Ditumabo Mother Falls, San Luis, Aurora (photo blog and video clips)

This is the last leg of our travel to the beautiful province of Aurora. We saved one of the bests for last. Everything about Aurora so far is great.

Ditumabo Falls is named from the same barangay it is located. The road is not paved all the way to the registration area. From the main road to the registration area, one must travel around 1 km. This is a scenic route for the one-way road is sandwiched between greens and the way is lined with trees. Once at the vehicle stop, you have to reach the waterfalls by foot. There are stalls set up wherein you can buy souvenirs, apparels for swimming if you forgot to bring change of clothes or slippers or towels. There is a toilet and shower. Also, there are more food stalls. However, almost all these shops were already closed because it was near closing time.

We registered at the registration office. This was not needed before, no registration, no guides. Good thing they did implement this to monitor visitors and at the same give locals jobs. Locals pay less than the required registration fee. It is mandatory that you will have a guide. I understand the concern of the guide when we arrived. It was around 4:00 p.m. when we reached the registration area. No one is allowed to go to the falls past 5:00 p.m. The tour guide said it is a 45-minute trek to the falls. He kept rushing us to start our trek but we were still waiting for our other companions. When we were complete, we then started our trek.

The trek is a combination of cemented pathways, river crossing, and going over/climbing rocks which makes the trek easy to moderate. It is a slippery trek so one must be careful and be sure of foothold.

Ropes were placed as handrails in some areas especially where the current is strong and/or the water is deep.

The trek maybe uphill, slippery and dangerous, but it is a pleasant and welcoming view because of so much greens there are. The rainforest is alive. The songs of birds can still be heard amidst the loud rushing of the river. As you go deeper into the mountain, it gives a vibe of mystic, wonder and mystery.

We have reached the waterfalls in 20 minutes or so which made me think the guide underestimated our tried and tested mountain feet lol! Even though we have kids with us, they walked faster than us. We would have been there in a shorter period of time if we walked fast. Our guide who led us walked slow and sure which was fine.

This is the dam that traps some of the water. You probably noticed the big pipe running the whole stretch of the river. Water is directed to that pipe which then goes to a treatment facility near the registration office and then it was distributed to where water is needed.

You can notice in this clip below the mist coming from behind the dam. It signifies the waterfalls is just around that bend.

Reaching your destination and seeing the waterfalls, the trek and hike is worth every step of the way. It is in her own way grand and beautiful yet packs strength and such force just like a real mother does.

Ditumabo Mother Falls is named as such because it is the biggest if not the grandest waterfalls in the town of San Luis that had been "discovered" so far. It rises at around 50 feet or 16 meters, crashing down with a force from wall of rocks, down a pool of more rocks and boulders. Dangerously beautiful.

It is my first time here but according to my brother and our guide, the landscape has changed when a strong typhoon hit the town. The force of nature transformed the place.

There were tourists like us watching in wonder and awe at the mesmerizing Mother. The water comes from the Sierra Madre ranges. It releases clean and cold refreshing water. Before, you can swim at the basin of the falls because it was wider and not as rocky as it is now. Because we wanted to swim, we did it where the damned water is. This dam was not here before, too. So this was a recent structure.

They also have a zipline here. It is just a short distance. You can either pay for one ride or multiple rides or unli rides. However, it does not seem to be utilized that much for it is not well kept and well maintained.

After we had our swim, we then headed back down as it is already closing time. Plus, it was drizzling every and now then with a promise of rain. We have enjoyed the Mother and it is a great way to end our Aurora tour.

Our guide informed us that there is a bigger and more majestic falls than Mother Falls of Ditumabo. It is six hours by foot and there is no real trek yet going to that waterfalls. That is something to look forward to if we plan to visit Aurora again. They named that falls Father Falls.

This is a small falls along the way that greets you before reaching Mother Falls.

From Manila, you can ride a bus going to Aurora. Then, from the capital town of Baler, you can hire a tricycle ride going to San Luis, the next town to Baler. That's why it is a recommended trip to Ditumabo Falls if you plan to visit Aurora because it is just near the capital.

For related articles about Aurora, you can check out these blogs:
Diguisit Lighthouse and Beach, Baler, Aurora
Quick Dip at Diguisit Waterfalls and visit at Ermita Hill
Dinadiawan Beach in Dipaculao, Aurora and Baul Falls

Experience Aurora and what the Sierra Madre has to offer. From its verdant mountain ranges, cold refreshing waterfalls and warm relaxing beaches, come and be with nature here in the province of Aurora.

@ace108 is hosting #beautifulsunday, @c0ff33a is hosting #sulimesunday and check out @gogreenbuddy for more green, gardening and talks about nature.

All photos were taken by my smartphone's camera.