Philippines Holidays - Trekking and Climbing

Trekking on Mindoro Island

Trekking & Climbing

Organised trekking and climbing tours are a great way to see, and get a flavour of, the real Philippines.

Climbing on Sangat Island

Our trek on the island of Mindoro, is within easy reach of Manila, and requires no flying.

An air-conditioned bus whisks you to the port of Batangas, and a ferry ride then takes you the final stage to the beautiful region of Puerto Galera.

Accommodation here is of the highest quality and comfort.

Maybe you fancy trekking a path up the side of a volcano... Mt. Mayon, in the Bicol region of Luzon, is one of the most beautiful, and symetrical volcanoes in the world.

The neighbouring city of Legaspi is a short flight from Manila, and you'll be accommodated at Sorsogon.

To the north of Manila, one can travel to enjoy the marvel of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces, where there are various pathways that enable intrepid tourists to explore this remarkable region.

Trekking - Mindoro (Puerto Galera)

Location: North coast of Mindoro Island

Difficulty: Moderate (Two hours walking each way).

Characteristics: River crossings • Cool pools • Rapids • Waterfalls

Activities: Hiking/Nature/Swimming/Cultural

Start & Finish: White Beach, Puerto Galera

Duration: 1 Day (0730 - 1700)

Lower rice paddies

Description: The Bugtong River drains the mountains of the interior of Mindoro Island down to the sea. It is only accessible by boat from Puerto Galera to the east, or Abra de Ilog to the west.

The lower reaches of the river are broad and shallow, fringed by extensive rice paddies.

These give way to mature, but still active, coconut palm plantations, before the valley narrows into sections of rapids, deep pools and narrow gorges.

The area is populated by the indigenous Iraya Mangyans who live in small communities in the lower valley, alongside their Tagalog speaking, lowlander neighbours.

Camp Kingfisher: Named after the predominant (and noisiest) local bird in the area, the White Throated Kingfisher, the camp is situated on the bank of the river, alongside a deep, cool, pool. It has basic toilet and changing facilities.

Another river crossing!

Here, while you cool off with a swim, your guides will prepare lunch, which will be taken in the cool of a river-side dining area, in the shade of a shelter made from local bamboo and cogon grass thatch.

After lunch you're free to relax in a hammock in the shade of the trees, or to take part in some of our other activities.

Activities: Apart from the obvious one of falling into the local swimming pool, there are a number of things to do in and around the camp.

Birds & Butterflies: Hornbills, kingfishers and numerous other species (some endemic to the Philippines) can be seen and heard from the camp. The area abounds with beautiful butterflies too. There are reference books at the camp to help you build your list.

Local Skills: Our guides and partners, the Iraya Mangyans, have knowledge of the plants and animals of the forest, together with traditional woodwork. They are happy to spend time with guests to impart some of what they know, and to teach you how to make simple utensils from local bamboo.

Exploring: Upstream of the camp the river narrows into shady, cool gorges with rapids, waterfalls and slides. The water is refreshing and very, very, inviting.

Mid afternoon we will break camp for the leisurely walk back to the beach and the waiting local outrigger boat (bangka). By 5pm you should be back on White Beach thinking about where to go for a sundowner.

Cooling rapids

When & How to Get There: This trip can be made at any time of the year, although heavy rains can swell the river to the point where it is temporarily impassable.

From White Beach it's a 45 minute ride on a bangka down the coast, past unspoilt white beaches and small coastal communities, to the fishing village of Bugtong. Here you will pay a short visit to the Mangyan Coco Products centre.

This is an initiative established to provide livelihood for the local indigenous people by making household and decorative products from coconut shells.

It also has a spectacular view over the rice field of the lower river flood plain. This is where you will also meet your guides and porters for the trip.

From there you drop down to the river, which is broad and shallow, and follow it through the rice paddies and local villages, fording it along the way, until you get to the well-established coconut palm plantation, where the locals use the flesh of the nuts to make copra. Here you'll spend a few minutes chatting with them about the process.

This is also where they make Tuba, the local spirit made from (not surprisingly) coconut. We may well pick up a bottle or two to fortify us on our trip.

After another hour or so, and several more river crossings, you enter the shady cool of the river-side trees and forest for the last part of the hike to Camp Kingfisher.

What to Bring: Transport is supplied from White Beach, along with all food and some other refreshments.

You will need comfortable walking shoes or sports sandals. They will definitely get a soaking so should be comfortable when wet.

Bring swimming gear, a towel and some insect repellant. You may prefer light long trousers and a shirt with long sleeves. Insects are not a big problem, but sandflies can be annoying.

Plenty of drinking water is essential, a minimum of 1.5 litres each for the day. The river is pristine and clean but not drinkable. Water-purification tablets can be used if you don't want to carry so much with you. Rehydration powder is also recommended.

A dry-bag for your cameras, videos and mobile phones is also highly recommended. There is no mobile phone reception at the site.

If you want a cold beer, or other cold drinks, arrangements can be made for it to be kept on ice on the beach for your trip back to White Beach, or you can pay a little more for a porter to help you carry it in to Camp Kingfisher. Porters can also carry backpacks and any heavy items for a small fee.

Trekking Up the Mayon Volcano

Mt Mayon - picture by Greg Bloom

Standing at 2,421 meters (approximately 8077 feet), Mayon Volcano is the most popular tourist attraction in the Bicol region.

Mt Mayon gained popularity world wide for being the most symmetrical volcano in the world.

Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines, having erupted 47 times in the past 400 years!

Mayon's last major eruption was in 1993 and the last recorded major activity was in August 1996. Due to Mayon's volatility, the volcano is continuously monitored by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS).

What to Expect: Guests have the option to spend a day or two trekking up Mt Mayon. For those that opt for the 2 day trip, the evening will be spent camping on the slopes of Mt Mayon (at the designated camping sites).

Experience traversing on different kinds of terrain. The terrain diversity of Mayon Volcano includes forests, grasslands, rocks, sand, and boulders.

For the less experienced mountaineers, a path has been paved out and there are several camps where one can sit and rest before proceeding.

Great Scenery: Being such a high point in the Bicol region, one can enjoy the view of the different towns and the surrounding ocean. As commented by most trekkers, the exhilaration brought by the scenery increases with your distance up the mountain.

Climbing with Ease: For those that believe the trek up will be challenging enough, guests have the option to hire a porter, to carry personal belongings, for the duration of their trek.

We Keep You Safe: Prior to your trip, Donsol Eco Tour checks with the local authorities on the safety of climbing up Mt Mayon.

On your trek up Mt Mayon, Donsol Eco Tour will be providing you with a local guide.

Guests are not advised to climb up to the summit due to the poisonous fumes emitted by the volcano.

What to Bring: To enjoy the trek, it is highly suggested to pack light. The basic must brings are:

Lots of water

Food and snacks

Sun Block Lotion (especially in the summer)

Jacket or Wind Breaker (it can get chilly at higher altitudes)

Mt Mayon is definitely an exciting mountain to climb. For the adventurous and those ready for their next challenge, a trek up Mt Mayon is a must try!

For more details, please contact us.

Trekking on Sangat Island, Palawan

Sangat Island offers a host of activities

Sangat Island remains an exquisite and unspoiled safe haven to the indigenous plant and animal life which has called this island home for hundreds of years.

Such is the reason that nature trekking throughout the many natural wonders of Sangat Island has become a favourite activity for visitors.

Some of the amazing sights to be witnessed include ancient craggy limestone cliffs, densely forested valleys, and thick, tropical jungle areas which nurture countless species of flora and fauna including dozens of tropical bird species, monkeys, monitor lizards and more.

Whether you're interested in just a short, leisurely walk, or a more substantial trek into the island's varied interior – via one of many old Tagbanua trails that snake through a seemingly endless maze of old-growth forestation – trekking Sangat will be a nature lover's experience to remember.

Depending upon your sense of adventure (and your ability to find your way back to your resort!) treks to and from the various Sangat locations may be enjoyed with or without one of the local trekking guides.

Sangat Island also offers a wide variety of rock climbing adventures for those with the proper degree of physical conditioning and expertise.

For those that love watersports, Sangat island has facilities for kayaking, windsurfing, jet-ski, snorkelling, as well as diving amongst the wrecks, for which it is famous.

Please contact us if you'd like further information.

Trekking on Negros Oriental

Lake Balinsasayao Trek - San Jose Sibulan

Trekking along the lush greenery of huge trees, giant ferns and exotic plants. Discover rare orchids and wild monkeys 1,046 meters above sea level in Sibulan. This is Lakes Balinsasayao and Danao, rich with Tilapia and Carp where we one could go fishing and kayaking in the peaceful lake.

Casaroro Falls Trek - Valencia Negros Orieltan

Trek through scenic landscapes for a breathaking encounter with majestic falls.

Trekking in Banaue

One of the most breathtaking trails in the Philippines can be discovered in the interior villages of Banaue, high up in the Ifugao hinterlands. Tucked into these mountains are grand rice terraces, gorgeous waterfalls, lush forests and an ancient culture still steeped in its time-honored ways.

The trek demands effort as the path wanders through valleys and up across high mountain passes, but the rewards are landscapes and memories etched forever in the minds of those who take this little traveled path.

Please contact us if you'd like further information on any of these expeditions.


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