Panguil River Eco-Park (Pangil, Laguna)

After experiencing two great waterfall trips, since it was still a rainy season, I proceeded to explore my third waterfall, the Ambon-Ambon Falls inside the Panguil River Eco-Park (formerly the Piit Resort) in little-known Pangil, Laguna, on July 2, 2014. 

Plying along the Manila East Road and the National Highway, coming from Metro Manila, passing through Rizal provincial areas namely, Cainta, Angono, Binangonan, Cardona, Morong, Baras, Tanay, and Pilillia, turn left after a sign visible on the highway after passing the junction of Siniloan, Famy, and Mabitac. 

Arriving at the place, you would then notice a small historical monument of a cannon signifying that this area was once a place for manufacturing gunpowder for the Spanish Military during the latter 1800s. 

Polvorista Monument

Entering the Admin Office, since we would be trekking to the Ambon-Ambon Falls, we paid a total of Php 400.00, which is the minimum rate for 5 persons or less. The complete list of the rates and the area diagram can be seen below. 

Admin Office

Fees & Rates

Area Diagram

After entering the gates of the eco-park, wherein you could now park your vehicle, there is a wooden directional marker pointing to the various sites that you would encounter in the main activity area. 

Welcome Poster

Venue Gate

Directional Marker

We passed by the hanging bridge, wherein you could view the various cottages below and a shallow swimming area right in front of them. Arriving at the main activity area, we were provided with life vests that we would be needing soon, and then followed a cemented rocky trail towards the falls. 

Hanging Bridge

Cottages & Swimming Area

Main Activity Area

First that you would encounter would be the so-called Barkong Bato, a huge bed of rock protruding from the side of the mountain that looks like a ship. 

Barkong Bato

Next spot would be the “Biak Na Bato” rock, which literally is a rock split in half with water flowing in the middle. 

Biak na Bato

Traversing on several uneven terrains, we arrived at the first balsa to hop on. The life vests would now be needed on all three short balsa rides. Be prepared to be submerged waist-deep sitting down while on the balsa. 

First Balsa

Second Balsa

Third Balsa

Riding the third balsa, in a few seconds, you would now be astounded by the Ambon-Ambon Falls at a short distance. 

As the balsa docked several meters from the falls due to protruding rocks, we then alighted the balsa and proceeded directly to the falls, but to arrive at the falls proper, one should swim on deep water or use the long rope to cross to the other side where the falls is located. 

The exhilarating experience is when one goes right underneath the falls. Super cold water rushing at your back…..wow! 

Ambon-Ambon Falls

Arriving back at the main activity area, we dipped into the shallow swimming area in front of the cottages, and the spillway. 

Swimming Area

Spillway

Departing from the venue, with rumbling stomachs, we dropped by Manay’s Eatery in Fami, Laguna for lunch, which satisfied us big. 

Manay's Eatery

Bon Appetit!

Pangil, for me, is such an underrated place in Laguna maybe because it barely appears in tourism-related media, but it is a great place for nature lovers. 

The Eco-Park is really worth the trip. 

Explore Pinas!