Pagsanjan Falls Adventure from Manila
Luzon, Philippines
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Ride over rapids in a dugout canoe to Pagsanjan Falls, surrounded by the lush landscape of Pagsanjan Gorge National Park, during this adventurous tour. Go off the typical tourist trail as you swim in a hidden cave and enjoy lunch while you’re entertained by live music. Hotel pickup and drop-off make this a seamless trip from Manila.
- Head off the beaten path to explore Manila beyond tourist hotspots
- Enjoy exhilarating canoe rides through the rapids with your local guide
- Don’t worry about packing kit, everything you need is provided for ease
- Round-trip hotel transportation means you can avoid public transportation
What's Included
- Day trip to Pagsanjan Falls
- Boat ride
- Life vest
- Local English-speaking guide
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Insurance
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.8:30 am
What To Expect
Meet your guide during morning pickup from your city hotel in Manila or Makati, and relax during the 2.5-hour drive south to Pagsanjan Gorge National Park, where you'll embark on a scenic boat ride aboard a dugout canoe called a banca.
En route to Pagsanjan, if time allows, your vehicle may stop at a local village where you can taste local delicacies including balut (fertilized duck egg. Then, enjoy a refreshing coconut drink before you slip on your life vest and float through the narrow Pagsanjan gorge lined with lush tropical vegetation.
Two expert boatmen skillfully maneuver your craft upstream to Pagsanjan Falls. You’ll dock at a natural pool below the majestic cascade, and take an optional raft ride to a hidden cave, where you can swim and explore—so prepare to get wet!
After some free time to frolic in the water, return downstream as your river guide steers past huge boulders in churning waters at top speeds during an exhilarating ride known as ‘shooting the rapids.'
Conclude your full-day tour with lunch at the visitor’s center. Listen to a live band play music during your meal. Afterward, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
En route to Pagsanjan, if time allows, your vehicle may stop at a local village where you can taste local delicacies including balut (fertilized duck egg. Then, enjoy a refreshing coconut drink before you slip on your life vest and float through the narrow Pagsanjan gorge lined with lush tropical vegetation.
Two expert boatmen skillfully maneuver your craft upstream to Pagsanjan Falls. You’ll dock at a natural pool below the majestic cascade, and take an optional raft ride to a hidden cave, where you can swim and explore—so prepare to get wet!
After some free time to frolic in the water, return downstream as your river guide steers past huge boulders in churning waters at top speeds during an exhilarating ride known as ‘shooting the rapids.'
Conclude your full-day tour with lunch at the visitor’s center. Listen to a live band play music during your meal. Afterward, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
1
Laguna Province
2
Pagsanjan Falls
3
Metro Manila
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- If your hotel is outside the Manila City or Makati City limits, please make your own way to the New World Renaissance Hotel in Makati at least 15 minutes prior to tour departure
- Comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen are recommended
- It is recommended that you bring a swimsuit and towel
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Robert_S
Great day trip. We had hotel pickup from Manila. Lunch included after trip to the falls. Definitely recommend weekday trip to avoid crowds. We went on Monday. Only one other canoe there.
All guides and boat drivers highly respectable and we had great time.
Reviews
4.2
based on 38 reviews
Holly_R, Dec 2025
This is an incredible experience however it is a long drive from Manila, you need to have cash because everyone is expecting a tip and you don't spend that long at the waterfall. The tour guide was friendly and had lots of facts about manila on the way there. On arrival you can get changed and then get on the boat. Don't let the lady take your picture if you're not going to buy it as a souvenir at the end (400 pesos for two photos). The boatmen are incredible and carry the boat with you in it upstream at some points. It is hard work while you enjoy incredible views of the river. The seating position in the boat is not the most comfortable for 2 hours but it's important for boat balance. At half way the boatmen take a break and you're asked if you want to buy food and drinks for your boatmen (400 pesos for two cokes and some chicken). It's hard to say no when you've just watched them drag you upstream but I'm not convinced they have time to eat it as after pictures they then get you back on the boat. Once you get to the waterfall you have chance for pictures then there is a bamboo raft that takes you behind the waterfall. The raftmen want a tip. Then you get back on the boat and shoot the rapids downstream back. There is not time to relax and just take in the waterfall and we felt a bit rushed. You have to wear a lifejacket and helmet and we didn't get chance to take these off for our photos. Once you're back you tip your boatmen, then you can shower, get changed and then have lunch. The food was OK but we felt the vibe shifted when we didn't buy extra drinks or the souvenir photos. Overall the nature and views are incredible but it's a little ruined by the pressure to tip everyone individually (3 raftmen, 2 boatmen, driver, tour guide, cooks and host).
Joseph_P, Dec 2024
First, the positive. Great view of the river and the waterfall. It took about 30 minutes each way, with a motor boat assist. The staff, especially the driver, did a good job navigating through all the traffic.
Not so positive:
This tour company should start hotel pick up by 6:30 AM. You might think this is early, but it’s not when you have to pick up at 4 different hotels in the city. A later pick up makes for a very long 3 hours in traffic each way.
The boatmen: Yes, they do work hard for tips. Some boatmen are more aggressive than others, ours kept asking for a good tip and telling us unfortunate stories all the way up and back. Finally, I just ignored him and stopped answering his questions. The couple ahead of us gave each boatmen 500 Peso each and they were good with it, however, ours wanted 1000 Pesos each, I said no and walked away. Not all boatmen are that aggressive.
Over all a good tour, nice views of the river and waterfall.
Bruce_B, Jul 2024
The whole canoe experience was memorable. From the beautiful scenery to the ride on the raft at the waterfalls. The trip back with rapids was great too. We had fantastic tour guides for the drive up and back from the location and with their local expertise, we got some great duck at a local store and a Buko pie at the original pie shop for this delicacy.
Maria_S, Apr 2024
What a great adventure! My tour guide, Fernando, was a wealth of information on the road trip to Laguna from Makati! Once I got to Casa del Rio resort, I was outfitted with a life vest and a safety hat. Then I met my heroes, Dennis and Toto, my boatsmen. THAT was the most unique part of this amazing adventure! The boatsmen don't just row the boat UP river, but they literally climb down on the rocks along the rapids and navigate and push/pull the boat UP the river... 16 rapids, some more fierce than others, some where the water level was too low, and the men literally pulled and lifted the boat UP and onto the rolling pins set up at certain low water passages!
I was the only passenger on this canoe, and I can't believe that these men do this every day with up to 3 adult passengers PLUS themselves to go UP the river! We finally made it to the first fall (mid-April, before the rainy season) at the midpoint of the tour and the men took a break. At the stop, there are folks offering you drinks and food, not only for yourself but for your boatsmen too. After seeing how hard Dennis and Toto worked, I felt no hesitation in saying, "Yes!" even tho I was warned by my guide about this venture. Again, the fact that these men were literally carrying me and the boat UP the friggin river, was worth the PH$500 tho I could probably have haggled them down. Aintnobodygotimeforthat!
Off we went, continuing UP the river, more rapids, more pulling/pushing/carrying, and I was in awe of how these men maneuvered us UP the river until we finally got to the big falls. Then it was off the canoe, and a short walk on a man-made rock walkway to the other side for the Fall. There, a flat bamboo raft takes the tourists to the actual Fall, UNDER the Fall to the cave behind it and they drop you off so you can swim and play in the water. It was quite surreal for me to be in there, listening to the cascading water and bobbing up and down in my life vest. Later, they come back to pick you up, and they take you UNDER the rushing water and out again to the landing. Yes, they will ask for a tip as well. Be prepared with cash and smaller bills are best. Then it was back on my canoe with Dennis and Toto and the ride DOWN the river was a lot less harried nor stressful for my boatsmen, tho at a few of the low-water spots, they did have to get out, and push the boat down the rolling pins and back on the river to head back to Casa del Rio. What an amazing ride!
But the tour wasn't over. At Casa del Rio, I was met with a huge plate of food for lunch and a cold San Miguel beer! You'd think I was the one that had done all the hard work! But nope, I enjoyed my rice (#riceislife), noodles, chicken, a delicious mushroom soup, spring rolls! It was good and most filling! Then we headed back to the city; no lie, I took a nap on the ride back! I highly recommend this! And I did it solo and just so happened that I was the only guest on my particular tour, so I had undivided attention!
nelson_o, Aug 2022
This was a great relaxing trip not high energy. Transport was on time and comfortable. The guide was very knowledgeable and great to talk to. The trip is pricey but they made the whole process painless so I think it was good. The lunch was good they offered fish, fried pork, or chicken. You do have to tip the boat people but they deserve it very hard work pushing and padding us up river towards the falls. Overall beautiful views and great experience.
Sergio_V, Aug 2022
Nature surroundings, effort of canoe men applied to the trip on the water.
I didn like the food.
I dudn like the harasement offering pictures.
Tour leader and driver were excellent
Robert_S, Jun 2022
Great day trip. We had hotel pickup from Manila. Lunch included after trip to the falls. Definitely recommend weekday trip to avoid crowds. We went on Monday. Only one other canoe there.
All guides and boat drivers highly respectable and we had great time.
Kas, Oct 2018
Experience was brilliant although be prepared to get majorly wet and ensure you have amply tip money as the locals can be a bity pushy!
gabibutler2018, Jul 2018
Rick and Grayline were excellent! We enjoyed every minute of our trip from Manila to Pagsanjan Falls.
Connie S, Apr 2018
The falls were nice, but the close to 200.00 US is a lot, you're better off taking public transport to get close to the falls and then, purchase a boat ride for 20US.
Kevin_K, Mar 2018
It was so good to get out of Manila and see some green! The Falls are tremendous and the roar as you approach them is amazing. Make sure you wear old clothes and old trainers as you will get very wet! The meal afterward was beautiful too!
Jacob_B, Feb 2018
I would highly recommend taking this tour while visiting this area of the Philippines. The boat ride to Pagsanjan Falls was awesome and the scenery was beautiful. The boatmen do a hell of a job getting you to the falls and back. Kudos to them.
William G, Nov 2017
The tour guide and driver were super. The scenery was amazing and the food was good.
The tour guide had told us what the daily earnings were. We took this to be a hint as to what to tip the boatmen. We attempted to tip the boatmen a full days earnings each. The boatmen became aggressive and were asking for more. Its not a lot being honest and I wasn't concerned from a safety perspective but it just really left a bad taste in my mouth about the whole trip. I gave the feedback privately to Viator but never heard anything back.
Alex b, May 2017
As a single traveller it wasn't clear I'd have to share up close and personal with a stranger - essentially sitting on their lap - this should be made clear as I wasn't comfortable with the trip. Also being stuck in the canoe in the same position for such a long time is quite challenging for older people like the man I was paired with - which wasn't made clear to him upfront. Value for money overall for me was very poor for what was provided - essentially a van ride, basic lunch and a canoe trip which you could see prices advertised locally for a tiny fraction of what was charged. Net the falls are definitely worth seeing but be prepared and I'd suggest arrange yourself
Kevin_E, Jan 2017
Even though it rained this was a very fun trip down the river to see the Pagsanjan Falls. The lunch that was included was very authentic and delicious as well.
Lincoln L, Jan 2017
The entire trip was really good. However, the price is too expensive as the locals says with this price, you can pay for 2. Not forgetting you need to pay for the boat driver tip of about 10USD each.
Jody S, Oct 2016
I went on this tour as a typhoon was moving in, and I would still recommend it. The views as you go up river are stunning, and so much fun to go under the falls.
Cecelia V, Feb 2016
it was different. It was very nice and relaxing and enjoying. Can cross it off the bucket list.
Sylva, Nov 2015
The drive to the falls takes about 2-2.5 hours. The guide will talk the whole way be prepared. The trip up and back on the river takes about 2 hours and is fantastic. You will get wet. Take a towel, change of clothes and shoes. Suggest lunch after the boat trip so have a big breakfast.
kenneth b, Feb 2015
the actual trip to the waterfalls is superb,
the tour operator provided lunch, this they don't need to both with
Julie B, Jan 2015
THAT WAS PERFECT!
I even tried Balut.. and they show you around Laguna
We also got to try Lambanog!
Definetly 5 *****!!!
Don G, Dec 2014
The offered tour here is considered a VIP tour from the tour company in the Philippines. It is a really convenient way to book a tour to Pagsanjan, and the tour would be just for you and your travel companions--essentially a private tour. The included meal is a nice way to end the river ride. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable (he was a retired history and literature professor of the University of the Philippines) about the local towns in Laguna as we made our way to Pagsanjan, and the resort staff where we boarded was very attentive.
For travelers on a budget, and not minding if there are others on the tour, it would be cheaper to contact the tour company directly. For a small group wanting a private tour experience with an included meal, this price here is still a bit pricey, but worth it for the convenience.
Jessica G, Dec 2014
Our guide was very knowledgeable about all the different areas we went to on our way to the falls and the falls were amazing. Definitely recommend making a visit to them if in the area.
Oliver_F, Oct 2014
Long way to go, but a fantastic expierence with a wonderful boatride.
Bing, Aug 2014
Fantastic trip away from the hectic Manila! The falls are very beautiful! Don't miss out the chance to boat in the back of the falls:) On the way to the falls, we also stopped at some local vendors and tried out some local sweets, as well as the notorious balut! ohhh I had such a blast!
Bruce B, Jun 2014
Long drive because of traffic , but beautiful river canoe ride and falls was spectacular
Mary_P, Feb 2014
We were not given enough information prior to our tour regarding the fact we needed to be wearing bathers and thongs as we would be getting wet on the tour. Also the boatmen tried to rip us off by telling us they wanted 1000 pesos each as a tip and another amount for the other guy who towed the canoe on the first stretch of river. We had already paid for the tour and thought this excessive, especially as they expect you to buy them drinks and lunch as well. The actual scenery on the canoe trip was wonderful and the dexterity of the boatmen getting us through the narrow parts of the river and over the rocks was amazing.
yossi_b, Apr 2025
הטיול מאוד יפה, המסלול ממש מרהיב, טבע במיטבו. מאוד מומלץ לקחת טיול יום ממנילה. המדריך והנהג היו מעולים. והשיט למפלים נהדר
Manja V, Dec 2015
Prima vervoer en gids, prachtige natuur en geweldige boottocht. Helaas kwam de toer niet overeen met de omschrijving van de excursie er werd geen kokosplantage bezocht en alle kokosdrankjes hebben we niet gezien. Desondanks toch een heel leuke dag gehad
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