How To Climb Mt. Apo The Easy Way

Towering 2,954 meters (9,692 ft) above sea level, Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines. This is the reason why many local and international mountaineering enthusiasts have it on their bucket list. Being the highest means climbing it requires a good dose of effort, including preparations like conditioning the body by performing day hikes like the mountains of Batangas and Cavite.

To climb Mt. Apo, you’ll have to choose among a selection of trails. Each trail differs in length, level of difficulty, and the views you’ll see along the way.

Among all the available trails, the Kidapawan Trail is currently known as the easiest. And this is the trail that we’re going to use.

So if you’ve long been dreaming to climb Mt. Apo, read on and remember these steps to get you started.

Step 1: Call the Tourism Office in Kidapawan

At least a week before your trip, inform the local tourism office in Kidapawan regarding the date of your climb. There are times when the trail is close so it’s best to know beforehand. The tourism office can also help arrange trekking guides, porters and transportation from Kidapawan proper going to the hike’s starting point.

You may contact Kidapawan Tourism Officer, Sir Joey Recimilla at +63 93 990 64243.

Step 2: Fly to Davao and take the van to Kidapawan

Fly directly to Davao from Manila, Cebu, or any other major Philippine cities via PAL Express orCebu Pacific Air.

From the airport, hire a cab to Gaisano Mall and tell the driver to bring you to the van terminal for Kidapawan. Taking the van the travel time from Davao to Kidapawan is roughly 3 hours while fare is around ₱150 one-way.

Van to Kidapawan from Gaisano Mall in Davao

The last trip of van from Gaisano Mall in Davao to Kidapawan is around 8:00 PM. It’s best to come to Kidapawan the day before your actual climb so you can get enough rest.

Step 3: Register at Kidapawan Tourism Office

The day before your Mt. Apo climb or in the early morning of your first hiking day, make sure to drop by Kidapawan Tourism Office in downtown Kidapawan. Here is where you register your name and get a climbing permit. There will also be a briefing to cover rules and regulations, as well as some helpful tips that might come in handy during your climb.

Climb registration at the Kidapawan Tourism Office

Please take note of the following fees:

Climb Fee	₱500/person (₱750 for foreign nationals and ₱400 for students)
Guide Fee	₱800/day
Porter Fee	₱350/day

The usual climb duration when taking Kidapawan Trail is 3 days and 2 nights. This means you will have to shell out ₱2,400 for the guide and ₱1,050 for the porter, and if we add the climb fee it will cost you a total of ₱3,950.

In case you need to rent mountaineering equipment or if you’d rather have your meals prepared during the climb, you can discuss these matters with the guide that the tourism office assigns to you.

Step 4: Ride a habal-habal to the hike’s starting point in Brgy. Ilomavis

From Kidapawan Tourism Office, hire a habal-habal (₱250 one-way, 30 minutes) that will bring you and your guide to the hike’s starting point in Brgy. Ilomavis. If you avail the services of porters, they will be waiting for you in Brgy. Ilomavis. The best time to start hiking is between 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM. This is to make sure that you’ll arrive in Lake Venado campsite before dark.

Starting the hike in Brgy. Ilomavis

Step 5: Summit Mount Apo

From the starting point in Brgy. Ilomavis, it takes approximately 10 hours of hiking to reach the summit including 1-hour lunch break. So if you start hiking at 6:00 AM, given excellent weather and trail conditions, you can make it to the summit by 4:00 PM.

Lunch at Ko-ong Campsite

This is rarely the case for many Mt. Apo climbers though. Most of the time, people only make it to Lake Venado on their first day — with the summit still about 3 hours away from the lake.

Pushing our way up to the summit from Lake Venado

When hiking from Brgy. Ilomavis to Lake Venado, which roughly takes 7 hours, you have to cross Marble River at least 7 times.

Crossing Marble River

At the latter part of the trail just before Lake Venado, there are slopes that angle 70 to 80 degrees which can be challenging for some. By the time most hikers reach Lake Venado, many struggle to find enough energy to push further towards the summit.

2nd day camping in Lake Venado

Things to Bring

If you’re not planning to stay long in Mt. Apo, you don’t need to bring a lot of stuff. The following are the basic items you’ll need to pull off an awesome Mt. Apo experience.

1. Tent
2. Food and Drinks good for 3 days and 2 nights
3. Cookware
4. Jackets, gloves, and pairs of socks to battle the cold
5. Wet Wipes
6. Flashlight
7. Camera

Remember not to dispose any of your garbage on the mountain. Be a responsible traveler. Let’s all work together in preserving Mt. Apo and its environment.

Smiling at the summit with Mount Apo’s shadow in the background

Sample Itinerary

Here’s a sample itinerary for a 3-day 2-night trip to Mt. Apo taking Kidapawan Trail.

Day 0
08:00	Manila to Davao flight
09:30	Arrival in Davao City, cab to Gaisano Mall van terminal
10:30	Van to Kidapawan
13:30	Lunch in Kidapawan
14:30	Proceed to Kidapawan Tourism Office, get permit, and undergo briefing
16:00	Purchase Hiking Needs (food, water, etc.)
18:00	Overnight in Kidapawan

Day 1
05:00	Early breakfast
05:30	Habal-habal to Brgy. Ilomavis starting point
06:00	Commence hike to Lake Venado
12:00	Lunch at Ko-ong Campsite
13:00	Continue hike to Lake Venado
15:00	Set up camp at Lake Venado
17:00	Prepare dinner
18:30	Dinner
20:00	Lights out

Day 2
06:00	Breakfast
07:00	Break camp
08:00	Hike to summit
11:00	Set up camp at the summit
12:30	Lunch
14:00	Explore the summit
18:30	Dinner
20:00	Lights out

Day 3
04:30	Early breakfast
05:30	Catch sunrise at the summit
08:00	Break camp
09:00	Begin descent to Kidapawan
17:00	Arrival in Brgy. Ilomavis