Camping at Sirao Peak via Ayala Heights
Sirao Peak (also known as Mt. Kan-irag), 700+ MASL
The nearest – and also the easiest – way to get there is through a 30-minute walk from Ayala Heights but you can always take a more challenging route, if you like. From JY Square, you can simply hire a habal-habal (motorcycle) to get you to Ayala Heights or even to the foot of Mt. Kan-irag, if you want to save even more time.
The Experience
It was already dark when we arrived at Ayala Heights to Sirao Peak but thankfully had friends to fetch us from there to help us with our load and shed us some light, literally. We took the road less travelled, yes, because we had a toddler in tow (by less travelled we mean not popular as a means of climbing up; but most trekkers take this route when going down from the peak). We would not compromise safety over experience – the trail that our friends took involve walking over slippery rocks beside a gushing waterfall. Even if we did have a backpack carrier with us, we still would not take that route if we were to bring our daughter along.
The easy trail (not quite really, because it entailed walking up rocky slopes with cogon grasses taller than you all around) was a big advantage for both the child and the parent. Sirao Peak also has a great campsite, albeit rocky, and was a great way to experience cool weather without having to go to Baguio. A few minutes after pitching our tent, dew already started forming in the flysheet and by midnight, it already seemed like it had rained without us knowing. Yes, even our friends’ shoes and socks have become all wet and soggy!
If it is your first time to trek or to camp or if you plan to tag your child/ren along, Sirao Peak is the perfect place to start.
Note to the Parent
We always believe that every travel (whether to the mall, the beach or up the mountains – this is our first time, though) becomes a learning experience for us and our daughter. Camping at Sirao Peak is a great way to have your child experience how it is to camp with low supplies and civilization slightly out of reach. However, we had to make sure that we had most of the necessary city living essentials camping gadgets with us – we do not want to put our daughter’s health and safety at risk!
Important Things to Bring
- Camping gears, of course! (NOTE: A good tent with a separate flysheet is recommended but we camped together with people who slept in pop-up tents and even under a fly tent. It’s slightly fine but uncomfortable because of the cold when you’re mighty and strong but definitely not when you have a baby with you!)
- A thick jacket for bottom layer and a waterproof and windproof top layer just in case it rains
- Insect repellant and insect bite cream (especially if you have a child along)
- Lots of (trail) food and water
Expenses
JY to Ayala Heights fare: P70 each (brought down from P75; they charge higher during the night)
Ayala Heights to JY Square: P50 each (daytime travel is much, much cheaper!)
Food: varies
Contact
Go ahead and make your way there – the trail to Sirao Peak is pretty straightforward, if you take it from Ayala Heights that is.
XX
PS. Credits to my friend, Jan, for the non-watermarked photos in this post.
About the Author
Pam is an outdoors-loving millennial momma who loves to hike, trek and camp in the beaches and mountains with her partner and their 3-year-old daughter. When not exploring the great outdoors, she moonlights as a freelance writer specializing in the travel, parenting, personal finance and digital marketing niches. You can also follow her via social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!
I don’t think I have the courage to go camping and most especially with a kid with me. I am not that adventurous like you. I prefer going to hotels and have a relaxing stay hahaha. I salute you and your husband for doing this and letting your daughter experience it.
Great adventure. Maybe when my daughter is bigger, we can try easy hikes near Manila too.
OMG … is this in Cebu??? I want to go here … is this the one near Dalaguete? I’ll be in Cebu next week …. hope to bump into you mommy Pam
Hi, Edel! This is just in Kan-irag, about 30mins from city proper.
WOW! I’ve never camped in my life! Thanks for sharing a good place to camp… for beginners..LOL!
my greatest dream is to climb a mountain and have a night sleep inside a tent. My husband says that we’ll wait until our kids grow and able to do the long walk but, now they’ve grown, they hate walking so, the planned camping is too impossible to happen
We want to try camping too! Hopefully soon 🙂
You should do it now! Hehe. Para maging accustomed na si baby sa lifestyle. 🙂
Wow, nagtrekking kayo with a toddler! Kayo na ang amazing! Nahiya tuloy ako sa pagod ko after malling haha. I’m sure your daughter learned a lot from the experience.
I hope she did. And I hope she realizes there’s also a lot more to come. Hehe.
Oh wow, I salute you mama. I would think twice about taking my kids to the grocery with me and you climbed a mountain with your toddler! Buti pa c baby!
On a dif note, you’re going to blogapalooza right?
Haha! I actually thought my mom would not allow us to tag the daughter along!
Anyway, yes, I finally bought my tickets so I’m officially going. I’m pretty scared about the thought of travelling alone – it’s my first time! Yikes!
Yay! And what flight? Basin dungan ta! 🙂
At first I was like, “Ha, may habal-habal sa Ayala Heights?” I was thinking of Ayala Heights in QC, ha ha! Forgot you’re not based in Manila 🙂
Anyway, it’s sooo cool that you’re already camping with your toddler! We barely get to go anywhere with our twins because we feel too much production, ha ha! That’s such a great experience for her. Good job! 🙂
True, bringing a toddler with you is hard work, especially when you’re the one preparing for the things. We often go out as a family – even just a short trip to the groceries – mostly because we can’t leave the daughter to anyone. We’re glad we’re doing that, though. Medyo trained na siya in terms of travelling.
Wow! I never thought of going camping with my children, honestly. It’s a very unique experience for them, I believe, especially if they’re older and could truly appreciate nature. We just bring our kids to Tagaytay or UP Diliman if we want a little bit of fresh air and scenery. We made a trek to Ditumabo or Mother Falls one time, but we needed to hire three kuyas to carry them over slippery rocks where the falls rush down.
We’re thinking of trying more challenging trails maybe when the daughter’s a little older. And also when the partner and I are in a much better shape. Haha!
It must have been a great experience to bring your daughter with you. I have friends who also bring their kids when they go camping. They say it’s a great way to introduce a child to nature and to tear them away from gadgets and TV!
It sure is, Nicole. The short trek was physically exhausting but I think the experience is all worth it.