Batangas - Manabu Peak

Manabu Peak
Sulok, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Sto. Tomas, Batangas
760 MASL
Difficulty: Minor, 2/9
Trail Class: 1-2
Trekking Time: 1-2 hours

Manabu Peak is a good hiking destination for those who are looking for a relaxed climb, and not to mention for beginners, as trails at Manabu does not give you much of challenges, unless of course during or after a heavy rain/storm due to muddy trails(although mud here won't be as much as the mud at Mt. Romelo or Buntot Palos Falls during rainy season). Also, taking Manabu Peak as destination is one of the usual choice of climbers who have constraints in time as trekking Manabu even at night is possible. And not to mention that in just two hours of trekking, visitors of Manabu can reach the campsite which offer much of a scenery.

Campsite of Manabu is like of a natural garden according to a known blogger, which the Author agree. It is like an open area where trees such as guavas and wild flowering plants exists. Also, one can see the peak at the campsite, as if trimmed, the grass here looks nice and extended to the campsite. A white cross is also erected on the top of the summit.

Manabu or Manabo came from the phrase "Mataas na bundok" as termed by the ancestral of the locals here. It is technically a part of Malarayat or Malasimbo mountain ranges but can be a separate hiking destination, although you may have a traverse option which may pass three major peaks of the mountain range, namely Malarayat Summit, Susong Dalaga and the very own Manabu Peak.

Trekking the trails of Manabu is technically easy as aside from low trail class
ascends here are very light(except of-course to the assault part. The first part is a long rolling then a fork which splits up to two directions. One of the trail headed to the Grotto, and the other to the hut of "Guardian of Mt. Manabu", Mang Pirying who offers you kapeng barako each time you rest at his hut(sadly, he is sick, last time the Auhtor visited Manabu, it is his brother we have found taking care of his hut and forest wide farm :p). Although both trails meet at summit, two trails are totally different path.


TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

Take bus enroute to Lipa, tell the operator to drop you at Fiesta Mall before SM Lipa/Bus terminal and take tricycle to Brgy. Sulok(approx Php 150.00 - 200.00 per trip).

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

12:00 Assembly at Bus Terminal
12:30 ETD for Lipa/Fiesta Mall
14:30 ETA Fiesta Mall/Take Tricycle
15:00 ETA Jumpoff/Register
15:30 Start Trek
17:00 ETA Campsite/Set Camp/Picture a Peak til sunset
18:00 Cook Dinner
19:00 Dinner/Socials

Day 2

06:00 Wake up call/Cook Breakfast
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Breakcamp
08:30 Start Descend
10:00 ETA Jumpoff/take tricycle to bus terminal
10:30 ETA Bus Terminal/Board Bus to Manila
12:30 ETA Manila

*Note that itinerary was made 2 days to enjoy the coolness of the night known in Manabu, and early descend to evade the heat at campsite.