Lake Danao: The Green Purlieu

Ormoc City, Leyte

Location: Lake Danao Natural Park, Ormoc City

A picturesque inland scenery

Tied-up with the pollution and the rowdy city you’ve been staying with? Then get your feet off from that busy urban town and turn your wheels to where a picture-postcard milieu awaits you. Bloggers and shutterbugs will surely enjoy the natural aesthetic view of Lake Danao, the nearby surroundings, and the fresh air the place naturally offers. I myself enjoyed the beautiful scenery out here. Come!

Also Read: Kalanggan Island, Palompon, Leyte

The vivid, olive green waters

Everything was green - from the highlands down to the lake, which makes one agrees that this destination is the city’s green purlieu. Water was so calm and clear, perfect for kayaking, boating, swimming, and other water activities. This should be on your list!

Lake Danao Natural Park offers water activities like the ones mentioned above.

The deafening silence 

It is a quite locale and has a peaceful setting where one can perhaps drift dreamily through tranquil waters. Cruising the lake on a floating cottage will also make you slumber and catch forty winks, with the cool gentle wind brushing your face while you’re asleep. However, the siesta couldn’t be that long as renting the hut charges P150 per hour. Haha.

I luckily visited Lake Danao with less people, which was actually what I really wanted. I honestly hate the crowd photo bombing the scenic view and dislike the sound of even one large troop which horselaughs echoed and bounced off from mounts. That’s noisy! If you're like me who hates the crowd too, probably the best time to visit could be during weekdays or non-peak seasons. Throng of visitors usually gather during holidays and weekends. 

Also Read: Calag-itan Fish Sanctuary of Southern Leyte

More of Lake Danao:

Also Read: Sayahan Falls of Ormoc City, Leyte

About Lake Danao

Sharing with you the information I gathered about Lake Danao:

Lake Danao Natural Park

Pres. Proc. No. 1155, February 3, 1988

Area: 2,193 Hectares

Area of Lake: 143 Hectares

Elevation

Highest Peak: 1,020 Meters Asl

Lowest Peak: 360 meters Asl

Notes:

1. Entrance Fee: P5.00 and Parking Fee: P10.00

2. There are mini sari-sari stores outside the natural park where shellfishes and other seafood are served.

3. Water activities are available at the area. Rent charge is per hour.

4. No corkage fee. You can bring your own food and drinks.

How to get there?

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

At Ormoc City

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

Note: Only few cabs transport to Lake Danao. Be sure to get there early.

(2) If you’ll bring your own car/service, the road to the destination is accessible more or less (30) minutes from the city proper. You’ll pass by San Pablo, Luna, Dolores, Milagro then Lake Danao.

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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

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Also Read: 

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

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