The pros of having a lot of adventurous, traveller, hiker and drawing friends are that you’ll get bunches of invitations going here and there and the cons of being a graveyard online worker are that you no longer have the energy to be excited about it and ends up rejecting all invitations. (Plastikan, basta laag bitaw, ok lang zombie mode.)
This is the photo I saw that made me fully decided to join the tour. Wonderful isn’t it?
A friend of mine kept on inviting me to Mt. Capistrano, Kipilas Falls, etc but I became choosy after seeing Lake Holon, haha charing lamang! Then I got a notification about Panimahawa Ridge tour and upon seeing the photo, I was like “Wow! my dreamland besshh! Nice magtugway ug cow dinha, tara na empake na!” (pina-intense)
And so the adventure begins! It was only a day tour hosted by Kaplag Adventours. I remember the meetup time was 9:00 PM, I packed my things last minute, log out from work then off I go. Zombie mode again, no sleep, no preparation and whatsoever. I’m sure it will be another round of struggles and regrets in the end nyahaha.
Travel time from 9:00 PM, we reached jump off point in Bukidnon at 3:30 AM and start trek to Panimahawa Ridge around 4:00 AM. I was on the “Excited Stage”, as we named it, happy and full of energy like I can reach the peak in just 30 minutes hahaha. Our goal is to reach the peak before sunrise. It was still dark, so headlamps are necessary. I forgot to bring one and with my astigmatism, everything was blurry. Scared to death that I would fall…. bawal daw ma-fall…ma fall sa bangin hahaha
Darkness, crickets, hal-hal. It was like that almost an hour. Glad someone so kind enough to let me borrow a flashlight. We continue to trek, rest..trek again then more rest. Then daylight starts to kick in and we needed to hurry to reach the peak on time. Then “regret stage” comes in. Tita be like “kuya rest na pud ta! makahilak nakog unicorn sa kahags!”. Realizing sun would rise anytime soon, I encouraged myself to double my pace. Sometimes all you have is yourself, to encourage yourself hahaha.
With the organizer from Kaplag Adventours. Thank you Kuya!
It was almost 6:00 AM when we started to ascend to reach the peak. Almost there.. note to myself. To rate my struggle, from 1 to 100, the struggle is real besh, mga 100. I started to feel a headache. Don’t have enough sleep, poor me. Lamang lupa na uri ng hiker nyahaha. If you know about “mga uri ng hiker”, then you’ll know what I mean.
And at last! We reached the peak on time. The view was so stunning! A dreamy place, paradise, heaven that took away all the tiredness and headache that I felt, chos! The green hills from afar, the shadows, all of it was captivating. I felt like I’m on the top of the world!
We had coffee and breakfast while waiting for sunrise. Some say it’s better if there’s a sea of clouds. It is, but the first time seeing Panimahawa Ridge, a sea of clouds doesn’t really matter. With or without, the view is so perfect to me.
Slowly the sun was rising up and gave a dramatic light effects on the hills. Indeed a better view comes after the hardest climb. I made the right decision in joining the tour after all and would love to come back to this place again and again.
Special thanks to Kaplag Adventours for a wonderful day tour. Highly recommended to all seeking for an adventure. Till next travel with you guys!
Photo Credits to Majar Villapaz and Glenn Lascuna.
Enjoy the photos and thanks for being my constant reader!
Check out also the video covering Panimahawa Ridge Tour, including Dila Falls, Lake Apo, and Monastery of Transfiguration.
https://www.facebook.com/glennlascuna/videos/10207331038673425/
Wooh! I made it! I’m so in love with myself na! hahaha
Not all girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Some girls are made of mountain, grass and everything fine.
No dull moments with these two. mwaahh!
Ninangs and titas and with our youngest climber
Happy us! Drone captured, thanks to Glenn
HOW TO GET THERE FROM DAVAO CITY
Option 1: By Bus (Budget-Friendly DIY)
- Davao City → Malaybalay City
- Operator: Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI)
- Terminal: Ecoland Bus Terminal
- Travel time: 5–6 hours
- Fare: ₱500–₱600
- First trip: Around 3:00 AM
- Malaybalay → Capitan Bayong (Impasugong Junction)
- Take a bus/van heading north (to CDO/Kibawe)
- Tell the driver to drop you off at Capitan Bayong Junction or Cawayan Crossing
- Fare: ₱30–₱50
- Travel time: ~30 minutes
- Capitan Bayong → Sitio Gibitngil (Jump-off)
- Ride a habal-habal (motorbike)
- Fare: ₱100–₱150 per person (one way)
- Travel time: ~20–30 minutes
- Road: Mostly rough road
Option 2: Private Vehicle (Faster & Convenient)
- Book a joiners tour or private tours. I recommend Kaplag Adventours, they offer all in package, roundtrip van, environmental fee, entrance fees, foods.
- Route: Davao → Bukidnon via Buda Highway
- Estimated drive time: 5–6 hours
- Recommended: Use Waze/Google Maps, search for “Panimahawa Ridge Trailhead”
- Parking available at the jump-off area
REGISTRATION & FEES FOR DIY OR SOLO TRAVELERS
Registration Fee ₱50–₱100
Guide Fee ₱300–₱500 (for the group)
Tent Rental (optional) ₱300–₱500 (I recommend to bring your own tent and sleeping bags if you plan for watch rise rise)
Camping Fee (overnight) ₱50 per person
Registration and guide arrangements are done at Dahilayan Gardens and Trails or the community station at Sitio Gibitngil.
HIKE DETAILS
- Trail Type: Grassland and ridgeline
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (ideal for beginners)
- Trek Time: ~45 minutes to 1 hour
- Trail Length: Approx. 2–3 km (one way)
- Highlights: Sunrise, sea of clouds (in dry season), 360° mountain views
OVERNIGHT CAMPING (Optional)
- Many hikers camp overnight to catch the sunrise
- No fixed campgrounds — just open space on the ridge
- Bring your own tent, or rent at the jump-off
- Nights are cold and windy — bring proper clothing
WHAT TO BRING
- Light hiking bag
- Headlamp or flashlight (for early trek)
- Water (1–2L) & trail snacks
- Tent + sleeping mat (if camping)
- Jacket/windbreaker (it’s cold up there)
- Camera/phone (sunrise shots!)
- Trash bag — Leave No Trace
- Power bank (no electricity)
BEST TIME TO GO
- Dry Season: November to May (sunrise and sea of clouds are more likely)
- Time of Day: Start your hike before 5:00 AM for the best sunrise view
