Ever contemplated of an unpremeditated bonding over a hot coffee on top of a mountain overseeing the whole city? Well lucky for you there exist such a place in between Sibulan and San Jose, 15-minute ride from Dumaguete City.
Puncak Tanawan is an underrated camping and hiking site although it is starting to get lots of attention lately. During the hike to top, typical kubo and houses most commonly in the farms can be seen. Even at the top of the mountain, there are still some houses built. There were cows, carabao, goats, dogs along the way. It was a normal farm life for the locals but it was leg day for us (we've been sedentary for a while huhu pt).
At the top, there are two different views can be seen. First stop is by the La Preza Highland Veiwdeck. They charge P20 if you are going to stay there or take pictures for a long time. Then finally the Puncak Tanawan where campers usually stay. Entrance fee is also P20.
Usually, La Preza is for those hikers who are too tired to walk until Puncak.
Usually, La Preza is for those hikers who are too tired to walk until Puncak.
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| View from La Preza |
(some) breathtaking angles from Puncak (can you hear the gushing of the wind because i still can):
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| Ganda (ko) ng view no |
Not to worry because on top, there is a store/house where food are sold. Note: they also sell ice water for 2 pesos hihi (i think it's clean since negative amoeba from all of us haha)
How to get here:
From Dumaguete, ask the pedicab driver to drop you off at 'paradahan sa Sibulan' within the tiangge (Dumaguete). Easy ride drivers are usually friendly so you won't have to worry about getting scammed or lost. We rode an easy ride via Sibulan-Ajong route. Just tell the driver that you will be going to Puncak Tanawan or if they aren't sure where that is, just tell them to drop you off at Balugo crossing. Fare is 12 pesos (since its beyond the poblacion).
At the crossing, wait for a habal-habal (because drivers dont really wait in line there) but in our case, we walked a 3.3 km elevated road because we were uninformed that it was too far from the starting point *too young too dumb to realize* Fare is about P25/pax and 4-5pax/habal-habal (habal habal would be more pricey if you go there alone).
The drive from Balugo crossing to the starting point is about 30 min. (We walked for over 2hrs). The hike to the mountain is about 2.5kms. So it's a 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr walk.
Budget breakdown:
P8 - Pedicab to tiangge/paradahan
P12 - Easy ride (via Ajong) to Balugo crossing
P20 - Puncak entrance fee
P25 - Habalhabal (Puncak starting point to Sibulan poblacion)
P10 - Easy ride to Dumaguete
TOTAL: P75!!
Itinerary:
5AM - Assembly time (Dumaguete)
6-8AM - Hike from crossing balugo to Puncak starting point
8-10AM - Statring point to Puncak Tanawan
12:30-1PM - Puncak to starting point
1:30-2PM - Starting point to sibulan terminal
2-2:15PM - Dumaguete
It was a nice day actually. The place is so chill. The weather is sunny but the wind is chilly. Best part is that people could play around; friends could bond over a coffee or whatever; and no need for any savoir-faire. Although at the end of the day, I had a weather-beaten face huhu.
With just a 100 peso budget (Applicable for Dumaguete & Sibulan residents) and a moment's thought, an experience more than its worth is a feast for the mind and soul.
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