Usually, Pagsanjan Falls is visited by boat, but a partial road vantage or short trail near the rapids can suffice if you avoid full canoe rides. Then continue to Lumban for a quick stop at the âEmbroidery Capitalâ, all by private car.
Expect 2 hours to Pagsanjan Falls, then 30 minutes to Lumban. A private driver from Manila ensures you experience both the dramatic waterfall boat ride and the traditional embroidery town at your own pace.
One of the Philippines' most dramatic natural landmarks â a powerful three-tiered waterfall deep in a narrow volcanic gorge in Laguna Province, south of Manila, where the Bumbungan River forces through sheer cliff walls draped in tropical vegetation before dropping into a plunge pool accessible only by boat
The journey is as compelling as the destination â skilled bangkero (boatmen) pole and paddle traditional narrow bancas upstream through the gorge's rapids and overhanging rock faces for approximately 1.5 hours each way, the canyon walls closing overhead as the falls approach
The Devil's Cave behind the main falls is accessible by bamboo raft directly into the spray zone beneath the cascade
Take note
Life jackets are provided and mandatory; the return downstream through the rapids is faster and more exhilarating than the ascent â expect to get thoroughly wet throughout; bring a dry bag for valuables and a change of clothes
A small lakeside town on the western shore of Laguna de Bay in Laguna Province, known throughout the Philippines as the embroidery capital of the country â Lumban's cottage industry of hand-embroidered barong Tagalog (the Philippines' national formal garment) and piña fabric has supplied the country's ceremonial wardrobe for generations
The main street and surrounding residential lanes are lined with family workshops and retail outlets where embroiderers work at frames in open doorways â the craft is visible, approachable and entirely untheatrical; this is working production rather than heritage performance
The town church of Saint John the Baptist, a Spanish colonial structure dating to the 17th century, anchors the town plaza in the manner typical of Laguna Province settlements
What to eat
Panutsa (raw cane sugar formed into dense, dark discs) and uraro (arrowroot biscuits) are Lumban's traditional food specialities â available from market stalls near the plaza; simple Filipino lunch at any of the carinderias around the town market
Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! Youâre free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning youâll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.