Category Archives: Nature Tripping

What to expect in Mt. Pinatubo

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Devastation can be a blessing in disguise. The most destructive volcanic eruption in the Philippines in 1991 has given birth to an awe-inspiring Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake.

Before going to Mt. Pinatubo…

  • Prepare physically. Exercise (Run, Stretching). Though the trail has been easier, it’s better to be prepared.
  • Check with your tour leader / guide the status of the volcano: PHIVOLCS and PAGASA weather updates.
  • Sun/ Weather PROTECTION: Bring sunblock, shades, cap, or any head gear. It’s also better to bring a raincoat.
  • FOOD: Bring refillable water container, energy bar, banana (for potassium)
  • Clothes: Wear Light clothes, shorts, trekking sandals or rubber shoes (there’s a stream so sometimes it’s better to wear sandals)

On the day of your trek to Mt. Pinatubo…

  • Wake up early. Start early.
  • Prepare for the 4×4 ride. It’s one helluvah ride! And as J said it and I quote, “Your internal organs will be rearranged.” LOL. It will be shaky and rough ride. If you’re prone to dizziness, better take a medicine before the ride.
  • Only bring the necessary things with you: Refillable water container, energy bar, camera, wallet.
  • Get your camera ready. The ride from Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac to the Lahar Passageway is scenic.
  • The trek to Mt. Pinatubo from the drop-off depends on your pace. Estimate is 3 hours back and forth.

What to do in Mt. Pinatubo:

  • Take nothing but pictures.
  • Swim but be careful. The depth is unknown. Have a lifevest nearby or better wear it.
  • Take a row boat ride to the other side of the crater. This is a must. The view there is otherworldly.
  • The boat ride has an additional fee of Php 350. Don’t mind the fee. The fee goes to the Aetas. It’s a way of helping them.

On the way back, don’t be surprised about your look. It’s an evidence that you have conquered Mt. Pinatubo. Here’s a souvenir photo that I got after the successful trek to Mt. Pinatubo. Basang sisiw. Thanks to Nina of JustWandering.org for this photo. hahaha.

You may opt to have a spa or massage at the Pinatubo Spa Town to rejuvenate. Read my story here: Mount Pinatubo’s Miracle on Yahoo! Travel

***This is part of the Lakbay Norte Chronicles.

Want to conquer Pinatubo? You may contact +63 922 897 6828 to arrange your trip.

Explore Sagada

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Bored? Travel. Ordinary? Be extraordinary.

EXPLORE Sagada! 

photo by izah morales

MARK the DATES: (June 1-June 3, 2012) 

Inclusions:

  • 3Days/2 Nights Accommodation at Kanip-aw Lodge
  • FOOD: 7 Meals (1st day: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner / 2nd day: B/L/Buffet Dinner / 3rd day: Breakfast)
  • Transportation: Chartered Aircon Bus 
  • Tour Leader / Photographer/ First-Aider
  • Local guides 
  • Travel Insurance included

What makes us different: 

  • We bring our guests to Sagada via a CHARTERED AIRCONDITIONED BUS. The bus drivers are locals of Bontoc, Mountain Province. They know the roads well. Take note, the roads are narrow and winding. Others go to Sagada via a three-hour dusty jeepney ride from Banaue. We go direct to Sagada. We want to give our guests a HASSLE-FREE Sagada Adventure.
  • MEALS are INCLUDED in the tour. We don’t want our guests waiting for their meals to be served after a tiring activity.
  • Our guests relax at the serene accommodation at Kanip-Aw Lodge (rated as TripAdvisor’s #1 lodging). The Lodge offers a breathtaking view of karst limestone.
  • LOCAL GUIDES are from Sagada Genuine Guides Association.
  • We document the trip and give out softcopies of photos to our guests. We have a Tour Photographer in the trip.
  • We have a tour leader and first-aider in the trip.
  • Travel Insurance is included.
Check out the photos of our satisfied and happy guests: eXplOreSagada Adventure Album

For inquiries, kindly contact DNA Travel Inc. +63 917 793 2859 / +639228976828

Itinerary

Day 0: Bye Manila

Day/ Date TIME ACTIVITIES
Day 0: Bye Manila 7:00 PM Leave Manila. Ride chartered bus-bound for Sagada.

Day 1:  Chasing Waterfalls & Trekking Terraces

Time Activities
7:00 AM Arrival in Sagada / Eat Breakfast
8:00 AM Proceed to Aguid drop-off for trek to Bomod-ok Falls (~1hr trek downhill through green rice terraces)
9:00 AM ETA Bomod-Ok Falls
10:00 AM start trek back to drop-off point
11:00 AMETA at Aguid Drop-off point, proceed to Lunch
1:00-4:00 PMVisit Sagada Weaving, St. Mary's + Cemetery + Echo Valley
4:00-5:00 PMBack to Kanip-aw, prepare for Dinner
6:00 PM Dinner
7:00 PMSocials at Kanip-aw Veranda

Day 2: Caves & Culture

photo by alvis courtesy of terence's cam

TIME ACTIVITIES
5:00 AM Rise & Shine /Wake-up
6:00 AM BREAKFAST
7:00 AM Proceed to Sumaguing Cave
12NN LUNCH
1-5 PM FREE TIME
5:00 PM Visit Ganduyan Museum
6:00 PM BUFFET DINNER AT LOG CABIN
8:00 PM Lights out. RECHARGE. REST.

Day 3: Commune with Nature

photo by izah morales

 

TIME ACTIVITIES
4:00 AM Rise & Shine. Wake-up.
4:30 AM Proceed to Kiltepan Peak
5:30 AM Watch sunrise at the Peak
6:30 AM -7:30 AM BREAKFAST
8:00 AM Leave Sagada
11:00 AM ETA in Banaue. Photo-op at Banaue View Point
1:00 PMLUNCH at Solano (Excluded. Client's account)
6:00 PM DINNER (excluded. to be shouldered by traveler)
11:00 PMETA in Quezon City

JOIN US! Fill-out this form.

  • Who are you going with?

 

*Schedule is subject to change and availability.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

Video blog: Conquering the waves of Calaguas

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Mahabang Buhangin Calaguas Islands by Izah Morales

Only those who dare cross the ocean are rewarded. What could be more rewarding than to experience camping at an unspoiled beach named Mahabang Buhangin (Long Beach)?

Watch this video of how we conquered the waves on our way to Calaguas Islands, Camarines Norte.

***Special Thanks to the Provincial Tourism Office of Camarines Norte for the assistance extended.

Video blog: Time lapse scenes in Batanes

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Batanes is one of the places that you can’t get over with. I still can’t get over it especially when I saw a time lapse video this morning as tweeted by TourismPinas.

When I checked on the name of the videographer, it turned out that I know the person. I asked for his permission to post this video and share it with you.

Full Credits of the video: Bong Bajo

Watch Batanes in Time Lapse:

I also shot a video of Batanes but haven’t had time to edit it yet. haha. backlogs.

Chasing Tamaraw Waterfalls: The waterfalls by the road

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Not all paths are difficult to take. There are paths that are easy. You just have to find them just like the Tamaraw Waterfalls. You don’t need to hike and cross rivers just to see a beautiful waterfalls.

The Tamaraw Waterfalls, situated at Brgy. Villaflor, Puerto Galera, is easily accessible. Imagine, you’re on a roadtrip to Calapan, Mindoro. Suddenly, you see this beauty just beside the road. It’s such a picturesque sight that you would want to stop your vehicle and have your photo taken with the flowing water as the backdrop.

The Tamaraw Waterfalls, which stands at 432 feet above sea level, was named after the small hoofed animal which is endemic to Mindoro. The water flowing off the rocks resembled the v-shaped hooves of the Tamaraw.

Weekenders can take a dip in the pool which is just across the bridge. There are also tables in the area where families or group of friends can enjoy picnics. Entrance fee for adults is Php 20. For the kids, you pay half the price of Php 10.00.

The Tamaraw Falls is named as the cleanest and greenest inland bodies of water in the province of Oriental Mindoro (Source: Puerto Galera Tourism).

HOW TO GET TO TAMARAW WATERFALLS:

  • From Buendia, Taft, Manila, ride a bus bound for Batangas City Pier (Ceres Bus). Fare is Php 166 ($ 3.89).
  • When you get to Batangas City Pier, ride an outrigger boat to Muelle Port, Puerto Galera. (Recommended: Minolo Shipping Lines) Fare is Php 180.00 ($4.21).
  • From Poblacion, you can take either the jeepney going to Calapan or the van. For the van, pay a fare of Php 100 ($ 2.34).

TRAVEL TIPS:

  • Prepare for rough waves when going to Puerto Galera. Summer time (March -May) is the best time to go.
  • Ingest tablet for nausea before the trip.
  • The road to Tamaraw Waterfalls is paved but it is a long and winding road. So in case of motion sickness, bring a plastic bag where you can throw out.
  • There are stores near the falls where you can buy snacks. You can also buy a tablet for nausea. Yes, the vendors know that one can get dizzy with the road.

CONTACTS: 

  • Puerto Galera Tourism Information- +63 (043) 287-3051
  • Oriental Mindoro Tourism Division- +63 (043) 441-0306 /286- 7046
  • Department of Tourism, Region IV- +63 2 524-1528
  • Email: lcjurilla@tourism.gov.ph
  • www.visitmyphilippines.com