DIY Trip: Xplorerboyz goes to San Pablo and Nagcarlan, Laguna

A One Day Trip of Xplorerboyz
by lakwatserong tatay

It was a typical weekend day, when we visit the towns of San Pablo and Nagcarlan, Laguna. Our plan was to visit all of the 7 lakes and a visit a underground cemetery as a sidetrip, but of course there will some unexpected idea's that will happen in every trip, so we were lucky to include on our trip, a visit the one of the Old Churches of Laguna, St. Bartholomew Church known as Church of Nagcarlang, and swimming session at Bunga Falls. This trip was planned way back 2010 and due to my insistence that we will pursue this trip by the start of the month of 2011. The date is January 15 and our meetup is at LRT-Gil Puyat/Buendia Bus Station and the adventure starts again......

It was supposed to 6am meetup but due to changes, where we both (regie & I...late nagising...hehehehe) and johari accidentally got the wrong bus going to LRT-Gil Puuayt Bus Station, he got a ride from Alabang that bound to Lawton, Manila...hahahaha...meaning naligaw siya....We meetup at KFC Leveriza branch and take our breakfast. We all bound a bus around 745am, JAM Liner going to San Pablo, we have to get off to the San Pablo Chowking branch we will start our dayttrip of 7 Lakes of Laguna. It is around 920am when we finally reach Chowking San Pablo....and then it started......1st stop....Bunot Lake of Brgy. Concepcion.

Bunot Lake

After taking some photo opps around Bunot Lake, were back to highway and boarded a jeep going to Nagcarlan. After almost 30 minutes of jeepney ride, we had already the on our site, one of the historical place under town of Nagcarlan, The Underground Cemetery, we offered some prayers for the souls who is lying on this place and of course we will not miss the opportunity to take some souvenir photos.

Chapel of the Underground Cemetery

After our photo opps at Underground Cemetery, we just walk by the side walk of highway to reach the town proper of Nagcarlan, because we decided to have our lunch on this town. On passing by the highway, we had the chance to take some photo opps Nagcarlan Presidencia (Nagcarlan Municipal Hall), actually fronting this building is a majestic view of a mountain but im not sure if it is Mt. Banahaw or Mt. Cristobal.

Nagcarlan Presidencia

After a short walk, we reach the Pamilihang Bayan ng Nagcarlan, we decided to take our lunch on one of the food stalls located along this market. Just right across this place is where Nagcarlan Cathedral Church is located, one of the oldest existing church in Laguna.

Nagcarlan Central Market

Simbahan ng Nagcarlang also known as St. Bartholomew Church, there is one thing why this church is visited by many of the tourist visited Nagcarlan because of its famous big old bell up the belfry, and also who will ever forget the Local TV series "Kampanerang Kuba", where shooting of the scenes up of its church belfry, and became it to be more popular to be visited in the town of Nagcarlan.

St. Bartholomew Church of Nagcarlan, Laguna

After offering some prayers and take some photo opps around the church. We then back to market area and boarded and chartered tricycle to bring us at Brgy. Bunga, where we will find the Bunga Falls of Nagcarlan. Actually we had the time to swim around this falls but beware the center of this pond is really deep. Johari attempted to reach the base but he said it was too deep....so be careful...

Bunga Falls of Nagcarlan, Laguna

After enjoying our quick swimming sessions at Bunga Falls, we then proceeded on our main goal to visit, swim and take some photo opps of the 7 Lakes of San Pablo, Laguna. Back to highways of Nagcarlan, we boarded a jeepney going back to San Pablo and get off the jeep at Brgy. Sto. Angel. Where the 2nd lake is located. Lake Calibato,you will just have to walk down the hill around 10-15 minutes or it will depends to your group and wheater situation.

Lake Calibato

After walking up and down the hill, you will go back again to highway and board again a jeepney. It is just few meters away infact. The 3rd and 4th lake is located. You will just have to get off at Brgy. San Lorenzo. A few minutes of hiking you will see two of most pristine lakes of San Pablo. This lakes are just divided by a hill where you will have to hike to see the majestic view of Yambo Lake. The 3rd lake is Lake Pandin, one of the lakes that you could go on swimming, having the experience of eating lunch while you cruise along its lake and on a balsa, it just reminds me of Loboc River Lunch of Bohol...and visit also their grotto where there also real fresh water you could drink. But it depends if your stomach is not choosie, when it comes to water....hehehehe...We stayed again on this lake and enjoyed the lake water feeling that is quite hot upside but under you will feel, it is quite cold. After staying on this place for more than an hour. We decided to proceed for the last 3 lakes of San Pablo.

Lake Pandin

Before we did the swim at Lake Pandin, we hike the small hill (called as Mt. Malauban) that divided this 2 lakes just to see this majestic and not quite commercialize lake. The Lake Yambo. The 4th lake of San Pablo's 7 lakes.

Lake Yambo

Back in the highway, with just a shortwalk again. You will just have to ride a tricycle, going to Brgy's of San Buenaventura & Sta. Catalina. Where two of the last 3 lakes will be found. Fifth of the seven lakes we visited is the Lake Palakpakin, found under the Brgy. San Buenaventura. This lake is quite commercialized, where you could see fishponds, and one of the viewpoint is right across a small bridge...hehehehe...

Lake Palakpakin

The sixth of the seven lakes of San Pablo is Lake Mohicap, there is a pathway but not as really recognizable, where you could see the beauty of this lake. This lake is located under the Brgy. of Sta. Catalina. Also on this lake, you will have view of a small hill that im not aware of its name, and this lake is alsocrowded of small fishponds by the locals.

Lake Mohicap

The last of Seven Lakes of San Pablo is located on its city town proper a short walk from San Pablo City Hall and few minutes away the San Pablo Cathedral Church. The busiest place in town also converted to a park, and playground for all the locals and tourist. The Sampaloc Lake, this lake is the most commercialize and largest lake of all the seven lakes of San  Pablo, with a majestic view of mountain ranges of Mt. Cristobal.

Sampaloc Lake

That's the end of our one day trip of San Pablo and Nagcarlan, Laguna. We went home with smiles and tiring body. But seeing and fulfilling our goal for this trip, was enough in exchange of our tiring legs and body..hehehehe...BTW: I will do have separate entries for this lakes, and places that we've been in these towns.

We will also organized our 1st Trip with the Xplorerboyz, that will be happening in Feb. 26, last Saturday of the month. I will do have a separate entry for the details or you email me or just place a comment if you will a question.


Here is just a recap of our day trip expenses:

Here is our Backpack Itinerary that i made for this DIY Trip:

Watch for the separate entries for this DIY Trip. I will proceed for my next stop for this year...hehehehe...