Mt. Batulao Quick Adventure Hike Near Manila with Hotel Pickup

It's a short 2 to 3 hours drive south of Manila. The driver, Miel, picked me up at 4 am. He is a great person to talk with and a great company throughout the drive. On the way back he has also stopped at an incredible fruit store on the road to allow me tasting the most delicious pineapple and bananas I have ever had! Mount Batulau is an incredible landscape. The ascent is smooth and easy until the last peak where the path narrows thin and you walk literally on tbe crest of the mountain to then pull yourself on ropes to climb the summit. The views are gorgeous and lush green all around and all the way. So incredibly panoramic. Being a Sunday I have encountered some crowd on the summit. I had a bit of a mismatch with my guide who did not come as he called himself sick at the very last minute. Miel, the driver, was great to find me another one once arrived at Mount Batulao. To be honest, you don't need one as the path is well beaten. But it suppports the local community. Before entering the mountain you walk through a little charming village. So nice, so authentic. If I can make a point, I encourage the village leaders to ensure the path amd the mountain is weel mainatined and plastic is cleaned as otherwhise they will soon risk to loose from such an incredible spot of the Philippines within an easy reach from Manila!