Mt. Balagbag 2017 Guide

          Mt. Balagbag is probably the cheapest and easiest mountain to trek. The mountain is a favorite to both trail runners and bikers.

First jumpoff: Sitio Karahume, Brgy. Macabud, Rodriguez
Second jumpoff: Sitio Balagbag, Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez
LLA: 777 MASL (unverified)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2

A friend of mine asked me to accompany her for a random adventure, fortunately, we're both free the next day (Sunday, January 8, 2017) so I told her why not climb a mountain.

Our actual Itinerary:

January 08, 2017
10:00 AM - Meet up at Cubao along Edsa, look for a bus with a "TUNGKO" signboard
11:00 AM - ETA Tungko (Left - Jollibee Tungko; Right - you'll find BDO and Shell Gas Station, Licao-Licao jeepneys is located at the end of the market beside BDO)
11:30 AM - Departure from terminal
12:00 NN - Arrived at Licao-Licao. You can buy food at the store nearby, use of CR Php 5.00
From Licao-Licao, you may ride a tricycle or walk by foot going to Brgy. Balagbag
12:30 PM - Register. Secure guide. Start trek.
01:35 PM - Mt. Balagbag
03:35 PM - Descend
04:10 PM - Brgy. Balagbag. Afternoon snack. Proceed trek or wait for a tricycle back to Licao-Licao.
05:25 PM - Arrival at Tungko. Wait for bus en route to Cubao / Ortigas

Time-frames are provided but each itinerary can vary depending on circumstances.

How to commute and budget breakdown (per head):

Php 55 - Cubao to Tungko AC bus (signboard: SM Fairview/Tungko/Palmera)
Php 22 - Jeepney ride from Tungko to Licao-Licao (Jeepney terminal is located at a public market near Jollibee tungko, or before BDO and Shell Gas Station)
Php 30 - Tricycle from Licao-Licao to Brgy. Balagbag jump off (you may walk)
Php 10 - Registration fee
Hiring a guide is not mandatory. Walang ligaw kung Balagbag lang kayo mismo. If you wish to do Maranat Traverse, or other side trip such as Otso-Otso falls, guide fee starts at Php 300.
Php 20 - 2nd Registration fee just before you head to Helipad, or summit

Descent:
Php 15 - Brgy. Balagbag jump off to Licao-Licao (not sure with the price hehe lakad ka nalang)
Php 27 - Licao-Licao back to Tungko (NOTE: last trip at 6 PM)
Php 55 - Tungko to Cubao AC bus

Total: Php 189.00 per head (excluding tricycle ride and guide fee)

HELP #REFORESTTHEROAD of Mt. Balagbag

Paano? Mag-dala lang po ng extra water, at diligan ang mga seedlings (green dots).

Thank you, Sir Fredd Ochavo.

"Kill nothing but time.

Leave nothing but footprints.

Take nothing but pictures.

Keep nothing but memories."

All photos are mine unless stated otherwise. Feel free to use, but please give credit. Thank you.


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Mt. Balagbag

January 08, 2017

MORE DETAILS AND PHOTOS TO BE ADDED