Kisolon’s Not So Hidden Gem – Alalum Falls
Before our Mt. Dulang-Dulang climb, we decided to do our sidetrips first and visited Alalum Falls in Sumilao and CEDAR in Impasug-ong.
From Laguindingan Airport, it took us around three hours before we alighted in Brgy. Kisolon. This is in the municipality of Sumilao, Bukidnon.
We almost missed this charming cascade but luckily we were dropped off some hundred meters from the main gate.
Madalum
Just beside Sayre Highway, this once almost neglected but never forgotten cascade has been brought back to life by the local government. It has been turned into a tourism center where you can have snacks, buy souvenirs, and bring home some local produce, and even wear their native costumes.
Alalum Falls stands at a height of 45 meters, and it really is high once you see it for your self. Moreover, this is a single layer cascade, with its upper part that resembles that of Bulingan Falls of Lamitan, Basilan.
The name came from the Lumad-Binukid word “madalum” which translates to deep. Owing to the catch basin, it is said by the locals to be really deep. The head water comes from several networks of river originating from Kitanglad Mountain Range and the grand ridges of Impasug-ong before it flows out to the Bay of Macajalar.
The staircase is being reconstructed as of writing, but I tried the other way that goes around the cliff, then it gradually snakes down to the catch basin. Heavy rain was experienced the other day so I was not really able to go all the way down.
What makes this place special is despite its accessibility, Alalum Falls is still of the tourist radar. (This is also where I spent my birthday!)
Next Stop! Impalutao’s CEDAR
How To Get There
Alalum Falls and its river serves as a natural boundary for the municipalities of Impasug-ong and Sumilao. But it is accessible near the Town Hall of Sumilao in Brgy. Kisolon.
From Laguindingan Airport in CDO:
- Take a bus/van bound for Agora Market Terminal in Cagayan De Oro City. (1 hour travel time/ 200php/pax)
- Upon arrival in Agora Terminal, transfer to another bus bound for Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Alternately you can take buses bound for Maramag, Valencia City or Davao City and alight at Sumilao Crossing. (2 hours travel time, 200php/pax)
- Alalum Falls is just beside the Sayre Highway, landmark are several gazebos and green fences with colored flags.
Travel Tips
- Better have your breakfast here if you are headed for Malaybalay City. The Sumilao Tourism Center offers coffee, breakfast meals, pastries and pasalubong/treats.
- Or this is a nice sidetrip together with CEDAR in Impalutao, after your KD2LM or ridge hopping in Panimahawa or Kibuwa.
- Trail going down to the falls is a steep staircase that requires no guides, but beware because it is slippery. (As of September 2019, staircase is still under construction.
- Network signal: All Networks
- Cellular Data: 4G
- Always practice the Leave-No-Trace Principles (LNT)
- Respect local culture and their ways.
Itinerary and Expenses
Mt. Dulang-Dulang Overnight Climb with Kisolon and Impasug-ong Sidetrip
Day 01
0330 Manila, 120 Breakfast
0530 Laguindingan, 200php van
0615 Agora, Breakfast 85
0730 Depart for Sumilao
0915 Alalum Falls, Kisolon, Sumilao 100 guide fee
1030 Depart for CEDAR, 20php to Impasugong Multicab
1100 CEDAR, Register 20php
1130 Start trek Gantungan, Natigbasan, Dila
1300 End of trek, 300php guide fee
1330 Multicab to Malaybalay, 20php
1415 DENR, PAMB Orientation (1000php, permit fee)
1445 Market, supply run
1630 Depart for Songco, Lantapan (1500, multicab)
1800 Datu Makapukaw, Ritual (1000php fee, 1500 ritual materials)
1930 Brgy. Bul-ogan, Homestay at Edgar Saway (450php)
2100 Lights off
Day 02
0600 Prepare Breakfast, Lunch
0830 Start trek, Kuya Dodong (Guide Fee: 1500php 2 days)
1130 3kms to summit marker
1230 2kms to summit marker
1330 1km to summit marker
1430 Manny’s Garden
1500 Summit, prepare camp
2030 Dinner
2230 Lights off
Day 03
0530 Wake up, prepare breakfast
0630 Breakfast
0700 Break camp
0830 Descend down
0900 Manny’s Garden
1115 Km 1 Marker
1230 Kuya Edgar Saway’s Homestay, tidy up
1500 Depart for Malaybalay City, 50php
1700 Malaybalay City Terminal, late lunch 100php
1730 Take bus back to Cagayan De Oro City 200php
1930 Agora Terminal
2000 Van to Laguindingan
2115 Laguindingan, check in at hostel (900php/ACU room)
Day 04
0600 Flight back to Manila
0815 Arrival at NAIA Terminal 3
Total Expenses (group of 3pax, excluding food, airfare): 4,686php/pax
Bukidnon Adventure Series 2019
Updated October 07, 2019
