Mount Makiling — Attraction in Los Baños

Mt Makiling is an inactive stratovolcano located in the provinces of Laguna and Batangas on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. The mountain rises to an elevation of 1,090 meters (3,580 ft) above mean sea level and home of different animals species and plants.

Our CLASSROOM at Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve

Rainforest 🌳 Hike 🥾+ Native Trees 🌳🌴🌲 Identification + Mud Spring + Rafflesia 🏵️

📌Mt. Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna Tour guide : Php 1200 Rafflesia season : Late February to April 🥺 9 hrs hike from Station 1 to 15 to Station 1 from 6am to past 3pm.

🍃 LESSONS we LEARN from HIKING Hard work pays off. Even though it’s uncomfortable, you have to leave your comfort zone in order to grow, reach your goals, and arrive at your destination. The world is a beautiful place. There are so many better things to do with your time than spend it on a screen. There is value in following a guide who knows the way (i.e., parents, grandparents, mentors, and church leaders). You are capable of solving hard problems. Trust yourself. Push your limits; you’ll be surprised at what you can handle. It’s easy to get focused on the climb—the hard parts. But don’t forget to look up and take in the view. It will remind you what you’re doing it for. It develops your character - patience, persistence and determination

NO GIVING UP. NO TURNING BACK. IF U FALL - STAND UP and LEARN. #natureisourcurriculum #homeschoollife #learningtogetherasafamily #KwentoNiKali #homeschoollookslikethis #trees #learningisfun #learnedexperienceisthebestteacher #ourclassroomwithoutwall #WindsorHillsAcademy #kindergartenclassroom

UP College of Forestry and Natural Resources Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve #libotpinas #LuzonVisayasMindanao #PhilippineLoop #KwentoNiKali #PhilippineTourism #SuzukiSpresso #suzukispressocamper #PhilippineLoopers #PhilippineTourism #LibotPinas2023 #PhilippineLoopAdventureTour #PinasMuna #GoBeKind #82ProvincesPH #pinoycamper #luzontomindanao #LoveThePhilippines #lovephilippines #DIY #DIYtravel #WHA #WindsorHillsAcademy #HomeSchool...

The jungle is beautiful, but the trail itself is quite boring. There are no special attractions like waterfalls or scenic viewpoints. The main highlight is the Rafflesia, but it can be disappointing because the flowers are much smaller (15-20 cm in diameter) compared to the large specimens found in the south.

If you plan to trek from the UP Los Baños side, here are some key details: Registration is done at the starting point. One member of the group must leave their ID. 🎫Entrance fee: 30 PHP per person. A guide is mandatory for groups going to Peak 2. The cost is 1,200 PHP for up to 5 people.

Distance is 20 km round trip. Average trekking time: 8-9 hours total (ascent and descent). The trail is well-marked and passes through dense rainforest. Up to Station 11, there is a concrete road. After this point, the actual mountain path begins. Each station (there are 30 in total) has signs indicating the distance to the next one. The trail is not steep, but many sections are extremely muddy. In terms of mud, this is the worst trail we have hiked in the Philippines so far. There are no resting spots along the trail, such as benches at the stations.At the summit, there is also no place to sit and rest or eat after completing the challenging hike. ⚠️ there are leeches. Wear long sleeves, pants, and bring repellent. They fall from trees and try to attach immediately. Everyone in our group was attacked by leeches. In the upper sections of the trail, there are ropes to assist with steep and slippery sections, particularly during descent in...

Mount Makiling is a haven for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. Its thriving flora and fauna are fascinating to see. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch the rafflesias and jade vines in full bloom. Just be extra careful not to touch unfamiliar plants. Some can cause itchy allergic reactions.

I decided to hike the mountain and reached its summit at Peak 2. I was surprised to learn that many adventurers actually spend the entire day ascending and descending. Thankfully, we came on a dry day, so I didn’t encounter any leeches. The whole hike took about 8 hours, from Station 1 (the starting point) to Station 30 (Peak 2) and back. Honestly, it felt like the longest count to 30 ever.

While bringing your own food is helpful, don’t pack too much; there are food stalls at a couple of stations along the way (the last one being on Station 14).

Overall, the hike was more challenging than I expected. I’d rate it around a 6.5 out of 10 in difficulty. The last third of the trail is definitely the toughest, with narrow slopes, rocky paths, and muddy obstacles...