The New Trail of Mount Batulao



 We've been planning a fun climb to Mt. Batulao for the last 2 weeks but can't find the time to do so. Good thing President Noynoy issued Proclamation 26 which declared September 10, 2010 as a regular non-working holiday.

ABOUT MOUNT BATULAO
Mount Batulao is located in Nasugbu,Batangas which is about 2-3hrs drive from Manila. The splendid view of Batulaocan be seen when you are on your way to Batangas via Tagaytay. It's tree-less peak covered with cogon grass makes it  look more like a snow-capped mountain.

Based on research, the name Batulao was derived from an annual phenomenon observe by the locals. Every year between December 22 and 28  when the sun sets right between Batulao’s two peaks it creates a scene describe as "Bato sa Ilao" (Illuminated Rocks) from which derived the the term  Batulao.

FUN CLIMB

Mt. Batulao New Trail

We arrived at Evercrest around 0900H and hopped in a tricycle to take us to the start of the trail. Going to the jump-off point  is around 15 minutes as you will passed by up and down slopes,houses and nipa huts offering  buko juice and cold drinks. We stopped by the first nipa hut and decided that we take the New Trail since we have a first timer with us. There are ten wooden markers in the new trail, Peak 1-8 being the easiest and Peak 9-10 can be considered the difficult to climb. Around 1030H, ominous dark clouds seems to stopped us from reaching the summit as we arrived in the registration camp. We decided to eat our packed lunch while waiting for the drizzle to stop. We pushed through with going to the summit when the sun shows up, by 1200H we're already reached the summit.

Climbing Mt. Batulao is indeed one exciting experience. The summit is worth the climb as you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Cavite, Batangas and the nearby mountains like Talamitam,Pico de Loro and Taal Lake. You will be surprised that there is a little stall in the summit that sells the most refreshing Mountain Dew ever. After an hour  staying in the summit we  decided to descend. We made it back at Evercrest around 1600H and very happy that we push through with the climb. Since we're already in Nasugbu we booked an overnight stay in Munting Buhangin Beach Camp for our postclimb feast. Here's the detailed itinerary (thanks Red) of our Mt. Batulao Day Climb,

The Summit

 Going Down

ITI:
700AM Meetup at Mcdo SLEX, Breakfast
800AM Tagaytay Savemore, Last minute shopping for trail water and food
845AM Park outside Evercrest Nasugbu, (just remember to give a little tip to the security)
900AM Call tricycle to jump-off, remember to get the tricycle driver's cellphone number so they can pick you up later (20php per head to jump-off)
A lot of guides are just circling around the area (you can pay 300-400php after the trek is over)
915AM Jump-off
1030AM Registration camp (20php per head), Early lunch (there's a little hut at the reg camp, way better to eat there if you packed lots of food)
1200PM Reach Summit via New Trail, picture2x, nap, eat again
0100PM Start descent
0200PM Rest at registration camp
0245PM A few uphills and downhills later you will reach a hut that sells halo2x and buko for 20php
0400PM End trek, if you got the number of tricycle driver earlier you can be easily fetched in the jump-off
0415PM Reach Evercrest, end trek
0430PM Off to Munting Buhangin Beach Camp

Budget:
210php - groceries and packed lunch
700php - gas for 1 car; divided into 4-5 each car.
100php - parking tip for Evercrest security
300-500php - for guide
40php - tricycle going to and pick up at jump-off
20php - registration fee

**for group of 8 with 2cars that would be around 575php to 615php**

Munting Buhangin Beach Camp

For more detailed info, visit the Mt. Batulao page for more information on the new trail and the latest updates.