Last year of May when I organized a climb for the group. In the midst of planning, I was challenged by several concerns -- like safety of the group, kind of weather to expect, what could be the time schedule of the jeepneys/bus, where to buy food, affordable place to stay overnight, etc. I have kept a 'notes' to this for future reference (that will share to you shortly). I must say this is one memorable trip! It is a strenuous.. and long hike all the way to Mt. Daguldol summit but is very rewarding. :) I tell yah!
If you are torn between setting up a tent at the mountain campsites or at the beach-side I recommend you to choose the latter. Mt. Daguldol is a 5-6 hours walk and it would be such a relief to leave and secure all your things down before you start the trek. PLUS you have more time to explore the beautiful Laiya beach. Here's a sample 2D/1N itinerary for your reference:
DAY 1:
0330AM Our Assembly time is at Alps Bus Liner Edsa Terminal.
The terminal is beside the national highway. From EDSA-Cubao it is fronting Nepa Q-Mart. Tip: If you want a faster route to Lipa and Batangas City choose buses with sign ACTEX.
0400 ETD to San Juan, Batangas.
Yes! we took San Juan-bound bus from Edsa. Contact Alps for bus schedule
0700 ETA San Juan Town Proper (town market); Then ride jeep to Brgy. Hugom
From San Juan market, ignore all tricycle offers and go left-heading towards the town proper. Turn right, crossing the road and find the market in the next corner. Find the Hugom jeeps along the street, parallel to the main road/ or just ask the locals. (Don't you worry marami ka naman pedeng pagtanungan :), in our case, si manong na nakasabay namen sa bus even pointed us the way to the jeepney terminal.
0800 ETA Brgy. Hugom. Arrange for guides.
Please note that Hugom is the last stop from San Juan town proper.
Hugom > HEGA Station, this is where you need to register and hire a mandatory guides.
Guide's fee: Php350-700, for day up/ wholeday.
Registration fee: Php35
You can tell to your guide the time you wish to start the trek. Once settle, you will opt to walk along the beach. Yes, you will pass along different resort, take note, you have to walk in the shoreline under the sun’s heat for about thirty minutes as the jump off point is at the other side of the town and about five minutes of walk to reach Sitio Biga before you reach the jump off point in Sitio Catmon.
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| Beach trek |
We don't have a reservation :( sadly, those resort with website our quite expensive, therefore on the same day (plus tiwala lang), we look for an affordable resort where we can pitch our tent. Most of the resorts are full, some are out of our budget until we reach the end of the long shore where we found KIMBERLY RESORT. They allow us to pitch our tent with the use of their table + opened nipa hut, wash room, for only 900 pesos, They do owned a small store and carinderia where you can buy food, snacks, softdrinks, etc. Pede karin magpaluto :) I think it is the nearest resort near the jump off point of Mt. Daguldol. Here's some pics for your reference:
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| The Nipa Hut and table that we rented for an overnight stay, 900 pesos only. |
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| O diba may coffee vendo pa sila ate. sosyal! |
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| bamboo table beside Ate Kim's store |
0900 Start of Beach Trek
Ate Kim allow us to leave our things on one of the room they owned before we start the climb.
On the first phase, there are zigzagging and ascending trail, presence of a village in the middle of the trail. (This is where the guides reside)
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| First phase trail |
Sorry, I forgot the name of our guide. :( Past 12pm when we reach his place. They have cooked food, (adobo and rice) so that's what we have for lunch. They selling halo2x too!
0100 Resume Trek to Summit
After we regain our energy we resume our trek. River, Boulders and steep ascent greeted us after few hours of walk.
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| Boulders |
Campsite 1 (Gulugod-Baboy);
Campsite 2 (Niyugan - lots of cocount trees)/ water source
Campsite 3 (Anahawan). - ideal camp site
Camp 4 - also an ideal camp.
0330 ETA Summit! Enjoy the view.. Pictorials!!!
About one and half hour, we reach the summit! Woo-hoo!
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| Finally! |
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| Chilling at the Mt. Daguldol summit |
0330 Start of descent
Past 3 when we decided to go down. We no longer proceed with our initial plan, (to take Naambon Falls sidetrip) since we feels like hindi na rin kaya ng oras. It's almost 7PM when reached our campsite. We are so dead tired and hungry. We had our dinner at ate Kim's Carinderia, wash up, and took early sleep because were thoroughly worn-out. Beside, were excited to explore the beach in the morning! *Lights off*
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| Tent Set-up |
0500 Wake Up Call/ watch sunrise ^^ (optional)
I dunno but I really had a great sleep in the tent! I felt like I had been in a deep sleep! I just woke up with the sound of crashing waves, and as I open our tent I was greeted by a peaceful morning! All is quiet. I see the sun rise over the sea.
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| sunrise at the beach |
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| Calm and still |
0600 Breakfast
The beach is inviting, so we didn't waste any moment, we had our quick breakfast, and finally dipped our sore feet into those clear waters!
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| so clear! |
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| hmm.. it feels good! |
We enjoy the beach until 10am! The sand is not as fine and white such as those of neighboring resort but it was ok, our resort is at the end of the beach--there were less people and so we felt like we own the place! Good enough.
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| in deep thought? |
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| sitting in a rock |
Since were situated at the end, we have to trek again the beach shore (where in scorchingly hot) to reach hugom. Good thing, meron kami nakasabay na private jeepney from our place whom happened to be the same way as ours. While other passengers are still preparing, we decided to have our early lunch. I remember, we paid only 500 for us six to San Juan town proper where we ride a bus back to Manila. We reached Manila around 4:00. Indeed it was an awesome trip!
