Sayahan Falls, Ormoc, Leyte

SAYAHAN FALLS of SITIO MAGLAHUG, BRGY. GAAS, ORMOC, LEYTE

Most people are apt to go to the beach and do island hopping during summer, but for us who had almost visited all the island destinations in Leyte, we opt to search for places that were yet unexplored by many.

…Then and there, we discovered the newly-opened eco-tourism site in Brgy. Gaas, Ormoc, Leyte - the Sayahan Falls.

Trekking Adventure! 

Since Brgy. Gaas is located atop a mountain, one would need to hike down from the top to the falls’ location. Took us more or less thirty (30) minutes to reach the Sayahan Falls. You will pass by some small cascades and streams while on your way there.

Notes:

• Make sure you are physically fit and in complete gears – wear shoes, leggings.
• Make sure to prepare all your needs for a long trekking adventure (e.g. water, towel, etc.)
• Please be CAUTIOUS and WARY.

Picture-Perfect!

That long hike was worth it! Capture good shots in every angle. Make sure to bring your action and HD water cameras to get a picture-perfect snap of Sayahan Falls.

Cool Waters! 

Of course everyone will certainly love the cold waters. Since summer is getting hotter everyday, visiting the spot could be one of your best options! Dip into its icy waters; swim along the current; and if you want to need some shower, one is actually allowed to get near the heavy drips. But make sure not to do any risky acts that are perilous and death-defying.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The falls was named Sayahan from the local word “Saya” o “Palda” which means skirt; Sayahan Falls actually looks like a ‘long, giant, skirt’.
• Sayahan Falls is about a hundred feet.
• Sayahan Falls was opened to public on March 18, 2017 through the effort of the Municipality of Ormoc City.

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.

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• CebGo
• AirAsia
• Philippine Airlines

Via Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for vans or buses which transports to Ormoc City. Travel takes more than two (2) hours from Tacloban. 

Via Cebu City

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Ormoc route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via large transports or fast crafts). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships and just three (3) hours for fast crafts. 

For promo fares and other details:
OceanJet
Roble Shipping
SuperCat

Weesam Express

How to get there?

(1) At the Ormoc City terminal, ride a jeepney going to Brgy. Gaas. Tell the driver to drop you off at Sitio Maglahug.

Notes:

• There is only one (1) vehicle that transports to Brgy. Gaas. Make sure to catch the jeepney before 10 am as it leaves around 10 or 11 in the morning. Travel takes more or less an hour from the city proper. 
• If unlucky and unable to get aboard on time,

Option 1: Ride a multicab going to Lake Danao. Cabs are located near the seaport area. (Fare - P40)

You may contact Ma’am Riza Vinculado (0948-475-9666) as she may be able to help you find a habal-habal service to Sitio Maglahug from Lake Danao.

From Lake Danao to Sitio Maglahug – takes about more than thirty (30) minutes habal-habal ride.

Option 2: From Brgy. Simangan, you’ll find habal-habal drivers that could transport you to Brgy. Gaas. However, the fare reaches upto P150 per head as the sitio is very far from the city proper.

(2) If you’ll bring your own car/service, the road to the destination is accessible 25 kilometers from the city proper. You’ll pass by San Pablo, Luna, Dolores, Milagro and Lake Danao going to Brgy. Gaas.

Registration

• Entrance Fee is P20.00 per person.
• Tourist Guide is P300 for every five (5) persons. Please contact Kuya Ramil Villos, our friendly guide to Sayahan Falls (0950-262-2909)
• Cut-off time for registration is until 2 pm only. The tourism center will not entertain guests after 2 pm as it is not advisable to hike back from the destination at night.

Other notes:

• Bring your own trash bags. Segregate your wastes into biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Bring your own garbage.
• Do not litter or dump your rubbish at Sayahan Falls.
• Do not leave any non-biodegradable wastes and cigarette butts on the mountains, forests, streams, ponds, and natural pools. Non-biodegradable such as synthetic materials (e.g. plastic bags) emit toxic pollutants during long-term exposure to air, light or water.
• Do not destroy or damage the trees and other plants.
• Alcoholic drinks and strong distilled liquors are prohibited at the site.
• Sidetrip after Sayahan Falls – visit the clear and green waters of Lake Danao. 

More of Sayahan Falls

SIMILAR POSTS

Also Read: 

Mahayahay Falls, Matalom, Leyte
Busay Falls, Babatngon, Leyte
Tinago Falls, Caibiran, Biliran,
Karaha Falls, Caibiran, Biliran

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·         

Canhugas Nature Park, Hernani, Eastern Samar

#SparkSamar

If you’ve been to several white sand beaches and you find the unruffled waters tedious and boring, perhaps the big waves at Canhugas Nature Park will fascinate you with its perfect locale!

Now, let’s take a peek of this incredible local spot!

Location: Hernani, Eastern Samar (More or less 3 hours from Tacloban City)

An impressive spectacle! Gigantic waves crushing onto large rock formations mark this place as an extraordinary tourist destination. Climbing up the walls of these hefty rocks will give you a phenomenal setting, a beautiful backdrop. Don’t forget to bring your HD cameras as photography could be one of great deals here! 

Fresh from the sea! Just in every rock formation is a natural-made pool. Water comes from the strong ocean waves hammering the rocks, flowing to the pool terraces. 

Salty blue falls! Sturdy waves create waterfalls which flow into a deep hole where waves also came crushing through, crafting a view of natural features that is ‘bluish-ly exquisite.’

NOTES:

1. If you want to capture big waves, best to take it during high tide (which happens at 3 onwards in the afternoon during summer).

2. Lifeguards do not allow tourists near the borders during high tide since the waves are strong (Canhugas Nature Park is facing the Pacific Ocean)

3. There are sea urchins at the pool area so it is best to wear slippers or aqua shoes.

4. Tourists are not allowed to take pictures near the falls as the strong water current and the waves may sweep you down to the hole where the falls drops its water.

5. There is a deep hole at the beach area where you can enjoy swimming during high tide.

6. You can’t bring your surfboards here. It is so risky since the waves are incredibly powerful. Wipe-outs on waves are the usual cause of surfing injury more especially that the beach in Hernani is made of coral rocks which are dangerous to surfers. 

7. You can bring your own cars but please be reminded that the destination is still developing the parking area. The road to Canhugas is so narrow that big automobiles and other large vehicles could possibly drop its wheels from the pathway.  

8. Make sure to bring your own food and drinks. You may also bring extra jug of water for rinsing since water is not always available at Canhugas.

9. Sari-sari stores can provide you beers, snacks and other immediate needs. 

10. Bringing sharp objects like knives is prohibited at the area. 

Entrance Fee

Children - P5.00

Resident - P10.00

Non-resident - P20.00

Foreign National - P50.00

Rental of Facilities

Umbrella - P75.00 each

Table - P75.00 each

Chair - P10.00 each

Tent 2x2 - P100.00 each

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.

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• CebGo
• AirAsia
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for vans or buses which transports to Borongan, Eastern Samar. Land travel to Hernani takes about three (3) hours from the city. You'll have to tell the driver to drop you off at Hernani. There is a signboard going to the destination at the right side of the road. (Or make use of Google Maps in your mobile phones. It's actually helpful in determining the exact location)

More of Canhugas Nature Park: 

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Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without permission, authorization, or written consent from the author or proprietor is strictly forbidden and firmly prohibited. Always provide full and clear credit to DyaryoDeByahe with the appropriate direction to the original content.

Waterfalls: Mahayahay, Karaha, and Tinago

Mahayahay Falls

Location: Caridad Norte, Matalom, Leyte

Matalom, Leyte doesn’t only brags its famous Canigao Island, but it also boasts the majestic Mahayahay Falls located in Caridad Norte, which is still undiscovered by many.

Our August trip last 2015 was destined to Canigao Island but unluckily the assigned coastguards did not allow the boat operators to travel because of the unfavorable weather; sturdy winds steepened the waves (making it rough and unstable that time), which isn’t safe to cross to the nearby island.

Since I don’t want to waste a day waiting, I convinced my friends to otherwise visit the Mahayahay Falls, an unexplored tourist destination in Matalom, Leyte. 

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. 

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• CebGo
• AirAsia
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for vans or buses which transports to Maasin City. Tell the driver to drop you off at Matalom, Leyte.

Reaching There:

We went to the town market to ask some habal-habal drivers to take us to Mahayahay Falls. It was a thirty (30) minute-drive from the town proper and a twenty (20) minute trekking adventure. The drivers actually served as our local guides to this tourist spot.

Note: Steep, rough and uneven road going to the destination. You need to walk or cross a river or stream so be sure to wear proper outfit.

CEBU CITY VIA ORMOC CITY

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Ormoc route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via large transports or fast crafts). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships and just three (3) hours for fast crafts. The city’s bus terminal is just beside the port area so you can directly go to the terminal and ask drivers which vans travel to Matalom, Leyte.

Matalom’s Gem: Mahayahay Falls

When you visit Canigao Island, make sure to visit Mahayahay Falls, too. It was worth the hike and time to visit this beautiful cascade, which was immensely attractive, dropping its cold waters widely down to the surface, a great spot for swimming. 

I just hope the municipality of Matalom, Leyte funds and allocate some budget for the road to this tourist destination. This explicitly a great spot for tourists or travelers to visit, and this can certainly boost tourism in the local area.

Karaha Falls 

Location: Caibiran, Biliran

So glad I got a friend who was from Caibiran - a chance to visit the Karaha Falls and the famous Tinago Falls in Biliran.

Before we head up to Tinago Falls, we first visited the Karaha Falls which is just meters away from the former. The falls was named “Karaha” because the water first drops at a basin on the upper level which looks like a ‘cooking pan’, which also means karaha in Visayan dialect.

Tinago Falls

Location: Caibiran, Biliran

We walked down to a concrete stairs leading to the waterfalls. Upon arriving to the destination, I was truly rapt by this lofty water cascade, such a piece of art! Many of the locals would climb up to its topmost to jump off the ridge, dropping 90 feet into the cold waters. The water falls from the center of a rock outcrop and is surrounded by large rocks, then flows into low-lying areas, making up a stream.

Entrance Fee: P10 

CEBU CITY VIA NAVAL

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Biliran via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Biliran route via large sea transports and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City. Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships. The city’s bus terminal is just near the port area so you can directly ride vans or buses bound for Caibiran, Biliran. Upon arriving, you can ask some habal-habal drivers to take you to Karaha and Tinago Falls. 

Related articles:

Busay Falls in Babatngon, Leyte

Higatangan and Sambawan Island, Biliran

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:

Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without permission, authorization, or written consent from the author or proprietor is strictly forbidden and firmly prohibited. Always provide full and clear credit to DyaryoDeByahe with the appropriate direction to the original content. 

2 Days Samar Escape 2015

April 2015 (1/3): Biliran Island Destinations

(2/3): Samar Escape: Falls, Spring, and Cave

Lulugayan Falls

After doing our 2-day itinerary, we decided to firstly visit the famous Lulugayan Falls of Brgy. Literon, Calbiga, Samar. Calbiga is actually an hour and a half drive from the city of Tacloban traversing the famous San Juanico Bridge that connects the islands of Leyte and Samar.

This tourist destination was actually located of still an hour of roller coaster drive from the proper town of Calbiga. We passed safely along sharp curves and steep hills on our way there, and asked some locals of its exact location but this just made us confused as they were giving us different answers. We actually thought we’ve been lost and gone astray at its forest-like locale while passing laterally on large trees and underbrush almost covering the road to the destination. 

Starved and displeased while searching for its accurate location, we stopped to eat the lunch we brought and rest for awhile. As we opened up the car doors and windows, the noon breeze and gentle wind made us relax under a shade tree.

We then got back on track after fulfilling our stomach and just right after few minutes, we saw the famous Lulugayan Falls from the top. Woah! We can actually hear the sound of the water flowing and dropping off on its surface.

We followed the only path down to Brgy. Literon. There the barangay captain welcomed us and we’ve been assisted by local guides. We readily head up to a twenty (20) minute-walk down to the falls’ location.

Very spectacular! 

I thought it was just an ordinary falls like I used to see in other places but Lulugayan was a curtain falls; a big and wide cascade. The water was exceptionally icy cold, no wonder many local travellers visit the falls. There we literally enjoyed the serene surroundings and its peaceful setting.

We then climbed up to reach the top of the falls and it looks like a plain natural stream.

View from top

We brought a tent to stay overnight but the local attendants advised us to otherwise spend the night on their barangay hall for it is not safe and the water may tide up high while we are asleep.

My friends savoured the time jumping off from the falls and adored the cold waters which relaxes us (mentally and) physically after the long agitation on the road. Well the long hours were very worth it after seeing the spectacular Lulugayan Falls!

Notes:

1. First: Please visit or inquire at the municipality’s tourism office before your scheduled trip. There are local fees and permits, of course. 
2. There are only certain areas which are safe for jumping and swimming. 

The next day...

Villa Escober Cold Spring Resort 

We planned to visit other falls in Calbayog and eager to try the torpedo boat ride located in Ulot River, Paranas, Samar but it was far from we thought it was. So we just decided to search for another destination and found the Villa Escober Cold Spring Resort in Paranas located along the road going to Ulot.

It wasn’t an ordinary spring resort. It has a fancy and elegant setting but has cheaply discounted fees.

The cold spring water was so clear you can almost see fish tilapias swimming under. There are cottages of different prices according to its size.

The water came from this little manmade cave-like and we forgot to ask the in-charge of its source.

Sohoton Cave

Our last destination was visiting the famous cave in Visayas, the Sohoton Cave situated in Basey, Samar. We rode a boat going to this popular destination and we then arrived after twenty (20) minutes from the port.

Before we went inside the cave, certain guidelines and precautions must be observed like the importance of wearing helmets, which serve as protective head coverings from spiky stalactites.

While we were exploring around the cave, we have learned a lot of things from our local guide – the cave’s history: became a place of refuge and concealment during the war and natural disasters; its discovery; and the do’s and dont’s inside the cave.

We weren’t allowed to touch the white, crystal-like particles since these were the only thing that make the cave exist, according to our guide. By the time you touch it, moist from skin will react to the minerals present, will turn brown dead and will make the cave lifeless; a dead cave then becomes a den of wild bats.

You will be mesmerized by the stalactites lying down from its roof and stalagmites formed from dripping water. Spikes and inverted stalactites make up a column standing straight and hard. All of these things naturally form random, imaginative, and creative sculpture made of carbonated minerals.

You can also kayak on its calm, greeny waters outside the cave. Unfortunately for us, we did not have the chance since we need to get back home for it was late afternoon already.

----

It was indeed a very tiring yet an enjoyable part of my summer 2015. Our two-day trip in Samar was very worth it knowing that we did visit the famous Lulugayan Falls, the cold spring resort of Villa Escober and the popular Sohoton Cave.

Previous: (1/3 of Summer 2015) Biliran Island Destinations

Next: (3/3 of Summer 2015) Cuatro Islas: Southern Leyte’s Island Destinations

TRAVEL GUIDE

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban. The flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal/Terminal for GrandTours or DupTours via taxicab or transfer service. 

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

Ride a van at the terminal bound for Calbiga, Samar. Travel takes more than two (2) hours from the city. 

IF YOU ARE FROM CEBU

There are actually daily flights from Cebu to Calbayog. The flight takes at least an hour. You can find buses and vans bound for Calbiga, Samar at the local terminal. 

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Calbayog: (4+ flights per week)

• CebGo

CEBU CITY VIA CATBALOGAN

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Samar via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Catbalogan route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via Roble Shipping Lines, Inc., etc.). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships. Look for vans at the terminal bound for Calbiga, Samar.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without permission, authorization, or written consent from the author or proprietor is strictly forbidden and firmly prohibited. Always provide full and clear credit to DyaryoDeByahe with the appropriate direction to the original content.