It’s my best friends’ birthday and she wished to spend it through nature tripping. Together with my two younger sisters who will be trekking for the first time and two other friends of mine who are itchy to climb, we went all for another adventure.
How to go there?
From Jollibee Farmers Cubao, ride a bus going to Tungko and alight at the terminal. It will take an hour to reach the terminal. From there, ride a jeep going to Licao-Licao with a travel time of 45 minutes.
Note: The jump off going to Maranat Falls is the same with Mt. Balagbag.
From the jump off, you have two options, either hire a tricycle which costs P25.00 per person or walk going to the Veterans (Jump off).
My mistake was to forget that we have those options! Haha It took us 30 minutes to reach the jump off where we need to register and secure a guide.
The 30-minute walk going to the Veterans
Veterans. Registration and Guides Site
Though we started very early, we were still grilled under the scorching heat of the sun.
We noticed locals carrying packs of charcoal. The locals are practicing bamboo harvesting and coal mining in this mountain as their source of income.
The trail was just a usual one for us at first, but when we reached the last leg of the trail going to the foot of the falls, it became very steep and challenging. It took us 2 hour and 30 minutes to reach the water source/foot of the falls.
Some of us took a quick dip into the water and refilled our water bags to relieve from the heat of the sun.
My two sisters refreshing themselves
Water Source
The Birthday Celebrant – Lyka
We head on to the top of the falls and have our late lunch there as well.
The boy who served as our guide was not too familiar to the trail, so we end up taking the challenging trail instead of the easy ones.
Late Lunch!
Our Guides
Rhoan, Jamela and yours truly. 🙂
The middle of the water stands at 12 feet which made it possible for the swimmers to dive.
The Girls of Adventures
We stayed at the falls until pass lunch. We decided to descend as early as we can, due to signs of heavy rain.
Due to unpredictable weather, we have expected that we will be rained at.
Our guides decided to take us to a different route which will pass the trail for Mt. Balagbag. It was longer than the trail of Mt. Oriod, which Maranat Falls belong but a lot easier once you reach the what so called “Kalsada”.
My sister who is nearly giving up (Pointing the mountain we came from, Mt. Balagbag)
Sleepy birthday celebrant
Jam and Lyka
Since it’s my sisters’ first time to trek, they got weary so soon. They do not want to walk anymore and wanted to rest most of the time. My worry is that we will not be able to catch the last trip back to Tungko.
Probably, they were praying for some help! While trekking, a man whose riding a motorcycle with supplies in his back came. We asked him if he can give us a ride. And he did. But I opted to ride. I just let my sister and friends to take it. I took the last leg of the trail (from Helipad) with so much patience with my other friends.
When we reached the Veterans where we registered, we took a quick bath and started descending from there to the terminal. We were able to catch the last trip at 7pm and waited for more passengers until the next hour.
So far, this is my longest day hike I’ve ever done.
Breakdown of Expenses
Bus going to Tungko – P40.00/each
Tungko to Licao-Licao – P27.00/each
Registration – P10.00/each
Guide – Depends on your haggling skills but it can range to P300 – P800
Shower Room – P10.00/each
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Photo Credits: Hazelyn Lopez
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Joey in Wanderland 