We got up early that Sunday morning to prepare for Ditumabo Falls. I decided to start early because it would be scorching hot by noon unlike the first time I visited it five years ago—it was at noontime but was raining down all throughout the trek. For me, chasing waterfalls within a jungle on a rainy day is a magical struggle. That's one of the reasons why I came back to Baler in June when wet season in the country begins.
READ ALSO: Chasing Ditumabo Falls, the Mother Falls of Aurora (my 2015 experience)
Ditumabo Falls (or Mother Falls) in San Luis town was a 20-minute drive from our transient house in Sabang, Baler. Back in 2015, we parked on a jam-packed space under the shades of coconut trees near a tricycle terminal in Ditumabo. These tricycles bring tourists near the town's hydroelectric power plant where no vehicle can pass anymore; it's where the 1.3-kilometer trek to the falls would commence. That 20-minute tricycle ride back then, though lush and a bit scenic, was along a narrow and bumpy road. Our recent drive to Ditumabo went straight to the trekking jumping-off point and it was along a wider and already-paved roadway. There's also an adequate parking space that could fit more large vehicles like ours.
We registered our names and secured a tour guide on the entrance booth before the trek started. It's only 8 AM. The sun's not that high yet and only a few tourists would go toward the falls. Maybe because summer's already over or 8 AM is just not the peak hour.
The trail had not changed. It's verdant and slippery. Trekking it entailed crossing shallow streams and crawling between large boulders. The only unnatural parts of the route were the gigantic pipes that connect to the power plant and the concreted paths and makeshift bamboo bridges and ladders that were built for easier and safer trek.
 |
| Reads "Welcome Ditumabo Mother Fallls Adveture". This rock was newly painted back in 2015. |
In less than an hour of trekking, Mother Falls showed herself. The torrent was not at its grandest. Maybe the recent summer's heat dried it up a little bit and it had not rained that much yet. Nevertheless, she didn't lose her grandeur.
What surprised me was the catch basin. Boulders now cover a huge part of the shallows, making much of the basin's swimmable portion, well, unswimmable. Our guide said it was the typhoon that washed those huge slippery rocks onto the basin while some says those were placed there on purpose. If the latter is true, I wonder why.
Still, Ditumabo's seemingly icy waters hadn't changed. Though I remember on my first time, it was more freezing down the crotch because of the drizzly weather. How can my balls forget that great shiver. Haha!
Like in any waterfalls I've been to, I went to the allowed area nearest the cascade to enjoy the moment—the mist, the violent gush, the natural noise. Those moments were addicting.
Thirty minutes with Ditumabo Falls and it's time to go back. It was around 10 AM and tourists start to swarm, photo bombers were already unavoidable. I was right, 8 AM was just not Ditumabo Falls' peak hour.
READ ALSO: 11 Things to Do in Baler for Your Weekend Itinerary
How to Get to Ditumabo Falls
Once in Baler, hire a tricycle or take a van going to Baranggay Ditumabo. Tell the driver you're about to visit Ditumabo Falls. Travel time is about 20-30 minutes.
Entrance Fee: PHP 30
Guide fee: PHP 300/group
ABOUT
DJ Rivera is an I.T. professional, entrepreneur, travel blogger, writer and the online publisher of PinoyTravelogue.com based in Rizal province, Philippines. Click here to know more.
Let's connect:
