Cabalian Lake of Southern Leyte

Lake Danao, San Juan, Southern Leyte 
(Also called as Cabalian Lake)

The Hiking Adventure to Lake Danao

Breaks for challenging hikes are scattered all over the country. One may experience this kind of adventure in the Philippines, particularly at San Juan, Southern Leyte while going to Lake Danao. Starting point of our journey was at Brgy. Dayanong where we met our guides to this lake. The steepy trail could last for a maximum of three (3) hours. 

The adventure wasn’t easy and one must be in hale and hearty shape before going there. We climbed up some sharp slopes and sheer cliffs with just the trees and big rocks for us to hold. Glad the strong hard roots from big shade trees made our upward progress at ease – it served as stairway going up there. We crossed a stream that flows from a small cascade and took a rest halfway of our journey at the mountain top. It was a tough hike but the overlooking views and surroundings will make you feel relaxed during the expedition. 

A Breathtaking Panorama

The verdant view could really take one’s breath away! The spot has a postcard-perfect vista and stunning view. All sweat had paid off!

I screamed upon arriving like I won the lottery where my bellow was heard recursively after a momentary delay – the mountains ricocheted my yell successively fainted and dwindled – echoes. There you can shout your heart out and the mountains will listen to you.

I could hear the tweeting of birds flying above us. I almost want to lay there for an hour and get a quick snooze but we had a limited time to stay so I just explored the nearby areas and took a quick dip on its cold waters.

I’ve been to Mahagnao Lake of Burauen, Lake Danao of Camotes Island, and the popular lake destination in Ormoc but this one’s my favorite. The three lake spots had olive and acidic waters but San Juan’s Lake Danao was different. Unsoiled and clear lime-colored waters make up this lake and the ambiance is more refreshing, totally unspoiled.

Here's our video of Cabalian Lake 

Notes:

• Make sure you’re in good, healthy shape – You need to have strong back to carry your pack and solid limbs coz leg strength will be doing the majority of the work. You also need to focus on your cardiovascular fitness days before the trek and must not neglect your core (jogging, lunges, squats, or practice on few hills).
• Start your trekking adventure early morning – When it isn’t too hot for you to climb the mountains.
• Wear proper attire - Midway of our adventure I’ve been pricked by some spiny floras and got some cuts from sharp grass and shrubberies so be sure to wear the proper outfit and make sure to be aware of what you’re holding in. Also, get some good shoes best for hiking. Nothing’s worse than hitting the track with a pair of sore, badly fitting boots.
• Stay hydrated – Bring water as much as you need. We’re actually thankful that our guides had generously pulled some coconuts for us as we haven’t bring extra bottled water during that time. You may also bring your food and snacks at the lake.
• First Aid – For emergency purposes.
• Bring necessary gears – Essential kits or tools that you think will be helpful during the trip. (e.g. rope)
• Prepare yourself mentally.
• Trucks, motorbikes, pick-up or other four-wheel vehicles can actually pass through rough paths going to the destination. This would reduce the hike for an hour.
• Overnight camping is allowed. You need to bring jackets and hard coats.
• Do not leave anything behind. Trash and garbage must be brought back or must be properly disposed.
• P500.00 Guide Rate

More photos:

Travel Guide

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service. 

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for vans or buses which transports to San Juan, Southern Leyte. Upon arriving, go directly to San Juan Municipal Hall or Tourism Office for registration.

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Molopolo-Sta. Cruz Bird and Fish Sanctuary of Macrohon, Southern Leyte

Bird and Fish Sanctuaries of Macrohon, Southern Leyte

The bird and fish sanctuaries located in Macrohon were managed by two neighboring barangays – Brgy. Molopolo and Brgy. Sta. Cruz – that’s why it was called Molopolo-Sta. Cruz Bird and Fish Sanctuary. 

Different types of fish are seen at Molopolo’s fish asylum. The most common fish species habitually seen were milkfish or bangus, spotted scats or locally called kitong, and yellow saddle rabbitfish or danggit. The yellow-tail emperor (or katambak in their dialect), however, appears above the seabed only during high tide. Other marine species that were also seen here were the damsel fish, squaretail and flathead grey mullets, archer fish, crescent bass and goatfish. The spiky lionfish also dwell in this sanctuary and if lucky enough, you’ll also see stingrays and moray eels here.

There, a hollow bamboo bridge will serve as footpath to its observatory or fish feeding area. You may feed the fishes with the food provided by the management.

Mangroves grow rich at the nearby areas where birds also nestled their eggs or offspring. The birds commonly seen were the wild ducks, night herons, yellow-vented bulbuls and collared kingfishers. Governmental institutions and the local barangays administering this reserve protects the bird species from hunting and habitat destruction. The management is very strict with regards to the rules and regulations at the sanctuary. 

Activities:

• Snorkeling
• Fish Feeding
• Fish Interaction
• Swimming
• Bird Watching

Fees:

• Entrance

Children – P10
Adult – P20

Here's our video of Molopolo-Sta. Cruz Bird and Fish Sanctuary. 

How to get there:

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service.

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for vans or buses which transports to Maasin City.

At Maasin City Terminal, ride a cab bound for Macrohon. Tell the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Molopolo. You’ll just need to walk few minutes to the sanctuary from the highway. 

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Cambaro Caves, Macrohon, Southern Leyte

Cambaro Caves got its name from the location itself, Brgy. Cambaro of Macrohon, Southern Leyte. It is actually an interconnecting channel of underground caves, large enough for a human to enter, formed by various geologic processes that happened millions of years ago.

A veil of darkness cloaks the natural beauty of Cambaro caves. The guide will provide you with a helmet (serves as protective head covering) with a built-in flashlight, enough to light the slippery and murky path inside. There, you’ll be fascinated by the speleothems (secondary mineral deposits) drooping from the ceilings like icicles, or the stalagmites emerged on floors like mushrooms, and other various natural fanciful features. You may also find flowstones formed on walls or on the ground, and a mini pool situated at the end of the channel, serves as the highlight of your cave journey. You may likewise find birds nestling inside the cave - one of which were the “balinsasayao” birds, which were commonly seen in Cambaro. 

Here's our video of Cambaro Caves (Sef TV)

Notes:

• Certain guidelines and precautions must be observed like the importance of wearing helmets, which serve as protective head jackets from bristly, hard spikes and pillars.

• Do not touch the white, crystal-like particles inside the cave. By the time you touch it, moist from skin will react to the minerals present, will make it turn brown dead. A dead cave then becomes a den of wild bats.

Fees: (Subject to change without prior notice)

• Entrance Fee: P50

• Helmet – P5

• Flashlight – P10

• Guide Fee – P150/head

Travel Guide

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service.

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for vans or buses which transports to Maasin City.

At Maasin City Terminal, ride a jeep/cab bound for Macrohon. Tell the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Molopolo or tell the driver to drop you off at the intersecting road to Brgy. Cambaro. From the highway, it’s a 30-minute uphill ride to Brgy. Cambaro. Go directly to the Tourism Building for the fees and for an orientation – The Do’s and Don’ts. After that, you’ll need to trek down (20-minute walk) to the cave’s location with your guide.

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Buscayan Beach, Macrohon, Southern Leyte

Little did people know that Macrohon of Southern Leyte was graced with white sand coasts and crystal clear waters. One of which was the Buscayan Beach, located at Brgy. Buscayan, Macrohon of the Leyte South. 

Buscayan brags its floury, white sand beach (some parts mixed up with empty sea shells and corals) perfect for family and barkada outings. This unblemished beach spot had an impressive display of rock formations in nearby shores creating a great pedestal for your subject, applying the sea as backdrop setting on snaps. The beach, lined up with coco trees, sparkling white sand beaches, and calm waters, has its natural wonder that will stir your imagination to the hilt. 

One may also find seashells of olive, sunray venus, scotch bonnet, calico scallops, tulip shells or the giant murex and keyhole sand dollar shells at the beach. Marine invertebrates loaded the oceanfront which is perfect for beach combers searching for sea phylum. (But please be reminded not to manually erode the coast by bringing shingles and sand when you leave)

Also, beach bums would surely enjoy loafing at the beach and lazing themselves on the sand or probably catching some rays for a tan here at Buscayan. This local spot is one great destination for relaxation and recreation, satiating anyone’s desire for a tropical holiday. 

Here's our video of Buscayan (Sef Tv) 

Activities you may enjoy at Buscayan:

• Beach Volleyball

• Swimming

• Snorkeling

Notes:

• Cottages ranges from P300 to P500 for overnight stay

• NO entrance fee

• NO corkage fee

Travel Guide

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service. 

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for vans or buses which transports to Maasin City.

At Maasin City Terminal, ride a jeep/cab bound for Macrohon. Tell the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Buscayan. You’ll just need to walk few minutes to the beach from the highway. 

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Whale Shark Interaction in Pintuyan, Southern Leyte

Whale Sharks in Southern Leyte, Philippines

No need to flutter to Oslob or Donsol coz you can find these beautiful marine creatures in Sogod Bay.

 

‘Though seasonal, whale sharks often dwell in Son-ok, Pintuyan or inhabit the nearby waters of Southern Leyte from November to May. They are locally known as ‘tiki-tiki’ in Leyte province or ‘butanding’. Whale sharks measure up to 18 meters and weigh more than 34 tons. They are filter feeders who eat zooplankton and small fish by sucking water through their huge mouths, which can be up to 1 meter wide. Each whale shark has a unique outline of white spots and lines. Experts and researchers use these distinctive patterns as ‘fingerprints’ to distinguish and identify each creature.

Important notes when encountering these whale sharks:

Other notes:

1. Guide is required.
2. 5-meter distance from swimmer to whale. They have rough coating and might bruise or cut your skin. Just watch, don’t touch.
3. Don’t use sunscreen lotions. The chemicals can be harmful to them.
4. Do not feed them.
5. Don’t catch the fish.
6. Do not jump off the boat. Enter water slowly.
7. Bring your own swimming fins and goggles. Limited fins and snorkeling masks for rent. 

These whale sharks found in Southern Leyte aren’t fed unlike in Oslob, Cebu or Donsol, Sorsogon. They naturally enter Sogod Bay or wander into the waters of Leyte South from November until summer, as part of their natural cycle of migration. These were vulnerable species protected by Philippine law, Republic Act 8550 or Philippine Fishery Code of 1998, Section 11 and 97 – Protection and prohibition of catching (or collection) of rare, threatened, and endangered species.

Other notes:

1. One must contact the Tourism Office of Southern Leyte if you want to interact with these creatures or may ask from the Southern Leyte Tourism and Investment Promotion Center (SLTIPC) for more details. (0917-886-0611)
2. The number of visitors who can participate each day is limited. This is to ensure that guests’ behavior are properly controlled and monitored to minimize the activity’s impact to these creatures. 
3. Fees depend on the number of participants.

Travel Guide

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA, CEBU OR DAVAO:

There are actually directs flights from Manila to Tacloban, Cebu to Tacloban and Davao to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service.

TACLOBAN CITY

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, ride a bus or van bound for Sogod, Southern Leyte. (2 hours estimated travel time). When you reach Sogod Bus Terminal, look for buses bound for San Ricardo, Southern Leyte. Tell the driver to drop you off in Son-ok, Pintuyan, Southern Leyte.

More Photos:

Photos from Rocky Fabilane and Joseph Pasalo

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