Osmeña Peak and Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls
12:32 PM
June 12-14: Long Weekend Activity
(Philippine Independence Day)
- Trekking at Osmeña Peak
- Canyoneering downstream to Kawasan falls.
Inorder to get here, one may take a bus from Cebu South Bus-Termial heading towards Oslob or Bato.
We took an ordinary bus heading towards Oslob because the queue for a Ceres bus was very long due to the holidays. So if you're planning to do this on a holiday or a long weekend, better arrive at the terminal 1-2 hours ahead of your departure time.
Ordinary bus going to Dalaguete cost around 100 Php and will take you about 2 to 3 hours time. From there, take a motorcycle for hire or Habal-habal, as locals term it, and negotiate with the driver for a round-trip to Osmeña peak. Normally it will cost you about 200 Php per person and will take about an hour or two to get to base of Osmeña.
Don't worry on where to find Habal-habal because normally they will find you the moment you alight the bus. In our case, we contracted the first driver that approached us to take us to Osmeña then drive us to Kawasan Falls instead of going back to Dalaguete. We closed the deal for 400 Php per person and we're a group of 5. Take note that bargaining skill matters here!
Few things to consider:
- On the way to Osmeña, you'll pass by Mantalungon Public Market. There, you can take your lunch and buy all necessities especially if you are planning to do camp at the peak.
- If you want to include Kawasan falls to your itinerary you may have the option to trek it from Osmeña for 4 hours. Or just like we did, ride a habal-habal for another 1-2 hours.
At Kawasan you have many options on accommodation. The most convinient is the Matutinao beach resort - just in front of the entrance to kawasan falls, across the bus stop. Or you may ask the driver to drop you to the Municipal's beach resort - a bit far from Kawasan but it offers cheaper rates and cozy accommodation.
Unfortunately for us, it was a holiday and all mentioned resorts are fully booked, what's left for us was Casa Stella near Matutinao beach resort (few walks from the entrance of Kawasan falls). We felt a little bit spooky but then it added a pinch of spice to our adventure at kawasan.
Unfortunately for us, it was a holiday and all mentioned resorts are fully booked, what's left for us was Casa Stella near Matutinao beach resort (few walks from the entrance of Kawasan falls). We felt a little bit spooky but then it added a pinch of spice to our adventure at kawasan.
We took our dinner at Matutinao Beach Resort early because we don't want to linger so much in our room especially when everbody started teasing each other about something supernatural.
Over dinner we made transactions with Kawasan Canyoneering who offer guides for the activity and got ourselves listed for a downstream canyoneering all the way to kawasan falls at 7 AM.
Matutinao Beach Resort | Kawasan Canyoneering. You can contact them at 09186544111/09189473667, check them on instagram @kawasancanyoneering or email at kawasancayoneering@gmail.com
Over dinner we made transactions with Kawasan Canyoneering who offer guides for the activity and got ourselves listed for a downstream canyoneering all the way to kawasan falls at 7 AM.
Matutinao Beach Resort | Kawasan Canyoneering. You can contact them at 09186544111/09189473667, check them on instagram @kawasancanyoneering or email at kawasancayoneering@gmail.com
Canyoneering Package includes:
- Canyoneering Guides
- Gears (life-jacket and helmet)
- Habal-habal to jump off point
- Dry bags
- Snack
- Lunch at Matutinao Beach Resort
- Sports Camera for rent (you have to provide your SD card or prepare a USB to copy file)
The activity will commence by jumping off a 15-20 feet water fall. One must be willing to jump 10-20+ feet high in order to do this activity. Take note that once you started it, there's no turning back. Well, it is way harder to climb up the falls than jumping off isn't it?
Rest assured the activity is safe, that's why you have to wear gears and need guides to do Canyoneering.
Canyoneering Downstream to Kawasan Falls consist of jumping off a water fall (7 falls in total), Sliding on rocks, rock climbing, trekking, spelunking, and swimming or floating along the turquoise river all the way down to Kawasan Falls.
The adventure will last for 4 hours but you wouldn't really mind the time nor feel really tired because of the beautiful scenery and the exciting obstacles nature has in stored for you!
At the end, the mighty Kawasan Falls, this enchanting paradise, is waiting for you like a prize ready to be claimed.
Bus stop is located at the entrance of Kawasan falls' entrance signage, beside the Town's Church and in front of Matutinao beach resort.
Going back to City! Travel time back to Cebu city is about 3 hours and the interval of bus passing by the stop is every 30 minutes.
Bus stop is located at the entrance of Kawasan falls' entrance signage, beside the Town's Church and in front of Matutinao beach resort.
Want to know more about Cebu and things you can add up to this Itinerary? Check out Chasing Waterfalls to see amazing nearby destinations in south Cebu.
Happy Travels!
@doctoban
@doctoban
28 comments
Hi! I'm planning to have the same itinerary with my friend this coming January.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a detailed list of expenses for this trip?
Thanks :)
Hello!
ReplyDeleteFor a budget trip I suggest you prepare about 3-4,000 Php.
If you follow our itinerary, expenses are as follows:
1. Bus Fare to Osmena Peak = 100
2. Habal-habal from dalaguete to osmena, osmena to kawasan = 400
3. Meal allowance for the day (lunch and dinner) = 200
4. Osmena guide or Tips to children = 50
(there are children in the starting point of osmena, you can ask them to walk you to the peak and at the same time take group pictures)
5. Accommodations at Casa Stella = 2,500 for 5 pax (500 each)
(other accommodations at kawasan range from 1,500 to 3,500)
6. Canyoneering Package on average = 1,500
(check with Kawasan canyoneering for package promos and discounts)
7. Breakfast before going canyoneering = 100
(lunch and snack for the day will be included in your canyoneering package)
8. Just prepare a tip for your guide after your activity
9. Bus goin back to cebu city = 150
The Estimated budget of 3,000 is only for the Osmena Peak and Kawasan Canyoneering activity. Provide allowances for your other needs, convenience and activities aside from what is mentioned.
Have Fun! :)
By the way.. it's always "The More The Merrier" and Cheaper.. prices like accommodations and activity packages are usually fixed, so if you have a bigger group, expenses per individual will be lesser.
ReplyDeleteHi I really like your ITI. Can we do all these activities (osmena peak & canyoneering) in just one day?
ReplyDeleteWe only have two days in cebu and we're planning to spend the next day in Oslob. Thank you!
HI marinell!! :) yes you can do it if you really want to.. you just have to arrive in osmena peak early morning though to provide allowance for your canyoneering activity. Just some guide on the time so you could manage your schedule properly:
Delete(1) from cebu proper, Osmena is 3 hours away
(2) Take a habal2 from osmena to kawasan to save time, it would take you about a hour, the most is 1 1/2.
(3) In kawasan, if you take the package habal2 ride to jump off point is already included in the price and it will take about 15 minutes to get there.
(4) the canyoneering activity will last for 4 hours depending on your phase. Mostly likely you'll have to spend the night in kawasan and head your way to oslob on the next day... Happy Trip and Good luck! :)
BTW, trekking to the peak of osmena will take you about 20 mins! If your coming from cebu, I suggest you'll have to leave as early as 5 or 6am
DeleteHi! I'm visiting Cebu in January w/ friends. After the Kawasan fall adventure, can we take the bus back from Kawasan to Cebu City right after instead of staying overnight in Kawasan?
ReplyDeleteHello! :) Yes, there are bus passing by kawasan even at night. However it is best if you can reach kawasan early morning to do the activity so you can end it by lunch, then back to cebu in the afternoon. Travel time will only take you around 3 hours without heavy traffic.
DeleteHi Jeffrey!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog and Yes, it is possible to do it in 1 day. However, as what I've known the best time to do canyoneering is in the morning about 7am because maganda ang lighting haha. Anyhow, if it is more convenient for your guys to spend the night in cebu upon your arrival you could take the first trip towards oslob around 3am at cebu south bus terminal. Then, alight at dalaguete to get a ride to osmenia..(that is if you want to commute) you may also charter a van for more convenience but may entail more cost. After your sunrise or visit to osmenia you may head straight to kawasan falls for about an hour and start your canyoneering activity. The activity is good for 4 hours, so manage your time well if you are planning to go back to cebu city for the night but if not you can spend more time relaxing at kawasan ;) enjoy!!!
Hi. Your blog is so nice and helpful. We're planning to do the canyoneering in the morning and then Osmena peak in the afternoon next week.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding the P400/head from Kawasan to Osmena a bit expensive though. Is it possible to ride a bus from Kawasan to Dalaguete for a cheaper fare? I've read somewhere that one can pay P200/head for Dalaguete to Osmena peak roundtrip.
Thanks! :)
Hi!
DeleteThank you and I'm glad that you find it helpful :)
Yes, there are buses for kwasan-dalaguete probably for every 30 mins. And it is cheaper. However, in our case we were chasing the time and since it is more convenient for us because it's our first time to the place; We took the habal2 to bring us to kawasan rather than going back to dalaguete, wait for the bus, and from time to time check on the road so we won't miss our stop. Habal2 drivers are taking a shortcut from osmena to kawasan and will take them about an hour to reach our destination.
Aside from that, if you guys can manage your time well i would also recommend you to take the bus (much cheaper and comfortable). Just take note of the travel time, the route you gonna take (they might take the longer road because it will pass by several towns), and which stop will you alight (don't totally put your fate to the bus conductor because sometimes they might have too many passengers and forget about your stop).
Hi Sir,
ReplyDeleteNice blog, I was planning to go first to Oslob (for whale shark diving) and stay there over night. May sasakyan ba from Oslob na dadaan ng Osmena Peak? Tsaka, I am a solo backpacker pala, do u think it would cost me more that u guys spent during Osmena at Kawasan? Thnks
Hi!
DeleteYou can take a bus from oslob going back to cebu, then alight at dalaguete to look for a habal-habal that will bring you to the base of osmena. :) talking about cost, I think the advantage of a group is towards the accommodation and bargain chances for habal2/tricycle ride and canyoneering acivity. The rest of the cost like entrance fees, whale shark watching, and environmental fee are mostly per individual already.
Hi, sir! Thank you for this very informative blog :) I'm planning to travel to Cebu soon. If I may ask, is it okay to visit Kawasan falls without having to pay 1,500 for the canyoneering? I'd just like to dip and cliff dive (if allowed) after the traverse from Osmena Peak. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteHi! Sorry for the late reply but yes you don't have to take the canyoneering package to witness kawasan. It's a public resort, so you just have to pay 20 PHP for the entrance and enjoy the beauty of kawasan falls! :))
DeleteHi Sir!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so helpful, thanks!
If I may I ask din po, are there any backpackers lodges/hostels near the Osmeña Peak? Because we are planning to go to Dalaguete in the afternoon so that we can start the Osmeña Peak at 5am the next day. If there aren't any, is it advisable to do the Osmeña Peak in the afternoon? Thank you so much!
Hi Ven!
DeleteI not so sure as to dalaguete but there must be some kind of inn, resort, or home-stay there. Just take note that dalaguete is still an hour or 2 hours away from the base of Osmena. Mostly, what people do is they camp at the peak :-)
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Deletehank you Sir for the immediate response and info! But is it advisable to trek the Osmeña Peak in the afternoon? Since our arrival at Cebu Airport is around 9am so we are planning to go straight to Dalaguete and start trekking (Sunset Watching) by 1pm, I assume. We also plan to do the canyoneering early by the next morning since we need to be at Oslob in the afternoon. Thanks again, Sir!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood AM sir,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to ask, since I've read a lot of info about Canyoneering, and a lot of it mentioned having a required Insurance before being allowed to go on a Canyoneering trip. The insurance is around mga Php 500, and we can just register online daw.
Is this true? Or we're you required such insurance?
Thanks, and I love your post. Very informative, since I'm planning on a solo trip with (Osmena Peak, Kawasan+Canyonerring, and The old structures in Oslob) in mind.
Hello sir, This is a good post! Very informative. Ask ko lang plan to DIY South Cebu eh. First na ppnthan sa morning leaving Cebu city like 4am, Oslob > Badian (canyoneering + kawasan) at PM, next would be Moalboal (sardine run,pescador) Last is osmena peak for sunset. kaya ba siya ng 1 day lang? I mean transportation hnd ba sya mahirap? or anu ba dpat mauna para hnd paikot ikot ang trip? Thanks in advance :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much carlo! :) no so sure to that you could do all of them at one day if you're only commuting (consider waiting time for the bus). Unless if you manage to charter a ride them you could try ;) that would be Oslob, down to Badian, then up again to Moalboal :))
DeleteHello sir, very much appreciated for the response! :) Anyway, Oslob down to badian, Next is Moalboal in the after lunch. lastly would be osmena peak try to catch the sunset. I was thinking also na bitin sa oras tlg. But some told me that habal2 ride would be a big help to achieve my goal in 1 day. haha :))
ReplyDeleteHi, sir. I appreciate to your blog, it helps us a lot on thinking about trip in Cebu this coming New Year! If you have time, could you tell me what will be the best way to get Lambag beach(our stay will be near to Cebu International Golf Resort) from Osmena Peak?? Bycecle taxi would be the best way or is there any bus to close there from Dalaguete?
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ReplyDeleteThis is so great. Your blog is so nice that it makes me more convinced to do the Cayoneering next month. Thanks for this.
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