When the summer season comes, a lot of us are planning to take a dip in the sea or falls to beat the heat we felt. For today's blog, I will be showing you another wonderful unplanned trip with my friends last weekend.
Aside from visiting the famous Osmena Peak in my previous blog, we also visited other tourist destinations in the Southern part of Cebu. The thought of having a road trip, we wanted to go to Boljoon Church but because of its distance from Moalboal, we never had the chance to reach the goal destination instead we reroute to Samboan, Cebu only. There, we had an unplanned visit and get a dip in one of the famous falls in their place, which is the Aguinid Falls.
Aguinid Falls offers 8 levels of various challenges and trekking adventure dipping into the waterfalls. If you love to adventure into nature, this will be a great escape for you. Common, I'll show you around.
Before dipping into the majestic falls, we need to pay the entrance fee of php350. 00 per person. This will include the complete gear adventure - a life jacket, helmet, and water shoes. All our things will be left in the reception area for they will get wet and you only need to bring your phone with a waterproof case.
Every group will be assigned two tour guides. For our tour, Kuya Erwin and Kuya Tong will be the assigned guide. It was a pleasure meeting them for they were so friendly and approachable to all our needs.
The first thing that our Kuyas did was to give us a little orientation about the place. It was an 8-level fall with enchanting rock formations combined with a hard and soft massage from the water.
To the Enchanting Aguinid Falls..
Level 0
Honestly, this is our first time dipping in waterfalls. At first, we were so afraid because of the strong pressure that the water is giving us. But after a couple of minutes of staying in the water, I guess we were excited to finish the different levels.
At this level, you will get a dip in the water with a soft massage. The water level is still very low in this area and it's very manageable.
Level 1
At this level, you will get a dip in the 3-4 ft. water with a very light massage coming from the flowing water.
You will also see rock formations on the side. You will see that the water is very clear. At first, we are hesitant to go in the middle because we are afraid the water might be too high for us but the Kuyas will be the first to initiate to jump in the water to let you feel that it's safe and it's a little bit too shallow. Truly proves to not overthink everything, the situation is under control.
Level 2
In the next level, you're strength and determination will be tested. This next-level challenge is you need to climb a rock formation with waterfalls going in it. Don't worry, all their rocks are safe. It's not slippery.
Going up the rock formations is a little bit tiring and risky but you need to build your strength to finish and be on top. There will be a guide in every step like it's a wall climbing but waters flowing within.
The Kuyas told us that all the rocks are not slippery because the water is coming from the spring and it's all-natural. It won't make any moss on the rocks. I guess it's true because I do touch all the rocks to prove that it's not slippery at all.
Level 3
On the third level, another wonderful rock formation you can see. Some of the rocks are formed from the roots of the trees near the place.
The amazing rock formation on this level forms a mini cave with falling water outside. To make it to the next level, you need to pass by a small portion on the side. Though stones are not slippery, just be careful in passing through, and always watch your steps.
Level 4
You need to walk into the inner part to reach this level. As you can see, there are trees in between because of the destruction caused by Typhoon Odette which strongly cut down some of the trees nearby.
At this level, you will see a 6ft. water deep. You are given the chance to jump into the water or just pose. If you're in for an adventure, this 6 ft. water is just too easy for you. But those who are afraid of heights for sure will have so much struggle at this level.
To experience the challenging jump, I made a try for the first time jumping into the 6ft. deep water. The thrills and the beating of my heart fast what I felt but trusting our guide is always the best because they make sure we are safe by giving it a try first to the area.
Very fulfilling to jump twice for the first time.
Level 5
The next level is another great challenge you will face. This is the most difficult level I've encountered. You will see great rock formations on this level.
To pass by at this level, you need to hold the rope and build your strength and determination to finish the challenges.
On the side, you will see a rope that will serve as a guide for the tourists who will try this challenging level. With the help of our Kuyas they will guide us on what to do and where to step and what to do next.
With the strength and perseverance to continue the challenge, we reach the top. It was challenging both for us and the tour guides. For the tour guides will pull us off one by one on the top portion to proceed to the next level.
At this level, our Kuyas instruct us to pass one by one because we need to hold the rope and they will assist us in going up.
Level 6
On the next level, a soft massage from the falling water will be given to you as a reward. There is a small jacuzzi pool at the top. You have unlimited time to swim with your friends. Chill and relax for a while after the challenges you've done.
Level 7
On the next level, another climbing challenge will be there for you. You need to climb this beautiful rock formation.
Some of these rocks according to our guide are from bodies of coconut trees or roots of plants around and after many years of being there were surrounded with limestones and thus forming into bridges or rocks.
In this challenge, our Kuyas orient us where to place our hands and feet to easily climb the rocks and reach the top.
Level 8
On the last level are a shallow jacuzzi pool for us and a soft massage of falling water. So fulfilling that after the difficult one, we are about to finish the 8-level challenge of Aguinid Falls.
You can have plenty of time swimming in the place. You will see up until the last level where you can see that the water is very clean.
According to our Kuyas, this fall is the source of water for the whole municipality. There you can see 4 pipes of water that connect from the main source on the top.
How to get there:
Aguinid Falls is located in Brgy. Tangbo, Samboan, Southern Cebu — 3 - 4 hours drive away from Cebu City.
By Bus: From Cebu South Bus Terminal, ride a bus bound for Samboan/Bato via Barili and remind the driver to drop you off at Aguinid Falls in Brgy. Tangbo. Look for a signage you can see on the highway or ask the locals for directions. From there, hire a motorcycle for hire (habal-habal) to take you to the registration area of Aguinid Falls.
By Private Car/Motorcycle: Navigate the place using your google maps/waze. It's only 300 meters away from the highway so it's not that difficult to locate.
Indeed, it was the best-unplanned trip I ever experienced. Being in one of the majestic falls in Cebu amazed me.
According to our Kuyas, Agunid Falls was named in honor of a person named Aguinid a long time ago whose house was just near the falls. He was once a local of the place for he was known to be a registered voter on the list. But one time he was nowhere to be found. So the place was named in honor of him.
Reaching the top is a fulfilling part as first-timers on the different challenges. In going back to the reception area, you will have the option to go backward with all the challenges or ride on a mini-cab offered by the staff.
We went home straight with happy faces and with an awesome experience to tell.
Have a nice day everyone!
Thank you so much for reading this far and supporting my blog. That's all for today Hive friends. I hope you enjoy it just like me. Keep safe! See you on my next blog.