Mt. Kulago Adventure Part 1: Reaching the Campsite

Hi there! How have you been? Today, I’m excited to share our adventure to the summit of Mt. Kulago, also known as the Hummingbird Mountain of the Philippines.  Our country is truly blessed with countless breathtaking views, and I’ve always kept an endless list of mountains I dream of climbing. Among the many places where peaks rise proudly, Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao, has always held a special place in my heart.  I’ve already visited Bukidnon twice, but this third trip felt different. This time, I finally had the chance to climb one of its most majestic mountains — Mt. Kulago. For a while now, I’ve been eyeing this peak, imagining what it would feel like to stand on its summit and take in the endless stretch of greenery. At last, that long-time dream became a reality. --- ###### Pre-Climb Activities Our adventure began in the bustling city of Cagayan de Oro.  Before setting off for Bukidnon, we made a quick stop to gather all the essentials we needed for the climb: groceries, cooking supplies, and food to prepare at the campsite.    After ticking everything off our list, we grabbed a hearty lunch to fuel us for the long trip ahead and headed straight to the Agora Bus Terminal. The bus ride to Impasug-ong took around three hours, giving us plenty of time to rest and watch the scenery shift from city streets to endless stretches of greenery.    When we finally arrived at the terminal, we hopped onto a *bao-bao,* a small three-wheeled vehicle unique to the area. Its bumpy yet charming ride carried us through quiet roads until we reached the jump-off point, the true start of our climb to Mt. Kulago. --- ###### A Unique Start from the Jump-Off We hopped off the *bao-bao* right by the roadside, and to my surprise, that was our jump-off point. Most organized climbs to Mt. Kulago begin at the well-known Communal Ranch, but this time we were taking an unfamiliar trail. I didn’t mind at all! In fact, I was excited. I had already visited Communal Ranch twice, so walking a path less taken felt like a brand-new adventure waiting to unfold.     There were only three of us on this trail, and I couldn’t help but love the solitude. It felt like we had the mountain all to ourselves, though I have to admit, the uphill start immediately tested my stamina.    --- ###### OTW to the Campsite! For the next thirty minutes, we steadily made our way upward. Our goal for the day was simple: to reach the campsite before nightfall.  The trail was quiet and refreshing, with nothing but the sound of our footsteps, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional call of birds. Walking in peace like that, surrounded by pure greenery, was an experience in itself.    Still, it wasn’t without challenges. I’m more used to short day hikes in the mountains of Cebu, so tackling longer treks took some adjusting. The trail greeted us with “unli-assaults” right from the start, followed by small river crossings, and even a steep descent before climbing up again.     But the highlight of this part of the journey was crossing a wide river on a bamboo raft. After trekking down one mountain (only to climb another — oh, the irony!), the raft carried us gently across, adding a unique thrill to the climb.   Once on the other side, we faced one last 15-minute uphill stretch before finally reaching the campsite.   We arrived just before 6PM, tired but fulfilled. After pitching our tent and cooking dinner, the skies decided to send us a little rain.   When it slowed to a drizzle, we settled in and prepared for rest, knowing that the real adventure awaited the next day: the climb to the summit of Mt. Kulago. So, stay tuned! 🌿⛰️  --- Thank you for reading my post up to this point. I hope you have a great time ahead! I'll take delight in writing for you again soon. Love, Sam ♡