Masungi Georeserve: A First Timer's Guide + What To Expect + Hiking Tips

Masungi Georeserve has been one of the most coveted hiking spots in Manila, but due to its popularity and strict rules on visits, it has proved to be quite a challenge to book a visit in one of Manila's last protected natural reserves. Finally, after about 2 months of planning, my friends and I were able to get in and experience this beauty.

If you are planning to book a hike at Masungi Reserve, let me share our experience on how we were able to get a slot. If this is your first time to hike at Masungi Georeserve, here's a nifty hand guide on how to survive the 4-hour hike!

MASUNGI GEORESERVE- a product of an environmental win from illegal loggers and developers by a small group of environmental activists who fought tooth and nail to preserve this last lush mountain range in Baras, Rizal. It's 2-3 hours away from Manila (depending on traffic conditions).

It's a known fact that it's VERY HARD to get a slot at Masungi Georeserve; it's not open to the public and hiking tours must be made through reservation...and reservation can take months; a friend even said it took them five months just to get a slot. We were luckier because we planned this two months in advance and we were able to secure a slot by May 2018.

RESERVATION TIPS:

1. Inquire through MASUNGI GEORESERVE OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

2. Reserve your date in advance. We chose May 2018 and started booking around March; I don't know if there's something with May, but seems like this is a good time to book because we got our preferred schedule easily.

3. Masungi Georeserve requires a minimum of 7 persons to push through with the tour reservation, but no more than 14 persons. If it's less than 7, say, someone dropped out in the middle of planning due to personal reasons, they will still allow the reservation but cost for a group of 7 must still be paid. When choosing your companions for the trip, make sure they won't flake on you!

4.  Rate is P1,400 per person and a downpayment of 50% must be made to secure the reservation.

5. You have to consistently follow up on them and verify if they have received your emails and text messages regarding reservation and payment because they might cancel on you and entertain other bookings. It's not good customer service to be honest, but I don't blame them because their office is located in the hiking site and there's literally no signal there. Also, they don't seem to care too much about business because aside from getting tons of booking requests, having more business puts the reserve at risk of deterioration due to human intervention; they are privately funded anyway so I can see why they would rather prioritize preservation than business. I don't take this personally nor do I see this as negative because I am with them in their goal to preserve the area.

6. Once you're all set, time to prepare your hiking gear!

RECOMMENDED GEAR FOR YOUR MASUNGI GEORESERVE HIKE:

1. Hiking or training shoes with good traction. There will lots of climbing during the hike.

2. Dri-fit top and jogging pants (wear long pants to protect yourself from getting scratched)

3. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!

4. Extra clothes

5. Light backpack or a drawstring bag for essentials

6. Water bottle

7. Mini first-aid kit

THE HIKE

Our preferred time for the hike was 7am because we did not want to torch under the sun and risk ourselves to heatstroke. Before entering the site, we were welcomed by one of the staff members and were briefed about the reserve and some restrictions like no smoking and no bringing of packed food into the reserve to prevent trash. So my advice, eat a good meal before the hike!

After the briefing, we walked for about 5 minutes going to the holding area, the jump-off point for the reserve. In here, we were given final instructions, introduced to our tour guide, chose and wore our safety gear, refilled our water bottles, and had our last bathroom break because there will be no bathroom stops for a majority of the hike. We also left our stuff here in the provided lockers; only a small bag, essentials, and your mobile phone/camera will be allowed as long as they fit in your bag!

Let the hike begin!

Hiking difficulty: 6 (depends on fitness level and health condition)

The hike starts with a walk; 20-30 minutes into the hike, you will start climbing natural bridges formed by limestone rocks sometime around millions of years ago.

In terms of safety features, there's little to none; only ropes and wooden bridges to ferry you through the rocks and lush forest; because bringing in equipment to install the safety features might affect the area. You will rely on your natural survival instincts during the hike, but the guide will be there to help you out. To be honest, I enjoyed it! It's like my survival skills have been improved LOL.

After crossing bridges, your flexibility skills will be challenged as you weave through the tiny crevices, holes, and caves.

It's pretty much rocks, trees, and caves for a good 1 to 1 1/2 hours, then you will reach the landmarks of the hike:

SAPOT NI RICK (WEB OF RICK)

Perhaps the most photographed landmark of Masungi Georeserve is the spider web rope creation intricately woven atop sharp limestone rocks; it was made by one of the reserve's caretakers, Mang Rick. Don't worry, the web is sturdy and you can even do a jump shot here.

NANAY

Nanay is the second highest peaks in the reserve; this one has better safety features as a majority of the edges are fenced. You can also take a break here on one of the huge limestone rocks with a naturally- formed bench.

TATAY

Tatay is the highest peak in the reserve; not for the faint of heart because the small net extending from the edge of the cliff is the only thing that you can hold on to when you slip plus the peak is very steep; it's good for four people clustered together only! Be extra careful when you're finally at this part.

The biggest cave inside Masungi is decorated with aromatic burners to give it a solemn feel, which actually has a purpose because there is a religious image inside the cave.

Don't forget to look through this rusty ring to spot Masungi Georeserve's logo; the crown of Tatay. The ring is made from the chainsaw used to take down the large trees around the reserve, which explains why there are no huge trees anymore in the area. :(

Just one of the long, suspended bridges going to Tatay

After three grueling hours of heat, sweat, odor, sebum, and a few petty, exhaustion- driven fights with friends, you will end up in a holding area where you will be served a tuna sandwich, iced tea, and iced cold water, and you can also have your bathroom break by then. Tuna sandwich is perhaps the most bland piece of food on earth, but trust me, after 3 hours of hiking, it's going to be the tastiest food you will ever have LOL.

After the quick merienda break, you will begin your descend the salamander (?), this long stretch of rope to get to the jump off point. Don't eat too much! LOL!

Total duration of the hike is around 4 hours going to and fro the trail. It was nothing short of a wonderful experience even if we were exhausted after the hike; it was great to learn that there's still this lush patch of nature left in Manila for us to enjoy and allow us to appreciate how rich we are in terms of natural wonders, and the forces and people that continue to fight for the preservation of Masungi Georeserve give me so much hope for the future of our environment. I left the place with a full heart.

BEFORE YOU GO...

1. Please be sure that you are fit enough to undertake the hike. If you have health conditions, please be transparent with the reserve's management so they can assess whether you can participate in the hike or not. Safety first!

2. Be sure to stay hydrated during the entire hike.

3. It's always best to hike early in the morning so you won't catch the scorching afternoon sun.

3. Do not litter. Let's all be decent human beings.

5. Follow the park rules. Because disobedience will force the management to resort to measures that may result to the cancellation of your tour.

I hope you enjoyed this guide! Share with me your Masungi Georeserve experience!