Mt. Batulao | Dayhike

Mt. Batulao is located in Nasugbu, Batangas. This mountain is 811 MASL (meters above sea level) and is an ideal climb for beginners because of its rolling hills and scenic views.                                
                     

Mount Batulao

Itinerary
04:00am ETD DLTB Co. bound for Nasugbu
06:30pm ETD to Evercrest
06:35pm Breakfast
07:00am Tricycle to the jump-off point
07:10am Start hiking
10:00am Summit conquered; Lunch
12:00nn Start descent
02:30pm Reach jump-off point
03:00pm Freshen up; ETD bus to Buendia
06:00pm ETA Buendia or Vito Cruz

How to get there

Take a bus bound to Nasugbu – Lemery. Inform the conductor that you’ll be going to Mt. Batulao. Exit the bus when you get to Evercrest Golf Course in Lemery, Batangas. Travel time is roughly 2 to 3 hours depending on the traffic.

Once you get to Evercrest, you can either walk or take a tricycle going to the jump-off point which is PHP 30.00 per head.

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The team had memorable journey in Batulao,  the first time to experience dayhike and a lady hiking along with the team.
                         

              "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". Relate? haha

                        The lady who came along with the team. Dang!                            

Journey
The given Itinerary was not followed, so we started the trip at exactly 5:00 pm. We started the trip from Vito Cruz, Manila going to DLTB Co. Bus Station in Buendia. We took on a bus with a signboard going to Nasugbu, Batangas. Along the way, we were amazed and overwhelmed the beauty of Tagaytay City, the view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.

The team waiting for a ride in DLTB Co. Bus station

The bus dropped us in Nasugbu – Lemery which took us 2 hours and 30 minutes long to arrive. There is an available store near the Lemery, a line up of tricycles going to the jump off point.

Taking a picture at Evercrest where the bus dropped us       

A guide to the mountain can be optional, you will be asked by local people if you’ll be in need of it. The payment of the guide cost P300/group,  the fact that the money will be a big help to their family.

In our case, we hike the mountain with no local guide since we already had a colleague with us who already went before and familiarize the trail going to Mount Batulao.

After having a breakfast, we headed to the jump off point by means of tricycle that cost P30/head.

Before embarking, here are the basic things to bring (Dayhike):
- 1.5 liters of water
- Umbrella
- Sun Protection (Sunglasses, hats, shades)
- Trekking Shoes, sandals

Upon reaching the jump off point, we started to hike going to Mount Batulao. Batulao is blessed with magnificent views of farmlands and forest, although there is not much trees found. Along the way we have encountered several animals like horse and goat, there’s a pretty much excitement and fear experience in there.

 The view of Mount Batulao near the jump off point 

  The gorgeous Mt. Batulao and us

Along the way, you will encounter a horse which is quite normal in Batulao.

A reminder to every mountaineer who happen to hike the mountain that can be seen along the way, probably in the old trail. 

Peak

Mount Batulao probably had 12 peaks, the summit also known as peak #10. There is a abundance space in every peak where mountaineer can take a break or camp. 

The team in Camp 8

The team resting in camp 7

Trail

You can choose to traverse the mountain from the old to new trail or vice-versa or just take the new trail ascending and descending the mountain. We choose the old trail to new trail hiking the mountain. The trail can be classified as easy to hard accordingly as you are getting closer to the summit. There is a presence of cliff, rough roads and steep rocks and the trail is covered mostly of grass.

The old trail

The new Trail

Campsite area in new Trail

Store
In several camps, there is a “bahay kubo” store that provide basic needs for mountaineers like halo-halo, mountain dew and buko. The store also served as a waiting shed for mountaineers where most hikers stand-by in there to take a break.

One of the "7/11 store" in Batulao

Another "7/11 store" in the old trail

Summit
Batulao also has an impressive array of rock formations that can be seen once hikers reach the summit. We experience a very difficult assault but with the help of the rope provided we experience rappelling in reaching the summit of Batulao. The neighboring mountains of Batulao are evident in the summit, if you happen to reach it.

Before reaching the summit, you will be able to do rapelling!

Mj, rapelling to the summit

I, in the summit

A Thumbs Up for making into the summit!

The team in the summit.

A valley of mountains visible in the summit area.

We only consumed 30 minutes of staying in the summit before traversing the new trail. We spend 4 hours to go up and down the mountain; some can go lesser than our time depending on their pacing.

There is a store along the way, they sell souvenir shirts that cost P200. 

After getting back at Evercrest, we took a bath and get dress up. Due to spare time we had, we purposely side trip to Tagaytay City visiting the famous People’s Park in the Sky.

Refer to this link: People's Park in the Sky

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