Conquering Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, was a dream turned reality.
In my desire to climb the highest mountain in the Philippines, despite knowing the challenges that come with it, I booked a 3D2N hike. I searched online for a joiner’s package and came across Mt. Apo Adventure Trip. They had a significant number of followers, which made me think their service was well-known and reliable. I contacted them via text at the number provided on their page.
I made my reservation on November 2, 2024, for a scheduled hike on February 14-16, 2025. The package originally cost Php 6,000, and I secured my slot by making a down payment of Php 1,500.
A week before my flight, I was informed of a price adjustment—an additional Php 500—because Region 12’s Lake Venado trail was still closed, and we would be taking the Bansalan Trail instead. This brought the total package cost to Php 6,500 for the 3D2N hike.
I inquired about accommodations near the jump-off point, but the coordinator informed me that the meet-up would be in Davao City. They recommended staying at one of these hotels: Frances Inn, Eco-Green, or Blue Lotus Hotel. I called each hotel to check their rates, and all had a standard room priced at Php 1,100 per night. Since my flight was arriving in Davao at night, I booked a room at Frances Inn.
Upon landing at Davao Airport around 6 PM, I took a metered taxi to Frances Inn, which took approximately 25-35 minutes. The coordinator advised me that I would be picked up from the hotel at around 3:30 AM on February 14. To prepare for the hike, I organized my hiking bag and essentials that evening.
The next day, I woke up at 2:30 AM, took a shower, checked out, and waited for my ride. The pick-up arrived at around 4 AM due to multiple stops for other participants. Originally, we were supposed to be five in the group, but one person backed out, so only four of us continued. We were assigned two tour guides for the hike.
There was an option to hire a porter for Php 750 per day for a 15kg load, with an additional Php 75 per kg for excess weight. The porter’s meals also required extra payment. Since I didn’t have a tent, I opted to rent one for Php 500, good for 3D2N. Another participant also needed a tent, so we decided to share. Porters were also available for sharing among hikers. A weighing scale was provided to ensure accurate payments based on the weight of our bags.
At around 6:30 AM, we arrived in Brgy. Kapatagan from Davao City. We took a short stop to have breakfast before proceeding to the jump-off area. After a brief rest, we also bought food for our lunch during the hike.
By 8:30 AM, we reached the jump-off point. I prepared myself for the trek and left my suitcase in the van since I had both a hiking bag and a suitcase with me. I only brought the essentials (check out my travel hacks section for hiking essentials recommendations).
As soon as we started trekking, the trail immediately inclined steeply. Our guide mentioned that since none of us initially hired porters, we would realize at the registration and weighing area if we could truly carry our own bags. He predicted that after this initial stretch, some of us might decide to avail porter services.
The steep ascent was exhausting right from the start, and the weight of my pack added to the challenge. I hiked at a slower pace, and a porter walking behind me offered to carry my bag for just Php 500. I declined because I wanted to push myself and fully experience the challenge of being a hiker—what an adventure!
When we arrived at the weighing area, the four of us decided to share one porter to carry the heavier, non-essential items such as sleeping mats, tents, and extra clothes, ensuring the load stayed within the 15kg limit. Since this was my first overnight hike, I had probably overpacked, and even after offloading some items, my bag still felt heavy.
With the weight of our gear adjusted, we continued our ascent towards Mt. Apo, eager to take on the challenges ahead.
We continued our trek, passing through foggy trails and vast farmlands. Along the way, we saw plantations of lettuce and carrots, as well as beautiful flowers. The weather was cool and pleasant, making the hike more bearable. (Credits to my new friend: Arch. Lois for the photos)
Around 10-11 AM, we reached a small store where we could buy banana cue, water, and Gatorade. Drinking an ice-cold Gatorade during a strenuous hike was incredibly refreshing!
Our entry point was the Sta. Cruz Trail, which featured a continuous ascent. The path was shaded with trees, which kept us from overheating, but it also felt like it was about to rain. The muddy terrain made the hike even more challenging, as the trail was slippery. Wearing gloves was highly recommended for gripping onto branches for support, and a trekking pole proved to be extremely useful. Due to the muddy conditions, we had to move carefully to avoid slipping. Many other hikers were also on the trail that day—after all, it was Valentine’s Day.
By 2 PM, we finally arrived at the campsite. Despite only completing the first day of the hike, we were already exhausted. Major hikes were no joke, but the experience was rewarding. We set up our gear while the tour guides prepared a quick snack for us to rest and recharge. The campsite had restrooms and a water source, which was a relief. Thankfully, our guides were great cooks, providing us with delicious food that made up for the fatigue.
While waiting for dinner, I chatted with a fellow female hiker. We also took some time to freshen up before organizing our belongings inside the tent. By 5:30 PM, we were called for dinner, and the meal was incredibly satisfying after such a tiring day. After eating, we were advised to rest early to prepare for the summit push the next day.
At 1 AM, our alarms rang—we got up, geared up, and prepared for the final ascent. Today was the day we would reach the summit. The excitement was overwhelming! (Credits to my new friend: Arch. Lois for the photo of signage)
As we left the first campsite, we entered the Boulder Face, marking the beginning of a grueling climb over massive rock formations. The weather was far from ideal—rain poured steadily, making the ascent even more challenging. But no matter how tough the trail got, we were determined to push through. Reaching the summit was the goal, and nothing was going to stop us.
