Pagsanjan Falls: The Vertical Way

'Pagsanjan' Falls

I have always read about Pagsanjan falls when I was in grade school. I remember that in Sibika at Kultura text books it is always the example of waterfall together with Maria Cristina Falls. Little we did know that locally it is not called Pagsanjan Falls, it is Cavinti Falls or Magdapio Falls. 

Two Way Access Routes

1. Shooting The Rapids

There are two ways to reach this majestic falls. First one, which is the famous for tourists is by riding a fiber glass or wooden boat from any resorts along Balanac and Bumbungan rivers in Pagsanjan Laguna. This is where the name of the falls came from, because the starting point is in Pagsanjan but the falls is located in the town of Cavinti, Laguna. The boat ride is known as 'Shooting the Rapids' where each boat has two skilled paddlers that will take the tourists to 'Pagsanjan' Falls. 

the boatmen waiting for their passengers

2. Vertical Way at Pueblo El Salvador Natures Park and Picnic Groove

Second route is the vertical way in the town of Cavinti which we took because we also visited the Cavinti Caves Complex. The starting point of the trek is from Pueblo El Salvador Natures Park and Picnic Groove. The rate is 270/person for the rappelling equipment and guides and life vest.

After we paid one of the guides escorted us to he jump off point which is about 10 minutes walk from the entrance of Pueblo El Salvador Natures Park and Picnic Grove.

the guide leading us the to the jump off point

A statue of Saint El Salvador Del Mundo is the mark that we reached the jump off point. 

At the jump off point each one of us was given a rappelling equipment that is secured and tighten by our guide.

the river below

Looking down from the circular steel trails it was scary at first but our guides assured us that our equipment is safe and reliable. To go down the trail you will be suspended by the guide for a couple of seconds then pull you down and another guide below the trail is waiting for you and will assist you to remove the lock from the rope. 

Aside from rappelling you need to walk down the steel stairs. Be careful as you walk because the trail could be steep. Along the way you have to stop and patiently wait for the other people going up the steel stairs before you could go down because there's only one way.

Here's the final vertical descend.

Though I don't find the 'Pagsanjan Falls' as majestic as the other falls that I've been to it's finally a dream come true for me to see it in person. Even if the water is not clear I'm still awe of its beauty.

There are guides maneuvering the bamboo rafts where the tourists can ride back and forth going under the water falls or behind it where the Devil's cave is found. Helmets and life vests are also provided but limited so first come first serve. Staying under the waterfall to have a massage is not for everyone especially if you have low pain tolerance. The water volume is strong and while I was under it for few seconds I had difficulty in breathing and I can't tolerate the pain on my legs so I decided to jump from the raft over the water because the guide couldn't hear me shouting that I couldn't breath anymore.

at the Devil's cave

If it's challenging to get to the falls by rappelling and descending the vertical steep steel trails, it is more challenging going back to the jump off point by using the same route. Those who took Cavinti route (the vertical way) cannot be accommodated by boatmen to take Pagsanjan route. We were informed by this and the guide told us that it is being offered before but suspended due to a rift between Pagsanjan and Cavinti Municipalities. 

Tour date: May 24, 2015