Chasing Waterfalls in Ginatilan and Samboan, Cebu

Contributed by Ezaiplorer

Have you experienced organising a get-together or outing for more than a month but everything was cancelled (from the resort reservation to activity to itinerary) because your companions have conflicting schedules or there is an emergency? Well, we did.

Me and my college batchmates are supposed to have an outing at Malapascua Island but it so happens that emergencies came to some of them at the week of the travel that we can’t do anything but cancel it.

Of course, things like that are uncontrolled. Thus, instead of becoming sad or upset, the rest of us who are still up for the outing planned to push through everything. Unfortunately, we cannot have it still in Malapascua because this will cost us a lot. Instead, we looked for another destination. Suggestions came in. Until one of us suggested to have it in Samboan, a Municipality in Southern Cebu (approximately 4-5 hours travel from Cebu South Bus Terminal).

Also read: My South Cebu Trip: 4 Days of Great Adventure with My Barkada

We then searched for resorts that can accommodate us and looked for itineraries and activities we could do there.

Luckily, one resort was still available at a very reasonable price of ₱1,500 good for 6, just fit for us (we were 5 pax then). The resort is Villa Isabella Resort, a beachfront that offers air-conditioned room wherein you can cook your own food and you just have to pay for the gas. You can contact their very accommodating owner, Ma’am Lily at (0921) 200 2327.

After our thorough FB chat meetings, we came up an idea as to what we will do or where we will go. Thanks to the blog post of thebisdakexplorer. We based our itinerary on the itinerary he posted and that was a great help.

And the day has come… Weeew… All of us were just so excited.

That’s Me, April, Neil and Jack

We were able to ride the 6.20am Ceres Liner Bus (Airconditioned at ₱176 each) with a route of Bato via Barili. We will be picking up Chinkee at San Fernando.

After four (4) hours on the road, we were able to reach the Municipality of Ginatilan where our first stop, Inambakan Falls, is located. From the bust stop, we travelled the 3.9km road for 7 minutes. Ooppss.. If you think it is an easy road, you got it wrong. Riding the habal-habal going to the falls is like riding the 4×4 off-road vehicle in Paoay Sand Dunes. A great start of our adventure.

When you reach the falls entrance, you have to pay ₱10 entrance fee and trek for 5 minutes going down to the falls.

And, wow! This is what awaits you there.

Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan

This place is indeed magical.

We left the place with appreciation in our hearts.

We then decided to have our lunch at Samboan Proper and check in the resort afterwards. With the help of the habal-habal driver who took us to the falls, they offered us an additional ₱20 on our fare and they will drop us off in Samboan Proper. The fare to the falls from the bus stop is ₱30 each person per way.

15 minutes later, we arrived in Samboan Proper and immediately looked for an eatery where we can eat (rarely you will see restaurants in the place). The eatery we went to was owned by the cousin of Ma’am Lily.

When were full and ready to go, we hailed a tricycle to Villa Isabelle Resort (₱7 each for 10 minutes ride).When we got there, Kuya, the caretaker was expecting our arrival and our room has been prepared already.

Even our room’s door welcomed us widely open.

This is our room (excuse the mess and the stick O.. Hehehe) We did not expect it to be this spacious with the price we pay. Good deal indeed! 

Also read: 8 Fun Things You Probably Didn’t Know You Can Do in Cebu

Aguinid Falls

Our second stop is the famous, Aguinid Falls. This is usually what you can read in the blogs.

For 12 minutes at ₱8 tricycle ride and a few minutes walk, we reached the registration area of the falls. We paid ₱20 entrance fee, wrote our names and we were given a tour guide, Ate Jo.

Our 5-Level journey then started.

Ate Jo is the one in yellow. An amazing guide

Our adventure, which includes rock climbing, sliding, climbing, trekking, climbing again for 2 hours had ended with many stories that we can share. We gave our tour guide a tip (their guide is for free and it is your own will either to give or not and how much), thanked her and bid farewell.

We left the place with fulfilment in our hearts.

Binalayan and Hidden Falls

Third and fourth stops are the 2-in-1 falls, the Binalayan and Hidden Falls. It is just 5 minutes from Aguinid Falls.

Upon arriving at the registration area, we paid ₱10 entrance fee and was given a tour guide. Before seeing the falls, we need to trek for 7-10 minutes.

This what will welcome you.

This is the end of the Binalayan Falls. If you continue trekking, you will see that another falls is hiding. And it is called Hidden Falls.

We left the place with peace and calmness in our hearts

After giving a tip to the tour guide, we hailed a tricycle to take us to the resort. We were blessed to have a trike driver that is so kind and helpful. He patiently waited for us when we were buying foods for dinner and helped us look for a store that sells ice.

A beautiful sunset welcomed us back in the resort 

We started our Day 2 with a delicious breakfast prepared by our own chef Neil. And what made it more awesome is this beautiful scenery.

Dau Falls

The fifth stop (1st for the day) is the other famous falls, the Dau Falls. It is located 10 minutes away from Villa Isabella Resort.

On our day 2, we hired a multicab for ₱600 that includes 2 falls, the driver will wait and pick up & drop us off at the resort. It is a good deal.

After doing the registration and payment of ₱20 each entrance fee, a tour guide then approached us.

Note: You need to bring water because it will be a long trek. You can bring foods as long as you will throw the garbage properly.

You will pass this hanging bridge made of bamboo to be able to cross to the other end.

After 37 minutes, we personally saw this wonderful falls.

We left the place with happiness in our hearts.

After another 30 more minutes uphill trek, we gave a tip to the tour guide and headed to our next stop.

Also read: Canyoneering in Cebu: A Heart-Stopping Outdoor Adventure Every Thrill Seeker Must Experience

Balaygsawa Falls

Our last stop is the Balaygsawa Falls, 15 minutes away from Dau Falls. To get to the falls itself, we need to trek for 23 minutes. The trek was so tiring. We had to go uphill then go down.

This is the Balaygsawa Falls. Though, it’s kind of upsetting that after our energy was drained with the trek, the falls is just like an ordinary one. What lacks here is the improvement of the place to make it more inviting for tourists. Despite that, we just enjoyed the moment. We rested for a few minutes before going for another tiring trek.

We left this place with patience in our hearts.

We then went home in the city through the route Cebu via Oslob. And our weekend getaway ended not just by falls hopping but also by round south travel.

Though it was last minute, everything was worth it. From the very accommodating resort staff and owner to the different falls to the nice people to real friends to great experience to unforgettable adventure.

Also read: 15 Thrilling Outdoor Adventures to Conquer in Cebu

Who would have thought that instead of island hopping in Northern Cebu, we ended falls hopping in Southern Cebu? It was really a new experience for us.

Until next time guys!