I've been seeing a lot of photos posted by my friends in Facebook... and some of them are their mountain climbing experience. The view from above the mountain is very awesome and I thought of trying it, too! But, there are a lot of questions inside my head like... "Am I going to survive the hike and reach the top?". "What are the struggles that we might encounter?". Until then, I told myself to try it, to experience it! And now, I'm going to share it here in my blog, Climbing the Mt. Maculot for beginners (A first-timer experience). :)
Last 14th of March 2017, me and my friends visited a mountain located at Cuenca, Batangas... the Mt. Maculot!
Last 14th of March 2017, me and my friends visited a mountain located at Cuenca, Batangas... the Mt. Maculot!
In this blog, I'll post some of the details about the location, the mountain, the expenses, and most of all, the photos taken during the hike. Please take note that we've only climbed the Rockies of Mt. Maculot because this hike, for most of us in the group, is our first mountain climb.
The Travel
Our group came from Bacoor, Cavite and decided to leave the house 5 o'clock in the morning. From Bacoor Aguinaldo highway, we took the main highway in Buhay na Tubig (Imus, Cavite), then passed the Avenida Rizal Road, took the Daang Hari Road to go to the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) entrance, and traveled the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) until we've reached the end of the expressway. Passing through the South Tagalog Arterial Road and Jose P. Laurel highway until we've reached the Lipa-Cuenca-Alitagtag-Sta Teresita Provincial Road. We've spent more or less Php 500.00 for the diesel travelling back and forth Bacoor, Cavite and Maculot Cuenca, Batangas. You could use Waze Mobile App for your convenience by searching "Mt. Maculot" or you may refer to this map for your navigation...
The Registration
Before hiking, registration is a must in their booth in front of their barangay hall. We've listed our name, address and contact number for their reference. Plus, a registration fee of Php 20.00 per head is required before the hike. By the way, if you're travelling there using your private vehicle/s, your designated guide/s will assist you on your proper parking. Parking fee is Php 30.00.
The Guide
I don't know when they started to require the guides per group in climbing Mt. Maculot but as of now, March 2017, it is required to have a guide for climber's safety, especially for beginners. Our group consists of 6 persons and our total guide fee is Php650.00! We just added a tip for our guide because he really helped me a lot especially when we're descending. Kuya John was our guide that time.
The Climb
We started ascending around past 7 o'clock in the morning. Since this was my first time ever, the "warm up" is already tiring for me.
Our first stop was at the "tungkod" store and we bought our tungkod for only Php10.00 each! This thing helped us a lot while climbing. (I'm so tired that time that I didn't had a chance to took a photo of it!)
I forgot how many times we took a rest because our legs are aching a little and some of us are tired at some points. Here are some of the views taken during our resting time...
Good thing that there are so many stop overs and stores on the trail but some of the stores are not open during the weekdays.
We took our lunch in a palutuan store where we've ordered pancit canton, for around Php35.00 per order, in addition to our lunch baon. They also sell water and softdrinks that ranges from Php 25.00 to Php 40.00 per bottle.
After our lunch, we took a rest for a while to avoid tummy aches. We took a photo from the view there also. Here are some of the photos...
After more or less 30 minutes rest, we continued the climb and reach the top of the mountain beside the Maculot and The Rockies...
The Rockies of Mt. Maculot
The Rockies has a 706 meters above sea level (masl) and you can see the Mt. Maculot and Taal Volcano from above.
Descending
After enjoying the view from the top of the Rockies of Mt. Maculot and after taking so many photos as remembrance of our hard work climbing it, we started going back to where we came from.
I had a hard time going down the mountain because of some slippery parts of the land. A big thanks to our guide for his assistance! :)
After the tiring descend, we took a rest for a while and share our thoughts, at the same time, about our amazing adventure! :D After that, we got back to the store in the starting point and took a bath. There are shower rooms available there that costs Php15.00 per person. There's also a sari-sari store that have foods and stuffs that you need in case you forgot your bath needs, and also, they are selling face towels, slippers, t-shirt (with print about the Mt. Maculot hike), and even underwear that ranges from Php50.00 to Php 75.00!
Expense Summary (6 persons)
• Diesel for the travel from Bacoor-Batangas & Vice Versa - Php500.00
• Toll fees (from Bacoor-Batangas & Vice versa) - Php 530.00
• Guide fee (The Rockies) - Php 650.00
• Registration fee (6 pax) - Php 120.00
TOTAL: Php 1,800 / 6 persons
OVERALL TOTAL PER HEAD: Php 300.00
Plus bring extra money in case the food you've brought is not enough! :)
So, there it is! Our hiking experience in Mt. Maculot, Cuenca, Batangas! :)
Are you planning to visit this place? Share us your thoughts thru the comment section below! :)
Here are the video compilations of our Mt. Maculot Trip 2017:
Pag commute po alam niyo po ba kung pano? From Bacoor, Cavite as well
ReplyDeleteHello! As far as I know, walang diretsong bus from Bacoor to Batangas. But, you can ride a van from Lumina Imus to Alabang kaso hindi ko sure kung magkano at saan dapat bumaba sa Alabang. Check this link... https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Bacoor/Batangas
DeletePwede ka din mag-Uber or GrabCar/GrabTaxi from your location to Starmall Alabang (since yun yung malapit sa bus terminal to Batangas - based sa map from the link I've mentioned above)
And then, sabi sa mga commute from other blogs, baba ka ng Tambo Exit sa batangas. Sakay ng jeep papuntang Lemery and baba sa may Cuenca. Tapos sasakay ng tricycle papunta sa jump off point ng Mt. Maculot (I think alam naman ng mga tricycle drivers dun kung saan yung registration booth) :D
Hope this helps! :)
Mt. Maculot local tour guide pls contact us 09163722649
ReplyDeleteLooking for a tourguide???
ReplyDeleteCome climb with me and experience the beauty of nature in MT. MACULOT...
Just contact me at 09269960145...
John Paulo Malate poh at your service, (Mt. Maculot tourguide)
See you...Godbless!!!
Loc tour here mam sir. Just contact me 09163722649
ReplyDeleteLoc tour here mam sir. Just contact me 09163722649
ReplyDeletehello, bago po ba pumunta dun kailangan icontact muna sila o hindi na? thanks
ReplyDeleteGusto Namen Ng Buong Barkada Pumunta Dyan , If Ever Atleast 12 Person KAME , magkano Kaya ang MAgiging Cost Namen ?? Then Need Paba Ng Book For Appointment Para Ma Accomadte Kame Dyan ? Thank You Po, God Bless You
ReplyDeletepede poh ba n wal tourguide kc pngatlong akyat k n pod dian n walng tourguide.
ReplyDeleteHello would you consider Mt. Maculot as an easy hike?
ReplyDeleteAs a beginner, going up the mountain is tiring but you may pause and rest for a while. I struggled going down as I'm afraid of sliding down, especially on flat and not rocky trail. But, my friend (a beginner also) told me that he's more confident on going down rather than going up. So, I guess, it will still depend on you and your gears like your sandals/shoes, "tungkod", etc.
Delete