Philippines

Description

Philippines

Located between Taiwan in the north and Borneo in the southwest, the tropical island nation of the Philippines marks the eastern edge of Southeast Asia, and consists of over 7000 mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin. There are several major active volcanoes scattered across the archipelago, such as Mount Pinatubo, Mount Mayon, Mount Canlaon, Mount Ragang and Taal Volcano. Climate in the Philippines is hot and humid with frequent (about 20 per year) typhoons, especially during the summer monsoon which lasts from April till October. As a result the islands are all lush and green, and the remote mountain areas are covered in tropical rainforest, and pine forests and grasslands higher up.

Hiking, trekking and climbing are a popular passtime in the Philippines, especially among students, and the number of local mountaineering and outdoor clubs scattered across the Philippines is astounding.

Top region for hiking and trekking, and accessible by road from Manila, are the Cordillera mountain range in the north of Luzon island. Here you can climb trails and traverses to some of the highest mountains in the Philippines, such as Mt. Pulag, Mt. Timbak and Mt. Tabayoc. The Cordilleras are also home to a variety of indigenous hill tribes which you are sure to meet when trekking. Most famous are the Ifugao and their rice terraces, but there are many other tribes like Ibaloi and Kankaney.

A bit further east on Luzon are the Sierra Madre mountain range and Cagayan Valley, which appear to be largely unexplored by hikers. At the far southern end of the Sierra Madre range, in the region of Tagalog, is the Quezon National Forest Park. It is popular as a weekend break from Manila, with trails to caves and waterfalls. If you are in for volcanic landscapes, go hiking in Central Luzon and particularly to the crater of the recently (1991) erupted Mount Pinatubo. Or venture out to the region of Bicol in the far southeast of Luzon, to follow trails through tropical rainforests up the beautiful Mayon and Isarog volcanoes, and the restless Bulusan volcano.

Traveling south from Luzon are a group of islands called the Visayas, which form the central part of the Philippines. There are some truly challenging mountain hikes on the islands of Negros and Panay, countryside hikes on Leyte, and treks through the forests of Biliran.

Last but not least there is the large and mountainous southern island of Mindanao, home to the highest mountain in the Philippines: Mount Apo (2954 m). In spite of the somewhat instable political situation in some parts of Mindanao, it is a popular climbing destination. There are several hiking trails leading up Mount Apo, which is a sacred ancestral abode for a variety of indigenous tribes. Other mountain ranges on Mindanao include Kitanglad in the north, with its pristine tropical forests and some of the highest mountains in the Philippines. Mount Candalaga (2402 m) and Mount Pandadagsaan (2670 m) in the Davao region, offering some pretty challenging climbs from Compostela Valley. Or the remote Mount Hamiguitan on the southeastern tip of Mindanao, with its unique pygmy forest.

When hiking in the mountains of the Philippines it is common, and in some cases compulsory, to register before setting off, and to hire a local guide. Particularly on Mindanao. Check-out the wonderful website of Pinoy Mountaineer (see below).

Regions

Mountains

Books

Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima
  • In The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima Grandmaster Dan Medina will take you on a journey into the lives and history of two of Leyte's Legendary Men. One was considered to be one of the Philippines most dangerous rebels, a leader of the Pulahan Movement and later a patriot. General Faustino Ablen (aka Papa Ablen). The other was his disciple,... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima
  • In The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima Grandmaster Dan Medina will take you on a journey into the lives and history of two of Leyte's Legendary Men. One was considered to be one of the Philippines most dangerous rebels, a leader of the Pulahan Movement and later a patriot. General Faustino Ablen (aka Papa Ablen). The other was his disciple,... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The 50 Best Dives in Micronesia
  • This book gives you full details and great images of the best places to scuba dive across the vast expanse of the northwestern Pacific Ocean known as Micronesia, covering such famous locations as, Palau, Truk Lagoon (Chuuk), Yap and Guam and less well-known but just as wonderful destinations like Kosrae, Pohnpei , the Northern Mariana Islands... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The 50 Best Dives in Micronesia
  • This book gives you full details and great images of the best places to scuba dive across the vast expanse of the northwestern Pacific Ocean known as Micronesia, covering such famous locations as, Palau, Truk Lagoon (Chuuk), Yap and Guam and less well-known but just as wonderful destinations like Kosrae, Pohnpei , the Northern Mariana Islands... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Elite Self-Defense
  • The best self-defense technique you will ever learn in your life consists in avoiding danger, but before that you will need to recognize it and be ahead of the events when they occur. The Author of this book has coached many self-defense instructors, security guards, and police officers, as well as spies, to understand the elements that compose... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Elite Self-Defense
  • The best self-defense technique you will ever learn in your life consists in avoiding danger, but before that you will need to recognize it and be ahead of the events when they occur. The Author of this book has coached many self-defense instructors, security guards, and police officers, as well as spies, to understand the elements that compose... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The 50 Best Dives in the Philippines
  • This book describes the very best of the dive sites across the vast expanse of the 7,000+ islands of The Philippines. It is an inventive new concept, including both popular and off-the-beaten-path sites, outer reefs, historic shipwrecks and remote atolls. It is fun to page through, remember the sites you have visited and add new sites to your... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The 50 Best Dives in the Philippines
  • This book describes the very best of the dive sites across the vast expanse of the 7,000+ islands of The Philippines. It is an inventive new concept, including both popular and off-the-beaten-path sites, outer reefs, historic shipwrecks and remote atolls. It is fun to page through, remember the sites you have visited and add new sites to your... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima
  • In The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima Grandmaster Dan Medina will take you on a journey into the lives and history of two of Leyte's Legendary Men. One was considered to be one of the Philippines most dangerous rebels, a leader of the Pulahan Movement who later became a patriot, General Faustino Ablen (aka Papa Ablen). The other was his... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima
  • In The Secret Art of Derobio Escrima Grandmaster Dan Medina will take you on a journey into the lives and history of two of Leyte's Legendary Men. One was considered to be one of the Philippines most dangerous rebels, a leader of the Pulahan Movement who later became a patriot, General Faustino Ablen (aka Papa Ablen). The other was his... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
2014
  • Insight Guides
  • Southeast Asia is a firm favorite on the long-haul travel trail, thanks to its unrivaled range of amazing experiences and unforgettable sights – from the northern hills of Thailand to the dragons of Komodo, frenetic Manila to laid-back Vientiane, the sands of Ko Samui to Balinese temples and the ruins of Angkor. And traveling around the region... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2014
  • Insight Guides
  • Southeast Asia is a firm favorite on the long-haul travel trail, thanks to its unrivaled range of amazing experiences and unforgettable sights – from the northern hills of Thailand to the dragons of Komodo, frenetic Manila to laid-back Vientiane, the sands of Ko Samui to Balinese temples and the ruins of Angkor. And traveling around the region... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Backpacker Business
  • Written on chicken buses, trains, boats and in beach bars all across Southeast Asia, this is the story of how a 23-year old English backpacker set up the first print magazine for independent travellers in Southeast Asia.From inexperienced backpacker in Nepal to established publisher in Thailand, via business deals in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos,... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Backpacker Business
  • Written on chicken buses, trains, boats and in beach bars all across Southeast Asia, this is the story of how a 23-year old English backpacker set up the first print magazine for independent travellers in Southeast Asia.From inexperienced backpacker in Nepal to established publisher in Thailand, via business deals in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos,... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Journey Through the Philippines
  • The sheer size of the Philippines (it has over 7,000 islands) and its amazing diversity, with environments that range from stunning submarine coral reefs to rugged and overly-active volcanoes, with beaches, lakes, rivers and forests in between, plus lively modern cities with heritage Spanish buildings, make it a challenge for the visitor to... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Journey Through the Philippines
  • The sheer size of the Philippines (it has over 7,000 islands) and its amazing diversity, with environments that range from stunning submarine coral reefs to rugged and overly-active volcanoes, with beaches, lakes, rivers and forests in between, plus lively modern cities with heritage Spanish buildings, make it a challenge for the visitor to... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The National Parks and Other Wild Places of the Philippines
  • The National Parks and Other Wild Places of The Philippines is a prestigious souvenir for visitors to the Philippines, and a stunning introduction to the wildlife and landscapes of this extraordinary country. From multi-coloured reefs teeming with fish and corals, to smouldering volcanoes and dense rainforest harbouring many endemic animals and... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The National Parks and Other Wild Places of the Philippines
  • The National Parks and Other Wild Places of The Philippines is a prestigious souvenir for visitors to the Philippines, and a stunning introduction to the wildlife and landscapes of this extraordinary country. From multi-coloured reefs teeming with fish and corals, to smouldering volcanoes and dense rainforest harbouring many endemic animals and... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
  • Reisgids Culture Shock! Philippines | Marshall Cavendish
  • CultureShock! Philippines is a survival guide for anyone living, working or wanting to discover life in the Philippines. Settling into a foreign land is never easy, but with this book you will learn to understand the importance of amor-propio, appreciate the Filipino ways and learn about the history and culture of this diverse country. Find out... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Following The Sunrise - A Century Of Baptist Missions, 1813-1913
  • FOLLOWING THE SUNRISE A Century of Baptist Missions, 1813-1913 By HELEN BARRETT MONTGOMERY Author of Christus Redemptor M and Western Women in Eastern Lands I am the Light oi the World. He that foiloweth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 41 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, Published in... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Following The Sunrise - A Century Of Baptist Missions, 1813-1913
  • FOLLOWING THE SUNRISE A Century of Baptist Missions, 1813-1913 By HELEN BARRETT MONTGOMERY Author of Christus Redemptor M and Western Women in Eastern Lands I am the Light oi the World. He that foiloweth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 41 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, Published in... Read more
» Click to close
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Philippines SUPERSEDED
  • This specialist country map covers Philippines to a scale of 1:2 Million. It also includes detailed maps of Baguio Region at 1:400,000, Cebu Region at 1:650,000, Manila District at 1:750,000 and Philippines at a scale of 1:2 Million. City plans for Baguio City and Cebu City are shown at a scale of 1:17,500, Davao City has a scale of 1:20,000... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
More maps…

Forum

  1. Cancel