LOCATION :	Laguna Province
ELEVATION :	240 meters above sea level (camp site)
LEVEL :	Minor Climb, Level I, Easy
JUMP OFF POINTS :	Famy, Laguna
AVERAGE DAYS REQUIRED :	2 Days (including travel time from Manila)
MINIMUM DAYS REQUIRED :	1 Day (including travel time from Manila)
IT CREATED BY :	Long Henson, Metropolitan Mountaineering Soc.
DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS:	Five Waterfalls

INFORMATION

Mt. Romelo, a part of the legendary Sierra Madre Mountain Range located in Famy, Laguna, is well known to mountaineers simply as Famy. This is the most accessible trekking destination for Manileños. It boasts of several waterfalls; namely Buruwisan, Batya-Batya, Sampaloc and Lanzones. Buruwisan, the largest fall is an ideal place for rappelling. So if you have the guts, include this in your itinerary and bring a harness, ropes and rappelling devices with you.

This is the most ideal venue to develop your rappelling skills since there is water below that will break your fall. It also gives you the feeling of rushing down with the flow of the water. The catch basin is also ideal for swimming. Above the Buruwisan Falls is the usual campsite. From here, you can trek upstream to Batya-Batya and Sampaloc Falls or downstream to Lanzones and another falls.

The trek towards Batya-Batya is more challenging since you will pass through deep portions of the river wherein your skills in swimming will be challenged. After enjoying the different levels of pools that comprises the Batya-Batya waterfalls, a climb up the falls itself plus a 30 minute hike along the river, will lead you to the less visited Sampaloc Falls. There you will prove that the difficulty of reaching the place enhances the magical feeling of exploration. There is another trail that splits from the second hill on your way to the campsite that goes to Sampaloc Falls directly. Downstream from the base-camp to your right, a small waterfalls, the Lanzones Falls will welcome you. It is often called the "personalized falls" since it can only accommodate a small number of people. From the base-camp towards your left is another seldom visited fifth falls.

WHEN AND HOW TO GO

Summer is the time to be in Famy. The rains will make you kiss the mud because the trail is definitely slippery when wet. Though you can make the trip in one day, two days is advisable for you to have more time exploring the place. Although the suggested itinerary points out to start the trip on a Friday evening and proceed on a night trek. Night trekking is more comfortable and is also another experience you can safely do in this mountain. This gives you two whole days to explore the river system. Going to Famy is very easy. A regular jeepney trip is available near 7-Eleven at Crossing- EDSA Central. From there you take the trip straight to Siniloan, Laguna, passing by the scenic, winding highways of Rizal and Laguna. At Siniloan, another ride will take you to the jump off point along the Famy to Infanta Highway. Tricycle drivers usually approach you at the Siniloan public market if they noticed that you will be hiking to Romelo. The trip can be a lot easier if arrangements with the jeepney at EDSA Central were made to take you straight to the jump-off point.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Since a portion of the way to Famy passes by the same route as going to Sembrano, the same interesting points can be experienced within the Rizal towns. After passing by Tanay, Rizal, a scenic winding highway will greet you since you will be climbing and descending the mountains that separates Rizal and Laguna. From Laguna, historic churches are also interesting particularly the one in Mabitac, Laguna with its ‘one hundred and one steps’. You can go back to Manila via Sta. Cruz passing by exquisite towns of Pakil, Pangil, Magdalena and Sta. Cruz. Siniloan is also the transit point to Buntot-Palos Falls or Hidden Falls. Famy is the other gateway to Infanta, Quezon passing by Real. It also an exciting experience to bike your way to these places coming from Rizal province.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

DAY 1

19:00 - Crossing EDSA Central
19:30 - ETD for Famy, Laguna
22:00 - ETA Famy, Laguna, Catch ride to Jump Off Point
22:30 - ETA Jump-Off Point, Register at Aling Esther’s House
22:45 - Start Trek
24:45 - ETA Campsite, Set Camp, Light’s Out

DAY 2

06:30 - Wake-Up Call, Breakfast
07:00 - Explore Buruwisan, Lanzones Falls
12:00 - Lunch Break
13:00 - Explore Batya-Batya and Sampaloc
18:00 - Prepare Dinner
19:00 - Dinner
22:00 - Light’s Out

DAY 3

07:00 - Wake Up Call, Breakfast
09:00 - Rappelling
12:00 - Lunch, Break Camp
13:00 - Start Trek Back to Trailhead
14:30 - ETA Trailhead, Snacks, Bath
15:00 - ETD for Manila
18:00 - ETA Manila

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN CLIMBING

There is a courtesy registration at the store near the trailhead owned by Aling Esther. She has been serving mountaineers for a long time and her house has been open to mountaineers. One of the walls of her house bears the signature of previous visitors to the site. She also has a dog named "Rambo" that usually accompanies trekkers to the campsite. If you’re lucky, he may lead your group to the campsite. Near the campsite, there is a store run by a long time caretaker of the place whom mountaineers simply calls "Manong". He has a store where you can buy food and drinks so you don’t need to worry about supplies that much. Lot’s of trekkers and even excursionist frequent Famy, Laguna so don’t be surprised that there are days that the place is more of a circus than a respite from the hustle and bustle of the urban centers. Generally, Famy is definitely a "fun-climb".

Waiver and Disclaimer: This website is intended for information only. Although the author has tried to make the information as accurate as possible, any type of travel involves risks and the physical condition of places mentioned here may change over time, thereby, I accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person who uses this information. Users should consult other resources and agencies to obtain more updated information. THIS INFORMATION IS GIVEN "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. BY USING THIS INFORMATION YOU RELEASE THE AUTHOR AND ANYONE ELSE WHO MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED FROM ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER.