We provide an area which is a sort of “introduction to camping” experience. We want to promote camping in the Philippines, but we recognize that many people here have never done it. We want to provide the “no risk” opportunity for people to try it with their families.

We “ease” people into it. You can bring your family, or friends, and you can enjoy sleeping under the stars in a remote area. You have the choice of trying to cook your own food if you want, and you will not have to deal with the realities of camping where there are no toilets.

We don’t have rooms for rent (although some of our neighbors do)
because we do not want to have campers kids saying “Daddy, lets move to the room with the TV”. If you decide that thats what you want, no problem. move to the hotel about 200 meters down the road. It takes 10 minutes. At least you tried camping.

With its cool climate and clean air, Tagaytay City is the perfect place for leisure activities like picnics, horseback riding, camping and sightseeing. It makes for an affordable weekend getaway for most Filipino families, if they’re astute enough to take advance of the best bargains in Asia.

Mt Madjaas is the highest mountain in the Island of Panay having an elevation of 2090 meters above sea level and has been popularized by the story of the coming of the Bornean Datus’ to the country. Madjaas is easily accessible via Boracay. Allot 2-3 days to explore the place. From Boracay Boat Terminal, proceed to the town of Culasi then take a tricycle to Barangay Flores. The place is not a popular mountaineering destination before since the place was previously a notorious camping ground of insurgents.

Chief among Panay mountains and revered in local culture and tradition, Mt. Madjaas in Culasi, Antique is one of the most challenging climbs in the Visayan islands. Some questions have been raised whether Mt. Madjaas (or Madja-as; Madia-as) is the highest or second highest in Panay, but for now it is recognized as the highest. And regardless of this dispute, Madja-as is certainly the mountain that makes Antique a truly rewarding destination for climbing.

Madjaas means ‘mataas’ in some local dialect, but in English it can suitably described as ‘lofty’ instead of just tall. This loftiness will definitely be felt in the summit which opens up to the view of Western Panay island and the surrounding seas, but it extends to the mossy forests of the mountain, in which several unique flora and found have been identified.

Access is still limited and Madjaas is currently a relative-unexplored peak, but as we get more information we expect that Madjaas’ rightful place will be restored.

Transportation. To access Culasi, take a bus from your arrival point in Panay Island, more frequently Iloilo (4-5 hours ride) or Kalibo (2-3 hours). Then take a tricycle or jeep to the jumpoff at Brgy. Flores.

Mt. Madja-as is accessible from two popular trail-heads - Flores and Alojipan, both are barangays of Culasi, Antique. The original Alojipan Trail which was utilized by the 1977 climbing party follows the ridge adjacent to the right of the Hangod Tubig Trail. The original trail is no longer in use for a ‘bitas’ or ‘break’ caused by landslide in a section of the ridge makes it unpassable.
The Hangod Tubig Trail capitalizes on a creek (’hangod tubig’ means’ big water’) northwest of the Madja-as summit that serves as the last water-source for the assault of the peak. This trail was established late in 1997 by a 21-member party sponsored by the Department of Tourism and the Antique Provincial Government, largely an Antiqueno mountaineering group (Jeffrey is a member of this party) that climbed the summit and traversed to the opposite trail in Flores.
Dimas Maquiling is a common guide in all the mountaineering climbs that start in Alojipan. He knows three of such climbs that utilized the Hangod Tubig Trail (the author could not determine the route taken by a large climbing party participated by some Americans or Caucasians and led by San Jose mountaineers). Of these three climbing parties, only the 1997 party did a successful climb of the true summit. The UPVM party (a student group) reached only Banderahan Dos while another UP party (a professional group) reached as far as the First Peak.

Contact Information
sb5033@yahoo.com

MT. MADJAAS
Culasi, Antique

Mt. Famy is one of the closest places to do some hiking and camping in the summer. Situated in the north-eastern part of Siniloan in Laguna, Mt. Famy is one very attractive campsite to visit regularly.

Direction
From Manila to Sinoloan, it takes about 2 to 3 hours of bus and anothe 15 minutes of tricycle ride to the foot of the mountain (mostly buses travel straight to the hiking site).

For the weekend trip, you may spend less than P550 which will cover the fares, canned food and some extra change.

Note: P20 registration fee at the entrance and P100 if you need a guide. If you rent a horse and a guide, is another P150.

It is better to bring some canned foods and cooking utensils. But you can buy some foods in stores along the campsite and pay for them to be cooked (usually fried or sauteed). The cost have a meal cooked with some rice is P20. Mineral water is brought in very early in the morning cold softdrinks and beer can be had anytime of the day.

Schedule your trips to several cool places around such as Buruwisan River, Batya-batya, Sampaloc Falls, and the Lansones Falls.

Mountain Valley Guest Inn 2 is located in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, Philippines, features many beautiful hiking and mountain biking trails through out the wooded and rolling hills property for your leisure activity. You can also hike in the shade of the large trees along the hiking trails at Mountain Valley Guest Inn 2.

Guest Inn is a very large, heavily wooded in trees, Government Forest is for your hiking, camping, mountain biking and exploration in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, Philippines. You can set up your own tents or by renting one of the Guest Inn’s Tents for P300/night.

Mountain Valley Guest Inn offers 6 different, themed romantic rendezvous hotel resort suites for a very memorable wedding night,  romantic honeymoon, memorable wedding anniversary, romantic birthday, romantic Balikbayan vacation and travel, or other romantic escapes, getaways, and romantic occasions, or a fantasy vacation.

Also nearby are the 7 lakes of Highland Resort for your exploration, swimming, and boating—Mountain Valley has a good boat you can rent for your enjoyment at Highland Resort. You can also swim in the famous and bountiful year-round Mabinay Spring and enjoy the Spring’s beautiful wooded park.

Room Rates:
P600, P800, & P1500 per night
(P1500 for waterbed, swinging bed or hot tub spa room)

Here’s How To Pay For Your Room Reservation   For Mountain Valley Guest Inn
Alternatively, if you are already in the Philippines, you can mail your check or money order payable in P-pesos to    Phillip Fry, P.O. Box 341, Dumaguete City 6200, Negros Oriental, Philippines, or you can make a bank deposit to our P-peso bank account at any nationwide branch of BDO Bank, Bank of Commerce, or UnionBank. For bank deposit details for the bank of your choice, please email Cathy at  philrealestate4sale@yahoo.com

Traveling to Mountain Valley Guest Inn

Travel by Ground and Sea

From Cebu City:
Go to the south Cebu bus terminal; take an air conditioned Ceres bus that goes from Cebu City to Bacolod (the bus will cross the ocean in a short ferry ride to Negros Island) but tell the conductor that you only want a ticket to Bulwang Mabinay (half way to Bacolod)..

Get off the bus at Mountain Valley Guest inn 2 in Bulwang Mabinay.  The guest inn is on the right hand side of the highway 6 km before Lumbangan proper. Watch for the many billboards advertising the guest inn as you travel toward the guest inn.

From Manila
Fly on Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific Airline non-stop from Manila to Dumaguete City—or ride a ferry that will take you Manila to Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.  When you arrive at either the airport or the seaport, simply walk out from the airport or sea port to the main highway and flag down a pedicab (a public utility tricycle).  Instruct the driver to go to Ceres bus terminal. From the airport, expect to pay at least 30 pesos to go to the Ceres bus terminal (if you flag down a tricycle on the national highway). If you hire a tricycle at the airport terminal, expect to be ripped off for 100 to 300 pesos for the same short trip. From the seaport, expect to pay 8 pesos to the Ceres terminal. If you have more than one piece of luggage, you might be charged somewhat more.

At the Ceres buss terminal take a bus going to Bacolod via Mabinay. The guest inn is on the right hand side of the highway 6 km before Lumbangan proper. Watch for the many billboards advertising the guest inn as you travel toward the guest inn.

Travel by Over Land on Negros Island

From Bacolod:
Take a metered taxi to the south Bacolod bus terminal and take an air conditioned Ceres buss heading for Dumaguete via Mabinay.

Get off at Mountain Valley Guess Inn 2 in Bulwang,  Mabinay. The Guest Inn is located on the left side of the high way 6 km after Lumbangan Proper.

From Dumaguete:
Take a pedicab tricycle to the Ceres bus terminal (8 peso fare) and then take a Ceres bus going to Bacolod via Mabinay. Get off the bus at Mountain Valley Guest inn 2 in Bulwang Mabinay.  The guest inn is on the right hand side of the highway 6 km before Lumbangan proper. Watch for the many billboards advertising the guest inn as you travel toward the guest inn.

Info & Reservations:
Cell phone Number: 0906-510-4000 or 035-226-3154
(from outside of Philippines, dial 63-906-510-4000 or 63-35-226-3154)
Email: mountainvalleyvillage@yahoo.com

Mystical Mount Makiling is an inactive volcano rising about 1,109 meters above sea level. There are approximately 2,048 different species of plant. The lower slope is a tall dipterocarp forest while the summit is a dwarf mossy forest.

The slopes of Mt. Makiling are shaped to resemble a woman reclining, hence the air of mysticism that surrounds the mountain. A Maria Makiling, mystical goddess and the legend has the profile well-known figure of Filipino folklore. Many who have lived in Los Baños, Laguna have a special place in their heart for the mountain. Bundok Makiling. Maria Makiling dwells in this mountain and protects dwellers and travelers from harm. The home of the lady Maria Makiling where mossy forests stand strong, and hot springs abound.

Maria Makiling was a fantastic creature, half nymph, halves sylph, born under the moonbeams of Filipinas, in the mystery of its ancient woods, to the murmur of the waves on the neighboring shore. Mariang Makiling always remained pure, simple, and mysterious as the genius of the mountain.

Mt. Makiling Contact Information
MT. MAKILING (via Los Baños)
Los Baños, Laguna
Major Jump-off: Station 1, UP College of Forestry
LLA: 14.13°N 121.20°E, 1090 MASL (Peak 2)
Hours to summit / days required: 1-2 days / 4-5 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3

ITINERARY
VIA LOS BANOS
0430 Assembly at LRT-Buendia, board Sta. Cruz bus (P99 as of Feb. 2009)
0630 ETA Los Baños Crossing, walk to corner beside Robinson’s Place for jeep to Forestry, or
rent any passing jeep (P150~200 as of Feb. 2009)
0700 ETA jump-off point, College of Forestry, register (P10)
0730 Start trek
0845 ETA Nursery, you can buy drinks here.
0900 Head off to Peak 2. Take note of the stations to mark your progress.
1015 ETA last campsite.
1130 reach the so-called ‘90 degrees’ at Stn. 27. Use the ropes.
1200 ETA Peak 2 (station 30), lunch
1300 Start descent
1600 ETA road to Nursery, proceed to Mudspring as a sidetrip.
1620 Arrive at Mudspring, take pictures.
1645 Back at Nursery, start walk back to jump-off
1800 Back at jump-off; walk down the road and wait for jeepney
1830 Dinner at Grove, Los Baños (many food options here)
1930 Head back to Los Baños Crossing, take Buendia or Cubao. (note: last trip for Buendia is 2030H)

MT. MAKILING/UPLB TRAIL TRAIL MAP
s