Travel Guide to Mt. Manalmon | Sitio Madlum

The rock summit of Mt. Manalmon

Sitio Madlum, San Miguel, Bulacan

160+ MASL 
Specs: Minor Climb

How to get there
Private Transport. From NLEX, take  Sta. Rita exit and follow the road to Cagayan Valley, passing by Plaridel,Pulilan, Baliuag, San Rafael and San Ildefonso. Upon reaching  San Miguel, ask directions how to get to  Brgy. Madlum.

Public Transport. Take any Cabanatuan-bound bus from Cubao or Pasay (Baliwag Transit, ES Transport, and Five Star Transport). Tell the conductor to drop you off at Brgy. Kamias, San Miguel, Bulacan. Fare is around P130-150. From Brgy. Kamias, you can take a tricycle/ chartered jeep to jumpoff at Brgy Madlum (P200/tricycle).

Itinerary
Dayhike
0500am Assembly at ES Transport, Bus bound for San Miguel Bulacan.
0600am ETD San Miguel, Bulacan
0800am ETA San Miguel, Bulacan Terminal-kamias
0830am ETD to San Miguel, Bulacan (Madlum)
0900am ETA Jump off (Registration)
0930am Cable crossing
1000am Spelunking- Bayukbok Cave
1200nn Lunch
0100pm ETD to Manalmon Peak
0130pm ETA at Manalmon Peak, Photo and Video Ops, exploration
0230pm ETD to Madlum river
0245pm ETA at Madlum river, swim
0330pm Back to the registration point
0400pm Arrive at registration point, tidy up
0530pm ETA at ES terminal
0800pm ETA in Manila

Background

Manalmon is located at Sitio Madlum, San Miguel, Bulacan.Its name is derived from Tagalog word "Manlalamon" which means swallowed by a rock. Manalmon is part of the historical Biak-Na-Bato National Park which is where Emilio Aguinaldo established the Biak-Na-Bato Republic – formally known as the first Republic of the Philippines.

A glimpse of Mt. Manalmon

Manalmon is a great weekend getaway for any outdoor enthusiast or for beginner hikers. Aside from its historical background, it also offers a view of great landscapes and astounding rock formations at the Madlum river. Hike from the registration point to summit of Manalmon will take you 30 - 45 minutes long. Once you're at the top, you'll have a peek of the nature scenery with an overlook of the Madlum river. 

The mountain has an elevation of 160 MASL and it requires no professional experience to reach its summit. Rivers,caves, falls, and mountains are evident at the top. Though its quite easy to hike the mountain, we should always be careful of crossing the rivers because flash flood occurs unexpectedly during rainy season. Let's be obedient towards the decision of our guides about river crossing for our own safety.

Permit is required if you want to hike Mt. Manalmon, or Mt. Gola. You can contact the authorized personnel via email or call their respective numbers. If a permit is not issued on your scheduled hike, you will have to sign a waiver. 

A permit that will be issued

Guide is mandatory and a standard guide fee of P300 will be paid when venturing the mountain. You may add an additional fee if you'll do spelunking or pursue a twin hike.

Registration Point

Side trip is abundant at Sitio Madlum if you happen to hike either Mt. Manalmon or Mt. Gola. Try spelunking the Madlum and Bayukbok cave and swim in the Madlum river. And you may trek the mountains that are part of Sierra Madre Range, which is visible from  Mt. Manalmon.

Madlum River

Activities in Sitio Madlum

Picnicking
Invite your friends and families to have a picnic in Madlum river below the mountain or nearby registration point.

Swimming
Aside picnicking, you can also enjoy swimming in Madlum river. 

Hiking
You can either hike Mt. Manalmon or Mt. Gola which are neighboring mountains situated in Sitio Madlum. 



Spelunking
Fall in love with spelunking while you're in Sitio Madlum, try sojourning the Madlum Cave, Bayukbok Cave, and Victoria Cave. 



River Crossing via Monkey Bridge
You may commence by crossing the river using the monkey bridge, challenge yourself in establishing your balance and strength until the endpoint. 

Sightseeing
With only an hour of hike reaching the top of the mountain, you'll have a spectacular view of nature scenery and different landmarks.

Concerns

Guide Contacts	09195746470-Carlito Carpio (Guide) 09207785723- Dondie (Guide) 09155854684 - Ajeck
Permit Contacts	Ajeckecalne@ymail.com SanMiguelBulacan1874@yahoo.com M.a.d.l.u.m.inc.@gmail.com 09155854684 - Ajeck 09195746470 - Tatay Carling
Guides	Required. Suggested fee – P300/Dayhike (10:1 ratio) ; P600/Overnight (10:1 ratio)
Sidetrip	Mt. Gola Madlum River Madlum Cave Bayukbok Cave Victoria Cave
Rates	Guide fee: - Overnight:P600 (10:1 ratio) - Dayhike: P300 (10:1 ratio) Caving Trips: P200 (5 person) Zipline: P50 Registration: P15 Headlight Rental: P30/head
Water source	At the registration point
Registration	Logbook in Registration Point P15/head will be paid.
Rattan	None
Limatik	None
Signal	Network availability fluctuate in some trail.
River Crossing	Yes
Dayhikable	Yes
Budget	P500 – P800 (Dayhike)

Travel Tips
- Secure a permit before your scheduled hike. 
- Parking space is available near the registration point before reaching the bridge/monkey bridge.
- Never attempt to cross the Madlum river if the water rage, always wait for the guide signal if you're secure to do so. 

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Photo Credit: Jun De  Leon and Maan Villamor