Merloquet Falls Eco Tour
Most people picture vintas and pink sand when they think of Zamboanga City, not waterfalls. That’s exactly why the Merloquet Falls Tour Zamboanga feels like a discovery. Tucked into the hills of Barangay Sibulao, near the city’s edge with Zamboanga Sibugay, this two-tier cascade drops around 10 meters into a natural pool that’s perfect for a swim after the trek down.
The name Merloquet comes from a local word meaning “from far away,” a nod to how the falls look like a white curtain pinned against the forest wall long before you reach it. This private, guided eco tour takes care of the whole day: hotel pickup, the scenic drive out of the city, a paced trek down and back up, a packed lunch by the water, and a DOT-accredited guide the entire way. For a fuller picture of what else the city offers before or after your falls day, our Things to Do in Zamboanga City guide is a good place to start planning.
QUICK FACTS BOX
| 🕐 Duration | 6 to 8 hours (full day, including travel time) |
| 🌅 Pickup Time | 7:00 am |
| 📍 Location | Barangay Sibulao, Zamboanga City (near the Zamboanga Sibugay border) |
| 🚐 Pickup & Drop-off | Hotel lobby, airport arrival area, or your residence |
| ❄️ Transport | Air-conditioned van |
| 🥾 Activity Level | Moderate. A paved stairway trek down and back up, roughly 30 to 45 minutes each way at an easy pace |
| 🍱 Meals | Packed lunch and light snacks included |
| 👥 Group Type | Private and guided |
| ✅ Guide | DOT-accredited tour guide included |
WHY TRAVELERS LOVE MERLOQUET FALLS TOUR ZAMBOANGA
- It’s the side of Zamboanga most visitors miss. Everyone talks about the beaches and the vintas. Very few know the city also hides one of Mindanao’s prettiest waterfalls.
- The trek is part of the fun. You walk a paved forest trail with views the whole way down, so it feels like an adventure without needing hiking experience.
- A natural spa at the bottom. Sit on the rocks where the falls hit your back and shoulders. Locals call it a free massage, and once you try it, you’ll understand why.
- It’s genuinely peaceful. Because it’s harder to reach than the city’s other attractions, Merloquet Falls stays quiet even on weekends.
- Everything is handled for you. Private van, guide, meals, and entrance fees are all sorted. You just bring your energy and your camera.
YOUR DAY AT Merloquet Falls Tour Zamboanga, STEP BY STEP
1. Early hotel pickup.
Your guide picks you up at 7:00 am from your hotel, the airport arrival area, or your residence, in an air-conditioned van.
2. The drive out of the city.
Settle in for the ride out to Barangay Sibulao. Expect rice paddies, coconut groves, and quiet countryside roads that feel a world away from downtown Zamboanga.
3. Arrival at the trailhead.
Your guide leads the way to the start of the paved stairway down to the falls.
4. The descent.
Walk down the developed, paved trail through cool forest shade. Take it slow, there’s no rush, and the greenery makes for a genuinely nice walk on its own.
5. First sight of the falls.
The trail opens up and Merloquet Falls comes into view all at once, a wide curtain of water dropping into a clear pool below.
6. Swim and relax.
Cool off in the natural pool at the base, or find a flat rock near the cascade and let the water work on your shoulders.
7. Lunch by the water.
Your packed lunch and light snacks are served here, so you can eat with the falls right in front of you.
8. The climb back up.
Head back up the same paved stairway at your own pace. Your guide keeps the group together and can slow things down whenever needed.
9. Return to the city.
Settle back into the van for the ride home, with a drop-off at your hotel to close out the day.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Trek a paved forest stairway to one of Zamboanga City’s best-kept natural secrets
- See the two-tier cascade up close, including the dramatic lower curtain fall
- Swim in the cool, clear natural pool at the base of the falls
- Enjoy a packed lunch and light snacks with the falls as your backdrop
- Travel privately with a DOT-accredited guide who knows the trail well
- Visit a spot recognized as one of the country’s standout natural landmarks, once featured in a Philippine postage stamp series celebrating the nation’s waterfalls
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Here’s everything covered on the Merloquet Falls Tour Zamboanga:
- Personal travel or medical insurance
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Additional food or drinks beyond what’s listed
- Rappelling or other optional add-on activities at the falls, if arranged independently on site
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel, the airport, or your residence
- Air-conditioned van transfers to and from Barangay Sibulao
- Packed lunch and light snacks during the tour
- All applicable entrance and site fees
- Services of a DOT-accredited tour guide
WHAT TO BRING
- Comfortable clothes and closed shoes suited for walking and getting wet
- A change of clothes and swimwear
- A small towel
- Reusable water bottle
- Insect repellent
- A waterproof bag or pouch for your phone or camera
- Cash for tips or any small purchases along the way
PRICING
Merloquet Falls Tour Zamboanga rates are per person, in Philippine peso, and subject to change without prior notice.
| Pax | Rate/pax (₱) | Pax | Rate/pax (₱) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8,756 | 6 | 3,252 |
| 2 | 5,952 | 7 | 3,039 |
| 3 | 4,553 | 8 | 2,878 |
| 4 | 3,852 | 9 | 2,760 |
| 5 | 3,432 | 10 | 2,652 |
GOOD TO KNOW
- Best for: nature lovers, adventure travelers, and anyone who wants to see a side of Zamboanga City beyond the beaches and heritage sites.
- Fitness level: moderate. The trail is paved and developed, but it’s still a real stairway descent and climb. It’s usually fine for reasonably active adults and older kids, but isn’t recommended for anyone with knee or mobility concerns, or for very young children.
- Best time to visit: the dry season generally gives the clearest water and the safest footing on the steps. Check our Best Time to Visit Zamboanga City guide before you pick your dates.
- Weather note: the trail can get slippery after rain, and water volume at the falls changes with the season.
- Combine it: ask about pairing this with our Half Day City Tour earlier or later in your trip, or the Food and Culture Tour, for a fuller Zamboanga itinerary. [Link “Food and Culture Tour” once that page is published, don’t link to a page that doesn’t exist yet]
- Cancellation policy: [insert your finalized policy here once confirmed with iTravel]
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is the trek to Merloquet Falls?
It’s a paved, developed stairway, not a rugged jungle hike, so no hiking experience is needed. That said, it’s still a real descent and climb, roughly 30 to 45 minutes each way at an easy pace, so a reasonable level of fitness helps.
Is swimming included?
Yes. You’ll have time to swim in the natural pool at the base of the falls. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes and closed, sturdy footwear for the walk down and back up. Bring a swimsuit underneath if you plan to swim right away.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A packed lunch and light snacks are included and served near the falls.
How far is Merloquet Falls from the city proper?
It’s about a two-hour drive from downtown Zamboanga City to Barangay Sibulao, which is part of why the full day runs 6 to 8 hours including travel time.
Is Merloquet Falls Tour Zamboanga a private tour?
Yes. It’s private and guided, just your own group and your guide, not combined with other travelers.
Can I go rappelling at the falls?
Some local operators offer rappelling on site as a separate activity. Reach out before booking if that’s something you’d like to explore, since it isn’t a standard part of this package.
Book your tour
- No online payment required. Pay via GCash or bank transfer after reserving.
- DOT-accredited tour partner
