Masungi Georeserve Adventure

When an opportunity presents itself, stop making excuses and just grab it. Masungi Georeserve is in my bucket list but I didn't expect it to be checked out anytime soon until a friend offered for a vacant slot just a week before the trip. Here's a short video of our trip:

Reservations

Masungi Georeserve just opened December 2015 but due to popularity, getting a reservation is quite challenging. They do not entertain walk-ins so you have to secure a schedule before going. As of writing the earliest weekend schedule available is by November 2016. They only had 2 schedules per day when they opened but now they have tours scheduled every 30 minutes from Tuesdays-Sundays. You can make reservations through their website http://www.masungigeoreserve.com. Minimum of 7 and maximum 13 guest per scheduled tour. The tour costs PHP1000-1400 per person. You can pay the required 50% deposit via BPI or via Credit Card. The fee includes the kit you'll be needing for the trip and a light snack.

Getting There
Masungi Georeserve is located at KM47 Baras Rizal. It is so much easier to bring a car which would be about 1.5hours drive from Manila. Via public transport you have to:

1. From Gateway Cubao, ride a jeepney going to Cogeo and get off at Gate 2 stop. Travel time is around 45minutess and fare is PHP25. I think trips are available 24hrs because we didn't have any trouble finding one at 2am.

2. From Cogeo Gate 2, ride a jeepney going to Sampaloc and get off at KM47 (Garden Cottages, Palo Alto). Travel time is around 45minutes and fare is PHP35. As soon as you get off at Gate 2 you can immediately find the jeepney going to Sampaloc although you have to wait for the jeepney to be filled up which can take around 45minutes or more at 3am so you also have to consider this.

We got off at KM45 not knowing that the entrance is at KM47 so we walked 2km. Public transport is very scarce at 4am and the gates open at 5:30AM so we had to wait.

Going home is the same, but Jeepney from KM47 to Cogeo is a bit scarse. We were told trip interval is every 30minutes.

The Experience

It was raining and there was thick fog everywhere so the weather isn't really ideal for trekking. I was surprised they didn't cancel it knowing there  was a storm coming and all. Honestly I was scared and a  lot of  scenarios already gone through my mind but luckily nothing bad happened.

I knew there were rope courses and hanging bridges but I wasn't quite prepared to go down from a cliff without any life support my knees were really shaking which made it even harder to go down.

We were first oriented with the rules and regulation then we were given a trekking kit which includes a string bag, 2 water bottles, a helmet, and a whistle. You can bring trail snacks like candy, chocolate bars and jellies as long as you don't leave anything behind. We left our bags in the shed because we didn't have a car where we can leave our belongings.

The first obstacle is the "Lambat" you have to go up using this rope. It's a little overwhelming at first but it's fairly easy although the raincoats get in the way.

This is made of weaved steel and is pretty stable. This is one of the famous attractions in Masungi. According to Kuya Jason, our guide, they were supposed to just build a structure here made of rocks to create a view point where you can see Nanay and Tatay but it will take more time and ruin the already existing rock formations so they just decided to work around it to preserve the natural beauty of the place hence the "Sapot". You can notice that they try to be as non invasive as much as possible to preserve the rock formations.

Sapot

One thing we noticed as well is the beautiful metallic blue hues of the insects. Even the flies are blue. We also saw blue stinging bees.

The Trail

The steps are made of rocks and cements and is pretty safe. Although it's a bit slippery because it was raining.

Patak

Is a small cottage suspended between hanging bridges

Ditse

A small peek after Patak, you have to climb a Lambat to reach this.

And then climb down a Lambat again to get to the other side.

My knees were shaking seeing how we should go down. It's quite a high fall after all and there were no safety harness. So far there's no fatality... yet.

Going down the Duyan

I was planning to bring my DSLR with me but thank god I didn't because I couldn't handle it otherwise. Even when taking out our phones we were extra careful because there is no guarantee you can have your items back if you drop them.

It was nice to just lay here and relax after all the trekking and climbing.

My hands were red and sore afterwards.

I forgot the name but it's like a circular swing

Tatay

Highest Peek in Masungi which is 600m above sea level

Nanay

Bridge

Yungib ni Ruben

A small cave discovered by the care taker while scouting for a way up Tatay's peak

Hanging Bridge

Liwasan

Is a huge bird bath built for the summer

After the trek, they will serve a light meal (sandwich) then go back to the shed to claim your things and freshen up. The trek lasts for 3-4 hours back and forth depending on the pace of the group. We started around 7am and ended around 11am and that is with a lot of stops and rests.

It would have been nice if..
1. PHP1400 is a pretty hefty price to pay so it would have been better if instead of light snack, they offer rice meals.
2. Not taking the initiative to cancel the tour despite the weather was pretty off for me. I mean we didn't die or anything, no one was harmed and the trail was as safe as it can get but I would've loved to enjoy the place without worrying every second if I'd slip off and bump my head or fall off the cliff. Plus the raincoats caused a lot of hassle not to mention it doesn't look good in the picture.
3. The trail was pretty safe with stone steps just be sure you're wearing non-slip shoes.
4. I hope they add lockers or bag storage for guests.
5. It would have been nice if there was a canteen where you can buy food.
6. A shuttle from Cogeo to and from the Georeserve would have been nice as well so that the place will be more accessible.

There are a few more obstacles being constructed like the Bayawak. The rock formations are made of limestone. It's hard to imagine the place was once submerged in water. (random babbling) 

Despite the weather and all, we did enjoy our trip. It was a fun experience but something I wouldn't really do again unless it's free. (^_^)