Mt. Gulugod Baboy gives you a summit hike and a saltwater reward in one long day: after the climb, you head for a beach and may visit islands near Anilao. The combination is the point here. You get a taste of Batangas mountain scenery, then time to cool off by the sea.
I like the mix of hiking and snorkeling, and the included round-trip transfers from Quezon City, Mandaluyong, or Pasay make a distant trailhead easier to manage. One thing to weigh carefully: departure is at 1:00 a.m., and meals, island-hopping fees, and some beach costs are extra.
- The key points before you book
- A mountain morning near Anilao
- Leaving Manila at 1:00 a.m.
- Hiking Mt. Gulugod Baboy at dawn
- From the summit to the Anilao coast
- What the package includes, and what it does not
- Comparing the package prices
- What to pack for the long day
- Who will get the most from this tour
- Should you book Mt. Gulugod Baboy?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour pick up?
- What time does the tour leave and return?
- How many people can join?
- What is included in the price?
- Are meals and island-hopping fees included?
- What should I bring?
- Can I change or cancel my booking?
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The key points before you book
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6 / 6- A summit and a beach in one day: The plan pairs a Mt. Gulugod Baboy hike with a later beach visit and possible island stops.
- A very early start: Pickup is scheduled for 1:00 a.m. from Quezon City, Mandaluyong, or Pasay. Arrive 15 minutes early.
- Island destinations can vary: Portales, Sumbrero, and Sepoc islands are among the possible stops, but the schedule is subject to conditions.
- Several useful extras are included: Transfers, insurance, a guide, GoPro use, a travel video, and a souvenir bag tag are part of the package.
- Bring your own food and cash: Meals, beverages, island-hopping fees, Anilao Beach admission, and shower fees are not included.
- Private pricing depends on group size: The listed private rate falls sharply as more people share the package, while a join-in option is also available.
A mountain morning near Anilao
Mabini is best known as a gateway to Batangas’ coastal activities, and this tour gives you more than a day by the water. Mt. Gulugod Baboy adds a hike to the outing, with a summit stop for photos and videos before the group moves on to the coast.
The name Batanes of the South is used to describe the area, but keep expectations grounded: the supplied details do not promise a particular view, trail length, elevation, or difficulty. You should think of this as an organized summit hike followed by a seaside break, not a technical climbing trip or a detailed mountain expedition.
That distinction matters when you pack. The tour asks you to bring hiking shoes or sandals, water, snacks, and sun and rain protection, but it does not specify how steep or long the route is. If you need a firm answer about trail conditions or the hike’s demands, ask the operator before booking.
The day’s range is a real strength. A mountain morning and a beach afternoon feel different enough to keep the trip from becoming a single-purpose outing, and the coast offers a chance to rest after the hike. The tradeoff is that you need the stamina for an early departure and a full schedule.
You can also read our reviews of more city tours in Quezon
Leaving Manila at 1:00 a.m.
The tour departs at 1:00 a.m. from Quezon City, Mandaluyong, or Pasay. You should be at the pickup point 15 minutes ahead, and the operator will confirm your specific pickup time in advance. Round-trip transfers, insurance, and a professional driver are included.
An early start is practical for a day trip to Mabini, but it is not a small detail. You will be leaving while most people are asleep, so consider how well you handle a short night before committing. Bring a headlamp or flashlight, as requested, and keep your water, medication, and trail snacks where you can reach them.
The schedule places you at the hike’s jump-off point around 5:00 a.m. The hike is due to start about 30 minutes after arrival, allowing time to get ready and register. Traffic and weather can alter the timetable, so treat the listed times as a plan rather than a guarantee.
The vehicle transfer is one of the package’s more useful inclusions. You do not have to arrange a separate ride from Manila to the trail area, then solve the onward journey to the coast. For a group, that convenience can be worth more than a small difference in the advertised price.
Hiking Mt. Gulugod Baboy at dawn
The hike begins after the group reaches the jump-off point and has a short settling-in period. The tour includes registration and environmental fees, as well as an English- or Filipino-speaking guide. Those details make the outing simpler to organize, though you should still pack for the trail rather than expect food or equipment to be supplied.
At around 8:00 a.m., the schedule allows time for breakfast. Meals and drinks are not included, and the packing list specifically calls for a packed breakfast and lunch, plus trail food and snacks. Bring enough water, too: the recommended amount is 1 to 2 liters.
At the summit, you can take photos and videos. A photographer and videographer are included in the package, along with a free travel video and use of a GoPro. Drone coverage is also listed, but it is subject to availability, so do not make a booking decision on the assumption that an aerial video is certain.
The tour’s guide can shape how the climb feels. Ey-Jay is a named guide associated with the outing, and his humor and mountain storytelling have been singled out as part of the experience. The operator does not promise a particular guide, so treat that as a possible bonus, not a guaranteed feature.
A second practical point is the lack of published trail details. No distance, hiking duration, or difficulty rating is specified. If you have concerns about fitness or footwear, ask the operator directly before setting out. The tour recommends hiking shoes or sandals, but you should choose footwear you know is comfortable on uneven ground.
From the summit to the Anilao coast
At about 10:30 a.m., the group is scheduled to reach a beach resort or begin island hopping. The shift from trail to shoreline is the tour’s cleverest move: after a morning on foot, you can rest on the beach or get into the water to snorkel and look for marine life.
Possible island stops include Portales Island, Sumbrero Island, and Sepoc Island. The wording leaves room for the route to vary, so do not expect to visit every island on every departure. Weather and the day’s operating conditions may also affect the schedule.
The coastal portion is not fully covered by the tour price. Island-hopping fees and admission to Anilao Beach are excluded, as are shower fees. Ask the operator which fees apply to your chosen route and bring extra money; the listed price is not the final cost of every part of the day.
You will also need your own meals and beverages. The itinerary calls out breakfast, but the package does not provide it, and the packing advice includes both breakfast and lunch. Plan ahead rather than relying on a meal stop being part of the tour.
Snorkeling equipment is not specified in the package details, so confirm whether you need to bring or rent any gear. GoPro use is included, but that is a camera, not a promise of snorkeling equipment. The beach and water time are a welcome change of pace, but this is not sold as a dedicated snorkeling or island-hopping excursion.
What the package includes, and what it does not
Included items are more extensive than basic transport and guiding. You get round-trip transfers with insurance and a professional driver, an English- or Filipino-speaking guide, environmental and registration fees, a personalized bag tag, a free travel video, and free GoPro use. Drone coverage is available only if conditions and availability allow.
The photographer and videographer are also included, which can be useful if you want group photos without asking someone to sit out. Still, the package does not specify how many edited images or how long the finished video will be. If those deliverables matter to you, ask what to expect before departure.
Your own budget should cover meals, beverages, personal expenses, tips if you choose to give them, Anilao Beach admission, island-hopping fees, and showers. These add-ons can change the value calculation, particularly for a solo visitor or a small private group. Get a clear estimate of local fees before you compare this with arranging the day independently.
The operator is Juan-Faith Adventure Travel & Tours. The group-size limit is 15 participants, though package choices include both join-in and private departures. For a private outing, the price per person drops as the group grows, which makes it a more compelling deal for friends or family traveling together.
Comparing the package prices
The listed prices vary by format and group size. The join-in option starts at US$31.55. Private options are listed from US$276 for one person, US$141.95 per person for two, US$94.65 for three, US$70.99 for four, US$57.59 for five, US$48.49 for six, US$41.79 for seven, US$37.09 for eight, US$33.15 for nine, and US$30.39 per person for ten.
The tour’s headline price of US$34.95 is not the only figure to check. The package details provided for the private group of ten show US$30.39 per person, while the join-in price starts at US$31.55. Confirm the price attached to your dates and selected package before booking, and compare it with the extra beach and island fees.
The private option can make sense if you value having the transfers and guide arranged for your own party. At one person, the listed price is steep compared with the join-in rate. At ten, the per-person price is much lower, though meals and local coastal charges remain extra.
The join-in choice may suit you if you are traveling alone or do not need a private vehicle and group. One outing was changed to Mt. 387 and Aloha Falls because there were too few people for the planned group departure. That is a useful reminder to confirm what happens if the minimum group is not met and whether an alternative would suit you.
What to pack for the long day
The supplied packing list is sensible for a mountain-and-coast outing. Bring a valid ID, 1 to 2 liters of water, hiking shoes or sandals, sun and rain protection, extra clothes, personal medication, and a trash bag. Add trail food, snacks, and packed breakfast and lunch.
A headlamp or flashlight is also on the list, which fits the pre-dawn start. Keep extra money handy for meals, beach admission, island fees, and showers. Because you will move from the trail to the shore, a change of clothes can make the second half of the day more comfortable.
You receive a personalized bag tag, and the package includes GoPro use and a travel video. Do not assume that these extras replace personal gear you need for the hike or water. In particular, ask about snorkeling equipment if you plan to get in the sea.
Who will get the most from this tour
This outing suits you if you want a full day with both a mountain hike and time by the sea, and you are comfortable with an overnight departure. It is especially practical for groups who want round-trip transport arranged from Quezon City, Mandaluyong, or Pasay rather than organizing separate travel to Mabini.
It may be less suitable if you want a relaxed start, a slow beach day, or a detailed itinerary with fixed island stops. The timetable is tight, and traffic or weather can shift it. The tour also does not give enough trail information to judge the hike’s difficulty in advance, so ask questions if that is a deciding factor.
Booking changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, subject to the stated exceptions. The voucher is valid only for the date and time shown, and a full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date in local time.
Should you book Mt. Gulugod Baboy?
Book it if the appeal is the contrast: a dawn hike, summit photos, then a chance to rest or snorkel near Anilao. The included transfers and guide make the day easier to arrange, and the private price becomes more attractive when a larger group shares it.
Think twice if you dislike very early starts, need a precise trail difficulty rating, or want meals and island fees bundled into one price. Before paying, confirm your pickup details, the likely coastal route, the extra local costs, and what happens if a join-in group is too small. With those points settled, this is a useful way to fit mountain air and a beach break into one Batangas day.
Quezon City Mt. Gulugod Baboy Full-Day Private Tour
“🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Absolutely Perfect Tour! This hike was an unforgettable adventure from start to finish! The entire experience was so well organized – everyth…”
FAQ
Where does the tour pick up?
The listed departure areas are Quezon City, Mandaluyong, and Pasay. The operator will confirm your pickup time in advance, and you should arrive 15 minutes before departure.
What time does the tour leave and return?
Departure is scheduled for 1:00 a.m., and the listed return time is 3:00 p.m. The schedule may change because of traffic or weather.
How many people can join?
The stated group-size limit is 1 to 15 participants. Package options include join-in and private groups of different sizes.
What is included in the price?
The package includes round-trip transfers with insurance and a professional driver, a guide, environmental and registration fees, a personalized bag tag, a travel video, and GoPro use. Drone coverage is subject to availability.
Are meals and island-hopping fees included?
No. Meals and beverages, Anilao Beach admission, island-hopping fees, shower fees, and personal expenses are excluded.
What should I bring?
Bring a valid ID, 1 to 2 liters of water, hiking shoes or sandals, sun and rain protection, extra clothes, extra money, trail food, snacks, packed breakfast and lunch, a headlamp or flashlight, personal medication, and a trash bag.
Can I change or cancel my booking?
Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, with stated exceptions for certain bookings. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date in local time.
