KAPARKAN FALLS OF ABRA

During a long weekend just recently, together with some officemates we decided to explore the province of Abra.  Looking up what sights to see in the province, the first thing that came up was the Kaparkan Falls known for its stunning terrace-like cascades. We managed to book for a 10am trip to the falls via the Abramazing FB page. The 1,600 fee included transportation on a six-by-six army truck, along with entrance and other associated fees.   

We left Manila at midnight and arrived in Bangued by 6:30 in the morning. After contacting Bp. Pol Jaucian, the bishop of Bangued, we enjoyed breakfast at his residence and arranged our accommodations there and at the Pastoral Center.

The journey to Kaparkan Falls began at the Blugas station in Tayum, the next town over from Bangued. For this second batch of adventurers, two trucks were used—the first group had departed at six o’clock in the morning. Our truck, which was open-roofed, was packed to full capacity with around 50 people. Besides the seats on either side, a wooden bench ran down the middle.

The road up the mountain was paved almost all the way, except for the last three kilometers, where it became muddy and deeply rutted by previous trucks. The ride turned rough, swaying from side to side as we navigated the uneven terrain.

After disembarking from the truck, we hiked about a kilometer downhill to reach the falls. The exhaustion from the ride and hike quickly dissipated when we saw the stunning falls. We spent nearly three hours exploring the area, taking photos from various vantage points along the cascading waters. The water, pleasantly cool, made for a refreshing swim.

The return journey to Tayum was another adventure, as it rained throughout the drive, accompanied by lightning and thunder. With no roof on the truck, we were drenched and chilled by the end of the trip. It was an experience we won't soon forget.

 

After disembarking from the truck we still had a kilometer trek down the mountain to the falls.