Sakat Sa Asog
February 4, 2009
Sakatt kan mga Urastigon
Date January 24-25, 2009
by Elma Padua and Ivan Rivera
We assembled at the Naga City CBD Terminal at around 6:00 am. There were six us: Ted Ruiz, a 56-year-old American missionary who could speak Tagalog and few Bicolano phrases. Boyet and Patrick, both long time mountaineer from Manila; Jojo Villareal, the climb organizer; and Elma Padua the lone female climber. We were supposed to be joined by another female but unfortunately unexpected events came up.
We boarded a bus to Iriga City then transferred to a jeepney to Buhi Municipal Hall. We spent a few minutes buying additional supplies in the wet market and took some pictures of the lake. Finally we boarded a tricycle to our jump-off point at Barangay Cabatuan. When Boyet and Patrick were checking their packs they found out that the first aid pack was missing so they went back to the town proper and luckily found it hanging on the Municipal Hall’s fence.
The hike was as “U trek” because of the shape of terrain. We took our lunch while on the trail nearby a spring faucet. As we moved on we felt our back pack getting heavier every step. Yet, when we were at a certain altitude we were rewarded with awesome view of the lake, the town against the background of lush mountain greens. The rain started to fall as we moved closer to our base camp. We decided to take a shelter in an unfinished chapel. When the rain stopped we continued our hike until we reached Camp Esplana, our base camp, at past 4PM.
At the base camp we hurriedly set up the tent because the rain was starting to fall again. Luckily there was an abandoned house nearby which we used as a place for cooking our food and socials at night. Evidently, the house caused us discomfort because of the stench goat droppings but our nose got used to it. While taking our dinner each talked about their climbing experiences and some information about themselves. After the dinner and socials we checked our tent and it was good and up but the groundsheet was soaking wet from heavy downpour. We decide to sleep in the abandoned house instead. We fixed our bedding yet it was difficult to sleep because the dogs and goats were trying take shelter with us plus the sound of the animals and the howling of the wind.
Early next morning we prepared our breakfast and suit up for the climb. The plan was to climb the peak of Mt Asog but our guides led us to the rim of the volcano crater. Mt. Asog is a dormant volcano. We went through the ridges hidden under trees and bushes and tall grasses. From the rim, we saw the bottom of the crater which was full of pine trees and dense vegetation. We spent few minutes taking pictures. There was no trail that led us to the peak from the crater so we went back to the base camp. It took less than an hour to go up to the crater and back down.
The ascent to the peak was difficult. We did not find the established trail instead created our own trail. We walked, climbed and crawled through the thick sharp blade of cogon grasses. The ascent was almost risky because of the terribly steep terrain. Later we faced a dead end, a vertical wall very close to the ridge and decided to settle there. From there we enjoyed the view and savor the moment. After few minutes, we slid down. The descent was easy and fun. We took our lunch in the base camp and packed up. From the base camp hiked down to Barangay Santiago then took a ride on a tricycle to Iriga City.
Caramoan Tour Packages
February 3, 2009 Updated Caramoan Tour Packages
So much happened at Caramoan peninsula after the French Survivor reality series which was held at the said place last summer 2008..The hidden beautiful place which was hidden and only for backpackers destinations for a long time ago becomes now so popular to the world. The young, energetic,dynamic Hon.Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte developed Caramoan as prime Eco Tourism destination in Camarines Sur. He established world class resort in Gota which is now attracting a lot of tourist all over the world. He revolutionalized the Tourism by making Cam Sur as the number 1 tourist destination in Bikol. CWC(Camarines Sur Wakeboarding Center) as the number 1, Caramoan as the 2nd place and 3rd is the Donsol Whale Shark interaction as the 3rd place (according to Deparetment of Tourism data of influx of domestic and foreign tourist in the Bikol region. Anywhy,Caramoan peninsula still retained its adventure,backpacking and outdoor appeal because of the environmental
efforts of the Governor L-Ray Villafuerte to regulate, preserve and conserve the natural beauty of the place. It did not turn into Boracay type atmosphere which more of the conservationis and environmentalists concerns…Caramoan peninsula is still hidden, far and still unexplored and mysterious as it used to be.
Two days Package
Here is the Package tours itenerary for two(2) days:
Package A
PX,XXX each for a group of 2-4 persons inclusions of round trip land transfer,round
trip boat transfer, hotel accomodations, island
hopping and 3 meals( the menu is seafoods,meat,vegetables-served per person).,permits/entrance fee at caramoan.
Package B
PX,XXX each for a group of 6-7 persons inclusions of round trip land transfer,round
trip boat transfer, hotel accomodations, island
hopping and 3 meals( the menu is seafoods,meat,vegetables-served per person),permit/entrance fee at caramoan.
Here is the Package tours itenerary for two(2) days:
Package C
PX,XXX each persons for a group of 8-15 persons inclusions of round trip land transfer(aircon van),round
trip boat transfer, hotel accomodations, island
hopping and 3 meals(c the menu is seafoods,meat,vegetables-served per person), permit /entrance fee at caramoan .
ITENERARY
Day 1
6:30 A.M.-Departure Naga City to Sabang Port
8:30 A.M.-Arrival Sabang Port
8:30-9:00A.M.-Rest
9:00 A.M.-Departure Sabang Port to Quijalo port of Caramoan
11:00 A.M.-Arrival Quijalo port
11:10 A.m.-Departure Quijalo to Caramoan Town
11:40 A.M.-Arrival Caramoan town Rex inn Hotel check in
12:00 P.M.-lUNCH
12:30 p.M.-rEST
1:00 P.M.-Departure REX INN to Bikal Bay or Paniman Bay
1:30 P.M.-Arrival Bikal Bay/Paniman Bay
1:40 P.M.-iSLAND Hopping (matukad island)(sabitang laya island)lahus island
5:30 p.M.-Back to Bikal bay/Paniman Bay
7:00 P.M.-Back to Rex Inn HOTEL
7:30 p.m.-Dinner
8:30 P.M.-Rest
Day 2
6:00 A.M.-Wake up call
6:30 A.M.-Breakfast
8:30 A.M.-Departure Rex Inn to Quijalo port
9:00 A.M.-Arrival Quijalo port
9:10 A.M.-Departure Quijalo port to Sabang port
11:00 P.M.-Arrival sABANG port
11:30 p.m.-Departure Sabang port to Naga City
2:00 P.M.-Arrival Naga City
A side trip to deer Farm, mt. Isarog consocep waterfalls and hotspring, cam sur wake boarding Center can be requested after Caramoan and a short trip to naga city for souvenir but wakeboarding fee and lunch and dinner in wakeboarding area and in naga city and entrance at the hot springs is at its own expense.
Home sweet home
Three Days Tour Package
Package A
3 days package of P X, XXX for each for a group of 2-5 persons inclusions of round trip land
transfer,round trip boat tranfers,hotel accomodations,
island hopping and 6 meals(catering and the menu is seafoods,meat,vegetables-served per person), permits/entrance fee at caramoan.
Here is the Package B tours itenerary for two(3) days:
3 days package of P X, XXX for each for a group of 6-7 persons inclusions of round trip land
transfer,round trip boat tranfers,hotel accomodations,
island hopping and 6 meals(catering and the menu is seafoods,meat,vegetables-servedper person). permits/entrance fee at caramoan.
Here is the Package B tours itenerary for two(3) days:
Package C
P X, XXX each for a group of 8-15 persons inclusions of round trip land transfer,round
trip boat transfer, hotel accomodations, island
hopping and 3 meals(catering and the menu is seafoods,meat,vegetables-served per person), permits/entrance fee at caramoan.
Day 1
6:30 A.M.-Departure Naga City to Sabang Port
8:30 A.M.-Arrival Sabang Port
8:30-9:00A.M.-Rest
9:00 A.M.-Departure Sabang Port to Quijalo port of Caramoan
11:00 A.M.-Arrival Quijalo port
11:10 A.m.-Departure Quijalo to Caramoan Town
11:40 A.M.-Arrival Caramoan town Rex inn Hotel check inn
12:00 P.M.-LUNCH
12:30 p.M.-REST
1:00 P.M.-Departure REX INN to Bikal bay/Paniman Bay
1:30 P.M.-Arrival Bikal Bay
1:40 P.M.-iSLAND Hopping(matukad island, lahus island,honogan bay,umang cave)
5:30 p.M.-Back to bikal bay/paniman bay
7:00 P.M.-Back to REX iNN HOTEL
7:30 p.m.-Dinner
8:30 P.M.-Rest
Day 2
5:00 A.M.-Wake up call
5:30 A.M.-Breakfast
6:00 A.M.-Departure bikal to Bikal Bay/paniman bay
6:30 A.M.-Arrival bikal Bay/paniman
7:00 A.M.-Departure by boat from Bikal bay to Tabgon
Visit the Our lady of Peace statue situated
at the top of Mt. Caglago which can be
reached by climbing a hundred stairs but the
the view is simply amazing of panoramic caramoan Penisula.
8:00 A.M.-Arrival Tabgon port
8:10 A.M.-Start climbing to Mt. Caglago
8:30 A.M.-At the top-rest/pray
9:30 A.M.-Start descent
10:00 Departure Brgy. Tabgon to Manlawi or gogon(a mile of sand bar which is breathtaking during low tide)
11:30 Arrival Manlawi island or Gogon(same name)
12:00 Lunch (meal 4)
12:30 Swim, snorkel, explore the sea, etc.
15:30 Departure manalwi island or gogon Island to basud island
16:00 Arrival Sabitang Laya Island
16:30 Swim, snorkel, explore the sea, etc.
17:00 Departure Basud island to Paniman Bay or bikal bay
18:00 Arrival Bikal Bay
18:20 Departure Bikal Bay or paniman bay to Rex Inn
19:00 Arrival Rex Inn
19;30 Dinner (meal 5)
20:30 Rest
DAY 3
6:00 A.M.-Wake up call
6:30 A.M.-Breakfast
8:30 A.M.-Departure Rex Inn to Guijalo port
9:00 A.M.-Arrival Quijalo port
9:10 A.M.-Departure Quijalo port to Sabang port
11:00 P.M.-Arrival Sabang port
11:30 p.m.-Departure Sabang port to Naga City
2:00 P.M.-Arrival Naga City
Note: Caving at the Culapnit cave can be changed at the morning itenerary for the 3rd day ,If requested.
A side trip to deer Farm, mt. Isarog consocep waterfalls and hotspring, cam sur wake boarding Center can be requested after Caramoan and a short trip to naga city for souvenir but wakeboarding fee and lunch and dinner in wakeboarding area and in Naga city and entrance at the hot springs is at its own expense.
Home sweet home
MENU:
Lunch-bikol express,grilled malasugi(blue marlin)or sweet n sour malasugi, adobo and fruit.
Dinner-Crab or hipon or grilled na pusit or calamaris, laing,porkchop and fruit.
Breakfast-egg, daing, longganisa or tucino, coffee,milk and fruit but can be interchanged because of the availability of the food or recipe in the area.
NOTE:The itenerary is flexible depending on the weather and traffic conditions, capacity or speed of movements of
tourists or participants
For your question, you may send an e mail to kadlagan@yahoo.com or call or text me at the cell phone number below.
JOJO Villareal
Kadlagan Outdoor Shop,tour and Services
16 Dimasalang St., Naga City
4400 Philippines
Land line 4723305
RESERVATION AND BOOKING
For reservation, you may deposit the 50% of package cost at the bank account below and the remaining 50% upon arrival in Naga City
· Bank: Metrobank
· Account name : Jose FERDINAND C.VILLAREAL,
· Account number: 126-3126097906
