Wednesday, November 18, 2015

BANI FALLS: Gigantic but Gentle Falls of Arakan, Cotabato



Bani Falls aka Matigol Falls is a 500 meter multi-tiered waterfall veiling the steep ravine of Sitio Matigol, Brgy. Datu Ladayon, Arakan Valley, North Cotabato. It is most accessible in Sitio Inamong, Datu Ladayon. This multi-tiered falls is equipped with natural pools where one can enjoy a cool dip in its gentle waters.

It was midday when I boarded off the bus and met Caroline, Joan, Lyn and Jen at Campo Uno, Katipunan. After lunch, we hired 3 habalhabals to take us to Sitio Inamong, Brgy. Datu Ladayon. 

Half of the way is a well-paved uphill and downhill concrete road leading to Poblacion, Arakan. Bumpy ride started when we entered Sitio Matigol, Datu Ladayon.  

The bumpy motor ride lasts for around 15 minutes. When we reached Sitio Inamong, we looked for Datu Dionog and he gave us place to spend the night.





It was 2:00 pm when we headed to the base of the falls. The trail is easy at first, though mostly descending. We were treading ridges amidst beautiful cogon fields. Lovely landscapes never failed to amaze us.




Barely after an hour of trekking and taking selfies, the falls started to show off its magnificence.



Getting to the base requires extreme descent. Our children guides were easily jumping and running while we were carefully creeping.

The breathtaking height and sight of Bani Falls rewarded all the heat and sweat brought by clear sunny afternoon.



Our happy guides added joy to our overwhelmed hearts.





We ascended back before sunset. The sun shed marvelous color when we stepped on the ridge overlooking the wonderful valley.


The next morning, we headed back to the falls, at the top portion this time. We again enjoyed the view of the valley. Running children overtook us while we descended creeping.




After 30 minutes, we set foot on natural pool just before the gentle fall. It was the most beautiful infinity pool I saw. We were among the kids enjoying cool dip and water jumping.







I spent wonderful time playing with marvelous height. I also explored the upper portion of the natural pool where rock formations are undisturbed.







We spent another 3 hours enjoying this God's creation. We got back to the village and bonded with locales before heading home. 


(Photos on this post were taken with action camera except for my personal portrait shots taken by CAROLINE ESPEJON)


Note:

Sitio Inamong is just 4 kms away from Campo Uno national highway. The way is half concrete and half unpaved. Habalhabal ride is overpriced at P80.00 per passenger.


HOW TO GET THERE:

From CDO:
Take a bus bound for Davao. Alight at Kampo Uno, Katipunan, Arakan (NOT KAMPO UNO IN MARAMAG). Travel time takes 6 hours. Take a habal-habal to Sitio Inamong, Datu Ladayon. Hike to the falls.

From Davao:
Take a bus bound for CDO. Alight at Kampo Uno, Katipunan, Arakan (NOT KAMPO UNO IN MARAMAG). Travel time takes 2 hours. Take a habal-habal to Sitio Inamong, Datu Ladayon. Hike to the falls.

52 comments:

  1. May I ask if you have names and contact numbers of possible guides Bani falls?

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    1. hi, karen. most people there have no phones. you may just proceed to the area and seek permission from their tribal datu. most kids there want to guide you. the falls is just an hour trek away. you will surely enjoy it.

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    2. How about the guide fees, how much is it ?

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    3. Hi, Daniel. Way back 2015, we did negotiate it for P350/group. I have no update if they now have fixed price for guide fee.

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  2. any idea on details, if you go on a trek from Arakan poblacion?

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    1. i heard that would be possible by habal-habal. but that's quite far compared from bukidnon-davao highway. sorry, i haven't inquired about the fare.

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  3. Hi sir! I am on mu there rigjt now feom Davao City. Reading this excites me. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. hi there, sir obert. it's more exciting to see this falls in person. you will truly enjoy.

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    2. Hi Sir, sorry on my misspellings. Maalog sa bus when I was typing my comment. Indeed sir, the way up to the top of the falls is very challenging for me. I will surely go back if there's a chance.

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    3. good for you, sir. that's also the reason of my going back.

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  4. helow is there safe with our motorcycle going there..

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    1. yes, it is safe. it's just 4km away from the highway. just ask direction from other habal2 drivers.

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  5. Hi there, thanks for sharing! can an SUV drive up to Katipunan and Datu Ladayon? Is there a safe parking? are there any camp sites for overnight stay?

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    1. hi, cz@r! a 4wheel drive can reach Katipunan along the highway, but the trail going to sitio inamong is accessible only by habal2. you can pitch tent in the community for overnight stay.

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  6. just saw your blog sir, magkano po bayad sa guide? pwede dayhike?

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    1. thanks, denese. yes, it's just dayhike. the falls is just around 30 minutes from community. just request local kid/s as company. No fixed rate for guides yet. a total of P150.00 amount is much worth their joy and appreciation.

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  7. Hi po sir!.. How much po mag pitch ng tent as overnyt doon?

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    1. hi, karen. just look for tribal datu. just ask permission lang. walang bayad magpitch ng tent. he even allows visitors to stay at his house.
      Enjoy.....

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  8. Hi po sir!.. How much po mag pitch ng tent doon?

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  9. Hi po. May I please ask when do you plan to go back there? Thanks.

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    1. Hi, Jmar. I have no schedule yet as of now. But i definitely will go back there this year. maybe on one of fine weekends on march or april.

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  10. Hi po. May I please ask when do you plan to go back there? Thanks.

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  11. Napunta namin yan bani falls using mtb wer from kabacan north cotabato, sa taas kami dumaan. We enjoyed very much kahit pagud sa pag bike.

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    1. Wow! Good for you! Congrats for making it...

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    2. How to go there from kabacan? Thanks!

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  12. Hi po. Pde po ba this sunday mag trail to matigol falls?

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    1. sure, ching. you can trek there anytime. just hire a local guide. enjoy

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  13. Hello Khaiz, so excited to go there this May. But we will be from bukidnon down to kabacan. How to go there from kabacan? Thanks!

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    1. Hi, tin. from kabacan, arakan can be reached through motorcycle. but if bani falls is your only destination, and if you're from bukidnon, the best means of transpo is davao-bound bus or van direct to kampo uno, arakan. habal-habal will bring you to the jump off in minutes.

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  14. Replies
    1. hi, anthony. trekking down to the base of the falls takes about an hour. going back is around 1.5 hours.

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  15. Hello sir good day I'll be visiting the region this april. Do you know any routes from koronadal city? Where can we find the tribal datu sir we would like to stay for an overnight here. Thanks! -Neal from Cebu

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    1. Hi, palos! i heard there is route from kidapawan passing through poblacion, arakan. but i have no update yet if the road was completely paved.

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    2. the closest route going to the falls, however, is from campo uno, katipunan, arakan--- along davao-bukidnon road. from there, the jump-off area, which is sitio inamong, brgy datu ladayon is only 4 km away. you can see the tribal datu in that sitio and you may stay in his humble home.

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  16. Hi, they allow camping and setting up tent? Thanks.

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    1. Hi, Dennis. I think it's ok. Just inform their tribal datu.

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  17. Hi, Is it okay to set up tent for overnight stay?

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  18. Hi! Am heading to Davao in a few days. Will take this as a side trip to my yet unknown destination. Thanks for sharing this! By the way, is it easy to get a ride from Arakan to Valencia in the afternoon?

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    1. hi, edgy. thanks for reading. sorry if my reply is too late. in case you still need the info, yes there are still rides from highway campo uno, katipunan, arakan going to valencia, since buses from davao to cdo run 24 hours.

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  19. hi.. hindi po ba kaya na ma puntahan lahat ng areas ng matigol in just one day? napansin ko po kase sa blog nyo na 2 days kayo dun,, thanks!

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  20. Good day sir! ask ko lang po if kaya ba ang 1 day pag mag trekking sa matigols
    Thanks

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    1. GOOD AFTERNOON PO SIR! INTERESADO TALAGA KAMING PUMUNTA DIYAN NANG MGA FRIENDS KO,.. SINCE 1 DAY ESCAPADE LANG KAMI,.. PLANO KASI NAMIN FROM MANILA BABABYAHI KAMI SATURDAY NIGHT SA CDO NA KAMI AND BUS YONG SASAKYAN,.. ASK KO LANG PO ILANG ORAS PO ANG TRIP CDO TO ARAKAN COTABATO?

      SALAMAT

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    2. hi. first, my apology for having replied late. i was hospitalized for days.
      Since arakan is very close na to davao city, medyo malayo nga sya from cdo. it will take around 6-7 hours trip.

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  21. Hi sir! We are planning to go there. Is there any electricty where we can charge our phones? thanksss

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  22. Good day sir! We are planning to go there. Is there any electricity where we can charge our phones? thaaanks!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Dithel. There's electricity line in the area.

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  23. Hi Sir Tupe. I'm Peter from Davao. Thanks for sharing these and for your fantastic photos. Can you share info on the difficulty of the climb from the base to the natural pools on top of the falls please. Can a casual hiker (not really a mountaineer) manage it? And lastly, from the pools above, do you have to take the same route in your return hike to the village? Thank you very much.

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    1. Hi, Peter. Very sorry for late reply. the difficulty for me is just 5/9. even a non-seasoned hiker can do it. Most hikers start from the base passing through scenic grassy land. when you reach the top, ibang daan na pauwi, malapit na sya sa village. so, traverse ang gagawin nyo. so enjoyable...

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  24. Hello, Is the road heading the jump-off point passable by Grandia van?

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    1. Hi, karl! jump-off is accessible by motorcycle. van can be left at national highway, brgy katipunan.

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  25. Sir, I'm impressed with this post. One of the best blogs I've ever read. :) I'm now convinced na sumama sa trek. :)

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