A mount of legend, a mount of lore Of guardian spirits, coming forth A mount that many seek to climb Up its peak, the view divine

A mount that boasts of cliffs and springs Of water falls and curious things A hiker’s dream, to touch and see Nature feisty, raw and free

Mount , Oh what a sight You charmed this wanderer so Of your stately stance and graceful slopes I will forever be in awe

The enchanting Mount Kanlaon Negros

©© Maximus Jovi cataracts I warm up to, the cooler the touch, old bough breaks the fall

Title. Caption

©© Deo Marco Calumba

©© Maximus Jovi Quipot Falls The most popular waterfall among the many that can Summit Basking under the sun at the summit of Mt. Kanlaon. ©© Deo Marco Calumba be found in the City of .

Jagged edges The sharp ridges around the crater formed from ©© Gian Jubela Mambucal Hot Spring One of the attractions of this mountain ©© Deo Marco Calumba Colorful foliage while trekking along the lip of Margaha Valley. ©© Maximus Jovi eruptions of lava and rocks. resort. This is also one of the entry points in hiking Mt. Kanlaon.

14 PwC VisMin’s Philippine Gems 15 Mt. Kanlaon, Negros, N Geography

Mt. Kanlaon is an active MT. KANLAON on the island of Negros and the highest point in Visayas with an elevation of 8,087 feet above sea level.

Samoc Lagoon

Points of interest Negros Margaha Valley Oriental • Mambucal, Bucalan and Bungol hot springs Guimaras Makawiwili Peak Mt. Kanlaon • Samoc Lagoon • Margaha Valley • Makawiwili Peak Kanlaon • Quipot Falls Taking the journey

• Plane From ride a plane bound for Bacolod. Estimated and September), only 10 trekkers per trail travel time is one hour and 15 per month are allowed. Accomodation minutes. • Bus (for the Mapot trail and Mananawin What to bring ©© MaximuS Jovi Mouth of the sleeping dragon. Visitors are advised to crawl near the crater Trail): From Bacolod, ride Ceres Liner to get a good view. Standing near the edge is dangerous as a strong gust of Guests may bring their own wind could blow a person over and into the crater. buses going to Canlaon City. Travel time is Food choices approximately three hours. From Canlaon camping equipment and gears City, ride a habal habal to the jump off or may prearrange rental of point. equipment and gears with their guide • Bus (for the Guintubdan Trail): From or travel agency. Transportation Bacolod, ride Ceres Liner buses going to La Carlota City. Travel time is Don’t miss approximately one and a half hours. See how we rate it on page 81. • Jeep (for Wasay Trail): From Bacolod, ride • Dip in the hot springs of the Bacolod- Jeepney. Hike 1.5 Mambukal kilometers to Wasay Station. • Camping on the trail to Mt. Building better Mt. Kanlaon Kanlaon More hotels would provide more comfort and Best time to visit Explore further value to travellers. Also, additional activities Secure permits from the Department aside from hiking would attract more tourists of Environment and Natural Resources • The 1,328 old in Canlaon and promote the other parts of the city. (DENR) at least three months before City the expedition. • The Ruins of Talisay Contacts Only 10 people are allowed to trek a trail per • Negros Museum in Bacolod day during open season. Open season takes City Ecotourism & PAMB Operations Office Mt. place during the months of March, April, • Kipot Falls in Bago City Kanla-on Natural Park, +63 (34) 435-7411 Mapot-Mananawin One of the recommended trails going to Mt. ©© Gian Carlo Jubela High achiever A climber seems to walk among the clouds. ©© Ben Pablo October, November and December. During low Kanlaon. season (January, February, June, July, August,

16 PwC Philippines VisMin’s Philippine Gems 17