Badi Falls, Benguet | Unveiling Kapangan’s Hidden Gem
In this blog entry, let me take you to the impressive Badi Falls of Kapangan, Benguet.
Benguet is not just about the towering mountain peaks and pine forests, but it is also home to several majestic waterfalls. Most of the large waterfalls in this province, that I know of, resides at the western municipalities or bordering the provinces of La-Union and Ilocos Sur.
Kapangan, was once a sleepy Benguet town, known in the past for police raids of several marijuana plantations. Today, it is now transforming into one of the province’s most promising ecotourism destinations.
Sagubo
From Baguio City’s Dangwa Terminal, we transferred to a monster jeep going to Kapangan, Benguet. This trip took an hour before we arrived in Suvani’s Avong (House of Suvani) in Datakan. We had our orientation there and breakfast. Another short ride aboard our monster jeep, we have finally arrived in Brgy. Sagubo. We secured our guides and had another orientation.
From Brgy. Sagubo another short jeepney ride along a seemingly treacherous mountain pass led us to the Ampongot farm to market road. This is where we started our hike on a steep descending concrete road.
A little less than an hour, the waterfall came into sight from down below. The trail snakes through the mountain side, and gradually descends into steep portions. Bamboo railings are installed for support especially at parts with loose soil.
Bad-Badi
The trek itself is rewarding for the panoramic view of the Kapangan Mountains as well as the low-lying communities of Bagulin and Gadang of La Union. The first hour of the hike is exposed to the sun for the lack of tree covers. A little more effort on steep inclines and we finally reached the riverbanks where the first two smaller tiers are located.
The first two cascades are no more than 20 feet high and plunges down into a natural pool.
A little rock scrambling and the 75 feet high Badi Falls comes into full view. It looks different at every angle which makes it an interesting one. Badi Falls got its name from the Kankanaey word “Bad-Badi”. They are insects that look like earthworms and are blue and green in color. It is said that they thrive at the riverbanks and stones near the falls.
Further upstream, where ropes will be used to rappel going up will lead you to the headwater of the Badi Falls. There are smaller cascades here with natural pools one can swim at safely. We had our lunch here for over an hour.
After lunch, we proceeded with the grueling 2-hr hike going back to the Ampongot Road.
Aside from the now becoming famous Badi Falls; Kapangan also showcases the towering waterfalls of Pey-Og, Cotinge, Pul-agan, and Dageyadey. There’s also Mt. Dakiwagan, Ambongdolan Cave, Balabag Mummy Cave, Amburayan River and the Catampan Rice Terraces. Also one shouldn’t miss Camp Utopia if spending the night in there.
How to Get There
- Badi Falls is located in Brgy. Sagubo, Kapangan, Benguet
- Best option if you are a group is to rent a monster jeepney to take you directly to Kapangan. You may contact Kapangan Tourism Office to assist you from transportation to guides. 0907 705 4401
- If via commute: From Manila take any bus going to Baguio. (Travel time 4-5hrs, 450php/way)
- Upon arrival at Victory Liner Bus Terminal, hail a taxi going to Dangwa Terminal (80-100php)
- At Dangwa Terminal in Baguio City, ride jeeps bound for Kapangan Central and ask to be Dropped off at the Tourism Office in Sitio Lomon, Brgy. Paykek (33 kilometers from Baguio)
- Another option is to ride the Dakiwagan Buses bound for Kibungan. Ask the conductor to drop you off at Kapangan Central (Travel time is 1.5-2hrs)
- Take note that buses going to Kibungan departs from Dangwa Terminal by 0530/1000/1100/1230/1400/1530/1700
- After registering at the Tourism Office of Kapangan, transfer to jeeps bound for Brgy. Sagubo and proceed at the Barangay Hall for the orientation and registration
Itinerary and Expenses
Badi Falls Day Trip
Day 0
2200 Victory Liner Cubao, depart for Baguio City
0330 Arrival at Baguio City, taxi to Dangwa Terminal
0400 Call Time at Dangwa Terminal, Baguio City
0430 Depart for Kapangan, Benguet
0630 Arrival at Datakan, Kapangan
0700 Breakfast at Suvani’s Avong
0800 Depart for Brgy. Sagubo, orientation, secure guide
0900 Arrival at Ampongot jump-off point , start trek
1100 Arrival at Badi Falls, explore all cascades
1200 Lunch
1400 Resume trek going back to jump-off point
1700 Arrival at jump-off point
1800 Back at Suvani’s Avong, tidy-up
2000 Depart for Baguio City
2100 Baguio City
2200 Bus back to Manila
Total expenses: 1200php package tour by Sir Romeo U. Licyayo, Jr. of the Cordillera based travel group, IgoAdventurePH (click HERE for their FB Page) plus 900php RT Bus Fare Manila – Baguio – Manila
Updated June 09, 2020
