Mention the place Bukidnon, and what comes to mind are its stunning landscapes and breathtaking mountain ranges. And one that’s always on the bucket list? It is Mt. Kulago—a popular trekking destination located in the municipality of Impasug-ong. This Mt. Kulago hiking guide is aimed at providing you insights into what it is like to trek to the summit.
Standing at 913 meters (2,995 feet) above sea level, Mt. Kulago may not be among the highest peaks in the Philippines, but it certainly doesn’t offer a walk-in-the-park trail.
Dubbed the Hummingbird Mountain of Bukidnon, it is a trekking destination you won’t want to miss adding to your trekking itinerary.
In this post, I’ll share relevant information about this trekking spot—helpful for those planning a trip to its summit.
CONTENT AT A GLANCE
Point of entry
If you’re coming from outside Bukidnon, there are two popular entry points to Impasug-ong: (1) Cagayan de Oro City and (2) Davao City. Both cities have airports with daily flights in and out. If you’re coming from the north, Cagayan de Oro is your best option—just about a two-hour drive to Impasug-ong. If you’re coming from the south, Davao City is the more practical route, with a travel time of around four to five hours.
Why choose a tour/hiking package
Although a DIY hike to Mt. Kulago is possible, I recommend finding a tour operator or agency offering a Mt. Kulago tour package. You can find plenty of these packages on social media. But, I’d like to remind you to exercise due diligence so as not to fall victim to unscrupulous offers. Always check reviews, do a background check, and ask online hiking communities to vouch for the legitimacy of your prospective tour agency.
Usually, you need two days for the whole Mt. Kulago trek, which includes an overnight stay at the campsite. However, if you are used to trekking, you may consider a day hike. The total distance from the jumping-off point to the summit (and back) is about 12 kilometers, so it would just be fine.
Note: For beginners in trekking, I would suggest to have enough preparation for this activity. That means doing some cardio and other form of exercise before your trek. Your Mt. Kulago trek is not a walk-in-the-park thing, especially since you are trekking through an open trail (at least 70%) to the summit.
Journey from Davao City to Bukidnon
It took us about five hours to reach the Communal Ranch in Impasug-ong from Davao City. That’s a long travel. However, the perk of traveling from Davao to Bukidnon is that you get to enjoy beautiful landscapes along the way. That’s the reason why we had several stops on our way through – the sea of clouds somewhere in Quezon was a real treat; we did not miss hopping out of our van and taking some photos.
We also needed to stop somewhere in Maramag for breakfast along the highway to sustain the day.
Before reaching our destination, we did a side trip to the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Bukidnon (Abbey of the Transfiguration) in Malaybalay. We arrived there at almost 9 AM; the sun was already up and hot. To our dismay, we were barred from entering the church because a wedding ceremony was ongoing when we arrived. So, we went straight to their pasalubong store instead, from where I bought a pouch of coffee grounds.
Arriving in Impasug-ong
After spending about 15 minutes at the monastery, we continued with our journey and arrived in Impasug-ong more than an hour later. We stopped by another eatery to buy some food to eat for lunch. Then, we went to a 7-Eleven store nearby to have our last buys before heading to the jump-off.
Note: We did not find some of the things we wanted to buy at the 7/Eleven (like a loaf of bread), so this is a piece of advice I would give: buy your stuff at your point of origin as there’s a big chance you cannot find some of the things you’d like to buy there.
At around 11 AM, we arrived at the Communal Ranch, the jumping-off point for the Mt. Kulago trek. Our tour organizer did all the things needed when we arrived—from tourism fees to porter dealings, etc. Then, we, the hikers, were given 30 minutes to spend at the ranch—to have a good time, roam around, and take photos. We also ate our lunch right there (just inside the van).
The trek
I chose to start the trek at the jumping-off point. However, you may also opt to ride a habal habal through the dirt road to the ridge overlooking the Tagoloan River – the farthest distance a motorbike could go, given the rugged terrain.
Note: As you hike through an open trail, expect the journey to be hot, especially if your trek starts after lunch. The hottest part of the trail you’ll experience is the part where you climb down the river. You will experience hot air blowing there—like that of hot air coming out of an AC’s exhaust.
Crossing the Tagoloan river
Whether you come from a motorbike ride from the jump-off point or you hike to the ridge I mentioned, you will need to climb down the river to reach the area where you ride a bamboo raft to cross it without getting wet. The fee is 20 pesos. There’s a high chance that you will be stuck there for some time as there are only a couple of bamboo rafts to ferry you to the other side. There may be only one bamboo raft working during your trek.
To the campsite
After crossing the river, you will need to hike about one kilometer up the slope to reach the campsite. But don’t underestimate the distance. As before, you have to trek through an open trail. But, you can take refuge under shades of occasional trees along the trail. But then again, be prepared, especially if you reach there in the early afternoon when you can experience warmer/hotter blows of winds.
The journey from the river to the campsite could take about twenty to thirty minutes, depending on your pace, of course. Arriving at the campsite, you can feel relief as the place is more relaxing. There are more than enough trees to cool you down from the exhausting trek. After taking some rest, it’s time to find a spot to pitch your tent; you can settle down soon after.
What you can expect at the campsite:
- Bathrooms and restrooms
- Water source
- Enough space to pitch your tent
- Sari-sari stores (they are open 24 hours; expect higher prices)
- Bonfire and drinks (social)
- Tent rental (if you plan to rent, make a reservation or pay right away prior to your arrival to ensure you get one – they’re on demand)
- If no more tents are available, some locals rent out their homes for the price of a tent.
- If you are in a tour group, you do not need to worry about your food; they will prepare all you need to eat for dinner (and breakfast the following day)
- Lights out at around 10 PM as hikers need to have enough rest for an early trek to the summit the following day
Note: Expect some hikers to stay awake at past 10 PM, especially those who are having a good time over bottles of drinks.
From the campsite to the summit
As mentioned, the call time is 3:00 AM to give you enough time to prepare and have a cup of coffee before you start your trek at 4:00 AM. Just like from the jump-off to the campsite, the way to the summit, for the most part, is through an open trail. But you do not have to worry that much because, usually, it would take only about two hours to reach the summit from the campsite. You should be there by 6:00 AM. The real challenge, however, is getting back to the campsite. As the sun begins to rise in the sky, you will experience a hotter trail. Make sure you have protection from the sun—like an umbrella, cap, or shawl. Put on some sunscreen as well.
You can linger at the summit for like an hour or longer. And why not? It’s not always you can visit places like Mount Kulago, so enjoy it while it lasts. Up there, you can enjoy its breathtaking panorama, overlooking the mountain ranges of Bukidnon. Take photos and videos as much as you want, laugh with friends, and appreciate the beauty of nature before you head down to the campsite again.
Back to the campsite
After an exciting yet exhausting backtrail to the campsite, you will be treated to a sumptuous meal to recover from the energy lost during your hike. Your tour organizer will prepare the food for you to enjoy.
After having breakfast with your group and newly found friends, it’s time to break camp and pack your things. You prepare for the last trek back to the jumping-off point (where you started your trek, near the Communal Ranch).
From the campsite and back to the jump-off
The last part of your Mt. Kulago trek. After spending some time at the campsite to relax from the summitting Mt. Kulago, it’s time to go back to where you started – the jump-off. As before, you are going to hike down the Tagoloan River to ride a bamboo raft ride again. And just like your first ride, crossing the river would take a considerable time as other hikers will do the same, causing a traffic jam.
After crossing the river, you begin climbing up again back to the dirt road, going to the jump-off.
You can choose to take a habal-habal ride from there to the Communal Ranch (the jumping-off site). The price of the ride is 150 pesos, and you can add some amount—if you intend to give a tip.
Note: Some hikers opt to take a horse ride from the campsite up to the habal-habal terminal (the price is 350 pesos) and then take a habal-habal ride (150 pesos) to the jump-off. If you plan to ride a horse, book in advance so that they have enough time to find one.
Sidetrip to Cedar Falls
Your tour organizers have a list of places to go for a side trip after your Kulago trek. Given the limited time, it is highly likely that you can’t visit them all. With that said, I would suggest considering a side trip to Cedar Falls. That is if your tour guide lets you choose from the options. Why? Well, after a tiring, exhausting Kulago trek, it’s good to end your Bukidnon getaway with a refreshing dip at Cedar Falls. The payment is 100 pesos for the entrance and 50 pesos for the life vest. The place is refreshing (despite the fact it would take you a 10-minute ride to the waterfall).
Other things to keep in mind
- Don’t forget your essentials, including sunscreen (as, for the most part, it’s an open trail) and insect repellant.
- If you want to rent a tent, book in advance; if possible, pay in advance so that your slot is secured; otherwise, bring your tent.
- Bring extra cash
- Choose a Kulago hike package, and everything is taken care of. All you need to think about is the trekking itself.
- I am not recommending any travel agency that offers a Mt. Kulago hike. The reason? It’s because I was not satisfied with the agency I booked; they made us join another group because they said no more tour guides were available; it was disappointing.)
- Ensure you have answers to all your questions before you book a package from the tour agency you choose.
- Lastly, enjoy your hike. Don’t let little setbacks ruin your Kulago trek experience. After all, it is not all the time you have an opportunity to embark on an outdoor adventure like this.
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