THIS piece of Negros Oriental was never part of our itinerary, but somehow we were led to this captivating town called Valencia.
My brother Rey and I were supposed to cap off our July travel in Apo Island, but the weather was not cooperating so we decided to take a detour. We asked the locals about an alternative destination and most referred us to Valencia.
Good thing, the hotel where we are staying has a partner tricycle driver who offers day tour package to Valencia. We had our tour for P500 each.
Just less an hour from Dumaguete City, we reached Valencia. This town is located in the mountainous part of Negros, offering lush greenery, waterfalls, and springs. Here’s a list of destinations we visited during our day tour in this town:
Small falls
Just few minutes after entering Valencia, this small falls can easily be noticed. Situated along the road, tourists often stop and take photos in this mini natural wonder.
Sulfur vents
It is impossible for one to not notice this sulfur vents located along the main road of Valencia as it appears like a “smokey mountain.” The sulfuric smoke coming from the stone walls smells like rotten eggs but it is bearable. Even with the foul smell, this spot is still worth a stopover as it gives tourists a mesmerizing view.
Pulangbato Falls
The falls may not be most fascinating but what makes Pulangbato falls unique are its red bedrocks and its rock formation that was chiseled by nature.
This approximately 30-feet falls with deep and sloping catch basin has sulfur content, thus the red walls and rocks found within the area. We arrived here on Monday morning and we had the falls all by ourselves. When you visit tourist destinations, try to do it on weekdays as spots will be less crowded.
Red Rock Hot Spring
This is my favorite place among all the stops we had when in Valencia. A dip here is therapeutic and relaxing. I had muscle sores after days of traveling and the hot spring is definitely very helpful. What makes the experience more rewarding is the scenic view of nearby mountains and trees. Lunch and fruits are also available here.
Forest Camp
Before leaving the town, we visited one of the famous tourist spots in this town -- Forest Camp. It is a nature resort that is surrounded with lush greenery and nature-friendly amenities. It has nine pools cold spring swimming pools designed to appear like natural lagoons formed by the river. Apart from swimming, the resort offers a lot of activities. There are accommodations available for those who want to stay overnight. A restaurant is also open for those who want to dine.
Our stay visit here in Valencia is one for the books. Thank you also to our driver -- Kuya Guyz, for making the trip smooth and fun.
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