PUNGAS FALLS, SAGADA

Pungas Falls is just one of the prides of Sagada, Mtn Province, Philippines.

PUNGAS FALLS
If I have to recommend three things to expore in Sagada, this has got to be one of them. Not as popular as the other falls and not usually mentioned by the guides because of its treacherous trek. Located in barangay Ankileng, about 3 hours by foot from Sagada town center.

To reach Pungas Falls, you can take a jeep going to Barangay Ankileng, a 15-min ride. But why when you can do it by foot and have the best trek in Sagada. Approx 4 km of an epic landscape of muddy roads (rainy season), hillside pine trees, incredible views of mountain side villages and rice terraces.

At A Junction
After an hour or so of leisurely walk from Sagada town center, you get into a Y-junction. The road splits into two, between Sagada Rd and Mabisil Rd. Take the Sagada Rd on your right.

Barangay Ankileng
For another 30 minutes walk from the junction is barangay Ankileng, the jump off point to the falls. A very quiet community where the only thing I saw were a small number of kids running around the vicinity of the local high school ground.

The Rice Paddies Trek
Just past the high school building is a small suspension bridge. This connects you through the rice paddies and lots of muddy fields. By the way, it's a good idea to bring bottled water and some snacks while you're at it. There is a small store in the village. And please be a responsible visitor. Do not leave your trash anywhere. Instead, dispose it properly in a trash bin.

One Last Tiny Village
After a nice walk through those rice paddies surrounded by breathtakingly awesome sceneries of what nature can offer, you get to another small village where an informal registration shack is located. A minimal fee of P10 is required to continue onto the trek to the falls.

Now, Onto the Muddy Stuff
The surrounding view was just awesome, like i said it over and over again. I guess i was just too ecstatic to all the beauty this place has. And who would really care about a little mud on your shoes, right? Unless your slippers get stuck really deep into the muddy puddle, that it's almost impossible to retrieve it. Even then, I think that would make it even more awesome. And that's exactly what happened to one of my friends.

Pungas Falls
The falls cascade gorgeously to several levels. It looked amazing. So full of awesomeness this waterfalls. And as expected, the water is icy-cold. The best part of it all, there were no other souls around. Would have been perfect time and place to bring out those cannabis you've been stacking up inside your undies and start soul searching. Only none of us were that kind of adventurers.

Out In the Open, Into the Dark!
Heading back to Ankileng was excitingly dangerous. We passed by the edge of a slippery mountain, in the dark! No flashlights. Nothing. If one is not careful and truly unlucky, he could be in a real shit down below a deadly ravine. This trek was absolutely one unforgettable adventure I'll be remembering for along time.