Sunday, November 10, 2013

Mt Romelo - Buruwisan Falls, Batya Batya Falls and Sampaloc Falls

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Mt. Romelo is a popular destination for newbie mountaineers. Situated in Siniloan, Laguna and stands at 300 MASL, Mt. Romelo is considered to be a minor climb. It is also rated 2/9 in terms of its difficulty by Pinoy Mountaineer. But despite the given specs, Mt. Romelo is known for having muddy trails on both sunny and specially during rainy seasons. Therefore, extreme precautions must always be observed upon hiking. Some also mistaken called this as Mt. "Famy". A name of a town adjacent to Siniloan.

This mountain is not just about trekking and reaching the summit as it also houses beautiful and hidden falls. Waterfalls like Batya-Batya Falls, Sampaloc Falls, Buruwisan Falls, and Lanzones Falls are found in the forest of Mt. Romelo and most of them are located near the campsite. Having said that, Mt Romelo are hiked all year-round. Trekking on summer is ideal because the trails are less muddy but to be able to see the full water size of the falls, trekking on rainy season is advised.

How to get there?
You may take a bus at Raymond Bus Line bound to Infanta, Quezon. This is the only bus line that passes right thru the jump-off of Mt. Romelo from Manila. Just tell the bus conductor that you'll be heading at Mt. Romelo and to drop you off at Trois Restaurant in Siniloan. Near Trois Restaurant is the jump off point to Mt. Romelo. By the way, Raymond Bus Line terminal is situated at Sampaloc, Manila. Fare going to Siniloan is about 130 pesos.

After we registered and logged our names which costs us 50 pesos per head, our adventure to Mt. Romelo starts! Trail going to the peak starts with crossing a stream of river. From that moment, I knew that our trek will be slippery and muddy at the same time.

Start of our trek
I found the trail going to the peak of Mt Romelo as beginners-friendly. 1) There were resting site scattered evenly along the way with long log that serves as chairs for trekkers, 2) vendors [of buko juice and sodas] are visible until almost half of the trek, 3) shades are also available for most of the part and 4) lastly, it has lesser steep trails compared to other mountains I've been through.

Shady part of the trail
Smile guys!
One of the store you'll encounter at Mt. Romelo
The view is also superb. There is a spot at Mt. Romelo wherein we stopped for a couple of minutes to enjoy a 360 view while fresh air touches our skins and blowing our hair. During the stop, we also have some group shots and not to forget, "selfies".

Though we only stopped for about 5 or 10 minutes, it was really refreshing and energizing. We went back again on trekking and rushed because we want to be in campsite before the sun goes down.

Group photo op
Random citizen in Mt Romelo
After 2 hours of walking/trekking, we finally reached the campsite. I must say that the site is pretty big and can accommodate several groups. There are available nipa huts that can be rented which is ideal for night campers (but I don't know how much they cost). But for us, we have our tents. We miss sleeping in tents despite the uneven floor from stones and roots. So after pitching our tents, we prepared and eat our dinner, had some socials, swim a bit in the river, then we all took a rest.

Rest and chat time...

Batya Batya Falls, Sampaloc Falls, and Buruwisan Falls

We started our second day having a goal of exploring all the waterfalls in Mt. Romelo. However we failed to accomplish that goal. There are seven waterfalls known and have been explored in the area, namely: Buruwisan Falls, Lansones Falls, Sampaloc Falls, Batya-Batya Falls, Old Buruwisan Falls, Twin Falls, and Sapang Labo Falls. Among the stated waterfalls we were able to visit only three. Aw.

Just experimenting...
First off is Batya Batya Falls. Batya Batya Falls which means "small tub" or "basin" is located in the northern part of the campsite and approximately a kilometer away. Reaching Batya Batya Falls is quiet hard especially when you have gadgets with you. I suggest you put them on a dry bag or waterproof case before visiting Batya Batya Falls. Why? Because in order to reach the falls, you'll be wading along shoulder-deep to neck-dip water. I even had to carry my camera and tripod high up as I swim across to reach land again.

Reaching the site of Batya Batya Falls
Batya Batya Falls is a two-level waterfall. You'll be swimming at 18 ft. deep water in order to reach the other side and see its second level. This time I didn't brought my camera. Leaving my camera was a mistake because Sampaloc Falls is just right above Batya Batya Falls. Shame. Having said that, I didn't have any photo of Sampaloc Falls. Sampaloc Falls has its own cascading beauty and a decent-sized catch-basin.

Last is Buruwisan Falls. Buruwisan Falls is just located below the campsite. This is the biggest and tallest waterfall in Mt Romelo. It is approximately 180 ft tall and characterized with large catch-basin. Rappelling is one of the many things that can be done in Buruwisan Falls. Don't resist yourself from diving into the water because you'll just going to fail. With clear and wide catch-basin, it is really hard not to go for a swim in Buruwisan Falls.

Presenting... Buruwisan Falls
We wanted to visit the other falls unfortunately, we don't have enough time. We enjoyed and stayed too much  in the 3 waterfalls stated above. We miscalculated our time and we need to leave in order to reach Manila before nightfall. I guess this is not the last time I'll be seeing Mt. Romelo...

... So I guess this is just the first part of my write up on Mt. Romelo and it is decent to say, "Till we meet again".

49 comments:

  1. I've been to Romelo last May, visited Buruwisan, Sapang Labo and Lanzones Falls.. Nice place, however mountaineers should be cautious with their belongings since there's a lot of thief in the area.

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    1. Yeah, thanks for that note. People should be cautious with their belongings when visiting here. I heard lots of cases where in things were stolen during their stay at Mt Romelo.

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  2. Hi..may guide po ba kau nung nagpunta kau dito?..I heard about that "thief issues" na din kasi and I'm thinking n mas safe siguro kung may kasamang guide..we are planning to visit mt.romelo this december

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    1. Nope. wala po kaming guide nung nagpunta kami dito di naman nakakaligaw yung trail kaya ok lang kahit wala na. About the thief issues, just secure your valuables in a handy bag na kung saan yun yung daladala nyo kahit saan kayo mag punta. Like us, naiwan naman namin sa campsite yung gamit namin habang nagtu-tour pero ung mga wallets, watches, phones, etc... eh dala dala po namin lagi.

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  3. Nice adventure.. Hour many hours it takes from manila?

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  4. Can this be a day hike only or 2 day hike talaga?
    Thanks

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    Replies
    1. Day hike is possible but you should manage your time accordingly. Unlike if you go for 2 day hike, you'll get to experience all the falls without worrying much of the time.

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  5. Hi Geejay, may mga stores ba namalapit s camp site?

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  6. hi sir!
    safe na po ba dito? wala na po bang nakawan?
    Thanks!
    -ton

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    1. I can't say na safe na pero di ko din naman masasabing di pa din safe. Nung inakyat namin to, kalat yung balita na maraming nawawalan ng gamit dito. Yet nung akyat naman namin, di naman kami nawalan. Ang mapapayo ko lang is, maging mainggat nalang po tayo sa mga gamit natin at maging attentive habang nasa bundok.

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  7. If just two of us lang pupunta dito would it be safe?

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    1. I couldn't say if it is safe or not. All I can say is that lots of people have been here. Basta po dapat laging magiingat :)

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  8. Marami po ba umaakyat doon? Gaano po katgal ang akyat?

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    1. During our visit po. madami dami din yung umakyat. About 2 po of trekking to reach the campsite. Well, depende sa pa din sa po pacing nyo.

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  9. hi po. magkano po kaya ang guide for romelo. thanks

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    1. di kami kumuha ng guide pero guide fee ranges from 300-500 pesos. Depende kung gaano kayo kagaling tumawad at magnegotiate

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  10. Hi arem! :)

    Jo 2. may mapagbabanlawan ba dun bago umuwe? :)

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    1. Jo??? USTGlobal ba? Yup2 merong mababanlawan sa jump off point. Kung saan kayo magstart ng trek, dun din kayo bababa. Doon din may CR :)

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    2. Yes rm. Kasama ko cla abby paakyat ngaun. Haha :)
      Salamat ng madami.

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    3. Uy ayus yan ah! pakikamusta nalang ako kina abby. Ingat and enjoy sa hike!

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  11. Hi Guys,

    May aakyat ba today, March 28,2014?

    Thanks

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  12. malalapi lng po ba agwat ng mga locations ng mga falls?

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  13. yung Sampaloc, Batya Batya and Buruwisan po is medyo magkalapit lang, then the rest is you need to exert extra effort to reach them, onti lang naman.

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  14. my husband was been there several times. Reading your article is so refreshing, mas convincing to start my climbing ambition. I am wanting to see those falls. Hoping to visit that wonderful place this year.

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    1. mahirap lang mag start at mag plan ng hike but once natapos na kayo sa stage na yun... madali nalang :) Hike na po!

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  15. hi guys im planing to climb on may 11 dito sa mt. romelo DAY HIKE ONLY sino pwede makasabay or any recomend na tour guide ?? anyone pls .. thanks .. paki pm po sa fb .. niceetot@yahoo.com .. godbless

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  16. ask ko lang po.. meron ba makakabitan ng hammock sa camp area. salamat.

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  17. any news it there are any NPA?

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  18. i've been there twice (2001,2002). it was a great experience. Hiking is one of my favorite outdoor activities.

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    Replies
    1. I miss hiking as well. its been a while since my last trek

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  19. Gusto ko tuloy ulit pumunta dito, but this time sana mapuntahan ko na din yung ibang falls.
    Hahaha, that "Random citizen in Mt Romelo" nakasama namin siya nung naghike kami July 2013, sobrang daldal at nakakatawa siya. :))

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    1. Same tayo ng goal... di ko din kasi lahat napuntahan hehehe...

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  20. Hi po, tanong ko mga magkano po kaya ang budget dito for 2days. tia

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    1. Kung di kayo kukuha ng guide and magdadala na din kayo ng sarili nyong food trip, P500 pesos sobra sobra na po. Pamasahe lang gagastusin nyo nun if ever ganun nga.

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  21. hi! do you have the contact number of the accomodation? Thanks!

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  22. will be there this coming March 28, 2015

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  23. sir plan po kasi nmin pumunta this may .. ask ko lng po kung may parking ng motor sa baba ng mountain .. mag.momotor ksi kme .. thnx po and Godbless :)

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    1. Yes there is. Pwede nyo iwan ung sasakyan/motor nyo sa may registration area malapit sa jump off point

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    2. Hello Geejay, may bayad ba to park? Also, nabasa ko sa ibang sites may pdeng irent na kubo sa campsite, is this true? Magkano kaya, if it is true?

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  24. Nice post sir! Sana bago matapos ang 2015 eh mapuntahan namin ang Mt. Romelo at ang mga falls nito. ☺

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  25. my mga guards ba jan?

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  26. May aakyat ba sa Nov 7? pwede makisabay?

    ReplyDelete

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