overnight camping

Mt. Olis x Goatcliff Adventure and Camping Overnight DIY Itinerary

Posted on by shellan

There are perfect places to go to during summer in the Philippines, some spend this season on a beach, hikers take a break to prevent exhaustion from extreme heat, but others go to highlands, like Benguet, to spend summer on top of a mountain. We are the others.

Upon spending 2 days and 1 night in Atok, Benguet, I realized that this province is really far different from Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces. Not just the weather, which is by the way around 30° Celsius lower than our hometown, but also with how they treat their fellow human beings. They are so polite and far from being “ganid” and sometimes, this lead to them being exploited by the “ganid” ones especially their farmers.

Prices of vegetables there are so low, like 5 pesos per cabbage is being sold, celery is free, carrots can be as low as 10 pesos per kilo, passion fruit is 10 pesos per piece, and the list goes on. The government should not forget to prioritize and protect our farmers. In fact, there should be a week in a month where they must travel certain part of the country so they’ll know what’s going on and what to respond to, na sariling sweldo nila ang gamit. Hello, ang laki-laki ng sweldo niyo tas uupo lang kayo at ipapagawa sa mga secretaries ang paperworks?

Anyway, since you’re not here for my political views, here are the perfect photos we took at Mt. Olis:

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Meanwhile, here are the photos during our stay in Goatcliff Adventure and Camping:

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Here are our side trips:

1. Half Tunnel

2. Highest Point of Philippine Highway

We didn’t pursue going to Sakura Park and Northern Blossom Farm because our whole being is already satisfied with our Mt. Olis and Goatcliff experience, but you are encouraged to visit them too.

If you’d like to fully visualized our adventures, here is the video documentary of our trip: https://youtu.be/Ev3wUNTvzbU?si=G-nM9mWTdmLJX2Je

And I know you are looking for the itinerary, so here:

Here’s the budget breakdown for our DIY Atok Benguet Overnight:

Additional fees:

Drone – 200 per shot (but Goatcliff’s drone service is much cheaper, it just so happened that the operator was not available on our visit)

Firewoods for campfire – 80 per pack

To summarize what to expect on Mt. Olis and on Goatcliff Adventure and Camping, here:

1. Schedule your visit at Mt. Olis very early (6:00 AM) to witness sea of clouds;

2. Head on right away to Goatcliff or earlier so you can do your adventures in the morning where clearing is a high probability. It is advisable to have an appointment (early booking). Just message Goatcliff Adventure and Camping’s FB Page. They respond to all queries;

3. Weather is unpredictable, but cold weather is 100% sure to experience. Don’t ever forget to bring protection from cold weather. And most especially, pray for a good weather on your stay;

4. Campfire is allowed which is perfect for nightsky watching;

5. The staff and the whole management is very accommodating and approachable, they’re not overpricing their services and renting fees;

6. Use of Toilet / CR is free;

7. Drivers are free of charge both in Mt. Olis and Goatcliff, they offer free coffee for them too;

8. If you can, schedule your travel on weekdays because weekends are very crowded;

9. Meals are available; and

10. Adventure is optional, you can just rent the camp area if all you need is a camp to stay away from city noise;

Meanwhile, here are additional photos that declare the glory of God, I mean, no one can deny God’s existence with these creations (they are more beautiful in the naked eye by the way)

Thank you for clicking the ads, enjoy your tour!

Solitude Campsites in Maragondon, Cavite

Posted on by shellan

One of the things that traveling made me realize was that there are still so many undiscovered places out there that you can go to if you are looking for a solitude moment with nature.

If I were to ask, I would like them to remain undiscovered by the public, so as to maintain its solitude and prevent future damage that people cause. It is a fact that we, human, destroy beautiful things. But since the local look at this opportunity as additional source of income, I am sharing their place but it comes with a plead to follow the simple ‘leave no trash, take nothing but pictures’ policy.

These camping sites are found at Brgy. Pinagsanhan, Maragondon, Cavite. Their location is quite hard to find even if you use google map or waze. There are also no signage available to help you locate them. Actually, we’ve been here a year ago when we attempted to climb Mt. Buntis, we just didn’t know back then that there are campsites as you go deep the forest. We have come to know 3 campsites: (1} Bonifacio Shrine, where few campers stay and perfect for a more solitude moment with the nature but there is no river; (2) Tribu Campsite, where there is available river but the place can easily be crowded, therefore can disturb your goal for a solitude moment; (3) Kuya G Campsite, there is also a river but it is farther than the 2 campsites. Among these, Tribu Campsite was where we stayed at. Actually, we were planning for Kuya G, but we mistaken Tribu Campsite as Kuya G because we didn’t know there is another campsite before Kuya G. 

Anyway, here are the photos taken at Tribu Campsite:

If you prefer to see the motion documentation, here is our vlog about our trip here: Campsites in Maragondon, Cavite

Here is the budget breakdown for this trip:

120 – Entrance fee per head overnight

80 – Entrance fee per head day tour

200 – Cottage

100 – Duyan rental fee

300 – Tent rental fee good for 3-4 pax

Tribu Campsite has very accommodating keepers. They assisted us with all the stuff we need. They also offer cooking services if you’d like to. They own many dogs but all are harmless.

I almost forgot to mention that one of the things that indicates you are almost near the campsite is when you have already crossed 2 rivers. Motorcycles can cross them, unless heavy rain pours down.

Have a very careful trip, God bless!

Mt. Kulis Overnight Escapade With Sea Of Clouds

Posted on by shellan

After not being able to climb a mountain for more than a year already due to the pandemic, finally I and my fiance got the chance to climb a mountain that is just perfect for those who are just regaining stamina for climbing again. Not being active in hiking for more than a year can weaken our stamina for climbing, thus, doing a minor climb just like our Mt. Kulis overnight escapade slowly helps us awaken our active outdoor lifestyle.

If you are following our website, you already know that we haven’t got the chance to see Pililla Windmill due to the restrictions implemented as part of the new normal. And because of that we decided to spend an overnight escapade at Mt. Kulis instead.

We arrived at the registration area of Mt. Kulis, specifically located at Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal (Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite) around 5PM. We had a minor difficulty in locating the area because the locals are still not familiar with the name of the mountain but will definitely know once you mention “bahay ni Cardo” since the location was used as that in ABS-CBN’s teleserye “Ang Probinsyano”. Having said that, yes, the trail to Mt. Kulis is accessible by any vehicle. Here’s the link to see how our motorcycle climbed uphill and down hill: Witness Sea of Clouds at Mt. Kulis But if you’d like to hike it the traditional way (by feet) you may do so.

As of now, they are accepting both pre-scheduled and walk-ins. Overnight camping is now allowed too.

At the registration area, you will be given the choices where to trek. Camp A or B or both. Each Camp is amounting 300 per head and a tour guide (1 is to 5) is a must at certain location that if you want to trek to, you are obliged to have amounting P500. And since Noah’s Arc requires to have a tour guide, we got one. We didn’t include Camp B on our list. So what you’re going to see here are those included in Camp A. All in all we spent 1520 for two, including a P400 rent for a tent (you can bring your own). The expenses is listed below this blog if you’re looking for a break down.

This is the view that awaits you in the morning, yes, finally, a sea of clouds:

Here are the beautiful spots at the top of Mt. Kulis (btw, rice meal and refreshments are available at the top):

A little trek again for less than 20 mins. to reach Nipa Campsite (you can choose to stay for only 1,500 good for 2 pax or a family size for 3,000):

And then the famous heart peak at Sambong Peak:

Another trek for around 30mins. and then the famous Noah’s Arc:

And our last attraction, the spider web:

Again, to fully visualize our adventure here, visit this link: Witness Sea Of Clouds at Mt. Kulis | Travel Philippines

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
Camp A Fee – 300/pax
Tent Rent (good for 2) – 400
Tour guide (1 is to 5) – 500
(Since we are on a motorbike ride, I cannot give you a transpo budget but you can visit our other trip in Tanay which has a budget info: New Things You Need to Know Before Hiking Tungtong Falls and Nagpatong Rock Formation, Treasure Mountain, Calinawan Cave (Tanay Tour Highlights), 3 in 1 Adventure at Mt. Daraitan)

Meanwhile, here are additional photos along thw trail that we found perfectly awesome:

We left the place around 10AM with a fulfilled spirit and a merry heart.

By the way, if you are planning to book a tour, you may contact Ate Leni at 09070646745. She will gladly assist you, also, she took most of our photos posted here.

God bless on your trip.