Tinago Falls, Iligan City
Iligan City, located in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, is hailed as the country's City of Majestic Waterfalls. It is home to 23 waterfalls, the most famous of which is the beautiful Maria Cristina Falls, a landmark of Iligan which also serves as the city's primary source of electric power. Tourists, however, can only take a look at this natural beauty through a viewing deck open only during weekends, as energy is being harnessed by the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant during the weekdays.
Unknown to many, Iligan City is home to yet another beautiful and equally breathtaking waterfall, located in the upper portion of Brgy. Buru-un, Iligan City, named as the Tinago Falls. As its name implies ("tinago" meaning hidden), the Tinago Falls is practically hidden in a deep ravine amidst a lush forest cover. And because the falls is hidden, the search for Tinago Falls requires a downhill trek of at least 400 or so steps in a constructed winding staircase.
As you descend through the constructed steps, you can already hear the sounds of cascading water splashing against still water reverberating in the air. The temperature meanwhile slightly drops to a welcoming cool breeze. Though the path going down to Tinago Falls is quiet a challenging trek, I can't help but to quicken my pace as excitement and anticipation in search for the Tinago Falls got the better of me. These are my first glimpse and preview of the Tinago Falls, still hidden by its surrounding trees, which I took during my few rest stops cum photo-ops.
When we finally discovered the hidden Tinago Falls (aka reached its actual spot), I was awe-stricken and dumb-founded all at the same time simply because of the utter splendor and enchanting natural beauty that is Tinago Falls right before my eyes. I literally paused and took a moment to grasp the full effect of Tinago Falls, and it seemed to me that I already felt a piece of heaven here on earth (and in the Philippines at that!).
My first picture with Tinago Falls, and behind me is the main waterfall while the other small but interesting waterfalls make up the overall magnificence of Tinago Falls.
The giant tree below, which I assume is more than hundred years old, is just but one of the trees that comprise the thick forest surrounding Tinago Falls. The trees provide beautiful foliage making Tinago Falls a piece of beauty isolated from the "real" world and literally hidden from the unobtrusive travelers.
This is the water body where water coming from Tinago Falls leads downstream.
This is how clear and blue the water is in the lagoon at the bottom of Tinago Falls. Who could actually stand and resist this tempting invitation to swim its water?
Without hesitation, we took a dip in waters of Tinago Falls. Mind you, the water was ice-cold! And it is advisable that you put on life jackets when you go swimming at Tinago Falls as the water level is seriously deep. The water may be clear and blue, but you really could not fathom its actual water level. There is a bamboo raft in the lagoon which you could use to go near Tinago Falls. You have the pull hard through the rope, though, as you are going against the surprisingly strong water current from the bottom of the falls.
These are my last few pictures with Tinago Falls before I so hesitantly and unwillingly left the place. We really had to leave Tinago Falls as it was already five in the afternoon and I doubt that the path going back up Brgy. Buru-un is properly lighted, if at all.
Tinago Falls is indeed a piece of heaven here on earth. After almost a month of visiting Tinago Falls, I can still vividly remember the sound of the cascading and splashing water, the feel of the ice-cold blue water, and the fresh air brought about by the thick covering of trees. Without saying, the one day I spent at Tinago Falls will definitely not be my last.
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Main Entrance Fee: P10.00
Footbridge Entrance Fee: P5.00
Picnic Table/Hut Rental - P50.00
Life Jacket Rental: P20.00
Use of Bamboo Raft: P10.00
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How to get to Tinago Falls:
We traveled from Cagayan De Oro City going to Iligan City by bus (P50.00, 1.5 hours).
From the Iligan Bus Terminal, we rode a City Proper/Gerona/Bus Terminal Jeepney going to the city proper and asked the driver to drop us specifically at Ramiro corner Gen. Aguinaldo Streets (P6.50, 5 minutes).
From the city proper, we took the Buru-un Jeepney going to the Buru-un Market (P12.50, 45 minutes).
We the rode a motorcycle (habal-habal) in the Buru-un Market going up to the entry point of Tinago Falls (P20.00, 20 minutes). Remember, though, to negotiate with the motorcycle driver of the time you wished to be picked up to ensure that you have a ride going back down to Buru-un Market.
Other options would include car/van rental or taxi cab.
~sunnyprincess
Unknown to many, Iligan City is home to yet another beautiful and equally breathtaking waterfall, located in the upper portion of Brgy. Buru-un, Iligan City, named as the Tinago Falls. As its name implies ("tinago" meaning hidden), the Tinago Falls is practically hidden in a deep ravine amidst a lush forest cover. And because the falls is hidden, the search for Tinago Falls requires a downhill trek of at least 400 or so steps in a constructed winding staircase.
As you descend through the constructed steps, you can already hear the sounds of cascading water splashing against still water reverberating in the air. The temperature meanwhile slightly drops to a welcoming cool breeze. Though the path going down to Tinago Falls is quiet a challenging trek, I can't help but to quicken my pace as excitement and anticipation in search for the Tinago Falls got the better of me. These are my first glimpse and preview of the Tinago Falls, still hidden by its surrounding trees, which I took during my few rest stops cum photo-ops.
When we finally discovered the hidden Tinago Falls (aka reached its actual spot), I was awe-stricken and dumb-founded all at the same time simply because of the utter splendor and enchanting natural beauty that is Tinago Falls right before my eyes. I literally paused and took a moment to grasp the full effect of Tinago Falls, and it seemed to me that I already felt a piece of heaven here on earth (and in the Philippines at that!).
My first picture with Tinago Falls, and behind me is the main waterfall while the other small but interesting waterfalls make up the overall magnificence of Tinago Falls.
The giant tree below, which I assume is more than hundred years old, is just but one of the trees that comprise the thick forest surrounding Tinago Falls. The trees provide beautiful foliage making Tinago Falls a piece of beauty isolated from the "real" world and literally hidden from the unobtrusive travelers.
This is the water body where water coming from Tinago Falls leads downstream.
This is how clear and blue the water is in the lagoon at the bottom of Tinago Falls. Who could actually stand and resist this tempting invitation to swim its water?
Without hesitation, we took a dip in waters of Tinago Falls. Mind you, the water was ice-cold! And it is advisable that you put on life jackets when you go swimming at Tinago Falls as the water level is seriously deep. The water may be clear and blue, but you really could not fathom its actual water level. There is a bamboo raft in the lagoon which you could use to go near Tinago Falls. You have the pull hard through the rope, though, as you are going against the surprisingly strong water current from the bottom of the falls.
These are my last few pictures with Tinago Falls before I so hesitantly and unwillingly left the place. We really had to leave Tinago Falls as it was already five in the afternoon and I doubt that the path going back up Brgy. Buru-un is properly lighted, if at all.
Tinago Falls is indeed a piece of heaven here on earth. After almost a month of visiting Tinago Falls, I can still vividly remember the sound of the cascading and splashing water, the feel of the ice-cold blue water, and the fresh air brought about by the thick covering of trees. Without saying, the one day I spent at Tinago Falls will definitely not be my last.
-----
Main Entrance Fee: P10.00
Footbridge Entrance Fee: P5.00
Picnic Table/Hut Rental - P50.00
Life Jacket Rental: P20.00
Use of Bamboo Raft: P10.00
-----
How to get to Tinago Falls:
We traveled from Cagayan De Oro City going to Iligan City by bus (P50.00, 1.5 hours).
From the Iligan Bus Terminal, we rode a City Proper/Gerona/Bus Terminal Jeepney going to the city proper and asked the driver to drop us specifically at Ramiro corner Gen. Aguinaldo Streets (P6.50, 5 minutes).
From the city proper, we took the Buru-un Jeepney going to the Buru-un Market (P12.50, 45 minutes).
We the rode a motorcycle (habal-habal) in the Buru-un Market going up to the entry point of Tinago Falls (P20.00, 20 minutes). Remember, though, to negotiate with the motorcycle driver of the time you wished to be picked up to ensure that you have a ride going back down to Buru-un Market.
Other options would include car/van rental or taxi cab.
~sunnyprincess
Yey...Thanks for the info... Pupuntahan din namin yang Tinago ;)
@ Beautiful Spot: you're welcome! ang daming magandang places na pweding puntahan dito sa mindanao! sana mapuntahan ko sila bago kami bumalik sa manila next year... :)
Ang ganda pala nang Tinago Falls! I've never been there. There's also a lot of spring resorts in Jasaan. You might want to try that also. Camiguin Island is also good destination in Mindana. Good Luck!
Aldin
@Aldin: Oo, ang ganda ng Tinago Falls. And Iligan is not that far from CDO. In 1 hour you are already in Iligan City and in less than 1 hour you are in Tingao Falls. :)
I am already looking into Jasaan as my next place to visit. May beach din doon, waterfall, and as you said, maraming spring resorts! Hopefully mapuntahan ko within the year. :)
Nakapunta na kami sa Camiguin just last month. We went to Mantigue and White Island. Ang ganda! I will post the pictures soon! :)
Ganda a! Nakapunta kayo under the falls? :)
@ Toots: yep! nakapunta kami sa ilalim ng falls through a bamboo raft pero hihilahin mo ang nakakabit na rope para makalapit ka sa falls... may free head massage sa ilalim ng falls... :)