KAPARKAN FALLS VIA 4×4 MONSTER TRUCK: Guide, Itinerary & Everything Else You Need To Know

Ever had a yearly tradition with your friends or family that you religiously participate in? That missing it creates a hole so big your year will never be complete without it. It sounds absurd but somehow, Kaparkan Falls is like those traditions ever since it rose to fame. It’s accessible only for a limited period in a year and once you miss it, you will have to wait a year to have yet another opportunity. What’s even worse is the hefty price involved reason why the more adventurous choose the economical way instead which is trekking. Braving the heat, rain, extreme mud and every obstacle there is just to see this beauty up close. But what if you are not made for trekking and the only way to do it is riding the 4×4 monster truck? With thousands of people vying for the chance to see Kaparkan Falls in its full glory, what exactly should you do for you not to wait another year to see it? Now, this is where this guide comes in handy. That and everything you should expect on your journey to Kaparkan Falls will be discussed in this article so read on.

THE JOURNEY

I visited Kaparkan Falls twice in 2018 and both times I actually enjoyed this gorgeous waterfall. The first time, I braved heavy downpour and extreme mud together with my friends but the view we came to see was nothing close of what are usually in the photos. No terraces of silky cascade flowing into a pool of pristine water. No turquoise lagoon. No beautiful rock formation. Instead, it looked more like a flash flood than a waterfall, murky and filled with debris. Read [KAPARKAN FALLS: DIY Trekking/Hiking Guide, Budget + Itinerary & Everything Else You Need To Know]. Don’t get me wrong. I still enjoyed my first visit. It was a memorable adventure shared with some of the amazing people I know but part of me still longs to witness that side of Kaparkan Falls that got me drooling and planning for a trip in the first place.

Two months after my first visit, I went to see Kaparkan Falls again but this time I was alone. I would have loved to tag my friends along but given the limited slots, that would be too impossible. I reserved a slot for myself a week prior to my visit. I contacted Dyanne of Abra’s Tourism Office on her mobile – 09277725856. She confirmed a slot is still available. Surprisingly, she didn’t ask for a reservation fee which is pretty unusual but that was okay. Thought maybe it wasn’t necessary because it was only for a single slot and the loss should I decide to bail out is insignificant. Fast forward the following week, came my most anticipated adventure.

I took the 8PM Partas Bus bound for Bangued, Abra on a Friday night. At exactly 3AM Saturday, I arrived in Bangued. Thought it was too early so I rode a tricycle to McDonald’s to grab me coffee and breakfast. Got two chicken sandwiches on takeaway for lunch later that day. While seated at a corner of an empty McDonald’s meekly observing the silence of the night, I savour my moment and took some time to appreciate the addicting aroma of my warm coffee. At exactly 5AM, I rode another tric to the DPWH office where my 4×4 monster truck ride awaited. At 6AM, joining the other groups, our roller coaster monster truck ride began.

I sat next to the driver to have an unobstructed view of the road leading to Kaparkan Falls. The sun was already peeping from the horizon and the ranges of mountain entertained us from a distance. The sea of clouds was another magnificent surprise. Abra was so gorgeous that morning. Thought I had never seen such calm and wonderful morning in a long time. The scene I was so blessed to be bestowed with reminded me how great it is to wake up embraced within nature’s comforting arms with the cold breeze caressing my skin. I felt my hair rise and my body shivered but in a good way. It was of gratitude and excitement. Beautiful things have started to unfold and the day have just begun.

After an hour, we finally reached the unpaved roads to Kaparkan Falls. It might have been sunny all week long since the road was dried up with little traces of the last rain from some puddles but other than that it was fine. Our roller coaster ride started with long up and down hills with some flats in between. Then came the Batanes-like views that kept us preoccupied for a while. Verdant hills. Lush greens. The scent of wild flowers filling the air. It was perfect. We covered almost half of the road quickly and in no time, we reached the junction leading to Bai Village. There we alighted the truck. The driver and his crew then quickly tied metal chains on each tire. This is to prepare the truck for steeper, more slippery and precarious roads ahead.

It nearly took 30 minutes before we resumed our 4×4 ride. This time the roads got too unbearably bumpy. The gapes on the roads are wider and deeper. The rocks are bigger while the earth is softer and the puddles were like streams. I figured with the way we swayed that what the 4×4 truck was going through was no joke. The truck would abruptly stop, switch gears then back in action. There’d be times when a tire or two would get stuck deeply in mud. Other times, the truck was awkwardly angled on a side as if it would trip and completely roll down the cliffs. It was nerve-wracking but the driver did a very good job in maneuvering the truck until we reached the drop off area.

We reached the drop off at 10AM. From there, we quickly walked down to Kaparkan Falls. Arriving at the falls, the first thing I noticed was that the upper tiers were already dried up, probably because of no recent rain and the last strong one was over a month ago. I went to see the lower tiers with my guide. There were still spills of water flowing through. The trek going down was a little steep but it was manageable. Everything got interesting when I reached the lowest tier where the falls join a river. The last three tiers were also astonishingly good with their pools filled with emerald green waters. I took some time to snap some photos from the lowest tier slowly making my way up. I was so glad to have been able to witness such a scenery as it was something I didn’t get to see on my first visit.

It was 12NN when I decided to head back to the drop off area. While waiting for the other passengers, I munched on my chicken sandwiches. At 12:30, we headed back to Bangued. Unlike the ride going to the falls where the monster truck took us from the city to the drop off point, this time, we had to transfer to a monster jeep at Bai junction. The roller coaster ride was a whole lot worse with the jeep. Good thing we only needed to cover a little part of that bumpy road with the jeep and past that, the rest was on a smooth concrete road. We finally arrived in Bangued at 4PM. A little tired and beaten but with a smile on my face, I ended the day with a magnificent sunset and a delicious dinner.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• By the end of the day, I think I was more tired when I rode the 4×4 monster truck than when we trekked to Kaparkan Falls. While there was no physical exertion involved with the 4×4 ride, the constant shaking while inside it made me really sore.
• The 4×4 monster truck is not a fail proof option. There may be instance when passengers would be asked to trek as some parts of the road could be too much even for that beast.
• From experience, it is best to make your reservation for the 4×4 monster truck months ahead before June. You can check with Abra’s tourism office if bookings are already accepted as early as January to secure slots as they tend to run out pretty fast.
• The best months to visit Kaparkan Falls would be from July to September. I suggest you avoid the month with the most rain to enjoy your visit even more.
• Other than Kaparkan Falls, there are plenty of other jewels to explore within or near Abra. If your time permits, try to drop by another stunning waterfall, Pinsal Falls in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.
• Reserving an accommodation is another important thing when you plan to visit Kaparkan Falls. For accredited inns and lodges, better check it with the tourism office. If you feel like heading out to explore destinations nearby, you may check some of your options in Agoda.

HOW TO GET THERE

In Cubao, ride a Partas or Dominion Bus going to Bangued Abra (8Hrs ; P730). Ride a tricycle to the DPWH headquarters (5Min ; P20). Ride the 4×4 monster/military truck (5Hrs ; P850 Roundtrip).

Note:

• Fare would vary and would depend on the type of bus you get to ride on.
• If you are in a group of 10-12 then better for you to charter a van. If you are solo, it’s OK. You can either join organized tours or be on your own.

WHERE TO STAY

There is so much to see within Abra and its neighboring provinces. Vigan is just an hour away and should you decide to take a stroll in its cobblestone streets, here are the most recommended accommodations as curated by Agoda.

BUDGET, ITINERARY & OTHER ESSENTIALS

There you have it lovelies! I definitely enjoyed both times that I have visited Kaparkan Falls and I might give it visit again this year. If you have questions, suggestions and/or violent reactions, just leave them on the comments. Until next time. Ciao!