Tinago Falls- Iligan

My Tinago Falls adventure was part of my Cagayan de Oro trip last September 2012. I cant recall why this was stock on my draft like forever and Im thinking of just deleting. But you know, I cant afford not to share my first time falls adventure. So here it is.

Before leaving CdO, we had our late lunch at Mykarelli's Grill. This place was worth mentioning the second time around. I cant and will never forget the yummiest chicken inasal I've ever tasted.

It was already seven in the evening when we arrived in Iligan. We contained ourselves from an exhausting but a delightful day at the Famous Pension House.

We have settled to leave the pension house as early as 7am so that we can have all our time to see the two most famous falls in Iligan. But our driver slash tour guide who had a convention at the same area got himself drunk the night before. I had already detailed this story on my bacon series post so lets move on.

Unfortunately with all the delay that happened we didnt get to see Maria Cristina Falls but I promised to myself that I will, one of these days.

Iligan is known to its majestic waterfalls which, of course includes Tinago. We almost got lost before we finally reached the mystifying trudge to the falls.

When we climbed out of the car, we're immediately approached by two local in their teen age, who claimed themselves as tour guides. They said they're gonna help us carry our things and guide our trek down to the falls. Since its our first time and we have yet to be familiar, so we agreed.

Beside the signage was the registration area. We paid 50 pesos for the entrace including the life vest.

On our trek, we passed by this unfinished structure. According to our teenager guides, it was supposed to be a hotel but before it was done the owner faced bankruptcy and now it was on the government's trusteeship. It looks creepy. Even when its done I wouldnt want to stay here.

Our guide led us to the 400+ stair steps down but they mention that there's another route which has more than 500 steps.

My legs were wobbling while descending.

The falls was literally hidden.

I really cant hide the excitement running through me as I hear the rushing sound of falling water growing loud as we get closer.

When I saw that view, I wanted to dive straight to the water as if I know how to swim.

I was stunned the moment Im standing in front of this strong falling water. The sound of him was like music to my ears and thats the only thing Im hearing. It was like I fell in-love again for the first time. And Im not amplifying, that was really how I felt when I saw this marvelous falls.

We took photos endlessly and filled our hearts and eyes with the view.

We rode a balsa that took us beneath the falls. Some locals were kind enough to assist us and helped us explore the falls. Though it was not compulsory, we gave them monetary tips after.

Locals told us to climb the rocks. They said the view was more striking up there. No one dared but me! I felt so overwhelmed by the strong sound of falling water so I accepted the challenge. The rocks were slippery plus the water falling through my face was destructing my eyes. It was really formidable but Im fearless!

That boy was telling me to enter the small cave he was pointing  at. I was hesitant because the cave was so small and was very dark inside but I thought andun na rin naman ako why not try. 

I found my love team here. I forgot his name but he was very kind assisting me all through out my falls exploration.

on another part of the falls

Dyosa ng Tinago Falls

Afternoon came and we have to fix ourselves cause we have a flight to catch (which unfortunately we didnt). While we were climbing back we came across people going down the falls. I can say that it is best to go there by morning when it's not yet crowded.

There's a shower room near the registration area where we rinsed ourselves. We paid 20 pesos each for the clean water.

This was another great adventure I would never forget.