Hulugan Falls Travel Guide

Introduction

Hulugan Falls is one of the tallest falls in Laguna province which is located in the municipality of Luisiana. According to its history, Hulugan Falls has been a gem among locals until it became popular on social media accounts such as Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram in the past decade. Hulugan Falls has a height of 235 feet or 71 meters high. It was said that the falls were named Hulugan due to the weird time when a carabao fall down to the falls because of the strong water currents.

As of today, Hulugan Falls is one of the most visited places in the province of Laguna. It attracts thousands of tourists every year due to its majestic cascading water and irresistible charm. It is just three hours away from Metro Manila and because of that, it can be visited within a day. In addition, tourist and visitors have a chance to chase not only one falls but three waterfalls. The other two nearby falls are namely Talay Falls and Hidden Falls. So if you want to enjoy the beauty of nature and release stress through sightseeing, hiking and swimming then add Hulugan Falls to your day tour travel bucket list.

Name: Hulugan Falls
Elevation: 71 meters
Location: Barangay Salvador, Luisiana, Laguna, Philippines
Features: breathtaking views of the towering cascading falls

My trip to Hulugan Falls

In the past days, I was in awe when I saw the picture of Hulugan Falls on my social media account. I never thought that the province of Laguna has this kind of surreal and Instagram-worthy falls. So I told myself that I wish I could visit these falls in the near future. As a result, I joined a day tour trip going to Hulugan Falls and I pay the reservation fee of 500 pesos. The event fee is 900 pesos and the remaining balance will be collected by our tour coordinator before the start of the tour.

It was Friday morning when our group arrived at the jump-off point of Hulugan Falls in Luisiana, Laguna. Our tour coordinator pays the necessary fees and after that, we have a short briefing about the trail going to Hulugan Falls. Then twenty minutes later we pray to God to guide us and have excellent weather. After that, we start trekking on the concrete stairs and I noticed that the trails are manageable and easy to navigate.

Several minutes later we pass by a long, uncemented, and slippery pathway. In my opinion, the trail is good for beginners in the mountain climbing scene. Past forty minutes we reached an area where we can actually see Hulugan Falls and the cave beside it from distance. We trek for several minutes until we reach the huge boulders before the falls.

Five minutes later we finally see the Hulugan Falls up close and I can truly say the falls is freaking huge. All of our weariness has been gone. The falls are one of a kind and it is the largest falls I’ve ever seen. I’m only standing under the falls but I feel overwhelmed by the massive and marvelous falls. I told myself that it is really worth visiting, even worth a second or third visit.

Hulugan Falls is beautiful and magical from every angle I look. It is indeed a breathtaking waterfall. My photos and my two own eyes are truly satisfied by what we saw. Also, I found out that the water here is cold and refreshing. For this reason, some of the members take a dip and swim in the shallow part of the falls.

Afterward, I noticed that to our left side we can see a small cave that serves as an interlude for tourists visiting the falls. In addition, the place is well maintained and they even have restrooms near the falls. According to our local guide during the wet season, the falls transform into an immense gush of water that accumulates into a muddy-colored pool at the bottom. Hulugan Falls is surrounded by big boulders and potholes which look like a pool.

Then after our group observed the falls for nearly an hour, we picked an area with a solid view and ate our lunch. Other members of the group said that they were really hungry from the trekking and their knees is having a tightness because it was their first time doing the trekking. So it was a good moment when we take a long rest and eat our rice meals to revitalize our bodies.

After done having group lunch, we start the ascent going back to the jump-off point of Hulugan Falls. However, some of the members want to chase the other two falls nearby so we split into two groups. During that time we were accompanied by a dog named Pochi who is considered the best hiker among us. The trail going to Talay Falls is well established on concrete stairs and a forested section. We pass by a small creek on the way to the falls. It takes us thirty-three minutes to reach Talay Falls.

The falls is a picturesque two-tiered waterfall. However, according to our guide, swimming here is not suitable because the strong water current can pull us to the deep parts of the water. For this reason, we only appreciate the beauty of the falls and take photos as a remembrance. Then our group started walking towards the Hidden Falls.

The pathway going to this fall is super steep and precarious. As a result, our guide instruct us to leave our valuable belongings on the bamboo tables nearby before we go on and hold on to the installed rope. We only bring a dry bag and a waterproof cellphone. Afterward, we reached the section where we need to pass the face the wall trail and walk along a cliffside.

In my point of view, this is the most technical part because one wrong move and you will slip and fall. Nevertheless, our local guide is very supportive of us and they assist our group on both ends of the trail.  It take us nine minutes to reach the Hidden Falls and passed the rope trail safely. Every nervousness and bravery we had was worth it because the falls are so beautiful. Our guide told us that the height of the Hidden Falls is around 75 feet high.

Different gushing streams varying in different sizes can be seen in the basin of the falls. Then I asked our guide why Hidden Falls is the name of the falls. He replied to us that the Hidden Falls was named because it is clogged between big boulders that hide it from the full display. In addition, our guide told us that visiting these falls will depend on the present weather conditions.

After fifteen minutes of taking pictures of the Hidden Falls, our group decided to go back to the jump-off point. While we were trekking on a rocky portion with bamboo handrails, one group member has a funny joke that falling in love is free. Anyway, we arrive at the jump-off point around 2:30 pm and we tidy up at the small house. Then a few moments later, we bid goodbye and thank our friendly tour guide as he explained everything and gave our group useful tips.

On the whole, it’s an awesome and unforgettable experience for all the members of the day tour trip because of real nature attractions and trekking to three falls in one day only. Hopefully, in the near future, more tourists visit Hulugan Falls to boost the income of the locals there.

Sample itinerary to Hulugan Falls (by private vehicle)

3AM – Meet up and pick up point at KFC Mall of Asia
4AM – Departure going to Luisiana Laguna
7AM – Arrival at Barangay San Salvador, Luisiana (registration, secure guides, and breakfast)
7:45AM – Start trek to Talay Falls
9:10AM – Talay Falls (photo-ops)
10AM – Hidden Falls
11AM – Continue trek to Hulugan Falls
12PM – Arrival at Hulugan Falls, lunch, swim
2PM – Start trek back to the jump-off point
3:10PM – Jump-off point, wash-up
4PM – Departure going to Metro Manila
8PM – Arrival at Metro Manila, end of the tour

Sample itinerary to Hulugan Falls (by commute)

5:15AM – Assembly at Buendia or Cubao bus station terminal
6AM – ETD going to Laguna
9:30AM – ETA Luisiana, Laguna, registration, and orientation
10:15AM – Walk or ride a tricycle going to the trailhead
10:30AM – Start trek going to Talay Falls
11AM – Talay Falls
11:45AM – Hidden Falls
12:30PM – Hulugan Falls
2:30PM – Pack and leave the falls
3:30PM – Tidy up
5PM – ETD going to Metro Manila, head home
9PM – ETA Metro Manila

Note: feel free to make the necessary changes if you want to visit only Hulugan Falls.

Things to bring on your visit to Hulugan Falls:

Facemask
Vaccination Card
1.5 liters of bottled water
Trail food or snacks
First Aid Kit and personal medication
Extra cash and a set of clothes
Garbage bag
Toiletries
Alcohol
Trekking sandals
Insect repellent lotion
Waterproof bag or a dry bag
Waterproof camera with waterproof case
Action camera (optional)
Swimwear (optional)

How to Go to Hulugan Falls

By commuting from Manila

1. From the Buendia bus terminal in Pasay City, ride an air-conditioned bus of JAC Liner bound for Santa Cruz, Laguna and tell the bus conductor to alight you at Santa Cruz town proper. The estimated travel time is three hours and the bus fare is 215+ pesos.
2. From the Santa Cruz jeepney terminal, ride a jeep bound for Lucena City and tell the driver to drop you off at Barangay San Salvador. The jeepney fare is around 35 pesos and the travel time is twenty to thirty minutes.
3. Then ride a tricycle for five minutes or walk your way toward the registration area of Hulugan Falls. Note: the tricycle fare is 80 pesos for a group of five people.
   

By commuting from Batangas

1. From Batangas province, ride a jeep going to SM City Calamba and drop off at Walter Mart Makiling Calamba.
2. Then ride a jeep going to Santa Cruz, Laguna, and alight at Santa Cruz town proper. The estimated travel time is around one hour.
3. From Santa Cruz, ride a jeep going to Lucban and alight at Barangay San Salvador. Then ride a tricycle going to the registration site of Hulugan Falls. The tricycle fare is twenty pesos.

By private vehicle

1. From Metro Manila, drive going to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at Calamba.
2. From the toll gate turn left passing through the bridge. Then stay on the National Highway in Laguna and pass through the municipality of Santa Cruz, Los Banos, and Pagsanjan.
3. Then turn right to Cavinti-Luisiana Road and look for signage of Hulugan Falls or Barangay San Salvador. Afterward, proceed to the information desk at the corner.
   

Note: If you really don’t know where Hulugan Falls is exactly located then you can use your Waze app or Google Maps and just pin Hulugan Falls. Moreover, you can park your car in the parking area near the registration area for a minimal amount.

Reminders and Tips:

• The registration fee or environmental fee at the three falls namely Hulugan Falls, Talay Falls, and Hidden Falls is 40 pesos per head. On the other hand, the registration fee at Aliw Falls only is 30 pesos per head and the tour guide fee is 300 pesos for five persons.

• The tour guide fee for Hulugan Falls only is 500 pesos for a group of five people while the tour guide fee for the three falls is 600 pesos and it’s good for a group of five people. In addition, visitors need to pay 30 pesos at the Captain’s House for the tourism fee. 

• As of now, getting a tour guide in barangay is required for all visitors before exploring Hulugan Falls. For the tour guide, please contact Rose Mendaño, her cellphone number is 09301280352.

• The life vest rental is seventy pesos per head.

• There are available toilets and bathrooms at the jump-off point. The shower, bath, or restroom fees ranges from five pesos up to twenty pesos per head.  

• The parking fee for a motorcycle is twenty pesos while the parking fee for a four-wheeled car is 40 pesos.

• There’s a camping area with rooms, electricity, a kitchen, Wi-Fi internet, and bathrooms near Hulugan Falls. The price starts at 400 pesos. On the other hand, the camping fee near the main jump-off point is 100 pesos.

• Whether you’re commuting or going via private vehicle going to Hulugan Falls then a safe budget for a day tour would be 1,500 pesos.

• The tricycle fare from the Captain’s House going to the starting point of Hulugan Falls is twenty pesos per person. Meanwhile, the tricycle fare at the jump-off point going to Aliw Falls is 12 pesos.

• The trekking to Hulugan Falls takes about forty-five minutes on a clear day. However, if it’s the rainy season the average trekking time is more than an hour or two.

• Wear good hiking sandals or non-slippery footwear because the terrain can be slippery, especially during the wet season. Also, wear quick-dry pants to protect your legs.

• If you don’t want to do DIY (Do It Yourself) then you can join an organized tour going to the falls. The inclusion in the Hulugan Falls day tour is a roundtrip van transfer from Manila to Laguna back and forth, gas fee, toll fee, parking fee, registration fee, local guide fee, and tour coordinator fee. On the other hand, the exclusion is personalized bag tag, bathroom fee, tricycle fee, and personal food. 

• If you want to cancel your day tour trip please take note that last-minute cancellation or backout is considered as sold. It is non-refundable but transferable to new guests. On the other hand, if the tour organizer failed to get the exact number of participants four days before the event he or she has the right to cancel or reschedule the event and all downpayment will be refunded. Also, the tour organizer has the right to adjust or reschedule the tour because of the bad weather conditions or any disaster that could harm the guests or participants.

• The best month to visit Hulugan Falls is during weekdays and during the wet season from June to September as the water is abundant in the falls. Schedule your day tour trip one week or two weeks after the heavy rain for the trail to become dry. Also, expect many tourists during the declared holidays and weekends. Our tour guide said that in the past years they have had around 500 visitors in one day only.

• If you have never done hiking before, I recommend you prepare yourself physically by having leg and cardio exercises before the trip.

• Last but not least, observe the weather forecast in Laguna daily before going to the tour.
  
  
  

Sometimes all we need is a short break to enjoy moments of life just like this. Overall, I wish this travel guide to Hulugan Falls has been advantageous to you. Thank you for reading.