Climbing Mount Apo -
Route starting from Agko Springs near Kidapawan, Mindanao.
Climbing Mount Apo is a good workout. It’s not a technical climb, but don’t underestimate it. Take a good rain coat and a small tent because it rains a lot and gets very cold at night.
Hypothermia could be a problem if you get soaked and don’t have any dry clothing to change into.
Steam rises from a hot spring in the photo at left.
Water is available at several places along the way so taking a liter water bottle along should be enough. Carrying extra weight will make each step harder.
Mt. Apo is 2954 meters, and is the highest mountain in the Philippines.
Most hikers take three days to make the round trip from the starting point near the Agko hot springs. If you are in shape and want to push harder you could complete the trip in 2 days or less.
River crossing.
There are a few river crossings at the beginning of the trail. The park workers have installed crossing bridges for some of the rivers, but prepare to get your feet wet crossings small streams and swampy areas.
It’s a good idea to take along spare dry socks for the next day and for sleeping at night at the top. Why not be comfortable? Just remember not to take along anything that is not needed because you will be doing a lot of up hill walking and will regret it.
Mt Apo trail
There are a lot of plants to look at along the way, but very little wildlife. Even birds are not common.
It’s really a good idea not to push too hard. Pace yourself so you don’t get too winded, unless you are really into trying to make good time. Probably you would never be able to match the speed of a local man that lives in these mountains.
They can literally run straight up this mountain and it was suggested to me that they could probably make it to the top in 4 hours.
Bamboo stairs help make climbing vertical sections easier.
This is along Lake Venado, a swampy section where the trail levels out for a bit. Some people camp on this plateau and then do the final ascent the following morning.
Swimming in the lake is prohibited. It is swampy with a mud bottom and a tourist with a bit too much to drink went in for a dip and didn’t make it out. Scuba divers were flown in by helicopter and found the body straight away but fog had settled in and they had to walk down the mountain with their gear. It was pretty slippery and my guide told me that one of the divers fell and broke his arm.
It is a bit unsettling to see some of the garbage piled up along the shores but most of the trail is fairly clean. All garbage is supposed to be hauled out but many ignore this requirement.
It’s a 3 – 4 hour hike to the basin at the top of Mt Apo. If you prefer to take more breaks it could take 6-7 hours to reach the camping area up in the bowl of the dormant volcano.
There was a handy rock overhang that my companions utilized for shelter and I had a small mountain tent. It was a chilly night.
We did climb one of the peaks after dark so we could see the city lights off in the distance. It rained part of the night but then cleared up. Around 2 am I got up for a bit and had a crystal clear view of the stars.
Jay-ar, guide-Richard, Albert, Michael
We were greeted by a beautiful sunrise. It is crisp in the early mornings but the sun soon warms things up.
View from the top of Mt Apo.
We had a cup of coffee and some rice, dried our tarps in the morning sun and started down on our way back to Agko.
It is a lot easier going down hill but it can be a bit hard on the knees.
Just keep thinking about the hot springs at the end of the trail!
Suggestions for climbing Mt. Apo
1) Concentrate on making yourself comfortable rather than being the fastest climber. Dry clothing and comfortable shoes will really make things more pleasant.
2) Be sure to take rain gear – I prefer ponchos to pants and jacket combos.
3) Take a small tent or tarp.
4) If you want to free yourself up for taking pictures – hire a porter for 200 pesos plus food per day. (5USD) Why not help out the local economy a bit?
5) Check in at the tourist center in Kidapawan where they will organize a guide for you at the cost of 500 pesos per day.
6) Have the guide cut a light walking stick for you or crack out the new telescopic one you got from the sports store!
Comments welcome!
Feel free to add any tips or experiences about climbing Mt Apo below.
College students from Kidapawan.
climbing Mount Apo
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Wood Boat to Manila Philippines
Wow Ricky, excellent pictures.I really must attempt to do that one day just for that amazing view. Looks like u had a ral wicked time.I opened your site as soon as i got home.I tell a lie as i put the kettle on and had my first brew for a week then opened your site ahahah I missed u in Davao by a day Had the luxury of a plane ride as opposed to the 24 hour bus and ferry, my butt really appreciated it. Cy soon mate
Thanks Dave,
I am still in Kidapawan. Washing my clothes and getting ready to push on to Gen San.
It is raining like crazy here. I can not stress enough the importance of taking rain gear. The way it is raining today – a tent might not be able to keep out the water.
Keeping the body temp up is really important. Mount Apo is only around 10,000 ft but it gets very cold at up there at night.
I should be home at the end of July. Be sure to stop in for a visit and dinner! Maybe we can make a run up into Samar!
cheers
dp
Rick,
Read your story on Mt Apo and while i was on the telephone to Cheryl over the weekend told her about your adventures up to the top of Mt Apo.
Cheryl asked me if we could do that as well next time I’m over in the Philippines again.
At first i though no way, but then i remember how much fun she got out of doing that 3 day Calbiga caving trip before with you and Joni.
I’ve been up to the top of Mt Hood before near Portland OR and it was over 11,000 feet.
You give some real great information for people wishing to take the hike up to the top of Mt Apo and your photos are great as well…keep the stories coming of your on going adventures around the Philippines.
See you soon!
Gary
Thanks Gary,
You and Cheryl would have a blast! Best to fly into Davao and take a van or bus to Kidapawan.
It is a bit of a workout but I think you would both enjoy the hike. That Old Barracks Suites is a great place to stay, if you want to stay in town.
If you want to stay at the trail head – the Agko resort is ok but kind of rustic. I prefer to stay in town.
They have rain ponchos for sale on the second level KMCC mall.
Hi 2 Cheryl.
rick
Hi Ricky Congrats for exploration there in Mindanao. Hope to see you soon in Samar.
INGAT SANKAY !!!
God Bless
cheers
Joni B.
Hi Joni,
I am now in Zamboanga waiting for the boat to Malaysia.
Nice to hear from you!
Keep spelunking!!!
dp
Good one DP thats also on my list. Have climbed Mayon in Albay and also Mt Talinis in Valencia so Apo has to be next. Enjoyed the info you provided, at this time of the year being rainy season one would need all the gear you mentioned. Maybe its possible through the info center to hire a tent and or sleeping bag?
I did not know you are into mountain climbing, take a look sometime at http://www.pinoymountaineering.com this site is up to date and has the most info on Philippine mountains that I have seen.
I am also planing to climb Mount Canlaon soon and happy to include you if interested.
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for the link!
That must have been a trip climbing Mt. Mayon!
Apo was fun, but with your experience it might not present itself to be much of a challenge, but it really is kind of cool!
I plan to be back in Samar for the fiesta in August and to attend the wedding of Pacoli’s daughter (Summers Garden Pension)
Even though I live in Ormoc I am more at home in Samar.
dp
Hi! Our group is scheduled to climb Mt. Apo starting August 16, 2009.
Your article here is very helpful.
I have some questions, sir, if I may. Appreciate your answers but only if you have time. Thanks!
1. Which is colder, Mt. Apo’s temperature or Pulag’s? Aside from tents and the standard dry clothing, would one fleece jacket & one waterproof jacket enough?
2. Is the smell of sulur in the vicinity tolerable?
3. Are water sources available all year-round?
4. We have some companions who are first-time climbers. What’s your take on this, sir?
Thanks again!
jhess
Hi jhess,
Thanks for your comments…
1) I have never been on Pulag so I don’t know. The main thing is that it rained so much the week I was there that I began to think about how miserable the night would be if one didn’t have dry clothes! A rain poncho or jacket is a necessary item to take with.
The climb itself is not that hard but why not be as comfortable as possible and be able to enjoy sitting on the peak at night instead of shivering in a tent!
2) There is no detectable smell of sulphur.
3) The great thing about this climb is the availability of fresh water – even near the top.
4) I think first timers will have a blast. We had two in our group and they really enjoyed it! Best not to over pack because unnecessary weight will make the climb more difficult.
If anyone in your group is a tad out of shape or just wants to free themselves up for taking pictures or whatever – I suggest hiring a porter. They work cheap and you are helping out the local economy a bit. (200 pesos per day plus food)
Have a good trip and please get back to us and let us know how it went! Also pointers and suggestions would be welcome!
cheeers
dp
Halo. I climbed (with my gf.) Mt. Apo in February. The arrangement of the trip was not easy, we did it in Digos. Want to ask if somebody have some information about Leyte mountains, especialy so called “Leyte mountain trail” I have found some advertising text on the internet, but it seems nobody went trough in last 10 years. So what is the problem there?
Hello b,
Kidapawan is probably the easiest place to organize a trip up Mount Apo.
I don’t know anything about the Leyte mountain trail – There is some beautiful country up above Lake Danao and up in the PNOC area where the geo-thermal electrical power plants are located. There are deep canyons and the area is very wild. Big waterfalls, monkeys and tarsiers are common.
A lot of this area is restricted for security reasons.
cheers
dp
Hello dutchpickle!
The information you mentioned are very helpful, thanks! I’ve tried to join a group from Manila who is scheduled to climb Mt. Apo this coming December, because of conflict with the schedule I can not join them. Is it easy to organize a trip to the summit of Mt. Apo? I mean, can we just go to Kidapawan, register, then hire a guide to take us to the summit? Plannig to invite friends to join me for this climb. If you know somebody who is planning to climb Mt. Apo in January, kindly inform me, coz im very interested of joining them. I do get along very easy naman, hehehe! Im from iloilo city, and very much interested to climb the highest peak of our country. Just keep me posted
don
Hello Victor,
There is a tourist Center in Kidapawan City where everything can be organized for you.
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/mindanao/kidapawan-tourist-center.html
Be sure to bring a rain poncho or jacket because the climb can get very uncomfortable if it starts raining and you don’t have one available.
It would also be a good idea to have a light weight but good quality tent for your night at the summit. There is a small cave at the top that some people sleep in but it is first come first served so it might well be occupied before you get there :)
Some climbers spend the night at the small resort at the hot springs up in the mountain the night prior to the climb.
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/mindanao/lake-agko-resort-mount-apo.html
Have fun!
dp
Very nice adventure.. hope to climbe mt. apo
you can post your ads for free http://www.palawansale.com
or you can have a diving in elndio http://www.seadogdivingpalawan.com
thanks
its so nice to climb at mt. apo we were there last May 29, 2009 to June 01, 2009. where hoping we could go back again there because some of my friends couldn’t go along w/us for some reasons and financial incapacity. its a great hurray once you reach to the summit.
Hi frox,
…”its a great hurray once you reach to the summit.”
For Sure!
ingats
dp
hello there
you know your story about your adventure is great,it sounds interesting,it makes me feel excited to climb in mt.apo,we were planning to climb in mt.apo this year if we have time,thanks for the information,we can easily go through the tourist center because we live in kidapawan city but we’ve been never experience to climb mt.apo
thanks again for the information
(city of fruits)
KIDAPAWAN
Hello Lester,
For sure – have a great climb!
dp
ps – I really like your city – Kidapawan!
Can you tell me the approximate cost of hiring the van for the trip from the airport to Kidapawan tourism center? Thanks
hi there im planing to climb mt apo on 21st of february with my friend David but we would welcome anyone to join us ! we r from australia n both fit n healthy !
if anyone can give us info to about hiring guides n porters are they always available or need to book ahead is 8000 peso tomuch from d jump off point 3 days all inclusive ? if u want to join us drop a line tibor2u@yahoo.com
Hi david,
I am not sure about the van costs – sorry. Plenty of trikes are available too.
I recommend staying at The Old Barraks Suites on the road going up the mountain.
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/mindanao/old-barracks-suites-kidapawan.html
dp
Hello tbor,
I suggest first checking in at the visitors center in Kidapawan and let them sort out a guide for you.
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/mindanao/kidapawan-tourist-center.html
You can make it up Mount Apo in a day and down the next, but you would have to be in pretty good athlete to make it up and down in one day.
You probably won’t need a porter but they can organize one if you do.
I think you could do the whole trip for about 1500 pesos – 8000 pesos is way over the going rate.
Have a grate climb – how about checking back in after the climb with some pointers and advice?
cheers
dp
tnx dp
for sure after our climb i will write a full guide how to or not to do it !
But now i need as much info as i can get ! does anyone know the phone number of d tourist office in kidapawan? coz i read that some guys had to wait few days till they got a guide ! coz i have a tight scedule 4.5 days in davao to do this climb n would be nice at least a day to spare to look around in davao also before heading to cebu !
Hello tbor,
Sorry – I do not have their telephone number.
The office will be closed on weekends and holidays.
dp
hi tibor,
i am planning to climb mount apo on the 12 april with my niece and like you, i only have 5 days to spend in davao. would you mind sending me the contact numbers of the tourism center please so that i can book a guide from the center. thanks
Hi naomi,
I don’t have a number – sorry.
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/mindanao/kidapawan-tourist-center.html
When I was there it seemed that the office personal used their own cell phones to make arrangements.
dp
A very nice blog post! ;-)
Love it.
I will climb Mt Apo with my friends this Holy Week.
We will be joining the “Singgit sa Kinaiyahan” – 1st Eco-Tourism Festival of Bansalan.
For those who want to participate in the event kindly visit this site http://dam2006.blogspot.com/2010/01/for-more-details-about-said-activity-we.html
It would be my first time to do mountain climbing and I am quite ambiguous to choose Mt. Apo as my “uno” experience. One thing is for sure:
It is a dream come true for me to climb Mt. Apo. =p
See ya there mountaineers…
Happy climbing, Bash!
Don’t forget to bring warm clothing for the night because it gets surprisingly cold on the top of Mt Apo at night!
Taking along a rain jacket or poncho would be a good idea too.
dp
i really want to go climbing to mt. apo…. how to join???
Hello jovelyn,
The best thing to do would be to get a group of friends to join you and then organize your climb at the tourism office in Kidapawan City.
Have fun!
dp
really like this site. love reading all the articles. just climbed mt apo from june 11 to 14, 2010 via kapatagan trail. the sulfur vent is at the collapse crater at the boulders facing kapatagan. transpo from davao to digos P70.00 aircon bus. digos to kapatagan P80.00 /pax for 15 person van. kapatagan to mainit P60.00. permit can be obtain at oceem office at digos city at P720.00 per person. requirements, letter of intent, 1×1 picture, medical certificate , and you have to attend their briefing at their office.
van driver and owner: kiking 09303508099 digos to kapatagan and back
multicab driver and rescuer : dodong 09301860257 kapatagan to mainit and back
only smart have signal.
theres also a room available at the kapatagan if you wish to stay, camp linaw owned by barangay councilor jun morales.
Is there a helicopter for hire going to Mt. Apo?
Hello Jelieta,
I don’t know anything about renting helicopters but they are used for search and rescue by the military.
When a hiker drowned in the lake a few years back the scuba divers were flown in by helicopter but they had to walk out as the weather deteriorated and the helicopters did not have the visibility required to pick them up.
It would be the most expensive way to get to the top for sure.
dp