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| Lulugayan Falls in Calbiga Samar | credit to May Rodriguez |
Lulugayan Falls Brief Description
Lulugayan Falls is Samar's most famous waterfalls and one of the widest in the Philippines. Spanning approximately 50 meters wide, this curtain waterfall is really one of the widest in the country. The highest drop is more or less 30 meters.
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| photo credit to https://bigboywanderer.blogspot.com/2016/10/our-diy-and-less-budget-trip-to.html |
Lake Kalidongon is the source of these waterfalls cascading on its rapid stretching on multi-tiered falls providing a magnificent view for tourists.
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| Lulugayan Falls after heavy rain. Photo from Ellie |
Lulugayan Falls is a popular family bonding place for locals and is now being visited by backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts all over the country. This waterfall is dubbed as the mini Niagara Falls of Visayas because it resembled the famous waterfalls at the border of Canada and the US.
Lulugayan Falls History
Like most places in the Philippines, Lulugayan Falls also has its own legend. History on how its name derived. According to local folklore, its name was taken from the loosening of hair from hairpins or hair clips of a fairy who once lived there. Whenever she loosens her hair, legend has it that the water torrent become so powerful its sound can be heard from afar.
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| Lulugayan Falls | credit to Philippine National Mountaineering Society |
Lulugayan Falls is located in Barangay Literon fourteen kilometers from the town center. Lulugayan Falls was closed to the public for several months for improvement to provide good service to tourists. The provincial government of Samar, the Department of Tourism, and Bantay Kalikasan partnered with this improvement.
How To Get To There
From Tacloban, Leyte to Calbiga, Samar: Take a Joyjoy van located beside a local gas station along Burgos Street in Tacloban. It opens at 8:30AM. You may also opt to take a van at Van-Van's Terminal. Travel time takes one hour to one and a half hours.
From Calbiga town, proceed to Municipal Tourism Office, secure a permit, and take a trike to Barangay Literon. It will be a 15-kilometer ride.
From Calbayog or Catbalogan: Take a van at Turbanada Terminal
From the jump-off point, you will be trekking a 740-meter trail. The trail is quite easy to hike and in less than an hour, you'll reach the waterfall. While trekking you will see rice plantations, local farms, and mountains as well as colorful birds and butterflies. If you get lucky, you'll hear the howling of monkeys.
Tips and Expenses
- Before going to the waterfalls, you MUST secure a permit from the Municipal Tourism Office. No permit, no waterfalls.
- Bring aqua shoes for rocks are slippery
- Visit during off-peak season (weekdays and non-holidays)
- Do not visit after heavy rain if you don't want to see muddy waters.
- Only 150 visitors are allowed every day
- Environmental Fee - Php 50.00/pax
- Entrance Fee - Php30.00 for locals | Php100.00 for foreigners | Php15.00 for students
- Tour guide - Php500.00/10 pax
- Cottage (optional) - Php300.00
- Tacloban to Calbiga (van) - Php120.00 back and forth
- Calbiga to Literon (habal-habal) - Php400.00 solo
- View Deck (optional) - Php100.00