Tangadan Falls, San Gabriel, La Union.
It was May of 2016 when we were about to visit Tangadan Falls, but our conflict of schedules didn't allow us to push through. We tried to reschedule the date, but it didn't materialize as well. I asked Dre a few days ago if we can do it over the weekend (July 30-31, 2016) and then, google helped us find out the charms of Elyu that would fit in our two days and one night travel itinerary.
How to get here?
Take a Viron Bus Transit/Partas bound to Vigan and alight in San Juan. Travel time is about almost 7 hours. From San Juan, hire a tricycle that would take you to the jump off of Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel (30 minutes).
The Trail
We only brought our valuables with us as we commence the trek. Sir Jayson (tour guide) informed us that we won't be able to see the real beauty of the waterfalls because it did rain last night, but we still wanted to go anyway.
The first part of the trail is almost flat with surrounding vast of greens, which served as our protection from direct sunlight. As we approach the area of river crossing where most of the tourists are in line, we took it one step at a time because of the strong current. We see to it that there's no one left behind in our group. We really wanted to see the waterfalls, but that doesn't mean that we would sacrifice our safety.
Cliff diving area of Tangadan Falls.
Before heading to the waterfalls, most of the tourists opted to try cliff diving with the assistance of the tour guides. In our group, only Dre nailed it, not just once, but twice with Sir Jayson's guidance. There is a sari-sari store here where you can have your "merienda" while your friends are enjoying their cliff diving experience. It is where we met a travelling couple, Jose and Monique, from Manila as well, who chose La Union in celebration of their anniversary. Since this is their first time in the province, we asked them to join us as we continue our trek to the waterfalls and for the rest of our Elyu getaway.
Tangadan falls is open daily from 6:00am to 6:00pm ONLY. Jumping from the waterfalls is prohibited and only those with brave hearts do it at their own risk (mostly are experienced tour guides). There is no entrance fee here, but a guide fee of P100.00/head if you are in a group of 3 and above and P300.00 for 2 pax. There are life vest for rent (P50.00/each) and "balsa" for P250.00 if you really wanted to indulge yourselves at the foot of the waterfalls.
Monique, Jose, Roland, Me, Jim, and Dre.
Bahay Na Bato (Luna)
From San Juan, take a jeep bound to Luna (P50.00). If you're more than 5, you can ask the driver to take you straight to Bahay na Bato with additional P10.00 fare.
Bahay Na Bato Open Art Gallery is open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. General admission is P20.00/head and it is free for children four years old and below. We recommend that you visit the gallery in the morning or late afternoon.
Happy Anniversary Monique and Jose!
Macho Temple (San Fernando)
A Taoist Temple built in 1975 located in Brgy II, San Fernando, La Union. From San Juan, take a jeep bound to San Fernando (P10.00).
Lomboy Farms
Located in Urayong, Bauang, La Union. Open from Mondays-Saturdays 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. Entrance fee to the farm is P100.00 and if you wish to experience grapes picking, that's P250.00/kilo (good for sharing).
Beforehand, I thought grapes only grow in cold provinces, but during our orientation, our guide told us that the hotter the weather condition goes, the better quality of grapes are being produced. (nice to know) The farm also produces guapples and dragon fruits.
A tour guide will be assigned to your group and with their service vehicle, you will meet the staff that will assist you for grapes picking. They will tell you how to choose and how to cut the vines properly. Afterwards, everything that you put on your baskets will be weigh accordingly. At the time of our visit here, it did rain and we waited for about an hour for it to stop because we finally started.
Where to Stay:
Where to Eat:
- Nice Eatery (San Juan)
- Tagpuan (San Juan)
- El Union Cafe (San Juan)
- Halo-Halo de Iloko (12 Zandueta St., San Fernando City, L.U.)/ 0917 852 7919
- Sandbox Restobar (San Juan)
Expenses:
- Viron Bus to San Juan, La union - P375.00
- San Juan to San Gabriel - P400.00(back and forth; tricycle for 4pax)
- Tangadan Falls Guide Fee - P100.00/head (3pax and up); P300.00 (2pax only)
- Life Vest(optional) - P50.00
- San Juan to Bahay na Bato - P50.00/pax
- Bahay na Bato Entrance Fee - P20.00
- Bahay na Bato to Highway - P100.00/tricycle
- Highway to The Circle Hostel - P50.00
- The Circle Hostel (Bunk Bed/P450.00; Hammock/P350.00)
- The Circle Hostel to Macho Temple - P10.00
- Macho Temple to Halo-Halo de Iloko - P10.00
- San Fernando to Bauang - P25.00
- Lomboy Grapes Farm Registration Fee - P100.00
- Grapes Picking - P250.00/kilo (good for sharing)
- Lomboy Grapes Farm to Bauang Town Proper - P10.00
- Bauang to Manila - P395.00
Tour Guide in Tangadan Falls: Jayson Numus (0909 598 3374).
