Tapulao came from a local dialect means pine trees. It is located in Iba, Zambales, 4-5 hours away from Manila. During the American Period, Mt. Tapulao was called the High Peak because of it's elevation of 2037 MASL. From Victory Liner you can secure a tricycle going to Barangay Damapay-Salaza where in the jump-off starts.
Tapulao has two trails, the first to establish is the Iba, Zambales trail where in you will need to trek the rocky road for 14-15 hrs. Few years ago, you can hitch a 4X4 trucks going to the “Bunker” while mining is still present. The recent trail explored by Tarlac Mountaineering Club was the Tarlac-Zambales Trail in 2008, that will take you 3-4 days to conquer. For more information on this trail you may visit pinoymountaineer.com.
We take the Iba, Zambales trail
during the Holy Week of 2009 (04.08-10.2009) together with Kawangis Mountaineers and my group Kamandag Mountaineers plus guests climbers and tourists. The trail is very established with a rocky trail. The sunny weather made the trail, not that easy, because there is no trees to provide shade from the heat of the sun. Just the "talahib" (full grown high grass) will give you a shelter and shade from the heat of the sun. We called it a "kalbaryo" (Calvary) may be because of the Holy Week season. The trail was almost the same while taking a turn. It will test your patience and temper. good thing that my colleagues are funny and we just make fun of the trail. It takes us 15 hours of trekking due to the reason that we have first timers that cause the delay. during ur trek we encounter a great view of "Sea of Clouds" like what you can experience in Mt. Pulag and "Sunset while Moon Rises". Just an additional info. there are two water source along the trail, but beware of the "payatot na limatik".
Bunker Highlights
From the "Bunker", you will really appreciate the nature and view. Lots of pine trees additional is the cold weather that will keeps you relaxing. You will also feel at ease with the warm welcome of the people there and you won't believe that there is a comfort room in Tapulao, not just a simple comfort room, but with a bath tub. The "Bunker" also serve as the campsite.
From the Bunker, it will take 45 minutes up to the Peak of Tapulao. You will pass by a large trees, mossy forest and wonderful view. But don't expect to have a wonderful view on the peak. At the peak, we meet the NEST - GAME came all the way from Tarlac Trail. They make it an annual climb during the Holy Week season.
After hitting the peak. We go all the way down to the Barangay Damapay-Salaza. We reach the barangay almost night time. It's might hard for us to catch bangka going to Potipot Island for the side-trip. So we decided to have the overnight at the Barangay Hall. And will hit Potipot Island early in the morning.
Suggested Side-Trip is Potipot Island.
For Potipot Islands information visit this link - http://lakbaylente.blogspot.com/2010/06/potipot-island.html
Itinerary:
For more information on itineraries you may visit http://www.pinoymountaineer.com
ESTIMATED EXPENSES:
UPDATES as of June, 2011:
Guides are required in traditional trail cost P700/5 pax.
If you want to take the Tarlac Trail you may contact guide from Tarlac Mountaineering Club (P500)
Nath De jesus 09159442224
Marco Dalida 09275281396
Hensel Quilling 09162232283
For more photos you may visit http://incrediblethots.multiply.com/photos/album/192/Mt._Tapulao_Climb_-_Holy_Week_2009
LAKBAY LENTE - http://lakbaylente.blogspot.com
Tapulao has two trails, the first to establish is the Iba, Zambales trail where in you will need to trek the rocky road for 14-15 hrs. Few years ago, you can hitch a 4X4 trucks going to the “Bunker” while mining is still present. The recent trail explored by Tarlac Mountaineering Club was the Tarlac-Zambales Trail in 2008, that will take you 3-4 days to conquer. For more information on this trail you may visit pinoymountaineer.com.
We take the Iba, Zambales trail
during the Holy Week of 2009 (04.08-10.2009) together with Kawangis Mountaineers and my group Kamandag Mountaineers plus guests climbers and tourists. The trail is very established with a rocky trail. The sunny weather made the trail, not that easy, because there is no trees to provide shade from the heat of the sun. Just the "talahib" (full grown high grass) will give you a shelter and shade from the heat of the sun. We called it a "kalbaryo" (Calvary) may be because of the Holy Week season. The trail was almost the same while taking a turn. It will test your patience and temper. good thing that my colleagues are funny and we just make fun of the trail. It takes us 15 hours of trekking due to the reason that we have first timers that cause the delay. during ur trek we encounter a great view of "Sea of Clouds" like what you can experience in Mt. Pulag and "Sunset while Moon Rises". Just an additional info. there are two water source along the trail, but beware of the "payatot na limatik".
Bunker Highlights
From the "Bunker", you will really appreciate the nature and view. Lots of pine trees additional is the cold weather that will keeps you relaxing. You will also feel at ease with the warm welcome of the people there and you won't believe that there is a comfort room in Tapulao, not just a simple comfort room, but with a bath tub. The "Bunker" also serve as the campsite.
From the Bunker, it will take 45 minutes up to the Peak of Tapulao. You will pass by a large trees, mossy forest and wonderful view. But don't expect to have a wonderful view on the peak. At the peak, we meet the NEST - GAME came all the way from Tarlac Trail. They make it an annual climb during the Holy Week season.
After hitting the peak. We go all the way down to the Barangay Damapay-Salaza. We reach the barangay almost night time. It's might hard for us to catch bangka going to Potipot Island for the side-trip. So we decided to have the overnight at the Barangay Hall. And will hit Potipot Island early in the morning.
Suggested Side-Trip is Potipot Island.
For Potipot Islands information visit this link - http://lakbaylente.blogspot.com/2010/06/potipot-island.html
Itinerary:
| Day 0 | |||||||
| 1900 | Assembly time @ Vistory Liner Pasay Terminal | ||||||
| 2100 | ETD for Iba Zambales | ||||||
| Day 1 | |||||||
| 0300 | ETA Iba Zambales. Arrange for trip to Dampay Salaza | ||||||
| 0400 | ETD for Dampay Salaza | ||||||
| 0430 | ETA Dampay Salaza. Give courtesy call to Kagawad | ||||||
| 0530 | Start Trek | ||||||
| 1030 | ETA Water Source - Lunch Time | ||||||
| 1300 | Resume Trek | ||||||
| 1600 | ETA Bunker Campsite | ||||||
| 1800 | Dinner/Socials | ||||||
| 2200 | Lights Out | ||||||
| Day 2 | |||||||
| 0500 | Wake up call; Breakfast | ||||||
| 0530 | Assault Summit for sunrise viewing | ||||||
| 0600 | ETA Summit | ||||||
| 0700 | Trek back to campsite | ||||||
| 0730 | Breakfast; Break Camp | ||||||
| 0900 | Start Descent | ||||||
| 1030 | Water Source; Early Lunch | ||||||
| 1130 | Resume Trek | ||||||
| 1500 | ETA Dampay Salaza. | ||||||
| 1600 | ETD for Potipot Island Sidetrip | ||||||
| 1700 | ETA Dawal Beach Resort; Buy Food and Drinks | ||||||
| Optional Stay @ Dawal or Proceed to Potipot Island; | |||||||
| 1800 | ETD for Potipot Island Sidetrip | ||||||
| 1815 | ETA Potipot Island; Pitch Tent; Prepare Dinner | ||||||
| 1900 | Dinner/Socials | ||||||
| 2300 | Lights Out | ||||||
| Day 3 | |||||||
| 0600 | Wake up call; Breakfast | ||||||
| 0700 | Free Time; Explore Island; Swimming | ||||||
| 1000 | Prepare Lunch | ||||||
| 1200 | Lunch | ||||||
| 1300 | Free Time; Explore Island; Swimming | ||||||
| For those who need to go home | |||||||
| 1500 | ETD for Dawal Beach Resort. | ||||||
| 1515 | ETA Dawal Beach Resort | ||||||
| 1530 | ETD for Iba Zambales | ||||||
| 1630 | ETA Iba Zambales. Victory Liner | ||||||
| For those who will stay | |||||||
| 1800 | Prepare dinner | ||||||
| 1900 | Dinner/Socials | ||||||
| 2300 | Lights Out | ||||||
| Day 4 | |||||||
| 0600 | Wake up call; Breakfast | ||||||
| 0700 | Free Time; Explore Island; Swimming | ||||||
| 1000 | ETA Dawal Beach Resort; tidy up; lunch; | ||||||
| 1200 | ETD for Iba Zambales | ||||||
| 1300 | ETA Iba Zambales, Victory Liner | ||||||
| 1900 | ETA Pasay | ||||||
For more information on itineraries you may visit http://www.pinoymountaineer.com
ESTIMATED EXPENSES:
| Tapulao Climb: | Amount | |||||
| Pasay - Iba Zambales - Pasay | 900.00 | |||||
| Iba - Dampay Salaza - Iba | 260.00 | |||||
| Registration Fee | 20.00 | |||||
| Food/Drinks (dinner/breakfast only for Day 1&2) | 50.00 | |||||
| Potipot Sidetrip: | ||||||
| Iba - Uacon Candelaria - Iba | 150.00 | |||||
| Registration Fee - Potipot (Overnight) | 100.00 | |||||
| Food/Drinks (per day) | 100.00 | |||||
| Bangka | 100.00 | |||||
UPDATES as of June, 2011:
Guides are required in traditional trail cost P700/5 pax.
If you want to take the Tarlac Trail you may contact guide from Tarlac Mountaineering Club (P500)
Nath De jesus 09159442224
Marco Dalida 09275281396
Hensel Quilling 09162232283
For more photos you may visit http://incrediblethots.multiply.com/photos/album/192/Mt._Tapulao_Climb_-_Holy_Week_2009
LAKBAY LENTE - http://lakbaylente.blogspot.com
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