Ditumabo Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in Aurora that will leave travelers breathless.
Ditumabo Falls, also known as Mother Falls, is one of the must-see wonders when you are in Aurora province. Towering at 140 feet high, it plummets majestically into a reservoir of ice-cold yet crystal clear waters.
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| Ditumabo Falls |
How to go to Ditumabo Falls in San Luis, Aurora + Baler Travel Guides
Where is Ditumabo Falls?
Contrary to what most people know, Ditumabo Falls is located in the town of
San Luis and not in Baler although the two towns are proximate to each other.
Understandably though, Ditumabo Falls is closely associated with the town of
Baler since it is included as a side trip in most Baler tour operators’
itineraries.
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| The starting point |
The most common means to get to Ditumabo Falls is to hire a tricycle or ride a
passenger van from Baler town to Barangay Ditumabo. Travel time is about 30 to
45 minutes. From Barangay Ditumabo, you will have to hike through a narrow trail to reach the falls because it is inaccessible via tricycle or car.
Keep in mind though that the hike to Ditumabo Falls is not for the faint of heart because it is a long trek. The trail going to the falls is fringed with thick, green foliage, as such, you can take this as a good opportunity to breathe in the fresh air and to commune with nature.
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| Sceneries along the way |
While you are walking, you will notice large metal conduits that funnel water
from the falls to a small hydroelectric power plant that supplies electricity
to Aurora province.
When you notice the concrete pavement on the trail, it means that you are near
Ditumabo Falls.
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| Hiking to Ditumabo Falls |
When you finally reach Ditumabo Falls, you will be greeted by a magnificent sight. The sound of the falling water is brimming with energy and is enough to recharge you. You may swim in the pool created by the dam; the clear water is inviting.
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| We finally reached Ditumabo Falls |
However, when we were here in 2015, we did not swim because the water was ice cold. We just marveled at the waterfalls, took some pictures, briefly rested,
and went back to Baler town.
Going to Ditumabo Falls
The best way to go to Ditumabo Falls is to hire a tricycle or van going to San
Luis town. Personally, I recommend getting the services of a tricycle driver to take you to Barangay Ditumabo because they can drop you off near the point where the rough road begins.
Reminders before starting your hike:
- Wear light and comfortable clothes. It’s a long walk so be sure to keep yourself feeling cool and comfy. Be particular about your footwear. Wear shoes or sandals with good traction as the rocks can be slippery, especially when wet.
- The Ditumabo Falls admission fee or environmental fee is a minimal amount that you will have to pay before you can begin your hike. When we went here in 2015, it was around Php30. The admission fee for 2018 may have changed since then.
- Bring enough drinking water to last you for the entire trek.
- You may bring light snacks with you just in case you get hungry.
- Use sunscreen lotion and mosquito repellent cream.
- Be responsible travelers. Do not leave trash or destroy anything along the way.
How to go to Baler
Baler is the most well-known takeoff point to get to the most beautiful spots in Aurora. To go to Baler, the most convenient method is to take Joybus
(operated by Genesis Transport), which are premium point-to-point coaches that travel directly from Manila to Baler (and vice-versa).
The ticket is a bit pricey though. When we went to Baler three years ago, the bus fare was more than Php700 per head. Prices would have increased by now,
for sure, so don’t forget to check with them the current ticket cost if you are conscious about your travel budget.
Alternatively, you may take any Cabanatuan-bound air-conditioned bus (i.e.
Baliwag, Five Star, or ES Transport). From Cabanatuan City, you may transfer
to another bus or a passenger van bound for Baler.
If you are driving from Manila, take EDSA then exit to NLEX. Most travel sites would recommend taking Sta. Rita Exit but the shorter route would be for you to take
San Simon Exit in Pampanga and then traverse the towns of San Simon, Sta. Ana,
Arayat, Cabiao, and San Isidro.
From San Isidro town (via Jose Abad Santos Avenue), make a left turn to
Vallarta Street. You will know that you have reached Vallarta Street when you see a Mister Donut outlet to your right. Drive straight through the highway to
Cabanatuan City.
From Cabanatuan City, follow these directions:
- Take the road leading to Bongabon town in Nueva Ecija.
- Drive straight until you reach a forked road.
- Once you are at the forked road, you will see a sign pointing in the direction of Baler. Follow the sign until you reach Baler-Bongabon highway.
- Drive straight until you reach the province of Aurora (marked by a welcome arch).
- Drive further straight through San Luis town. Just follow the highway and keep your eyes open for signs that point in the direction of Baler.
It can be a little overwhelming when you are taking your own vehicle and driving through an unfamiliar place. As such, I recommend using either Waze or
Google Maps to help you out with the directions.
Lastly, I would like to share with you our Baler travel guides which you may find useful when you do get the chance to explore this beautiful town:
- 16 Top Things To Do in Baler + Food & Pasalubong Ideas (Updated Travel Guide)
- Baler Casitas Bed and Breakfast Review
- Costa Pacifica: The Best Luxury Resort in Baler
- The Beach House At Costa Pacifica: Hearty Meals In Baler
If you are looking for a hotel to stay in Baler,
check here for the options.
Epilogue
We went to the surfing town of Baler in October 2015. It was a beautiful place, full of natural wonders and historical sites. The travel guides above may have been written three years ago but most of the information in there is still relevant and true.
That’s it. I hope you enjoy your time in Baler and around Aurora Province.
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Beautiful photos too and the content of your page is delightful. Keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteA trip here would be a beautiful experience. The photos capture the beauty of these cities. I'll add this to me bucket list!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a beautiful area. The waterfall picture is one that is absolutely breathtaking. It looks like you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful waterfall!! While it seems like the journey was long and somewhat arduous, it definitely seems like it was worth it.
ReplyDeleteGlad to learn about Mother falls and this will be in my bucket list. The reminders before starting my hike are useful. I am totally new to hiking so at least I know what to expect and prepare.
ReplyDeleteWow... the photos are gorgeous and it looks like you had an amazing time! I love it myself and would love to visit... sounds and looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteAmazing waterfall! It looks like a wonderful area to visit.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to the Philippines. The pictures of Ditumabo Falls look beautiful. I hope you enjoyed your trip.
ReplyDeleteAmazing vacation spot. Fantastic pictures, the views are spectacular. The falls majestic, definitely a worthwhile experience.
ReplyDeleteWhat a comprehensive and absolutely helpful guide you provided to trek the Ditumabo Falls! I have never heard of it, yet it looks amazing! Thanks for sharing all this info!
ReplyDeleteI haven't visited Baler and i hope I will soon and add this gorgeous falls in the list. I could imagine how good the water temperature is. Usually water from the falls are much lower.
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing waterfalls! What a wonderful place to visit, I hope to visit here someday!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a beautiful place! love the photos and info!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!
ReplyDeleteYes, Ditumabo Falls was amazing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words and for visiting this post!
ReplyDeleteYes, the water from Ditumabo Falls was ice cold. Haha.
ReplyDeleteYou won't regret trekking to Ditumabo Falls if ever you get the chance.
ReplyDelete