What is CEDAR?
CEDAR is an acronym for Center for Ecological Development and Research. It is located along the national highway of barangay Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. It is an eco-park and a reforestation project developed and managed by the government agencies namely – the LGU of Impasug-ong and the DENR.
 |
| It offers numerous outdoor activities such as swimming, river trekking, trail hiking, camping and of course, waterfalls hopping and waterfalls jumping. |
 |
The
entrance fee is only 10 pesos; you’ll pay this upon arriving and registering at
the main entrance and no other fees necessary.
|
My Travel Diary
I’m an adventure junkie but seriously I have never seen
this trip coming. It was on the 3rd day of November 2015 when my
Bukidnon-based friend, Jorge Lagumbay Jr., who at the same time brought me to
Lake Apo last summer, told me that he will be going on a new adventure at CEDAR
on the weekend with his high school batch mates and upon hearing it I was like,
“Holy Grail! I’m clueless about CEDAR but I want to go there so bad!” So, there
I voluntarily invited myself (ha-ha! Sorry Jorge) and went to Malaybalay City over
the weekend and the rest was truly epic!
At the entrance of CEDAR, tall and slender Mahogany
trees welcomed us beautifully as they lined up on both sides of a placidly
unpaved road – absent-mindedly making us feel like we’re entering the Garden of
Eden.
 |
At
the main entrance
Upon arriving and making sure that the vehicles were
parked well, we immediately registered and paid 10 pesos for the entrance fee
of the entire eco-park and a reforestation project area. Then prayed and asked
for guidance before leaving the main entrance.
After walking about 5-minutes, we first reached a
man-made spring swimming pool, 6ft deep and based on my observation it wasn’t
regularly maintained but still with crystal clear water though.
 |
 |
Next,
we crossed a bamboo bridge and continued our trek until we reach the top of Natigbasan
Falls but we did not stop there because according to our tour guide, we need to
visit Gantungan Falls first and then pass by at the bottom of Natigbasan Falls,
so we followed them.
|
 |
| Going to Gantungan Falls really need an extra care considering the fact that we need to pass on green vegetation and a path so narrow, slippery and steep. |
 |
| And finally, we reached our first destination – the Gantungan Falls! |
 |
It
also requires swimming and entering into a cavern which actually fired us up to
move closer to the falls and took a lot of photos! :’)
|
 |
Then
continued our river trekking until we reached Natigbasan Falls, the second main
waterfall which is relatively close to the first one!
|
 |
Unfortunately,
we were not able to get close at the base of the waterfall because the stones
are so slippery and pointed that we can’t simply take the risk.
|
 |
Instead,
we happily stared at the view and took photos of it!
|
 |
After
Natigbasan Falls, we thought we will directly go to Dila Falls, the third and
last main waterfall of CEDAR but it didn’t happened. Our tour guide brought us
to a cliff, more like a-not-so-tall waterfall which unexpectedly where I
enjoyed the most and spent the longest time. I enjoyed it the most simply
because it was my first time doing a cliff diving or a waterfall jumping and
played enough with the waterfall.
|
 |
CEDAR:
Hiking, waterfalls hopping, swimming, river trekking, cliff diving/waterfalls
jumping and almost getting lost by the way!
Haha #thexuixuiWay
|
 |
CEDAR, Center
for Ecological Development and Recreation,Impaltuao, Impasugong, Bukidnon is
also a perfect place for neophytes in waterfall jumping! #thexuixuiWay
|
 |
The
one that’s always left behind to take random photos, #thexuixuiWay :P
|
 |
I enjoyed it
the most simply because it was my first time doing a cliff diving or a
waterfall jumping and played enough with the waterfall.
 |
 |
On
the other hand, Dila
Falls, the third and last waterfall was quite afar from the first
two falls we have visited that it took us not less than 20minutes trek to reach
the top of it.
|
 |
This is at
the top of Dila Falls!
|
 |
Then,
we took photos and went back to the man-made swimming pool where we ate our
lunch. By the way, I also learned that the three waterfalls are not in series,
they came from different river sources –how surprising!
|
How to get there
Via
Cagayan De OroCity
1. Private Car
§ Bound directly to Barangay Impalutao, Impasug-ong
Bukidnon… the same road as going to Malaybalay City but nearer
§ Upon arriving at the said Barangay, just ask the local
for the directions to CEDAR. It is not actually a big problem since it is just
along the national highway which is very easy to locate.
§ This will take you almost 2 hours.
2. Public Bus
§ Take a bus from Agora, Bus Terminal bound to Valencia
City
§ Just tell the conductor or driver to drop you by at
CEDAR
§ Travel time is about 2 to 2.5 hours and the fair for
air-conditioned buses is 135 pesos (regular) and 115 pesos (students)
Via
Malaybalay City
1. Private Car
§ Bound directly to Barangay Impalutao, Impasug-ong
Bukidnon… the same road as going to Cagayan De Oro City
§ Upon arriving at the said Barangay, just ask the local
for the directions to CEDAR. It is just along the national highway which is
very easy to locate.
§ This will take you 20-25 minutes.
2. Public Bus
§ Take a bus from Malaybalay City, Bus Terminal bound to
CDO
§ Just tell the conductor or driver to drop you by at
CEDAR
§ Travel time is about 25-30 minutes and the fair for
air-conditioned buses is around 25 pesos.
Looking for a tour
guide?
Just contact me, I’ll recommend you to the best I’ve
ever known or simply call the number 0926-820-2868!
Side Trip – Nasuli Freshwater Spring Lagoon: A Quick Look
This spring is about 30-45minutes ride away from
CEDAR. It is approximately 15 ft deep with icy cold water even during noon
time. This is absolutely an off-the-track destination, 20 pesos is the entrance
fee and for me, the place has really a potential to be a first class
destination of Bukidnon if it will be renovated and beautified.
What can I say about CEDAR?
To be honest, the three waterfalls of CEDAR are not
jaw-droppers and majestic as compared to the other waterfalls I have visited
but my entire experienced was incomparable – with two main reasons why…
First, it’s because I saw how CEDAR has successfully
preserved the astonishing natural wonders of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon! I truly felt
like I was in a forest way back 1800’s.
Second is that, I think CEDAR is also a perfect place
for neophytes in river trekking and waterfall jumping/cliff diving which I enjoyed
the most and if I will be given another chance, I’d love to go back there again!
Been there already? How was your experience? Let me know in the
comment section or message me on Facebook www.facebook.com/marklowillalmedaa