Casaroro Falls: A stunning beauty in its pantomime narrowness.

Every waterfalls have different features, they induce a variety of unique beauty and they have their own style of captivating the eyes of  every traveler and even those who love natures.

Casaroro Falls is nestled in the lush scenery green mountains in the town of Valencia, Negros Oriental. It is alleged to be the most photographed waterfall in the entire Negros province, with its genuine natural beauty and charm. It is situated 9.4 Kilometers west of Dumaguete City.

A truly one of the hidden Gem of Negros Oriental. With its innate beauty, a lot of  adventure seeker and nature lover have been drawn in and fell in love. Despite of steep trails, tourists would still consider Casaroro falls as a must-visit destination.

Prying the whereabouts of Negros Oriental right after we arrived in the City of Gentle People. (Damaguete City) Was what brought us to the lofty and awesome Casaroro Falls with my cousin (Genelyn Wanan).

Looking the best place to stay in Dumaguete City has never been that hard because they have a lot of affordable hotels and pension house that are really easy to find. We arrived late at night and soon enough we were able to get an affordable pension house to stay. Since we have traveled a bit far, getting a good rest is a good thought.
This travel of us seemed to be more exciting than our usual visit. Maybe because me and my cousin have just joined together for the very first time in this unplanned travel of us.

And so came the defining moment of our sojourn to Casaroro Falls. While on our way, I saw a lot of Lanzones trees that are scattered around, I was then thinking, I have missed the Lanzones farm on Camiguin Island, where they produced the sweetest Lanzones fruits in the country during my visit, but seeing the lanzones trees in Valencia would have been lessened my regret  since I missed it on Camiguin Island. It could have been great if I could able to regard the fruits hanging on its tree.

It happened on our way we saw some of the tourist attractions in the town of Valencia. Isla Del Rio and the The forest camp.

I saw a river that drew me more excited to see the Casaroro falls, I knew then that we’re almost there.

At long last, we arrived at the entrance going to the falls, we paid PHP10 for the entrance and writing down our name for the registration. I immediately noticed the big signage of Casaroro falls.

My cousin and I haven’t had any idea what would have been awaiting for us in Casaroro Falls. We both didn’t know that we have to take the 300 plus steps going down before we could able to see the sensational beauty of Casaroro waterfalls.

I went down first and finding out my cousin  struggling on her way down is something I could laugh at. And hence I did (non-stop evil laugh).  I was excited going down, in no time I finished the 300 plus steps, I heard the streaming water gently running through the big rocks making a gurgling sound. I’m a bit dismayed, because I guessed the moment I overcome the 300 plus steps the next would have been seeing the falls already.

I met  two couples who earned their way back to the entrance, so I assumed maybe they have seen the falls already. And so I asked them, hello good morning, how’s the falls? They smiled at me and said we were struggling on our way there, we determined to go back because we saw the signage saying “danger” I was like, what the hell? How hard could that be?  They said we do not know. So I halt for a minute and wait for my cousin and our motorcycle driver as happened to be our tour guide also. While they haven’t made it yet, I decided to just take pictures of the streaming water with a positive thought that there’s a way going to the falls.

At last my cousin came and our driver, I immediately asked our driver, is there really way going to the falls?  He said of course YES! Then I discovered the old hanging concreted path that have been dilapidated and in ramshackle condition. I called for our driver again,  What happened to all these? Was there a good way to the falls before?  He graciously said yes. This was hit by the great flood during the typhoon Sendong last  December 2011. (Sorry to hear about it).

Hence we continue our trek going to the falls, it was really challenging because you have to pass through the big rocks and cross the river. What captivated my attention was the big rocks. It appeared to be like they’re growing every year because they’re really huge.

Soon enough I heard the bellowing sound of Casaroro waterfalls as if the sound is making a sibilant voice saying come closer and get in touch at my unique beauty. I couldn’t wait to see it, the closer I get to the falls, the excitement feeling is becoming more real. Viewing it from afar, standing astoundingly at the height of 100 feet, the water plunges into a greenish deep cold catching basin, then flow downstream to the fissure huge rocks that creates a wonderful river. What fascinated me was the narrowness of its pantomime natures beauty. It’s far from the other cascades that I have seen already.

During our visit, it wasn’t crowded, in fact, it was just me and my cousin and of course our driver who were there. So we owned it for 30 minutes I guessed. We commune with its natural beauty, and looking for a good spot to get pictures. What makes our journey to Casaroro waterfalls feels more fun was that, we can do whatever we want, posing anything we like and caring no one to see us.

Only after we have enjoyed the awesome Casaroro falls, there were two couples who have just set their foot of the falls so maybe it’s about time to leave and let them enjoy the falls too. Soon enough, we left the falls with so much felicity.

Going back was still a back breaking challenged for us, we still have to pass through the big crevices rocks and overcome the 300 plus steps going up. But Since we have re-charged on ourselves, this time wouldn’t be that challenging. I caught the grin from my cousin’s face, I know deep within us that we  both have been satiated.

Friendly Reminder
“Leave only footprints, take only pictures, no graffiti! No litter “.

 

How to get to Casaroro Falls

You can book a flight going to Dumaguete City, since Dumaguete City is the entry point. The minute you arrived in Dumaguete City go straight to the jeepney terminal. From terminal ride Jeepney going to Valencia, Negros Oriental, the fare is PHP13. The travel time is about 15-20 minutes. From Valencia town proper you can hinge on a motorbike (Habal-Habal)  going to the drop off point of Casaroro Falls. The fare is PHP200 back and forth. Your motorcycle driver can also be your tour guide since the trail leading to the falls has been off the beaten path, (Don’t forget to apply your tips).

 

What to bring with you

Please don’t forget to bring your water. And since you have to cross with the immense rocks and river you need to wear your rubber shoes

 

Where to stay in Dumaguete City

The Gazebo Pensionne House
Address: Cervantes St. Dumaguete City, Negros    Oriental, Philippines.
Telephone number: (035) 255-0579
Tel.Fax: (035) 255-6246
Mobile number: +63 927-750-8356 (Globe)/ +63 919–973-1170
E-mail: gazebopensionnehouse@yahoo.com
Facebook: The Gazebo Pensionne House.

Room Rates

• Single – (Bed good for 1 )- PHP 700
• Double – (Bed good for 2)- PHP 800
• Twin- sharing – (2 single beds good for 2)- PHP 850
• Family – (1 king bed & 1 single bed good for 3, with refrigerator)- PHP 1,200
• Family – ( 1 king bed & 1 double deck good for 4, with refrigerator)  PHP 1,400
• Extra bed PHP 200
• Extra Person PHP 150

Note: Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

 

ACCOMMODATION

Fully- Air Conditioned rooms, with private toilet & bath, Hot & cold shower, cable TV, PABX telephone system, stand-by generator, 24-hour room & housekeeping services, snack & coffee shop, laundry & pressing services upon request, WIFI connectivity, safe & spacious parking space, friendly & courteous staff.

Why I chose to stay in the Gazebo Pensionne House?
Because they are not just offering very affordable price, but their room charge per units is also comes with free breakfast.

They also offer affordable land tour by visiting the well known tourist destination of Negros Oriental such as, Casaroro waterfalls, Pulang Bato falls and Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park. Just look for kuya RENGIE PROVIDENCIA OR NENENG LAURENTE. Mobile Number: +63 927-750-8356