Timbac-Tabayoc Hike: Travel Guide

Just when you thought you had enough of Cordillera, another majestic destination will catch your attention and suck you right back in.

If we talk about Mt. Pulag National Park, the obvious mountain that pops to everyone's mind is Mt. Pulag. Well, what if I tell you that there are other mountains within the conservation area that you can climb?

Let me introduce you to Mt. Timbac and Mt. Tabayoc.

The two mountains are usually eclipsed by the more popular Mt. Pulag, but do not commit the same mistakes of others who chose to pass up these two mountains.

Here is a complete Travel guide for your Timbac-Tabayoc climb.

Fast Facts

Mt. Timbac

Height? 2717 MASL according to Pinoymountaineer.com, 3rd highest in island of Luzon, 9th in the entire Philippines

Trail Difficulty? 2/9

Jump-off? KM 55, Atok, Benguet

Roped Segment? None

Guide? None

Mt. Tabayoc

Height? 2842 MASL according to Pinoymountaineer.com, 2nd highest in island of Luzon, 7th in the entire Philippines
Trail Difficulty? 6/9, Major
Jump-off? Brgy. Ballay, Kabayan Benguet
Guide? Available and required

Beginner friendly? Beginners with decent physical condition

How to go there

Via Public Transportation

How to go to Mt. Timbac

1. First, go to Baguio. then from Baguio City, ride a taxi or a cab to Slaughterhouse Terminal.
2. Ride a bus going to Sagada. Tell the conductor to drop you off at KM 55 Marker
3. From the KM 55 Marker, you'll have walk along a concrete road for 30 - 40 minutes before you reach foot of the mountain.

From Mt. Timbac to Mt. Tabayoc

After descending Mt. Timbac, head directly to the main highway and wait for a bus heading to Kabayan. Upon riding the bus, tell the conductor to drop you off Ballay, Kabayan.

Important Note: Public transportation is not around the clock. The last van and bus leave the Slaughterhouse Terminal before lunch. It'll be much more practical to charter a van or join a group of other like-minded individuals so you'll save more money.

Tale of the Trail

The climbed happened last January 26-27, organized by Sir Mac Vallano of Be One with Kalikasan Travel Group. There are 25 participants, coming from different walks of life.

Ollie, Anne, Wheng, Ives, Camille, Kenji, Jeron, Lit Lit, Mitch, Xy, Alexis, The Blogger, Ry, Ian, Fritz, Ramlie, Sir Mac, Echo, Vic, Nellie, Yuri (the small girl), Jay-Ar, Nellie, Bhing, Jason,  and our local driver

The adventure starts at the butt-clenching roads of Cordillera. Brace yourself from the countless hairpin turns and precarious roads before even reaching your destination.

The sun was already rising when we finally reached Atok, Benguet. The scene on the road was just mesmerising but at the same time vertigo-inducing especially when you realized how fast you're going, on a twisting road without any concrete barriers. (Yikes!) But as the saying goes, the most beautiful views are always hidden away in difficult places.

The road just keeps going higher and higher and a bit more dangerous as the van tries to take us to the jump-off of Mt. Timbak. However, we were not very fortunate since the van we were riding stopped midway on a steep slope so we have no choice but to continue on foot.

Concrete road leading to Mt. Timbac JOP

Mt. Timbac trail

Upon reaching reaching the jump-off of Mt. Timbak, you'll notice a small community. Much of their livelihood are dependent to the produce growing on the land terraces carved out of the slopes of Mt. Timbak. Remember this detail when you're climbing since you'll pass by many plant lots on the way up, so make sure to avoid trampling on them.

The summit

From the JOP, the summit is just 15-minutes away, depending on your pace. The path is well established, so there's no chance of getting lost here.

When we finally reached the summit, it was just breathtaking!

The summit is marked with three small crosses and an altar. Here, you'll have a vantage point of the majestic rice terraces of Benguet (not to be confused with the one found in Ifugao Province).

 A short walk from the summit, you can reach another viewpoint facing east. Personally, I found this vantage point more spectacular than the actual summit.

Mt. Tabayoc on the left, Mt. Pulag on the right

From this side, you can see the distant Mt. Pulag and Mt. Tabayoc, both shrouded in thick morning fog. The sun rays were hot but the cold breeze touching our bodies kept us comfortable as we stayed and watch the beauty of Cordillera unfolded in front of our eyes. 

The sun was almost at its peak when we decided to descent. The trek down was so much easier. We made our way back to the van in less than fifteen minutes. 

From Mt. Timbac, the JOP of Mt. Tabayoc is still a long way off; about a 2-hour van ride. I grabbed this opportunity to sleep once more since I was not able to fully rest the night before.

You'll know that you are nearing your destination if you notice the road becoming steeper and steeper. And guess what? There are no protective barriers on either of the side of the road! Truly you can say that the adventure really do starts at the ride. Hahaha!

Anyway, the road eventually became flatter and a bit downhill. That's the time where you will see the Lake Tabeo and the campsite.

Campsite at Lake Tabeo

You'll alight exactly at the campsite. If only I knew sooner, I would have brought more items (mostly comfort things) than I did.

After pitching tents and establishing our camp, we finally brought out something that we had been all waiting for. The lechon! Kudos to Sir Mac Vallano and the Be One with Kalikasan Team, they have a habit of bringing lechon in their organized climb. Hahahaha!

Upon arrival, you have two choices: either you stay at the camp for rest, or explore the mystic lakes of Kabayan, Benguet. We were late so we no longer had the luxury of time to explore all of them. Half of us opted to visit Lake Ambulalacao while the rest stayed to prepare dinner.

Since we arrived at the campsite quite late, we decided to visit only one lake; Lake Ambulalacao. From the campsite, you'll have to ride a chartered monster jeep. Travel time is around 15 minutes where you can choose to ride atop of the jeep. The road was steep and curving so make sure to hold on tight.

Road leading to Lake Ambulalacao

Upon alighting the jeepney, you'll have to ascent an established path through a mossy forest. The trek is short, just under 15 minutes. After that you'll have to descent for another 5 minutes or so before reaching the shores of Lake Ambulalacao

Birdbox Feels

The weather had not been so kind to us. The lake was shrouded in mist, making it look like a scene from the film "Birdbox". Swimming in the lake is prohibited due to the fact that the soil surrounding and under it had a consistency of a quicksand making it dangerous for any swimmers.

We stayed on the lakeside for few more minutes before we head back to the camp.

A bountiful dinner follows and socials until 10PM.  Take note that there is a policy that all camp activities must cease by 10 PM.

Next Day: Mt. Tabayoc

Cold morning on Lake Tabeo

The cold wind with water was punishing, damping the entire camp the whole night until daybreak. The team was supposed to assault Mt. Tabayoc at 4 AM but the cold was too much and everyone decided to just hunker down in our tents and wait for the sun.

The biting cold was all round us, making the threat of hypothermia all the more menacing. Sir Mac Vallano made a few rounds in the camp, telling everyone to move otherwise they may get hypothermia.

We lied down inside our tent, waiting for the sunrise. The sun rose, with all its majesty, at around 6 AM.

Preparing to climb

We immediately prepared for the summit assault as most of us were eager to move to fight away the cold. Only half of the team were up to the challenge that morning. After securing our tents, strapping our backpacks, then off we go to the unknown.

The first few minutes of the climb cuts through vegetable gardens. It'll take you about 15 - 20 minutes before you reach the primeval mossy forest of Mt. Tabayoc.

After traversing the flatland, brace yourself for a continuous assault through thick mossy forest. Pair of gloves will be useful since you'll have to hold on to branches to maintain your balance. Flat areas will be almost non-existent.

The only flat areas I can think of are the view deck, about 1.5 hour from the start of the climb, and the summit.

The trail of Mt. Tabayoc was known to be the "monkey trail" since you'll have to hold and hang on to the branches while managing your way through.

Watch out for thorny vines. The last thing you'll want is a spiked hand, eh? An hour and a half later, the team finally reached the view deck.

The view was covered by thick clouds so we made an extended stop to wait for it. But when you finally see it, whew. It was worth it! You can see Lake Tabeo and the community below. We can even see our tents by the lakeside.

After the stop, we soldiered to the summit. The mossy forest just became thicker and a bit more technical. You'll have to bend your body and crawl your way up to some parts of the trail. There are also some parts where the angle of incline is about 80 degrees. Add to that the damp and the mud, and you have a complete recipe for a difficult climb.

After almost two hours, we finally reached the summit at around 10AM.

The summiteers

The summit by itself does not offer any view whatsoever. In order to see anything, you'll have to climb a man-made platform with a guide.

Unfortunately, the platform during our climb was destroyed by a storm, months before, and the locals find it difficult to repair it. The platform was in great disrepair, so only two people can climb; you and the guide to take your photo. many of the steps were unstable so I was not too keen in staying atop the structure for more than a minute (thus my blurry summit photo).

Pardon my blurry shot

Since you'll have to do it one by one, the summit photoshoot can be quite boring, so make sure to find something to pass your time.

Good thing for us, Sir Ramlie brought a stove and coffee, and poof! Coffee time at the summit, yeah!

Sir Ramlie, the coffee guardian: Photo credit to Camille

While waiting, half of the summiteers decided to descent (me included) while the other half stayed for their summit photo. Many of us were eager to reach the campsite fast.

The trail of Mt. Tabayoc, unlike other popular mountains, were not trodden down and with lots of forked paths. It is easy to miss the right turn so be attentive to signs of foot traffic like disturbed foliage or shoe prints.

We finally reached the campsite just a few minutes after 12 noon. Thank God for the people we left behind at the campsite. They prepared a sumptuous lunch which I think is one of the best meals I had in a climb.

The second group finally reunited with the main group at around 1:30 PM. We dilly dallied at the campsite until 4:30 PM before we started our journey back to Manila.

As the van slowly picking up speed, I looked back on the mountains, the lakes and the people living on its slope. Everything seems so peaceful and timeless. Now I know why the mountains call on to the human spirit to return to nature.

My thoughts were cut-off by the sound of the engine , and on we went, back to the bustles and hustles of city life.

Don't go where most people tell you to go. Instead go to unknown places and invite them to come with you

-Adrian C. Villaflor, February 2019

Things to Remember

1. Follow the LNT Principle. If you're not familiar with it, then do your research you big baby! No one should be allowed entry to any mountains if they don't know the LNT Principle.
2. Mt. Timbak is a minor climb but Mt. Tabayoc is a major one. Plan your climb accordingly.
3. The cold can be a major concern. If ever you feel you'll slip into hypothermia, its better to move and walk around instead of just hunkering inside your tent. Inform the people nearest to you in dire situation.
4. A pair of gloves is a must-have for this climb.
5. Arrive early in the campsite if you want to visit all the four mystic lakes of Kabayan, Benguet
6. You can bring a little bit more items for this climb since you'll not be carrying your backpack up the mountain. Campsite is just a walking distance from the parking lot.
7. Bring only what is necessary for the summit assault.

Gallery

Bohol Countryside: Where to Go and What to Expect

Chocolate Hills

A regular member of "Most Beautiful Places to Visit" in your elementary Araling Panlipunan book (HEKASI), I was always fascinated to visit this island. It took me almost two decades from the first time I saw Bohol on the pages of my book to actually visiting it myself.

Here is a complete guide and itinerary for Bohol Countryside Trip and a little bit of our story.

Background

Bohol is an island province located 640 KM south of Manila, in Central Visayas. The province only has one city which is Tagbilaran.

Bohol offers a glimpse of the entire Philippines, with its white sand beach, rolling landscapes, quaint little towns, churches, river cruises and hospitality of its inhabitants.

How to go to Bohol

From Manila, you have different choices of transportation going to Bohol. But the most convenient would be via plane.

There are daily plane trips going to Bohol from Manila. Travel time is about an hour and five minutes.

Here are the links to the most popular airlines in the country:

1. Cebu Pacific
2. Philippine Airlines
3. Air Asia

If you're the kind who wants to do land travel instead, there are multiple bus lines in Metro Manila that offer a trip directly to Bohol.

Where to Stay in Bohol

There are two primary locations to stay in Bohol - Tagbilaran City or the Island of Panglao. Find a great accommodation with the best prices by using Booking.com.

Click the box at the right sidebar to check to find one.

Bohol Countryside Tour

This blog is focused on the Bohol Countryside Trip. We have a separate entry for our Panglao Trip so be sure to read on and click on this link for more contents. 

The first thing you have to consider is the tour provider. Most of the hotels, BnBs and transient houses offer their own tours. Since we only availed one tour, we cannot give you an objective comparison aside from the price. 

The average price for a car tour is around 1,800 - 2,200 pesos. Even 2,500 pesos is still reasonable given the number of places you'll visit. 

Places to Visit (In No Particular Order)

1. Chocolate Hills
2. Tarsier Conservation
3. Bilar Man-made Forest
4. Bamboo Bridge
5. Exotic Animals and Butterfly Garden
6. Baclayon Church
7. Sandugo Site

1. Chocolate Hills

Bohol is almost synonymous to Chocolate Hills. We've seen this on post cards, on our teacher's visual aid, but nothing beats seeing it personally.

This is the first destination of the Countryside Trip since it is also the farthest. It'll take you about 30 minutes or so to reach if coming from Tagbilaran.

You'll have to pay 40 pesos per head to see the majesty of Chocolate Hills. 

There is just one thing you have to consider if ever you'll visit Chocolate Hills - the volume of people. So pack up some patience since photobombers and view-hogs will be plenty.

2. Tarsier Sanctuary

Tarsier Sanctuary

Aside from the Chocolate Hills, Bohol is also popular due to its endemic fauna, particularly the tarsier. Tarsier is a nocturnal primate, known for its small size and peculiar appearance. With its large eyes and long tail, many are amazed by this creature.

Despite its otherworldly appearance, tarsiers are one of the most vulnerable animals to extinction mainly due to man's action. Deforestation led to many tarsiers losing their homes and source of food.

Sad Fact: Tarsiers do not do well in captivity (Well, I think all animals don't, duh?). There are some documented cases wherein a captive tarsier will try everything to escape. Even going to the point of bashing their heads on the walls of their cage which eventually leads to their death.

One of the most vulnerable animal to extinction

Things to Remember when Visiting the Tarsier Trail

1. Tarsiers are nocturnal, meaning they are awake during night time and asleep during our waking hours. Do not make loud noises.
2. Tarsiers are easily stressed by almost anything foreign. No flash photography, no prodding or trying to catch their attention
3. The Tarsier Trail is quite narrow. Observe walking in single file. No need to hold hands all the time, eh?
4. Since the trail is narrow, do not stop on the trail for an extended time. Do not be the cause of delay.

3. Bilar Man-made Forest

Bilar Man-made Forest

Just a few minutes away from the Tarsier Sanctuary, you'll pass by the Bilar Man-made Forest. There is no entrance fee here since your vehicle will only pass by it.

Enjoy the cool atmosphere within the man-made forest and look at the dizzying patterns of leaves and branches over your head.This road is covered in shade so you'll find the temperature here clean and pleasant. Have a picture in the middle of the deserted road.

Fun Fact:

One thing you'll notice is that the leaves and branches create a canopy making the 2-km stretch of road under the shade. However, if you look more closely, you'll also notice that the leaves and branches do not really touch. This phenomenon is known as crown shyness.

Bilar Man-made Forest

Word of Caution: While this stretch may look deserted, always remember that this is still part of the National Road of Bohol. Make sure that no cars are passing by before you have that "middle of the road" shot, okay? The last thing you'll want is to be hit by a vehicle. 

Also, aside from the threat of being run over, some tourist are actually causing a lot of traffic. So learn to be sensitive. Don't be a kupal. 

4. Bamboo Bridge Crossing

Even as a kid, I always have an aversion on standing atop something that's unstable. Well, this activity is the exact opposite of it. Here, you'll have to cross a long, as in looooonng, rickety and swaying bamboo bridge, TWICE!

But do not skip this one. The view of the green river is just fantastic. And besides, walking atop a rickety, swaying, and purely wooden bridge is a good story.

View from the Bamboo Hanging Bridge

5. Exotic Animals and Butterfly Garden feat. Python Recca

One thing I love about this tourist spot is the quaint and provincial feels it has. It is a simple mini-zoo and butterfly sanctuary manned by few locals. Well, it doesn't have an extravagant feels but it can still satisfy your curiosity to see (and even touch some of the animals) some exotic animals like the Palm Civet Cat, a reticulated python and more.

Personally, seeing many exotic animals cramped in their small cages makes me sad, but hey! It's up to you peeps.

The looks oh!

6. Baclayon Church

According to the epitaph, Baclayon Church is the oldest coral built Church in the region. Baclayon Church was once considered to be part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites but was struck out when it was massively destroyed by the 2013 Bohol Earthquake.

Baclayon Church

Things to Remember

1. Baclayon Church is a church, first and foremost. So act accordingly. No wacky shots, loud voices and such.

2. Wear long pants and shirt with sleeves if ever you'll visit the Church. If by any chance you failed to do so, you can borrow a long scarf at the entrance, free of charge. 

You can help in the restoration and maintenance of the church by patronising some of its products. We bought souvenirs like Rosaries, fridge magnets and other neat stuff. It's our small way of helping. 

7. Blood Compact Site

You'll conclude your Countryside Tour by visiting the last marker which is the Blood Compact Site. Since I love historic places, I decided to have some bonding moments with the important people of Philippine History. 

Blood Compact Site

According to historians, this site witnessed the very first "Treaty of Friendship" not only in our country but also between Western and Eastern Civilization.

This treaty was sealed by a ritual called "Sandugo". The two chiefs, namely Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, shared a drink of wine mixed with both of their blood. 

The first treaty between East and West Civilization

Myth Buster: One of the recurring misconception regarding Blood Compact or Sandugo is that the people collect their blood through a cut in their wrist. However, historians defunct it and said that the blood was actually collected from a cut in the chest!

So here it is! I hope this entry can help you a lot in your next travel. One thing I learned on this trip is that, there are more learning outside the classroom. I learned more about history, culture and life in the Philippines by travelling. So just go out there! 

How will you know or feel the experiences of the great explorers before you? By visiting the places they had been.

-Adrian C. Villaflor, 2019