Hulugan falls at Luisiana, Laguna (drone footage)

So after climbing mountains, we searched for a breath of fresh air that would break the norm of our adventures. And we thought since some of the hikes we do include waterfalls, why not search for a big one that would be the main attraction. After taking many considerations such as location, quality of view, accessibility, and timing.. we just found the perfect one that is one for the books.  

groupie under Hulugan waterfalls
groupie under this majestic waterfalls

Hulugan Falls is located at Luisiana, Laguna - Philippines. It is one of the tallest waterfalls near the Metro. It towers over 200+ feet which is near the height of the top 10 tallest falls here in the country. For the record and as far as I remember, this is my first waterfalls trip ever and I am really happy we did this (thanks guys lol).

If you plan to go here from Manila, it should take you around 2-3 hours' drive to get to the jump-off point (waze-able). The jump-off point is located along the Cavinti-Luisiana road which actually has Baguio feels because of the road-trail similarity and view experience. I bet you'll agree with me here once you experience it first hand lol.

So when you arrive at the area and go along this one-directional road, there will be some people meeting you at a "check-point" zone (the captain's house) which they will assign you a tour guide (if you haven't coordinated in advance - feel free to use these numbers to inquire: 09213865215 or 09289759752) and lead you to the registration area.

entrance at the registration area
entrance at the registration area


In here, registration is priced at P30/person and a short orientation happens. You can rent life vests for P50 each if you need to and ask unlimited questions if you like to. If you are wondering how much per tour guide regularly costs? Well, they just made this bulletin announcement for everyone. Its P500/guide good for every 5 guests/tourists.

By the way, the earliest any group can start is around 7:00 AM guided with the local patrols while the regular tour guides are deployed from 9:00 AM onwards.

tour guide floor rate
tour guide floor rate


That is the price floor so tips will be entirely up to the group.

Once everything is settled, the exciting adventure begins! Trails here are interesting as the area features 3 major waterfalls which means you will be traversing streams of flowing water that make it different from most of our ordinary hikes.

NOTE: You have the option to take a tricycle from the start of the concrete trail to the beginning of the rough trail. We paid P60 for it for 5 pax including our guide.

platform-bridges made by bamboo
platform-bridges made by bamboo

And most of the time you will be crossing bamboo platform-bridges to avoid the muddy parts of the trail. Don't worry, you won't die when you fall but it will just make you take your bath earlier than expected haha!

water trails
water trails


Remember to put those comfy footwear on and make sure it is just fine to dip them in water. I can just imagine the time if we visited this place with the water flowing extremely strong.. Great thing our timing was perfect with just the right conditions to make our experience very convenient.

The first waterfalls (1 of 3) you'll see if you follow the usual trail is this, Talay falls.

Talay falls
Talay falls


This area is a great place to rest or take your 5s if needed. Why? Because just beside it is an area that subtly recommends it lol.

resting stations
resting stations


Not far away from here as well are some of the unique features this trail has to offer. This super inclined area filled with huge boulders will be on your way which you have to go over using help from a rope. How exciting right?

ascend using a rope
ascend using a rope


Of course, after some hardships come its rewards. You may start sweating heavily at this moment but that is what makes this trip worth it. The second waterfalls should be in view already after like a 5-10 minutes of pushing through another set of different obstacles.

The second waterfalls (2 of 3), The hidden falls

The hidden falls
The "not-so" hidden falls now


The beauty of this falls is just exponentially better when you see it firsthand. It may seem small from this photo but it's really not. The better news about this is that you can go and feel all of the gushing water down there yourself. Just be careful about stepping on those gigantic stones one by one. It can really get slippery and you will be sliding your way down to the bottom of it in no time. So, are you ready for your bath no.2? Haha!

Anyways, you won't really get bored with the trails they got here as it is really diverse when it comes to views. Who wouldn't be if you are surrounded by these kinds of environments?

channels of water
channels of water

dusty trail
dusty yet neat trails

don't forget to look up
don't forget to look up too


One of the indicators that you are near the main attraction is that when you start going downhill continuously. If you see the dreaded descending stairs in an open area, that's it! It will let you feel the mixed emotions of nearing to the pot of gold but must go through hundreds of trails first in the form of those unending stairs going down.

200 feet stairs
200 feet stairs


Though in our case, we were hyped (especially this man above na naligung-ligo na haha!). Why? Because we can already see the towering falls from here! Wohoo! It's actually a great idea to look at it from time to time to stay motivated so I suggest you do it too.

Hulugan falls from afar
Hulugan falls from afar


And after a dehydrating, knee-destroying, and tiring effort of traversing the different trails ahead, we have arrived at the foot of the rainbow. YES! All of those work is worth it once you get here. All those negative feelings will go away instantly as you get awed with a view like this.

The third waterfalls (3 of 3), Hulugan falls

Hulugan falls
Hulugan falls


You can actually say that you have arrived at the foot of the rainbow literally if you watch the video below. The magnitude of its size and height is just dwarfing. The iconic tree beside it just adds drama to it making it very stage-worthy (Avatar feels). We stayed for like an hour here to take everything and feel everything we can as to its actually rare for us to see and be in a place as beautiful as this one.

groupie under Hulugan falls
groupie under Hulugan falls


We brought the drone with us and it delivered big time! Although there was no GPS signal leading us to control the unit manually.. the beauty of the place is just too grand to ignore. The shots were just majestic. This is by far our best-produced drone video yet so don't miss out on watching the video here:



If you cannot see the video above, click HERE for it



With a minimal budget of around P500/person, this is just a no-brainer deal everyone should take. Let me simply summarize it below for you:

Sample computation for a group of 4: (multiply everything by 4)

P125 - Private car (sharing varies)
P75 - Gasoline (price varies)
P45 - Toll (depends on your route)
P30 - Registration
P15 - Tricycle ride (optional)
P125 - Tour guide (minimum)
PXX - Food
___________________________
P 415 - TOTAL (+/-)



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Hulugan falls at Luisiana, Laguna (drone footage) Hulugan falls at Luisiana, Laguna (drone footage) Reviewed by Michael on March 10, 2020 Rating: 5

55 comments:

  1. What beautiful photos! I've never been to the Philippines but this is definitely now on my bucket list!

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  2. What a awesome Greenery love that waterfall is so beautiful

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  3. I don't know what to say, the place is paradise!!! I would love to spend a few weeks there, that would be amazing.

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  4. This is a hidden paradise right here by us! What a gorgeous place to open up thy mind and heart.

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    Replies
    1. As I said in the video. What a refreshing moment.

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  5. Chelsea Sauve - WandureMarch 12, 2020 at 10:27 AM

    When I make my way to visit the Philippines, this will absolutely be a stop! Your stunning photos, and the proximity to Manila totally swayed me :).

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  6. Kristine Nicole AlessandraMarch 12, 2020 at 7:34 PM

    Wow. I have never heard of this place. I am surprised that there is something that beautiful and so close to the metro. I wish I could go there too but these old knees might not endure the hike. Thanks for sharing your photos.

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    Replies
    1. Was surprised too! We scheduled upon learning lol

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  7. It looks absolutely stunning! And so warm and sunny <3

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  8. These are nice pics - so wonderful to have this oasis so cloase to Metro Manila!

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  9. The falls looks pretty spectacular! I love that you have to hike to get to it and also that you can climb up to see a different view from the top.

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    1. We did not see the top since our drone can't go further up - No GPS signal

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  10. I'm really glad that my partner is not this adventurous. I've been to places like this and though while they really are a sight to see, the effort of going there is too much for me haha.

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  11. That waterfall is massive but beautiful! I love the first shot! I have to ask my coworker if he has heard about this as he is from Metro Manila.

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  12. The waterfalls look (and sound) amazing! Drones are so much fun. I got the Mavic Mini for Christmas from my husband. :D

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  13. thanks for these stunning images - it seems like it will be a while before we will be traveling anywhere, thanks to that darn virus that is going around. However, I would love to see that waterfall in person someday - blessings!

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  14. Nice post and great pictures. I like Asia, but never been in Philippines.

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  15. Wow I love this place! Mahilig din ako pumunta sa mga falls! Ganda ng pagkaka kuha ng pics.

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  16. I enjoyed the youtube videos and what an economical way to travel around our country! We never venture in Manila as a family yet and its good to know that this falls existed. Thanks for sharing Michael.

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  17. Unending stairs that sounds like quite the challenge - love waterfalls though :)

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    Replies
    1. that caught you eh? haha! worth it still dont worry

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  18. Ohh wow what an amazing place! It's so good thank you can capture shots like that with a drone, I've been thinking of getting one myself.

    Ami xxx

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  19. What a beautiful waterfall! It looks like you all had fun and great weather from your pictures.

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  20. That's a very beautiful place to visit. I would love to visit here sometime. All the clicks are amazing.

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  21. Those images are incredible, you were very brave to go out there to explore. It looks really lovely there too.

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    1. Thanks for the family who supported and joined me on the trip hehe

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  22. Those photos are beautiful! I'd love to get there someday!

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  23. A heart touching greenery and beautiful waterfall.

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  24. It was really lovely! Loved it.

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  25. This majestic waterfalls look wonderful. The images are amazing.

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  26. I've been to most falls here in Laguna. Was surprised to learn about this falls. Will add this yo my bucket list. Thanks!

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