Naturally thirsty

Last Sunday, my cousins and some of our friends were on for an outdoor adventure trip to Kapatagan, Davao del Sur. Since February, Tudaya falls was the first thing in the list to be visited.

A hired van was used for the trip to Kapatagan proper and a 20 minutes motorcycle rough ride to the jump-off area near Tudaya falls for 100 pesos per head and the driver was already arranged to wait for us in going back to Kapatagan proper.

The location where the jump-off area is mostly dominated by Bagobo- tribes people who welcomed us warmly with smiles. Tudaya falls is sacred to the Tagabawa Lumads.

Open trail

A 30 minute hike starts with an open area leading to a much narrower downward trail leading to the falls. The trail is slippery and careful step is a must.

Narrow trail

As we go deeper into the forest, green flora thrived abundantly in the area.

Since some of the group is experiencing this kind of adventure for the first time, tired expressions of their face were replaced with much enthusiasm and aggressiveness to continue as the sound of the water grew stronger and stronger until it became a loud roaring thunder.

Enticing Tudaya Falls

All was in marvel as we saw the majestic 150-foot tall Tudaya falls - One of the tallest falls in the country. The falls greet us with spray coming from the strong gush of its water.

First glance of the falls

All is wet as we are into the ground area of the falls – soaked wet even if we haven’t dip yet into the river – as spray of water are enveloping us.

I’ve been here before way back 2003 and Tudaya Falls is still strong, its river water is still deep and cold. Greens on both side of the falls were thick bushes, vines and rocks turned into green covered with moss.

Relaxing

There, for 45 minutes we remain, taking more pictures, talking, relaxing in the cold rush of the river water then we made our way back to the jump-off area.

All in the group was overwhelmed by the beauty of its nature. Even if we are having a difficulty going to the falls – fulfillment and joyous feeling is apparent in our faces as a reward of our tiring trek. =)

I became aware that there is an ongoing construction of hydropower plant and for sure it will further destroy the supposed natural park. As for my own opinion, the ongoing construction violates the ancestral land rights of the indigenous people in the area.

Inform me if you want to visit the area and I will be glad to give you the driver’s contact number of the van that we hired that fetch us from Digos Terminal to Kapatagan.