The Tumalog Falls is not just a typical falls found almost anywhere in the Philippines. It is, after all, Tumalog Falls! Tumalog simply means double in Cebuano dialect. Perhaps it was named so because its two major waterfalls flow side by side that make it look like there are actually four small waterfalls instead of just one. There is really nothing much like Tumalog Falls anywhere else in the world because of this unique phenomenon and this makes it even more special than the other magnificent waterfalls found nearby.
Introduction to Tumalog falls in Cebu
Tumalaog falls is located at Brgy Tamedilao-Donglas , Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Tumalog Falls is a relatively new attraction in the southern part of Luzon, because it was discovered only recently and only in 2005 by Tumalog Foundation, Inc., local environmental non-government organizations (ENGOs) and Greenlinks as the first Bio-Tourism site project. Tumalog falls is situated in Naga City where Tumalog foundation, Inc.(TFI),the organization that spearheaded to preserve this beautiful place lies. It has been named after Tumalog creek which flows through Tamedilao Donglas into Tiwi river near Balatan village at the northern boundary of Tambongan land grant area before flowing into Lagonoy Gulf at Barangay San Miguel north of Naga City. Tumalog Falls is just few acres behind TFI´s Tumalog Eco Village and Tamedilao Donglas, Tiwi, Tambongan Norte of Camarines Sur.
How to get to Tumalog falls in Cebu
There are no direct flights to Naga from Manila but the following airports are closely located that only requires a couple of hours or so by air to get there:
1. Legazpi Airport (LGP) – bus and taxi ride for around 3 hours approximately; 2. Daet Airport (DVT) – about 4 hours; 3- Tabaco Airport (Tabaco City, Albay) – about 5 hours via bus; 4. Tuguegarao Airport ( TUG ) – about 7 hours via bus and boat;
or you can take a flight to Manila International Airport (MNL) and then another flight bound for Naga City Airport passed by Legazpi Airport so that you will have to spend only an hour in travel time from Manila to Naga City. Tumalog Falls is located inside Tumalog Eco Village which is accessible thru Tumalog Creek, Tiwi, Tambongan Norte of Camarines Sur. From Tiwi town proper you need to ride a trike going to Tamedilao Donglas for around 10 minutes or so depending on traffic at the bridge near town center. From there it takes 15 minutes ride on an old trail going up to Tumalog falls Boardwalk from Tamedilao Donglas. Tumalog Eco Village is located approximately 150 Kilometers away from Legazpi City and 50 kilometers away from Naga City, Camarines Sur. Tumalog Eco Village is at Tiwi, Tambongan Norte of Camarines Sur while Tamedilao Donglas is at Sitio Muzon, Barangay Tairediligawan, Tawbuid District of Naga City.
Between Tiwi town proper and Tamedilao Donglas it takes around 15 or 20 minutes depending on traffic in the bridge just outside the town center passing by farms and fields planted with various crops or rice. Tumalog Eco Village is a privately owned land of Tumalog Foundation Inc., TFI which managed the Tumalog Falls and other tourism sites such as Botanical Garden, Bamboo Park and Butterfly House found in Tamedilao Donglas.
On Tiwi town proper there is an entrance fee of Ten Pesos for every person going up to Tumalog falls Boardwalk while on Tamedilao Donglas where TFI´s Office is located you will not be charged any entrance fees but just a minimal fee of Php15 pesos if you use their restroom facility. On top of that it costs Php100 pesos per head to visit the Balatoc Cave attraction in Tamedilao Donglas. Tumalog Eco Village is a 10 minutes stop on Tiwi- Tambongan Road or Tiwi – Tugbongan Road just in front of TFI´s Tumalog Eco Village Boardwalk
Once you arrive to Naga City and you have already booked your hotel accommodations it is now time to go and visit Tumalog Falls, Cebu. From the city proper head straight passing by Tiwi Elementary School which stands on top of the hill at the junction of national road going towards Camarines Norte Provincial Capital Town of Daet in one direction (turn left at this junction) with Tawbuid District Naga City in another direction pass the new bridge at Tiwi River, Tambongan Norte of Camarines Sur. Tumalog Falls is located inside Tumalog Eco Village which is accessible thru Tumalog Creek, Tiwi, Tambongan Norte of Camarines Sur along the national road going towards Naga City. From Tamedilao Donglas it takes 10 minutes ride on an old trail going up to Tumalog falls Boardwalk while from Tiwi town proper you need to ride a trike for around 15 minutes to get there and costs only Php10 pesos.
Visiting the 3 Sets of Waterfalls
The main attraction at Tumalog Falls are its 3 set of waterfalls namely:
1) Taklong Waterfall – located at Sitio Tuctuc Tumalog, Tiwi Tambongan Norte of Camarines Sur; 2) Tondol Point Waterfalls – located at Tanduloy, Tiwi Tambongan Norte of Camarines Sur; 3) Asin-asins River (tributary of Tumalog Creek) Tumalog Falls – located near Barangay Pampanga Naga City, Camarines Sur.
The waterfalls are accessible from both sides which are on the hills overlooking beautiful ricefields in the plains below. From the main footbridge just outside Tamedilao Donglas you will be taken thru trail going down to Tumalog falls Boardwalk where you can see vivid Tumalog Creek underneath the Tumalog falls Boardwalk while on Tiwi side it is Tamedilao Donglas River where Tondol Point Waterfalls are found at Tanduloy, Tiwi Tambongan Norte of Camarines Sur. From Tamedilao Donglas it takes 10 minutes ride up to Tumalog falls Boardwalk and from there you can see lush fields below before reaching Taklong Falls in Sitio Tuctuc Tumalog, Tiwi which is located along Tamedilao Donglas River. From the main footbridge just outside Naga City you will be taken thru trail going down to Asin-asin River (tributary of Tumalog Creek) Tumalog Falls at Tambongan Tairediligawan, Tawbuid District Naga City where Tiwi Tambongan Norte of Camarines Sur leads to Daet in the southern part of Camarines Sur and Aritao in the north.
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