineer has open climb lagi even dahong palay, usually we meet new friends by joining open climbs, we just see announcements from multiply and from our friends, by the way we are going to sagada this april 25, u can join if u want
mga 3 days lang siguro, we haven’t planned it yet now pa lagn, i just got back fr palawan, sige i’ll update u whether it will push through this week,
hahah the el nido trip is more of work than pleasure but yes we are stil going to coron palawan this may and u can still join, by the way i emailed you already about the sagada trip, hope u can join us, the details and contact number are there.