Mt. Humarap | Tatlong Krus | Matabungca Falls

   Date : June 18, 2015 | Author : Jeric Par Esplana | Category : Travel Blog

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Tatlong Krus | Mt. Humarap

Mt. Humarap is located in the municipality of Paete in Laguna. It is famous from its three crosses placed on the peak of Mt. Humarap, part of the Sierra Mountain Range. It was a wooden crosses before and became concrete after a long time. It’s a hill overlooking from the town of Paete. Talong Krus is the perfect vantage point where you will able to see the whole town of Paete, Mt. Sembrano and Laguna de Bay.  It features different species of flora throughout the trail, Matabungca Falls and the famous Paete Church.

How to get there: It’s so easy to get here, take a ride in Starmall (Shaw) either a Jeepney or a UV Express bound to Tanay, Rizal (Php 70.00). From there, you need to ride a Jeepney within the terminal going to Siniloan, Laguna (Php 47.00). Once you arrived in Siniloan, ride another Jeepney going to Sta. Cruz and tell the driver to drop you off in the town of Paete (Php 16.00). Lastly, you need to ride a tricycle that will lead you towards the jump-off area of Mt. Humarap (Php 10.00).

Cemented Trail

Once you arrived in the jump-off area, you will see an arc with a name of Matabungca Falls. It means that you're in the right path going to the Tatlong Krus. The trails throughout the trail were cemented with a connected bamboos. The ascending trail is not hard and can easily handled by a beginner. There's no fee for registration and a tour guide is not required. It's not misleading, just follow these bamboos and eventually, you will reached the summit of Mt. Humarap.

Hibiscus

This is just the sample of flora that can be seen within the area. The abundance of different species of flora is a good thing that the locals are . It's really an attraction for the tourists. Its' better to just take only a picture and not to pick any of it. Those flowers added an impact of attraction for the people to visit this place.  

Rest Area

There are two (2) Rest Area across the trails.You will encounter this first resting area on the half part of the trail. It's a matter of 30 minutes trek from the jump-off area so it is better if you bring your own water and trail foods because if you look for a vendor, there is none. You can buy this basic necessities on the summit. 

Cottages

Once you reached the summit, you will see these cottages within the area. You can use it for your things and to relax after an hour of trekking. Those cottages are  free to use all throughout the year except Holy Week. You will be amazed in terms of the area's cleanliness. The place is well maintained and monitored by the local people. There are comfort rooms open for the public, just donate any amount you want. Aside from the local people who lives here, there are dogs that will welcome you once you arrived on the peak. They were not harmful and you even play with them.

Three Crosses

These are the beautiful three crosses on the summit. The best vantage point in Paete where you will able to see the whole town of Paete, Laguna de Bay and the forests of Sierra Madre Range. If you want to be here in a not so crowded scenario, better visit this place on a weekday basis. You will definitely escape from the crowd and you will more appreciate the beauty of Tatlong Krus. The whole area is so spacious that you can even bring a car and park within the area. There is another route where a public vehicle can pass through going to the flat area of the summit. 

Matabungca Falls

Wondering how to get here ? It's also located within the trail going to Tatlong Krus, You will see the signage telling the direction  going to Matabungca Falls. It's just a matter 10 -15 minutes walk from the summit going down to reach this waterfalls. It is better to visit this place during rainy season to see the normal raging water of this falls. The basin is clear but once you step on it, it water will turn into a muddy status. 

St. James the Apostle Parish Church

This is the last travel destination here in Paete, Laguna. St. James the Apostle Parish Church is also known as Santiago Apostol Parish Church and most commonly called as Paete Church is known for its huge and exqusite collection of images describing the Passion of the Christ. The town of Paete celebrated the feast of St. James the Apostle every 25th of July.

Mt. Humarap | Paete Church

An overlooking view of Tatlong Krus from the right side of Paete Church. This is not the original church built many years ago. The first stone church was built in year 1646 but it was destroyed by an eartquake in 1717. Then a new stone church was built in 1840 and destroyed again by an earthquake in year 1880. Another temporary church was built in 1884 but in smaller size and eventually, it was once again destroyed by an earthquake in year 1937.

Travel | JePar

--Here's my short clip travel video-- 

--Reminder--

As a Travel Blogger, I am sharing all my experiences, guides and the expenses in every trip I have been so that you can also experience this trip to specific place with your friends or family. Be responsible enough by: following the rules and regulations of the place, learn to protect and maintain its genuine beauty, be nice and respectful to local people, observe cleanliness, leave no trace

--Itinerary--

0500 - Meet Up (Starmall Shaw)

0515 - ETD Manila via Public Vehicle

0645 - ETA Tanay, Rizal (Market)

0745 - ETA Siniloan, Laguna

0810 - ETA Paete, Laguna

0815 - ETA Jump-off Area

0820 - Start Trek

0920 - Summit

0930 - Breakfast

1000 - Rest

1030 - Exploring the place

1230 - Lunch

1300 - Rest

1330 - Descend going to Matabungca Falls

1400 - ETA Falls

1405 - Preparing to swim

1505 - Descend via same route

1535 - ETA Jump-off Area

1540 - ETA Paete, Laguna

1545 - Exploring Paete Church

1600 - ETD Paete

1630 - ETA Siniloan

1730 - ETA Tanay Market

1900 - ETA Manila

--Budget--

Note: Rates are subject to change without prior notice

Option 1

VEHICLE	FROM	TO	FARE	TIMEFRAME
UV Express	Shaw(Starmall)	Tanay Rizal	Php 70.00	1 ½ hours
Jeepney	Tanay	Siniloan, Laguna	Php 47.00	1 hour
Jeepney	Siniloan	Paete, Laguna	Php 16.00	30 min
Tricycle	Paete	Mt. Humarap	Php 10.00	5 min

Option 2

VEHICLE	FROM	TO	FARE	TIMEFRAME
Bus	DLTB (Cubao)	Sta. Cruz,Laguna	Php 145.00	2 hours
Jeepney	Sta. Cruz	Paete	Php 22.00	30 min
Tricycle	Paete	Mt. Humarap	Php 10.00	5 min

ESTIMATED EXPENSES (group of 5)

Php 500.00/head