You may never see the province of Cotabato in the list of must-visit places in the Philippines, but that does not mean that it has nothing to offer. One of the newly found jewels in Mindanao, for instance, lies in this province and it’s quickly drawing attention — all for the right reasons.
Asik-Asik Falls, which literally translates to “water sprinkle,” is a new travel discovery in the Southern part of the country. Boasting the scenic and picturesque view of its water curtain gushing out from its foliage-taped wall, the falls is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Asik-Asik Falls: An Introduction
Asik-Asik Falls nestles on Mount Ragang’s lower slope, also known as Mount Piapayungan or the Blue Mountain, an active stratovolcano between Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato. It is specifically located in Sitio Dulao of Barangay Upper Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato.
It was not until the last ten years that this location came to the radar of travel goers, and over the past years, local and international visitors began flocking to have a sight of its glorious wonders.
The discovery of this natural marvel sparked the imagination of locals, resulting in numerous tales and side stories. Some claim that during clearing operations, its location was mistakenly identified by the military. Others suggest that they know the spot already. The latter appears more accurate and more probable.
Now, it is impossible to ignore such grandeur’s beauty, so the local people either kept it hidden or a secret. The once peaceful town of Alamada in the highland of North Cotabato is undoubtedly now a booming tourist destination, thanks largely to the majestic Asik-Asik Falls.
A waterfall unlike any other
The cold water from Asik-Asik emanates from the spring surrounded by rocks which cascade through a 60-meter long, foliage-taped wall, mainly ferns and moose. It is perfectly fringed with trees and grasses with its foliage-taped wall that looks like a Green Water Curtain at about 140 meters high. Then, the stream runs through a shallow rocky natural pool below until it runs into the Alamada River.
It is challenging to reach the Asik-Asik Falls. It will include taking on a bumpy path and hiking the top 376 steps. I assure you though that once you have reached the top, it’s worth the long travel. Yes, it is tiring, but the sight of its panoramic and picturesque scenery is both rewarding and satisfying.
I would very much recommend that you visit the place early in the morning at about 6:30. You would enjoy the atmosphere more around this time because it’s less busy and less crowded.
How to get to Lake Asik-Asik Falls
To get to Asik-Asik Falls, you can either commute or rent a car. If you prefer commuting, you have to take a couple of public modes of transportation. First, you have to get to Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) from Davao City. Once you are in there, proceed to the ticketing booth and ask for a bus bound to Midsayap, North Cotabato. Aside from that, you can also take a bus bound to the same route. The fare costs P240 for 3 to 4 hours of travel time.
Upon reaching Midsayap, you may take a habal-habal going to Alamada or take a jeep bound to Alamada. The best way to get there is early in the morning, especially if you are only planning a day trip.
The other option you have is to rent a vehicle. You can get to the Asik-Asik Falls faster and much more comfortable by choosing this, and there’s no need for you to transfer from bus to motorcycle and jeepney. Your travel is also guaranteed to be smooth and more convenient.
If you decide to go for a car rental, the first thing you need to do is to select which type of vehicle best suits your trip. If you’re traveling alone or with a small group, Car Rental Davao has the sedan units for you. You can choose from our Toyota Vios, Nissan Almera, or our Hyundai Accent. Or if you decide to take your family with you, we also have SUVs and vans available for rent. We highly recommend our Ford Everest Titanium.
Reserving a unit from us is very easy, and you have the option to do it online, via call or email.
Book a Car page: https://www.carrentaldavao.com/book-car
Mobile number: +63906-059-1323
Email Address: sales@carrentaldavao.com
Supposed you’re a tourist or visitor from other cities or even countries, we can arrange an airport car rental for you and we’ll have the unit delivered at Davao airport. If you’re already in the city, we can also drop off the unit anywhere at any scheduled time.
By deciding to rent a car, travel time is estimated to be less than 3 hours. Now, if you decide to stay longer in Midsayap, North Cotabato, we can also offer a special car rental package for you. Contact us directly, and we can discuss this.
What to do at Asik-Asik Falls
1. Trekking down the 376 steps to Asik-Asik Falls
A tiring activity, yes, but doing this you’ll have appreciation of the beauty of Asik-Asik Falls. Just make sure to prepare your body by doing warm up prior to your trip.
2. Swimming
How can you visit a waterfall without giving bathing to the rushing water down to its basin? Prepare your clothes with you and be tempted to swim to its magnificent pool of water on the ground.
3. Set-up your hammock in a spot and relax
If you are tired of trekking down to Asik-Asik Falls and you need some time to rest and observe its beauty, you can set-up your hammock in a particular spot of your choice. You can also listen to the sounds of crashing waters running down to the Alamada River. How relaxing is that?
4. Take pictures all you want
Take nothing but memories of your visit at Asik-Asik Falls immortalized through photographs. No one can stop you from taking thousands of pictures of the waterfall’s beauty. I mean, who wouldn’t take photographs the moment they witness the scenic and picturesque view of Asik-Asik Falls?
Where to stay in Midsayap
It is ideal for spending a night in either Libungan or Midsayap if you decide to visit Asik-Asik Falls in the early morning. Now, below is the list of affordable hotels for you.
White Hut Resort
National Highway Poblacion 08 BPH, Midsayap, Philippines
Budget: Fanned room with its toilet and bath rate starts at P300, good for two. Meanwhile, the air-conditioned room starts at P500, good for two.
Contact No.: 09306869657
Email: whithutinnresortbarabat@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHutInn.Resort/
Asia Novo Boutique Hotel
Poblacion 6, Midsayap, North Cotabato, Philippines
Budget: Deluxe room rate starts at P1000 for one night, suitable for two persons.
Telephone No.: (02) 8922 5384
Mobile No.: 0977 885 8000
Website: http://www.meacohotel.com/
Ybelles Inn & Resto
Burgos Street Poblacion 5 Midsayap, North Cotabato 9410, Philippines
Budget: Room rates start at P800 for one night, suitable for two persons.
Contact No.:(06422) 97520
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ybelles-inn-and-Grill-7632923437