HomeAsiaPhilippinesMindanaoCompostela ValleyAwao Falls, curtain-like cascade in Monkayo, Compostela Valley 281 shares By Marcos Detourist on November 4, 2012Water is life and often revered for its healing properties. Modern science explains this phenomenon under the principles of hydrotherapy but there’s often more to it than what can be explained especially when it abounds in nature.My journey in the eastern part of Mindanao took me to Monkayo, Compostela Valley. It’s a town located in a province that’s largely undiscovered by mainstream tourism.One long search in the far reaches of Google led me to a handful of photo sharing sites and blogs featuring “Awao Falls”. Suffice to say, it’s not popular among tourists despite is undoubtedly effortless photogenic ability. Its low profile made me even more inspired to go there.I thought I would just be crossing another item on my bucket list of excellent “off beat” places to visit in Mindanao. I also re-discovered there’s more to waterfalls than a beautiful backdrop for an epic photo to share in facebook.My visit turned out to be one of my most memorable experiences during my travels this year. The perfect outdoor shower: Awao Falls of Monkayo, Compostela Valley.Frustrated solo travelerBefore my trip to Awao Falls, I spent two nights in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur in a failed attempt to visit the remote waterways of Agusan Marsh. Found out that the only way to access Agusan Marsh for visitors is through a packaged tour offered by the local government. I was dismayed by the rates they showed me, which totaled over P5,000 for an overnight visit. It was way too expensive for my solo-traveler budget.I was frustrated because I really wanted to visit Agusan Marsh. The timing would’ve been perfect because it was rainy season with no potentially disastrous monsoons in sight.I was in Surigao del Norte, a week prior, and discovered a way to visit the gorgeous lagoons past Sohoton Cave on a shoe-string budget (skipping the P1,500++ boat transfer). It involved hiking for an hour through the forest / limestone cliff laden area of Bucas Grande Island and taking a 10-minute paddleboat ride to the entrance. Asking locals about this route got me acquainted with the Cebuano/Sinibuano/Surigaonon word “baktas,” which literally means “hike.”I asked the LGU and locals I met in Bunawan if it was possible to “baktas” my way to Agusan Marsh (Lake Mihaba specifically). They discouraged me because it would be too difficult for a non-local to explore the area, especially if unannounced. Although I had a fiery desire to go despite the warning, I had to put out the flames because I had a stronger gut feeling not to persist. I could always come back.I soon left Bunawan and diverted my efforts into visiting someplace else more accessible.The Jouney to Awao FallsThe van ride from Bunawan to Monkayo took around an hour (P50 fare). The town is located mid-way along the Davao-Butuan highway so it should be easily accessible from both cities by bus (2 to 3 hours approximately). I went to the municipal tourism office of Monkayo for assistance. They were very helpful and friendly. One of the staff escorted me to the habal-habal (single motorcycle) terminal where I can get a ride to Awao Falls. The terminal, more like a covered shed, was less than 5 minutes’ walk from the municipal hall.The drivers offered a rate of P200 for a one-way ride to Awao falls. Not too pricey considering its a bit over 40 kilometers (1-hour ride) away.Not only was it my first time to visit ComVal (Compostela Valley Province), it was also my first time to ride a “skylab,” a very exciting variant of the habal-habal found mostly in Mindanao.A skylab features long planks, bamboo poles in my case, attached parallel to both sides of the motorcycle (sometimes, it’s one long plank placed perpendicularly). This enables a motorcycle, originally intended for two people max, to carry a life-threatening number of passengers + sacks of rice or corn + livestock + anything imaginably possible. Philippine Skylab in its natural habitat. The 1-hour ride to Awao Falls had refreshing views of thick forest.My skylab driver first took me to the Awao Barangay Hall to register / inform tanod officials there was an outsider visiting the falls. I had to wait 20 minutes outside the building because there was no one there. It was definitely an offbeat travel destination. The driver also needed to ask for directions because it had been ages since he last visited the Awao falls.From the Brgy. Hall, we followed a dirt road, crossed a wide shallow stream, and went uphill for 15 minutes before dropping off at a point with a view of a small gorge.My guide didn’t know the right path. We had to make our own way down farm patches and slippery rocky slopes.When we reached the stream at the bottom, it was only a matter of intently listening to the faint sound of the waterfall to tell us which direction to go. Our drop off point at the dirt road going to Awao Falls First view of Awao FallsEasier trailOn our way back from the falls, we discovered a much easier trail, which had improvised railings made from tree trunks. It was only a few hundred meters further from where we dropped off… If only we knew :) Better trail to Awao Falls First view of Awao Falls if we followed the better trailFinally at Awao FallsI was amazed at the full view of the Awao Falls.No, it wasn’t hundreds of meters tall nor was it spewing insane amounts of water per second. The Awao Falls had an elegance to it that I had not encountered yet. It had enough scale for a “wow moment,” and more remarkably, the water didn’t fall in one single drop. It descended gently over a mildly vegetated sloped wall seemingly forming a beautiful fan-shaped curtain of water. Front view of curtain-like Awao Falls Awao Falls surrounded by lush forest A closer view is the best View under the big fallen tree trunkBest outdoor showerI thought I would just visit this waterfall and take a couple of pictures, maybe even have an emo moment while appreciating the serene view, then move on to my next destination before it got dark.The water was too inviting, I couldn’t resist taking a long shower. Even my skylab driver took one too. Serenity at Awao FallsAll my frustrations washed away quickly. I still had a week before my trip ended and I was revitalized to continue seeing more of Mindanao’s awesomeness. Awao Waterfall of Monkayo, Compostela ValleyThe largest waterfalls may be breathtaking to look at but they’re too dangerous get close to.The best ones are those where you can fully appreciate the therapeutic value of these special natural formations. That’s why, as of the moment, Awao Falls is my all-time favorite.VideoDon’t leave yet. There’s more!East Mindanao Itinerary - Siargao, Bucas Grande, Sohoton,…19 Days Northeast Mindanao Itinerary — Surigao, Agusan,…My Travel Bucketlist in the Philippines for 2014 and beyondSagada, Mountain Province 5-Day DIY Solo ItineraryInto the Light: year-end travel photo series 201210 Days in Southern Mindanao - Davao, Lake Sebu, Gen San,…Comments Madz saysNovember 5, 2012 at 9:52 pmThese falls are enchanting! It was indeed worth discovering from whichever trail and I bet I’d be awestruck too when I see them in person. Marcos saysNovember 11, 2012 at 6:59 pmHehe. Truly was enchanting. Thanks for dropping by Madz ^_^ Kara / Travel Up saysNovember 8, 2012 at 8:28 pmWow. This waterfall looks amazing! Wonderful photos as always! Marcos saysNovember 11, 2012 at 7:00 pmThanks Kara! Synz | From Sea to Summit saysNovember 19, 2012 at 8:45 pmNice shots! Added to my must-visit place. :) Marcos saysDecember 4, 2012 at 6:18 pmThanks Synz Sucy saysDecember 2, 2012 at 4:35 pmBeautiful, my heart skipped a beat looking at those photos!! And another one to add on my list, thank you for this! Marcos saysDecember 4, 2012 at 6:41 pmYoure welcome Sucy :) Kathleen | dasocialclimber saysJanuary 1, 2013 at 12:02 pmka nindot ah! Marcos saysJanuary 1, 2013 at 10:21 pmThanks Kathleen. Love your blog name :D iris saysJanuary 30, 2013 at 3:19 pmthis is such an amazing falls ! how was the road condition after the typhoon pablo ? i want to see this wonderful awao falls this 2nd week of feb 2013, are the road passable and how’s the weather now, i’ve seen on tv about the flooded area in davao, pls send me some info… tnx! Marcos saysFebruary 2, 2013 at 9:19 pmI don’t know iris since I’m not from the area. You can try calling the municipal offices in Monkayo. Janetot saysJune 3, 2013 at 11:00 amNice phtos,, :-) Janetot saysJune 3, 2013 at 11:03 ampwede mg tanong pano mo ginawa para mas maging mganda ang effect ng picture,, gusto ko lang mkakuha ng idea.. hehe,, kc galing kmi dito sa awao falls compare ko pix mo mas mganda ang effects ng image mo, pls give me some tips please. thanks Marcos saysJune 13, 2013 at 7:48 pmYes Janetot, the technique is called “Long Exposure” Photography.” If you can change manual settings in your camera, you can play around with the “Shutter Speed” to get the silky effect in waterfall photos. Arnel saysNovember 22, 2016 at 11:18 amSana makapunta ako before December. San po ba pwde mag stay overnight sa Monkayo? Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Madz saysNovember 5, 2012 at 9:52 pmThese falls are enchanting! It was indeed worth discovering from whichever trail and I bet I’d be awestruck too when I see them in person.
Kara / Travel Up saysNovember 8, 2012 at 8:28 pmWow. This waterfall looks amazing! Wonderful photos as always!
Synz | From Sea to Summit saysNovember 19, 2012 at 8:45 pmNice shots! Added to my must-visit place. :)
Sucy saysDecember 2, 2012 at 4:35 pmBeautiful, my heart skipped a beat looking at those photos!! And another one to add on my list, thank you for this!
iris saysJanuary 30, 2013 at 3:19 pmthis is such an amazing falls ! how was the road condition after the typhoon pablo ? i want to see this wonderful awao falls this 2nd week of feb 2013, are the road passable and how’s the weather now, i’ve seen on tv about the flooded area in davao, pls send me some info… tnx!
Marcos saysFebruary 2, 2013 at 9:19 pmI don’t know iris since I’m not from the area. You can try calling the municipal offices in Monkayo.
Janetot saysJune 3, 2013 at 11:03 ampwede mg tanong pano mo ginawa para mas maging mganda ang effect ng picture,, gusto ko lang mkakuha ng idea.. hehe,, kc galing kmi dito sa awao falls compare ko pix mo mas mganda ang effects ng image mo, pls give me some tips please. thanks
Marcos saysJune 13, 2013 at 7:48 pmYes Janetot, the technique is called “Long Exposure” Photography.” If you can change manual settings in your camera, you can play around with the “Shutter Speed” to get the silky effect in waterfall photos.
Arnel saysNovember 22, 2016 at 11:18 amSana makapunta ako before December. San po ba pwde mag stay overnight sa Monkayo?