One fine day, we decided to have a trip to Kipilas Falls. Drawing no more as our group said. Kipilas Falls was actually a side trip to our Bani – Matigol Falls. This is the first tourist attraction we visited because we planned to catch the sunset and stay longer to Matigol Falls. Kipilas Falls is located at Kitaotao Bukidnon, and again hosted by Kaplag Adventours.
Going there wasn’t easy. We had a private vehicle but need to ride a motorcycle or Skylab to reach the jump-off area going to Kipilas Falls. I assumed you already knew what Skylab is. That was my first skylab experience. I knew it was terrifying but you know me, I still wanted to give it a try.
The skylab ride was an insanely super rollercoaster ride. You need to do the math like balancing both sides and the safety of our well being was in the hands of the driver. Unfortunately, our driver was a beginner. Poor us. We fell at first then go on, then off balance again, I was lifted to the top so I need to jump, then go on again. So the whole ride was terrifying, a nearly death experience as the skylab almost fell down the cliff. I was like “humaygas! I cannot do this anymore!” but I cannot leave them, they still need me for a perfect balance, lol.
To help the driver, we would just walk if there’s a rough road ahead, just to be safe. Until we reached the base going to Kipilas Falls. Some of our colleagues just went back. Hats off to us for being stubbornly awesome and for having a great fighting spirit.
So how was the trek going to Kipilas Falls? It was a 4 wheel drive as they named it, meaning we’re like crawling going to the top, using both hands and feet. There were cut bamboo trees on some trail and needed to be extra careful because they were sharp. Some portions also that I needed to sit down and slide going down haha (newbie hiker.)
We then saw the waterfalls from the top, so I was encouraged to move forward. The last portion going down was more difficult because the trail was so muddy that our shoes would sink in. And there were no plants, roots or anything that we can hold on to.
And at last a close encounter with Kipilas Falls. The curtain was so heavy and the wind was so strong that created a thick mist around us too. Our journey to Kipilas Falls was comprised of ups and down from the very beginning. From the skylab and up to the trail but all were worthy as we witness a very majestic waterfalls.
A quote to ponder. Life is like climbing a mountain, you know it will be so hard, you know that there will be a lot of struggles but still, you choose to climb it and conquer it because a nice view is waiting for you ahead.
Photo credits to Arian Llego
Special thanks to Kaplag Adventours. Recommended to everyone who likes to eat fruit salad and everything tasty on top of the mountain.
How to Get There (DIY Route)
1. From Davao City (most common starting point)
- Davao to Kitaotao
- Ride a bus bound for Cagayan de Oro via Bukidnon, Rural Transit or Pabama bus line
- Ask the conductor to drop you off at Kitaotao Public Market / Poblacion.
- Travel time is 3.5 to 4 hours
- Fare is around Php250 to Php300
2. From Cagayan de Oro City
- Ride a bus bound for Davao City and drop off at Kitaotao Poblacion.
- Travel time is 4 to 5 hours
- Fare is around Php350 to Php400
3. From Kitaotao Poblacion to Kipilas Falls
- Skylab, Habal-habal or motorcycle ride to Barangay Kipilas. I recommend Skylab is you seek more adventure!
- Travel time is more or less 45 minutes
- Fare is Php100 to Php150, one way fee
- Ask locals to guide you to the trailhead
