Adventure for Beginners: The Pico De Loro Challenge

view from Summit, with Monolith at far

Somewhere in November last year, a dear friend just got the idea to go trekking and yep off we went on that same weekend to Mt. Pico De Loro.  The summit is highest point in Cavite.  Beside it is the Monolith or the Parrot's Beak as its form resembles it.  Had not really knew what to expect, haven't been to long trekking before except for flat walks or an hour trek to some falls which wasn't that strenuous.  Just had few research and what to bring and I'm ready.  I am the person that is excited for adventure but is afraid when it is already in front of be.  So it is usually, let's do it cause I'm here already.  The brain and heart fight but it's the feet that do the moving forward.  


The trek up to campsite is good for beginners, challenging but not too steep.  We didn't contracted a guide at the DENR office.  We are mostly beginners but the trail is fairly easy to follow on. There were just small different pathways to a new trail, just follow the main one and you won't be lost. Depending on your group speed and short stops, the usual trail travel up to the campsite is around 2 hours to 4 hours.  For hike at the summit and monolith,  I highly suggest to contract a guide which you'll encounter at the campsite.  It is a battle between your bucketlist and your fear.  You haven't tried rappel? Well you'll experience it here. haha  Just don't look down, have the guts to move up, conquer your fear of height -- you'll be on top of Monolith in no time.  Except for the line due to growing numbers of tourist lol.

Some of the photos:

After 2 hours of trekking and long walks, we see the clearing which is a sign we're near the top.

At the campsite, with the guide we contracted for the Summit and Monolith.

Photo ops at the Monolith, with the fog and the clouds! Buwis buhay shot!

How did we got there?

We got our own ride which took us less an hour due to early morning travel.  From Pasay it will take you about an hour and a half depending on traffic and the time you'll be there.  Tirona Highway up to Antero Soriano Highway tend to get slow paced during the day due to the volume of cars and a bit slow driven tricycles. Coming from Manila/Pasay, you can take CAVITEX then just follow the road sign going to Ternate/Naic (left of the fork road).  Just take the main road up to Ternate then to the Nasugbu-Ternate Highway.  You'll know you're near when you pass by Puerto Azul's entrance at the right side of the road.  If you're early you can park your car inside the DENR's compound.  Alternately, they allow side road parking when the inside parking is already full.  

You can also get there via commute.  If you're coming to Pasay, ride a bus bound to Ternate via Cavitex (php80-85), ride a tricycle going to DENR as your take off point to Mt. .Pico De Loro.  If you're coming from the South like Alabang, 

We did the traverse after we got off the monolith, its end is on the Nasugbu which is now part of Batangas.  Since we parked our car at the DENR office, we rode a tryke (php120/pax) located adjacent from that exit back to DENR via Kaybiang Tunnel.  It was a bit of steep road and long drive, haha to give justice to that 120 fare per person.  

No need to sacrifice a travel buddy for your Monolith photo op cause Kuya will do it for you!

Where did we stay?

We only went there for a day.  No camping overnight is now allowed due to the waste left by campers and for other reasons that weren't disclosed by our tour guide.  There is still the campsite which you can stay to relax after your hike.  A mini store is also found at the campsite which only sells snacks so better have your packed lunch ready.  Alternatively there is a canteen at the DENR office which offer lunch food at an affordable price.

How much it emptied our pockets?

Doing this trek will only cost you minimal.  Aside from the round-trip transportation, we just shelled out for the environmental/entrance fee of php25, lunch money, car park fee and guide cost for the Monolith and Summit.  Just have some extra coins for use of comfort rooms.

Estimated expense if you commute may be around Php370-400 (Pasay: bus 85 + tryke 100 / Alabang: van 60 + bus 40 + tryke 100 v.v.), then the rest of the above mentioned.  Well bring extra for some snacks at the campsite or at the DENR area after your hike.

Others do side trip of the beaches along the way (Ternate area or Nasugbu).    

Expense summary               Cost
Snacks (jelly ace/drinks)      Php 50.00 (bought the day before)
Gas (500 / 5 person)                 100.00
Entrance Fee                              25.00
Guide Fee                                 150.00  (only 100 but i paid extra)
CR / Shower use                         20.00
Lunch                                        150.00  
TOTAL                               Php 495.00