Batangas - Tapang Taal

Tapa is a term for a cured meat, often prepared in a thin slice and preserved using salt or green lemon (calamansi). And when you say tapa, the first thing to come to Filipinos' mind is beef, as it is almost synonymous for them since the usual meat used in the the country for processing tapa is beef.

That makes a town in Batangas somewhat unique. A town known for the home of heritage site, the town of Taal.

Taal uses pork as meat for their tapa. Yes, you read it right, pork! Even yours truly have expected that their tapa is a beef and foolishly think they have processed them perfectly making them taste like pork meat(LOL).  Marinated in a mixture of garlic, soy sauce, green lemon (calamansi) and spices, Tapang Taal is best cooked via fried or grilled. Best served with fried rice, egg and kapeng barako (traditionally brewed coffee), the Tapang Taal is favorite all time breakfast of the town's visitors.

Each bite of the Tapang Taal truly marks the memory of it's feaster as the meaty taste lasts at the tongue. So? Wanna try? One set of TAPSILOG(Tapa-Sinangag (fried rice)-Itlog(egg)) ala Taal coming up!

Batangas - Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega

Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega
Barrio Kaylaway, Nasugbu, Batangas

One of the most popular churches in the Philippines is this small church over a hill, the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega.  Also known as Church on Hill, the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega serves as common retreat destination of collegiate students studying at a catholic school in the country, and even graduating students of elementary and highschools as it amenities offers not just solemnity but also other activities such as camping, team building and more .

"Closer to Nature, Closer to God", this phrase can be seen written at a wooden signage if you explore more around the chapel of Caleruega. Indeed, their theme is effective, as it is a relaxing approach of getting closer to our one and only God.

Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega is just 30 minutes ride from Tagaytay and it is easy to access as public transportation is available here. Although, getting there could be bumpy as visitors have to pass some roads that is not well develop yet. But, it is all worthy to visit as being there is just like being in a park rather than a church or a chapel. Before you reached the Transfiguration Chapel, you'll have to pass a guarded gate where you have to pay registration fee for an amount of Php 30.00 per person as your truly per last update (late 2012). Then, a fountain in front of a lounge with a higher elevation. There is a way at a side leading to a long walk into the beautiful garden of the Caleruega, which includes the Koi pond, Mini falls, Campsite and Tent Chapel. Inside the lounge is a grand staircase, a souvenir shops and some exits leading to dorms, catering and the Transfiguration Chapel. Beside the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega is a viewdeck where you can see the beautiful of it's neighboring mountain, the Mt. Batulao.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From EDSA MRT-LRT Pasay, take a bus enroute to Nasugbu via Tagaytay and ask them to drop you off at Evercrest Golfcourse or you may take Van going to Tagaytay and ride a jeep bound to Nasugbu once you are at Tagaytay Olivarez. From Evercrest Golfcourse take a Tricycle to Caleruega, you may take the driver's contact number as going back could be quite difficult for commuters as there are no terminals nor public vehicle passing by.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

05:00 ETD for Caleruega
07:00 ETA Tagaytay
07:45 ETA Caleruega, pictures
08:00 Attend Mass
09:00 End of Mass, explore Caleruega's garden
10:30 ETD for Taal
11:00 ETA Boundary
12:00 ETA Taal, Look for Store w/ Tapang Taal and Lomi
13:00 Pictures at Basilica de St. Martin de Tours / Rooftop
15:00 Explore Taal for more heritage site
16:00 Head to Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine
17:00 Head Home

*Itinerary is best during Sundays

Batangas - Basilica de St. Martin de Tours

Basilica de St. Martin de Tours
Taal, Batangas

Basilica de St. Martin de Tours is a Minor Basilica that is standing tall at the heart of Taal, Batangas. A Baroque church that has more than 100 hundred years of age as of to date. Built in 19th century, the Basilica de St. Martin de Tours have passes lots of reconstructions due to the destruction made by catastrophic even such as eruption of Taal Volcano and major earthquake. In 1954, Basilica de St. Martin de Tours gained an honor of being third Minor Basilica in the country. In 1972, the Church was declared National Shrine under the Presidential decree no. 375.

Basilica de St. Martin de Tours also known as Taal Basilica is the Largest Catholic Church in the Philippines. Standing atop tall a small hill, Basilica de St. Martin de Tours have a size of 96 meter or 315 feet long and 45 meters or 148 feet wide. There are blogs saying that the Basilica de St. Martin de Tours is the largest in Asia, but yours truly's data were insufficient to support the same, and since the Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple is also claiming the throne,so guess that the description above is safe.

Made from coral stones and adobe, this old Basilica become quite an attraction not just for pilgrims for their Visita Iglesa, but also tourist who are amazed of the beauty of the said. One may climb the rooftop for viewing for a fee as donation to church amounting to Php 50.00 or a li'l amount more than 1 dollar.

 Also, since the Basilica de St. Martin de Tours sits in the heritage town of Taal, visiting nearby structures such as Parish of Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine, Ecuela Pia, San Lorenzo Ruiz steps and more of heritage buildings since the town of Taal is explorable by foot and places are merely walking distances. Also, the town of Taal is known for Balisong and it's delicacies Tapang Taal & Lomi.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

Take bus enroute to Nasugbu at EDSA-MRT LRT Pasay and ask them to drop you off at "Boundary", it's the boundary between Cavite and Batangas. From there, you can see a jeep terminal heading to the Taal town.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

*Itinerary includes visiting Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega and Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine. Thus, pls see Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega for the said.

TRIVIA

Many make mistakes by assuming that the Town of Taal is same with the location of the famous Taal, Volcano which is at Talisay Batangas. Well, let's have a little look at the history.

Taal Town was founded by Agustinian missionaries at the banks of a lake way back 1572 where the municipality of San Nicolas now lies. The very lake is the Taal lake, where the name of the Town came from.

Cavite - Pico de Loro

Pico de Loro
DENR, Magnetic Hill, Ternate, Cavite
664 MASL
Difficulty: Minor 3/9
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours

Another famous mountain that lies within CALABARZON or Philippines' Region IV-A is the Pico de Loro. Famed for it's beauty, Pico de Loro have all the name, leaving nothing to it's ranges, the Palay-Palay Mountain ranges. Pico de Loro got it's name from Spaniards on a galleon passing by the nearby sea and saw the rock formation that looks like a parrot's beak, the mountain's rock tower that lies near it's summit.

Taking Pico de Loro as a destination could be a long trip and even have challenges in public transportation, but a worthy one as it offers a scenic view, viewing it's neighboring beaches, the Caylabne, Puerto Azul, and a Marine Basecamp also known as Bora de Cavite. Also, the tower of Parrot's beak is perfect for challenge seekers as lots of guts is required in conquering its very tower. The jumpoff starts at the DENR, which also serves as the registration proper. Getting there, Pico de Loro's visitors have to pass by a long forested roads which fame for it's mystery, the Magnetic Hill.

There are two trails existing, the Nasugbu and Ternate trail. Although however, mountaineers taking Nasugbu trail have been gradually declining, maybe due to the reports of closure issue that created by commercialism due to the future establishment of a mall on the end of the trail.

Trekking Pico de Loro could be technically easy especially for those who are experienced as the first leg of the trek is more of a rolling trek and even a descend. Continuing, trekkers will end up on a decision whether to go left or right. Left leads to its falls, which could be a disappointment during summer as it dries up and even die. Right leads to the next leg of the trek, which is more of ascends. From here, bamboos will be present along the trails. Pushing forward, trekkers will soon reach the campsite, and soon the summit. From the summit, it will be 5-10 minutes getting to the Parrot's beak's tower. The trail connecting to Nasugbu lies in here, a left trail slightly descending at the base of the tower right after the summit.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

There are buses bound to Ternate at Park & Ride or Lawton which you should take all the way to Ternate or you may take a long route by having van going to SM Dasmarinas, Cavite then jeep to Trece Martires, the jeep to Ternate. From ternate, you may rent tricycle or jeep to DENR.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

08:00 Board Saulog bus bound to Ternate
11:00 ETA Ternate, head to DENR
12:00 ETA at DENR, Lunch
13:00 Start Trek
16:00 ETA Falls, explore and pictures
16:30 head to campsite
17:30 ETA Campsite, set camp, explore summit & pictures
18:00 head back to campsite, prepare dinner
19:00 Dinner socials
 
Day 2

06:00 Wake up call
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Scale the tower
09:00 Breakcamp
09:30 Start Descend
13:00 ETA Jumpoff, Late Lunch
14:00 Head home

Photo thanks to Marvin Magpantay

Laguna - Buntot Palos Falls

Buntot Palos Falls
Balian, Pangil, Laguna
Difficulty: Minor 2/9
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 2-3 hours

Laguna is home of lots of natural formations especially bodies of water. It starts with the Laguna de Bay that extends to its neighboring province and even to some parts of greater Manila area, up to the famous falls of Pagsanjan, the Imelda Falls, and even up to unsung falls that lies within the southern part of the province. Buntot Palos Falls is one of them, an awesome reward after 2-3 hours of trek from the Brgy. hall of Brgy. Balian. Trekking to its Buntot Palos Falls' campsite is technically as you will basically trek at a rolling trail, basically flat. However, since horses and carabaoes passes through same trail as human, trail could be very muddy during rainy season that they have to battle lots of mud, literally lots!

Buntot Palos Falls is also known as hidden falls, and even in generic name for the locals the resides nearby, the "Talon". But for the mountaineers, they prefer it's original name which translates as Eel's tail.

Buntot Palos Falls offfers more of scenic view as the water of it's main falls, drop straight from high atop for around 80 meter. It has a large catch basin that swimmers would love to take plunge.

Last time yours truly visited Buntot Palos Falls, we have explored its upper river witnessing the beauty of a Jade Vine and discovering two mini falls that is possible to see during summer where the deepness of the river declines. There have been reports that there are other falls that are seen by some. However, this testimony have not been verified yet, and yours truly tried to explore them by following their direction, but failed since the path is very risky as the trail is so thin and very slippery. Although however, yours truly have discovered one, but it is not accessible as it drops very deep and the river lies deeply under a trail near the main falls.



TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

There are two options going to this destination. Since Buntot Palos Falls lies at the southern part of Laguna, one can opt to go via Rizal and Siniloan or take the route that passes through  SLEX and Alabang. If you want to take Rizal's route, you can ride jeeps bound to Tanay at Crossing Corner EDSA Shaw, and ride jeeps bound to Siniloan at Tanay, then finally at Siniloan Public Market, take a jeep enroute to Sta. Cruz, Laguna and ask them to drop you off Balian Brgy. hall.

Taking the SLEX route, take bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna at Buendia(Greenstar) or Cubao(HM), then take a jeep bound to Siniloan at Sta. Cruz, Laguna and ask them to drop you off at Balian Brgy. hall.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

09:45 ETA Brgy hall Brgy Balian, secure guide, start trek
12:00 ETA Campsite, Lunch
12:30 Explore the falls, swim and picture
17:00 Start Descend
18:30 ETA Jumpoff

*Note that the itinerary starts with ETA at jumpoff as there are two options of  taking this destination. You can adjust same depending on your chosen route. Also, it is a dayhike for the sake of trekkers' security (see special concerns).

SPECIAL CONCERNS

There have been reports of cases of hold-ups thus, suggest you to follow the recommendation of local government, which is to secure a guide.

Rizal - Mt. Balagbag

Mt. Balagbag
Licao-Licao, Rodriguez, Rizal
777 MASL
Difficulty: Minor, 3/9
Trail Class: 1-2
Trekking Time: 2-3 hours

One of the closest mountain destination at the heart of Manila is mountain that lies between the boundaries of Rizal and Bulacan, the so called Mt. Balagbag. She lies within the ranges of Sierra Madre at Rodriguez, Rizal.

Abundant with water, Mt. Balagbag's greatest asset is it's long river lines that descends from the top creating lots of falls especially during rainy season. But, Mt. Balagbag's features does not end with falls. It's summit offers a wide angle of views as the view of the other parts of Sierra Madre combined with twisted colors of the sun during sunset and sunrise, plus the view of lights of neighboring city at night that looks burning at your cam. Called helipad, it's summit is an open campsite that helicopters can literally land which, as per some, became landing pad for military personnel that are deployed for it's operation against NPA.

Mt. Balagbag have lots of trail which has different jumpoffs yet ends with the same campsite. It has from Bulacan's side and even in Rizal's side, which yours truly is more familiar of. Trail from Licao-licao is a long trail that passes through residentials of the local, you'll even have to pass through a "talipapa" of mini market.

Residentials will end once you've reach the so called "kubo" or the registration place. Trekkers have to enter a gate as the whole place ( registration-summit) is a private property. Continuing, the trails will enter the grassland along it's nice view. Soon, the summit.

Overall, the trails of Mt. Balagbag is not that complicated. As a matter of fact, it is very wide that even mountain bikers love to visit our Mt. The only challenge you might encounter with this destination is that it's trail is well exposed to the sun during sunny day thus, suggest you visit same during rainy day wherein the falls has a better view.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Cubao, you may ride buses bound to Tungko and ask them to drop you off Jollibee-Tungko. From Jollibee, there is a terminal of jeep bound to Licao-licao just across the street, behind the market.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

05:00 Take bus bound to Tungko
06:00 ETA Jollibee Tungko, head to Licao-licao
06:30 ETA Licao-licao, start trek
09:00 ETA Summit, rest
10:00 Start descent to Kaytiitinga falls
11:00 ETA Kaytitinga falls, cook lunch
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Enjoy the falls
17:00 head back to jumpoff
17:30 ETA jumpoff

SPECIAL CONCERNS

Last thing yours truly heard, the summit has been closed due to NPA and military encounters atop. But last February 2013, a friend of mine managed to dayhike up to the so called helipad, thus confusing with the status of the summit as were not sure yet if camping is the only forbidden or owner has reopened said.

Batangas - Mt. Daguldol

Mt. Daguldol
Brgy. Hugom, San Juan, Batangas
670 MASL
Difficulty: Minor, 3/9
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 5-6 hours

Lying next to the beach of Laiya, San Juan, Batangas is one of the mountaineers' favorite destination for "beacheneering" (term for a climb where beachl bumming consumes more time than climb; see Glossary of terms) is the so called Mt. Daguldol.

Mt. Daguldol's jumpoff lies at Brgy. Hugom where an association of tourist guides were formed, the HEGA or Hugom Environmental Guides Association. It is mandatory that you register here and secure a guide for a whole group before climbing the Mt. Daguldol. There's a pros and cons here, as your truly like the way they maintain the and establish station where climbers can have a rest. However, on the other hand, this can have an impact to the mountain as they encourage more of commercialism of their tourism in the mountain.

Mt. Daguldol's name came from the word "Dagundong" which means like a sound of thunder. Some say it is because during some season, the night at the top of Mt. Daguldol is polluted by the sound of rolling thunders.

Mt. Daguldol is one of the minor mountains in the CALABARZON region yet, it offers of a challenge especially for those beginners in the world of mountaineering as it's trails is well exposed to the sun during sunny day and muddy during rainy season plus the inclination angle of trail which is a continuous ascend.

Taking this very mountain will need 5-6 hours of trekking time before reaching the summit. From HEGA, you have to pass by the beach and some resorts walking at the sands, then a rocky part of the beach, then sands again before reaching a residential. This may already be a challenge especially if you started your trek at the mid of the day. Then moving on, will be what yours truly called "zigzag ascend" as it will be an abrupt ascend in a zigzag, so you better be warmed up before continuing. Next is a long  li'l shaddy trail where station 1 and the junction going down to the Naambon falls lie. Next landmark will be a house with its own satellite. Here you can refill your water at their water source near the small creek. Continuing the trek, you will reach a chapel after 10-15 mins from the house. Then you'll have to descend to reach a trail with lots of rocks and coconut trees. Then atlast, shaddy trails which extends up to the intersection between two neighboring campsites.

The summit of Mt. Daguldol offers a scenic view which shows it's neighbor mountains, Mt. Lobo & Mt. Banoi. It could be cold at night at the top especially during Ber months up to February.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

You may take bus enroute to Lipa and take the trip all the way to Lipa where you can ride a Van going to San Juan. From San Juan, take a jeep bound to Hugom which trips leaves of either full load or  1 hour interval from the last trip that left the terminal.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

06:30 Assembly time
07:00 ETD for Lipa
09:30 ETA Lipa, ride Van to San Juan
10:30 ETA San Juan
11:30 ETA Hugom, register and start trek
12:30 ETA Station 1, take lunch.
13:30 Resume trek
17:30 ETA Summit, pictures, set camp, cook dinner
19:00 Dinner and Socials

 Day 2

06:00 Wake up call
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Breakcamp
08:30 Start Descent
11:30 ETA Beach, secure resort, buy lunch & cook
12:30 Lunch, Beach time!!!!

*Note that itinerary is more focused on the climb, you can schedule a day hike and spend a night at the beach (we have tried same by arranging with the resort where we left majority of our things for faster pace). Or you can extend up to day 3. It's up to you, itinerary is open ended. And don't forget the Lomi and Bulalo.

Batangas - Lomi

Another pride of Batangas comes in a  form of noodle. A thick and creamy noodle called, Lomi. Alongside with Bulalo, its province name is almost synonymous with this very noodles. Although, there have been varities of Lomi within other places of the Philippines, still the original recipe can be found in the said Southern tagalog province at it's eastern parts.

Lomi is best served hot and best eaten before it gets cold thus, could be a challenge to your tongue!

Filipinos love to eat Lomi by spicing up with a mixture of soysauce, calamansi(green lemon), chopped red onions and crushed chili peppers. This is to add taste to this very noodle.

Lomi didn't earned it's fame just because of it's toppings of either hard boiled eggs or chicharon or even both, but because of it's richness in stuff, from it's creamy gravy-like thick sauce, to it's flat thick noodles, and even to it's meaty stuff such as fishballs & kikiams, meatballs, and pork liver. With the blendings of the ingredients' taste plus the creaminess of this noodle soup, the taste could really be very satisfying and worth it to try. So are your ready to challenge your tongue with a hot feast? C'mon! Let's have a bowl of Lomi!!

Batangas - Mt. Marami

Mt. Marami
Brgy. Ramirez, Magallanes, Cavite
405 MASL
Difficulty: Minor 3/9
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 4-6 hours

Mt. Marami is famed from it's confusing trails for the mountaineers, as the finding it's summit might be a big challenge especially if it is your first time to take this destination thus, a guide is advisable. Unless ofcourse, if you are frequent visitor of Mt. Marami. Even yours truly have encountered lost in it's trail in both of his two visits, and even failed to reach summit on the second. We already have created a joke attaching to it's name as "Maraming ligaw".

Aside from it's confusing challenge, there are more hindrances you have to face in this destination, Mt. Marami's trail is well exposed during sunny day that becomes muddy during rainy season and river crossing during days of heavy rain. But although, there is much of a challenge, Mt. Marami, this destination still offers a rewarding view, from it's famed "Silyang bato" to its rock formations that can be seen at its last leg up to it's summit.

Taking Mt. Marami will have to pass by Magallanes Police station for registration then to head to Brgy. Ramirez where the water tank symbolizes as the mark of the jump-off point. The start of the trek of Mt. Marami is smooth and moderate but is well exposed and the challenge mentioned above can start immediately here. Moving forward, you will soon find the Ilog Kayrayag which can be knee-deep during fair weather but can swell up to the point that you have to cross above a mango tree via a bamboo bridge (but I think this bridge durability is questionable as we tried to crossed them, fear have stopped us). Once you have crossed the river, the forks starts to appear, although some are saying that these trails are just interconnected, you will all agree that taking the correct path will conserve time and energy.

There are two known trails at Mt. Marami, the Nuestra Senora dela Paz trail and the Talahiban trail. However, unfortunately, yours truly haven't personally tried the talahiban trail with passes through so called "Saddle Peak".

Taking the Nuestra trail of Mt. Marami, you will have to pass a local residence called Nuestra Senora dela Paz, then you'll have to pass by a  river called Bangkaan River, and even trek along side with it. Then soon, the ascent part. However, with last visit of yours truly, this part are already been fenced and we failed to navigate which part should we take to the summit. Locals told us that there is a better trail which passes through the church near the Nuestra.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

You may take Saulog bus bound to Naic, Cavite at Park & Ride, Lawton, Manila, then take jeeps bound to Magallanes. From there, you can register to the PNP station then take tricycle to the "Tangke"

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

06:00 Take bus bound to Naic
08:00 ETA Naic, take jeep to Magallanes
09:00 ETA Magallanes, register at PNP then head to Tangke
10:00 ETA Jumpoff, start trek
11:00 ETA Ilog Kayrayag, Early Lunch
12:00 Resume trek
15:00 ETA Nuestra Senora dela Paz
17:00 ETA campsite at summit base, explore
17:30 Head back to campsite
18:00 Prepare dinner, set camp
19:00 Dinner & Socials

Day 2

05:30 Wake up call
06:30 Breakfast
07:30 Breakcamp
08:00 Start descend
12:30 ETA Jumpoff, lunch
13:30 Head back home

Batangas - Mt. Maculot

Mt. Maculot
Brgy 7, Cuenca, Batangas (Rockies Trail) & Brgy 5, Cuenca, Batangas (Grotto Trail).
930 MASL
Difficulty: Minor 3/9(Rockies) & 4/9 (Grotto)
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 1-2 hours (Rockies) & 2-3 hours (Grotto)

Mt. Maculot is one of the most popular hiking destination not just because it is accessible to Manila, moderate difficulty, and  a rewarding astonishing view of Taal volcano crater & it's lake, Mt. Makiling, Mt. Maculot's own mountain range, and even Mt. Halcon from it's Rockies.

Mt. Maculot has two known trails, the Rockies which more popular, and it's Grotto trail which is ideal for traverse. As said before, majority of Mt. Maculot visitors opted to take the Rockies due to the reasons stated above. Many of inexperience climbers choose to take Mt. Maculot as their first mountain, not just because of the suggestions of their experienced friends, but also because of rumors made of it's popularity. Although, Rockies trail could be quite a challenge for beginners as the trail could be continuous ascend, for the experienced climbers, the trail is one of the easiest trek they could have as it is well established and just like of a stair case made from natural rocks.

Taking Mt. Maculot's Rockies trail, the visitors should start with the Mountaineer's Store at Brgy. 7,then a little of rolling trek, then the natural stairs. Since this trail is more popular, there are some stands that locals have established, buko juice, halo-halo and alikes.

Arriving at the campsite, the popular "7-11" of the mountain will emerge in front of you. Due to it's popularity, camping at Mt. Maculot's campsite will not get you away from the noise, as the large campsite that can accommodate 20-30 tents might be filled up with campers. Also, the sad part is, Mt. Maculot's popularity itself gives the mountain too much harm and slowly diminish it's beauty.

The Grotto trail as the less popular destination, is denser but more challenging. However, despite of being less known, Mt. Maculot's Grotto trail still suffer the irresponsible mountaineering effects, as I remember my first visit here, the one that serves as our trail signs are the litters of the past climbers. Comparing with the Rockies trail, the Grotto trail has suffered more or maybe because that Rockies trail has more fame, the clean up climb didn't reached this other side. The trails here are quite steep, to the point that there are rope segments. Due to this, others recommend this as the descending part of the traverse one has desire.

Despite of the popularity pollution it has, the Mt. Maculot still boast beauty that is worth visiting for (that's why its popular  ;-p).

Also, there are lots of store where you can buy the Batangas' famous Lomi. A thick creamy noodle soup that your truly suggest you shouldn't miss.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

You may take buses bound to Lemery at either LRT-Buendia (If I remember it right, DLTB bus, JAM & JAC offers this route) or Cubao. Ask them to drop you at Cuenca where you can take a tric that will bring you at either of the jump-offs.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

11:30 Assembly time
12:00 ETD to Cuenca
15:00 ETA Cuenca, take tricycle to Rockies
15:15 ETA Mountaineer's store
15:30 Start Trek
16:30 ETA Campsite, set camp, head to Rockies for pictures
17:30 Back at campsite, prepare dinner
19:00 Dinner, socials

Day 2

06:00 Wake up call, prepare breakfast
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Breakcamp
08:30 Start trek to Summit
09:30 ETA Summit
09:40 Resume trek
10:40 ETA Grotto
12:00 ETA Jumpoff