Mt. Opao, Igbaras, Iloilo

The Mt. Opao of Igbaras, Iloilo

With her beautiful Knife Edge

in every angle.

The second highest mountain in Igbaras.
with
Mt. Taripis being the highest

The sunrise from Mt. Opao's campsite,

with Mt. Taripis on the backdrop.

 The popular Mt. Napulak, the 3rd highest.

The Knife Edge overlooking the Mt. Napulak.

Day 1

6am jeepney departure from Super to Igbaras

Fare of P50

Travel time of 1 hr

Then, dropped off at the Igbaras Municipal hall

for the registration of P25

We bought our packed lunch as well.

I spent P50.

Water for 2L, P40

We hired a motorbike to take us Brgy. Igcabugao for P200, one way.

Warning: this is the most difficult ride,

I ever encountered.

Otherwise,

you may opt to start trekking from Brgy. Passi,

if you start early.

The fare will cost P100.

With motorbike, it takes almost an hour.

If trekking, 2 to 3 hr depending on your pace.

Then, we were dropped to our guide's house, JP.

His Nanay Mila's house.

His husband is a guide along with his 4 boys.

You may send me a message here or on Facebook if you want her phone number.

We stayed here for a while,
to eat papaya iced candy..
less sugar, purely organic.

And, registered at the baranggay for P10

You may want to stay overnight, as well.

They have a very comfy house lodge, overlooking a picturesque view.

Now, 

let's begin the one step to a million more.

The first assault is a walk in a forest
for about 30 min to an hour.

With a rest for lunch.

Then another 2 to 3 hours walk in the forest

where we were attacked and stuck by the bees

We were just passing by, unaware.

I was stung thrice.

It's quite painful for few hours..

but I guess my heart aches more than few hours than this.. just kidding! 😛

Then, we continue..

Passing the budding Rafflesia,
the largest, heaviest, rarest and stinkiest
flower of the world..
found in South East Asia.

With some source of water along the way.

And a lot of walk in a forest.

Then, arriving to this open terrain.

To rest and have a snack with this view.

Then, another 20 minutes walk to these beautiful edges.

With some wild sweet berry.

It's edible and very tasty.

Few more steps to the landscape..

of the summit and her knife edge.

It's a breezy perfect afternoon

Then, we descend to this steep edge

Then walk in the forest again
for about an hour and a half

until the last water source,
where we arrived dusk..

too late for sunset.

Then, walk another 20 minutes
under the stars on the firefly ground

Set up our tent and prepare for dinner

Then, indulge in our mountain dinner.

Thanks to our master chef, Jef 😊

And, slept under the million stars

accommodation, 

on the playground of the fireflies.

Good morning, Mt. Taripis
from the campsite of Mt. Opao

The other side

The summit!

We decided to cook our breakfast,
after the climb.

So, though, I want to sleep more,

'cause it's windy cold morning,

I have to get up..

and join these gangsters uphill, 

I mean, to the summit.

15 minutes forest

Another 15 minutes,
to die or live knife edge.

With her beautiful backdrop

Then, walk in the sunshine 

of the summit.

With the sunshining brightly

Overlooking the town of San Remigio
of Antique..
known for their strawberry farm.

The elegant knife edge of Opao
unexplored and undocumented.

with her guest 🌞

We had a wonderful 2 days and 1 night.

We had our breakfast, after.

Then, go back to the same route
except the Amomoong part.

The rafflesia blooms overnight, too.

Cheers to sunrise and sunset chasing

and

 to the endless quest of the summit.

Simplified itinerary:

Nov 18-19, 2017

FIRST DAY ( Day 1)
0500 : Iloilo supermarket/mohon terminal (fare: 50 super/ 40 mohon)
0700 : Igbaras Tourism office log in (25 per head with OR permit) (option - you can ride from town igbaras - brgy. Igcabugao 100pesos per head
0710 : Ride motor  ( 50pesos per head habal-habal)
0800 : Brgy. Passi Start ascend to brgy. Igcabugao
0930 : Brgy. Igcabugao ( tay murot house || esquilarga family )
1000 : Start ascend to Bais trail
1130 : First water source / Bais trail / Lunch break
1230 : Mt. Tambara / 70-80° descend
1330 : Second water source / Tangyan river
1400 : Resume trekking
1600 : Last water source
1700 : Campsite / assemble tent / ( cook food )etc.
1830 : dinner
1900 : socials
2200 : lights off

NEXT DAY (Day 2)
0430 : Wake up call / coffee / cook breakfast & Lunch.
0500 : Sunrise
0530 : Stark trek ascend to Summit
0630 : Summit / Picture taking.
0730 : Descend Summit
0800 : Campsite / Breakfast
0900 : Descend Campsite
1000 : Tangyan river
1130 : Mt. Tambara 70-80° ascend
1230 : Bais River / lunch break
1300 : Resume trek
1500 : Brgy. Igcabugao ( Tay murot house || esquilarga family )
1600 : Descend from brgy. Igcabugao to passi
1700 : Ride habal - habal Back to igbaras (50pesos per head)
Home sweet home..

Guide fee : 750 per day = 1500 (group)
Environmental fee/permit : 25 pesos per head ( Tourism Office ) + Donation to the Brgy.

©Bert

Tinagong Dagat, Miag-ao

The Tinagong Dagat of Miag-ao

This hike was organized by my high school colleague, Jeffrel

He coordinated it with the local tourism office of Miag-ao, having us hired 2 tour guides for P1,000 (500, each guide)

We left Molo Terminal in loilo City 

around 3am arriving Miag-ao at 4am.

(there are no available van or bus at this hour, we had our own ride)

Then, we met our tour guides and registered.

We rented a scooter for P200 each, roundtrip

from Miag-ao town to the jump off.

Thanks to our tour guides for finding us one.

You may also trek from the town proper

to the lake, though it's quite far.

The travel will take 20 minutes, 

currently, it's dusty rough road.

There is another registration

at the baranggay and a donation.

The first 30 minutes is uphill with this scenery.

This is one of the reasons I love the sunrise,

overwhelming 💕

Then, this Nipa hut, ideal for relaxation.

There is an overflowing water from the pipe which is the drinking water of locals.

It's a spring water.

We had our packed breakfast here.

With this scenery.

Then, we continue for another 30 minutes to an hour hike to the lake

We are 6 in our team.

Then, we entered into this wood.

It will take another 30 minutes.. 

walk in the forest.

We stopped and rest, sometimes..

take photos and selfies.

Then, here comes the hidden sea

or

the Tinagong Dagat

It's a lake in the middle of the mountain.

For the locals, it is an enchanted place.

For hikers like us, it's a beautiful scenery.

Then, just few steps uphill, 

welcomes this mountain ranges of a nearby mountain.

We stayed here for a bit.. to chill.

Then, we continue to the village uphill.

It's another 30 minutes to an hour trek.

The pacing really depends on you.

We arrived at a local's house

that has a rock cave beside it.

He has this fish pond, 

so, we asked his wife to cook for us a viand and rice.

Though, we have our packed lunch.

I forgot how much we paid and his name.

I know.. I know, am terrible with my memory.

Before lunch,

we went for another 20 minutes down

the river walk.. to dip.

In this waterfalls inside the cave.

I can't remember its name.

We stayed there for about 30 minutes
and went back to the local's house for lunch

and, nap.

Yes! We can afford that 😛

Then, we went back to the town around 4pm.

Cheers!