HOW TO GET TO MOUNT ISAROG?
Mount Isarog National Park covers forty square kilometres in the heart of Camarines Sur, about 40km east of Naga. At its centre stands Mount Isarog (1966m), the second highest peak in southern Luzon and part of the Bicol volcanic chain that also includes Mayon. Isarog is considered potentially active, although it is not known when it last erupted.
The park is relatively easy to reach, but once on the lower slopes of the mountain you may feel as if you have stepped through a portal into the Jurassic Age. The jungle is thick and steamy, and the flora and fauna are among the most varied in the archipelago.
Long-tailed macaques and monitor lizards are a pretty common sight, while with a little luck you may also spot the indigenous shrew rats, reticulated pythons and rare birds such as the bleeding-heart pigeon, red-breasted pitta and blue-nape fantail. Reaching the summit takes two days of strenuous climbing.
At the top are two craters, the lower of the pair containing a number of fumaroles steaming with sulphurous gas.
A number of paths on Isarog’s lower slopes lead to waterfalls – including Mina-Ati, Nabuntulan and Tumaguiti – all of which are surrounded by thick rainforest and have deep, cool pools for swimming. The easiest waterfall to reach is beautiful Malabsay, a powerful ribbon of water that plunges into a deep pool surrounded by forest greenery. It’s a delightful place for a dip. There are also some hot springs in Panicuason (admission P200).
The best time to trek is between March and May, but it is possible at other times weather allowing; September to December is particularly wet. The most commonly used route to the summit takes three days and is called the Panicuason trail, starting at the barangay of Panicuason.
There are also four other recognized routes on the mountain: the PLDT Trail (2 days), Curry Trail (3 days), Patag-Patag Trail (3 days) and Hiwakloy Trail (4 days). They vary in character and difficulty.
There’s a Protected Area Office (contact Yolda Abante on T0910/482-4615) at the park entrance used for the Panicuason trail, where you can get a permit (P80); if you are taking a different trail then you should instead request a permit at the Mount Isarog Protected Area Superintendent Office, 35 Panganiban Drive in Naga at least three days in advance.
A good place in Naga to glean additional information about the climb is the Kadlagan Outdoor Shop (T054/472-3305, Wkadlagan.i.ph), 16 Dimasalang St, where you can rent basic equipment. You will also need to secure the services of a local guide (P250–400/day); ask at Kadlagan, the Naga City Visitors Center or the Protected Area Office.
To get to Panicuason, take a jeepney (P20) from close to the market in Naga. It’s a four-kilometre walk from Panicuason along a well-marked trail to the ranger station, Malabsay Waterfall and the entrance to the park proper.
There are no jeepneys from Panicuason back to Naga after 4pm, so keep an eye on the time. If you get stuck you’ll have to pay to rent one privately, usually costing around P1000.
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