Manila Mt. 387 and Aloha Falls Full-Day Private Tour

Mt. 387’s brown, rolling slopes make a striking change from Manila’s city streets. At the summit, the famous lone Lovers’ Tree gives you a memorable photo stop, then the day continues with a visit to cool Aloha Falls.

I like that this trip pairs a mountain hike with a waterfall stop, so you get two very different outdoor settings in one long day. I also like the practical extras: a guide, round-trip transfers, a GoPro, and a tour coordinator who helps with photos and video.

The trade-off is the schedule. You leave Manila at night, hike before breakfast has had time to settle, and face a long ride back. The route down toward the falls can be challenging, so bring gloves and be realistic about your fitness.

At a glance

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• Mt. 387’s brown slopes give the summit hike a distinctive look, with wide views across rolling hills.
• The Lovers’ Tree is a lone tree at the peak and the day’s signature photo stop.
• Aloha Falls adds a cool-water break after the hike, but the descent toward it calls for care.
• The Manila departure is late at night, with pickup points in Pasay, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City.
• The price depends on group size and package. Join-in seats start at US$29.55, while private group rates fall as the group grows.
• Photo extras are included, including GoPro use and a tour video. Drone coverage depends on availability.

👉 See our pick of the 8 Best Historical Tours In Manila

The long road from Manila to Carranglan

The tour starts the night before the date you select. Departure points are listed at McDonald’s on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay at 23:00, Greenfield District Mayflower Parking in Mandaluyong at 23:30, and McDonald’s at Eton Centris in Quezon City at 23:59. Arrive 15 minutes early, since late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

The drive to the hiking station is scheduled to take about four hours. That sounds manageable on paper, but the full outing is a long one: the planned return to Manila is around 19:00 the following day, after a 4.5-hour drive from the falls area. Traffic and weather can change the schedule, so leave your evening open.

You will meet an English- or Filipino-speaking guide, and the operator provides round-trip transfers, registration, environmental fees, and insurance. A tour coordinator also serves as photographer and videographer. Those additions can be useful when you want both hands free on the trail, though the included free video and photos should be treated as a pleasant extra rather than the main reason to book.

Starting the hike before sunrise

The schedule places breakfast at 04:00, then the group heads to Mount 387 Hiking Station at 04:30. The guided climb is planned to take three and a half hours, with arrival at the summit around 08:00. Starting early makes the most of the day, but it also means you should protect your sleep on the ride and have your essentials ready before you board.

Bring water, trail food, a flashlight or headlamp, and a valid ID, along with a change of clothes, sunscreen, a hat, rain protection, and cash. The list is practical rather than fussy: the tour begins in the dark, the weather may shift, and meals and drinks are not included. Wear hiking shoes, not smooth-soled casual footwear.

The operator does not recommend the activity for people with high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, asthma, other serious medical conditions, pregnant women, or people with disabilities. The route is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible. Children aged 0 to 4 may join free, but that does not make the hike suitable for every young child. Consider the length and physical demands before bringing one.

Climbing Mt. 387 to the Lovers’ Tree

The main draw is the mountain itself. Mt. 387 is known here for its brown, rolling slopes, which make a different sort of summit view from a forested peak. If you are after broad, open scenery and a distinctive photo, the climb has a clear payoff.

The day plan allows for arrival at the summit at 08:00, followed by a scheduled descent at 10:00. That gives the group a planned window at the top, though the actual time can shift with pace, weather, and trail conditions. The Lovers’ Tree, the lone tree at the peak, is the natural photo stop. It is a simple landmark, but one that gives the summit a sense of place rather than making it only a turnaround point.

A recent trip account singled out the scenery as a good reason to make the day trip. That is useful praise, but keep expectations grounded: the view is the mountain’s rolling brown slopes, not a promise of a particular color or weather at your visit. Conditions can alter the look of the hills, and the schedule itself may change.

Down toward Aloha Falls

After the mountain, the plan includes lunch at 11:30, then a 30-minute car ride to the falls jump-off at 13:30. The schedule allows an hour there for washing up before the return drive begins at 14:30. The falls provide a welcome change of pace after the climb, with cool water as the day’s reward.

The descent toward Aloha Falls deserves special attention. A person who completed the route described the downward hike as challenging and advised wearing gloves. That is the most useful trail tip available, and I would take it seriously: gloves can help protect your hands if you need to steady yourself or grip the terrain. The exact footing and conditions are not specified, so avoid assuming the path will be easy just because the waterfall is a relaxing stop.

There is a small extra charge for a shower, listed as Php20, and a truck ride costs Php50. Neither is included in the tour price. Bring cash for these and for any personal purchases, since meals, drinks, tips, and other personal expenses are also your responsibility.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The experience is sold as both a join-in tour and a private tour. Join-in pricing starts at US$29.55. Private rates vary by party size, from US$279.59 for one person to US$26.39 per person for a group of 12. The advertised price can therefore mean very different things depending on how many people share the booking; check the package total and group size before deciding.

For a solo hiker, a join-in seat is far cheaper than booking a private tour alone. A private booking may make more sense for a group that values traveling together, but the price per person is highest for one or two people and drops as the group grows. The listed private rate for two is US$142.55 per person, compared with US$72.45 for four. If you have a larger group, compare the per-person rate with the join-in option rather than assuming private means better value.

Included services add value beyond the ride and guide: environmental and registration fees, operator-provided insurance, GoPro use, a personalized bag tag, and a free travel video. Drone coverage is free when available, but it is not guaranteed. Meals and beverages are excluded, as are the shower and truck charges, so budget for those separately.

The operator, Juan-Faith Adventure Travel & Tours, has 45 total reviews and a 73 percent good-review rate. The tour itself has a 2.5 out of 5 rating based on only two reviews, one positive account praising the scenery and one low score tied to a trip that did not proceed on a particular holiday. That is a small sample, not a firm verdict. I would weigh it alongside the tour’s demanding timetable and the operator’s stated cancellation terms, rather than treating the rating as a reliable prediction.

Who should book this day trip?

This tour suits you if you want a full outdoor day from Manila and like the idea of pairing a summit with a waterfall. It is especially practical for a group that can split a private booking, or for a solo visitor comfortable joining a shared group at the lower starting price. The photo and video extras are a bonus if you enjoy keeping a record of the day.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a gentle outing, a late start, or a short drive. You leave Manila before midnight, hike for several hours, then ride back for much of the afternoon. The route down toward the falls may be demanding, and the operator lists several medical conditions and pregnancy as reasons not to join.

If you are unsure, focus on the descent and the schedule, not just the attractive summit photos. Bring gloves, proper shoes, water, trail food, and a change of clothes. Be prepared for a very long day, and do not book if you cannot manage the stated physical demands.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

There are three listed meeting points: McDonald’s on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay at 23:00, Greenfield District Mayflower Parking in Mandaluyong at 23:30, and McDonald’s at Eton Centris in Quezon City at 23:59. Arrive 15 minutes before your selected departure.

Is the meeting time on the tour date?

The guide meets you the night before the tour date you select. The selected date is the actual tour date, even though the first pickup takes place the previous night.

How long is the hike to Mt. 387’s summit?

The planned guided hike from Mount 387 Hiking Station takes about three and a half hours. The schedule places arrival at the summit at approximately 08:00.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included. The schedule has breakfast at 04:00 and lunch at 11:30, so bring cash and any trail food or drinks you want.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring a change of clothes, sunscreen, a hat, a raincoat or poncho, trail food, cash, a water bottle, a flashlight or headlamp, and valid ID. Wear hiking shoes. Gloves are also a sensible choice for the challenging descent toward the falls.

Can I change or cancel my booking?

Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, with stated exceptions for certain pass, presale, freebie, and voucher situations. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date. If extreme weather or another unforeseen event leads the operator to cancel, you may reschedule or request a full refund. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.