Invading ELYU: Tangadan Falls, San Juan, La Union

 

I’ve been hearing and reading about this place years before I even started my #ExploringNorthLuzon escapade. It went viral few months ago pero hindi lang talaga ako matuloy-tuloy kasi my first attempt was during summer and the place was starting to gather a large crowd. I knew I wouldn’t be able to appreciate the place if it was too crowded so I decided to wait for the hype to die down before visiting it. By the time I wanted to push through with it again, saka naman napabalita yung nalunod doon (may his soul rest in peace).

But this time, there’s no turning back.

It was high-time for me to visit the place anyway because frankly, wala pa talaga akong napapasyalan na lugar sa La Union. I originally planned to just stay at home and chill but my weekend sickness was just too strong. Buti na lang ever-ready ang aking travel-buddy so although last minute ang pagpaplano, natuloy pa rin.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Off to San Gabriel![/caption]

HOW TO GET THERE:

- FROM VIGAN: Ride buses bound for Pasay, Cubao or San Fernando. Tell them to drop you off at San Juan Municipal hall.

- FROM MANILA: Ride buses bound for Vigan or Laoag.
- Wait for jeeps going to San Gabriel.
- Tell the driver that you're going to Tangadan Falls. Driver will probably drop you off at downtown San Gabriel where there will be tour guides offering their services. Fare: P14.00-P15.00.
- From downtown San Gabriel, hire a tricycle and tell him to take you to Bucao, Duplas and drop you at the jump off point to Tangadan Falls.
- Tour Guide Fee (Standard Rate): P500.00 (Good for 4pax). Hindi pwedeng walang tour guide. The trek to the falls is very tricky. Hire Kuya James! Contact details at the end of this post.
- There are two ways to reach the falls. The longer trail will require an hour of trekking (could be more if you're not physically active) and you will cross the Baroro River three times. Prepare to get wet.
- Easy trail will require you to travel via habal-habal or chartered jeep. Habal-habal will cost you P300.00 one-way. Very expensive. Your choice, of course. Chartered jeep will cost you P1,300.00 – P1,500.00
- Entrance fee: P30.00

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="3000"] Team Kaladkarin goes to Tangadan Falls.[/caption]

 

THE TREK DEETS:

Tangadan Falls is part of the Baroro River which stretches across the La Union Province. Part of the trek is crossing the Baroro River along its river banks. We originally planned to take the easy trail because we were not in the mood to cross rivers. But then we found out that to get there, we needed to ride a habal-habal and that it would cost us 300PHP ONE-WAY. So that would be 600PHP in total excluding the standard tour guide rate which is 500PHP. We were suddenly so excited about the river-crossings. LOL.

The trek to the falls was just the right amount of difficult. It was the river-crossings that I was really looking forward to.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Kuya James leading the way.[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] So it begins...[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="3000"] Don't look down. Trippy ripples.[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Water went up to my ankle. Be extra careful. Sobrang dulas nung mga bato.[/caption]

 

The weather was a little gloomy that day. It’s been raining lately so Kuya James already warned us that the water levels may be higher than usual. He was right.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Saw photos of fellow travellers crossing this river. Mae-experience na rin sa wakas![/caption]

When we got to the most-awaited part of the whole trek, there was already a group of foreigners trying to get to the other side. The tour guide they hired (I heard) did not know how to swim so he tired looking for an alternative route since the water was already too high.

Since we trust our tour guide well, we went ahead.
The water went up to my waist. The current could’ve washed me away so easily if it weren’t for Kuya James and Kliff keeping me grounded.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Keep Calm and Kapit Lang.[/caption]


TIP: Follow your tour guide's footing. Some of the rocks there are pretty sharp so slide your feet sideways. Current is at its strongest in between boulders so bend your knees to keep your balance. Ultimately, stay calm and don’t panic. *wink*

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] DISSUOR FALLS. 'Dissuor' is the ilokano term for 'waterfalls'.[/caption]

It was indeed a blessing in disguise that we took the harder trail. The DISSUOR FALLS is another San Gabriel wonder. You will not see this beautiful creation if you chose to take the easy trail. You can do cliff-jumping here. There’s also a store serving snacks and refreshments.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] The hut that you can see at the back is a mark that means you're just 20-minutes away from Tangadan Falls.[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] These huts are open for business during Summer.[/caption]

 

Few minutes away from Dissuor Falls, you will see these bamboo huts. According to Kuya James, these huts would open up during Summer to serve tourists lunch and halo-halo.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Me: Kuya, okay lang. Sa may ilog na tayo tumawid. Kuya James: Dito na lang, Ma'am. Reserve niyo na lang energy niyo para magswimming mamaya.[/caption]

This was supposed to be the last river-crossing to the falls but since it was already too dangerous, we used the bamboo bridge installed by the locals. You have to pay P5.00 per head though.

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="3000"] When you see it... No. Not our ugly feet. Hoho.[/caption]

We went through the forest and climbed up a trail the people there claim as a ‘short-cut’. We passed by rice fields until we stumbled upon a man-made stairs. Time check: 12:30NN.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Almost there![/caption]

 

TANGADAN FALLS:

Before entering the falls, you need to register. Registration fee is P30.00. The locals there really made a living out of Tangadan Falls. They offer life vests for only P50.00 and you can rent a balsa for a minimum fee of P150.00 or P20.00 per head. There’s also a well-kept Shower Room near the entrance which the government put up last 2014.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] This beauty will greet you as you approach the registration area.[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Don't forget to register your name. For safety and security purposes. Entrance fee: P30.00[/caption]

As common practice, follow the locals’ rules and regulations. Wag maging pasaway.



The falls is in full bloom during ‘Ber’ months. Although the best time to swim would be during Summer. Nobody cliff-jumped that day because the waterfall was ferocious. There were alternative jumping spots so it was still okay. We swam and chilled and just marvelled at the exquisite beauty of the place.

  
We started our trek back at around 2:40PM. It was still early so we took our time.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Huling hirit photo ops.[/caption]

 

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] With Kuya James. Ang Aljur Abrenica ng Tangadan. Naaaaks![/caption]

Kuya James brought us back to Downtown San Gabriel where we’ll have to wait for a jeep to take us back to San Juan, La Union.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Heading back to Downtown San Gabriel[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Trips from San Gabriel to San Fernando are available 'til 7PM.[/caption]

We arrived at San Juan just in time to catch the sunset by the beach. It was indeed a productive day.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Thank you for today, San Juan. 'Til we meet again.[/caption]

EXTRA TIPS:

• There a 7/11 near the Municipal Hall of San Juan. I suggest you buy your snacks and other needs there dahil malayong mas mahal na mga bilihin sa may falls.


• Bring lots of water. Stay hydrated during the trek.


• Some of the boulders there are very slippery so watch where you’re stepping.


• As for the tour guide, I highly recommend KUYA JAMES. He's very well-trained. We’re very lucky to have him as our tour guide because as it turns out may mga pasaway na tour guides who did not undergo the trainings and seminars facilitated by the government. Maalaga siya and your safety is his number one priority. I was more than happy with the assistance he offered. He even drove us to the jump-off point para mas makatipid kami. Proven and tested ang serbisyo niya. Feel free to contact him.

 

TOUR GUIDE: Kuya James

CONTACT NUMBER: 09064223952