Maestro Backpack Adventures

Mt. Balungao is an extinct volcano located in the municipality of Balungao, Eastern part of the beautiful province Pangasinan in Luzon Island.

Mt. Balungao stood tall at 382 Masl and it takes 3-4 hours depends on the hikers capacity. I have read several blogs that the level of difficulty of this mountain is 2/9 but when we experience it, it's like 4/9. Most part of the trail is cardiac and steep. But the good thing is, the trail is covered with canopy of trees. There is a rocky part of the trail so be ready with your hands and feet. And after a tiring hike, you can dip on their Hot and Cold Spring Swimming Pool.

There are two trails on Mount Balungao. First is for the Professional hikers (hike until the summit) and second trail is for Beginners (simple trail). But I highly recommend you to try Professional trail to experience cardiac trail and see what's on the summit.

How to get there?

1. If you are coming to Pasay, Cubao or Manila

Just ride any bus going to Baguio and drop at SM Rosales, Carmen Rosales Pangasinan.

Go to the Jeepney terminal at the side of SM Rosales and look for jeepneys going to Umingan, Pangasinan. Tell the driver, to drop you at the Balungao Gasoline Station.

Then ride a trycycle going to Balungao Hilltop Adventure. Pay the entrance fee at gate of the resort. Go to the registration booth and pay the necessary fees.

2. If you are from Baguio (Just the same above, the only difference is the origin).

Just Ride any Bus going to Pasay, Cubao or Manila. and drop at SM Rosales, Carmen Rosales Pangasinan.

Go to the Jeepney terminal at the side of SM Rosales and look for jeepneys going to Umingan, Pangasinan. Tell the driver, to drop you at the Balungao Gasoline Station.

Then ride a tricycle going to Balungao Hilltop Adventure. Pay the entrance fee at gate of the resort. Go to the registration booth and pay the tour guide fee.

Bus Fare Manila to SM Rosales = 300-330 pesos/head

SM Rosales to Balungao Gas Station = 20 pesos/head

Balungao Gas Station to Balungao Hilltop Adventure = 100 pesos/ one way/good for 5 persons

Entrance Fee = 50 pesos/head

Guide fee= 600 pesos (good for 10 pax)

Environmental Fee = 20 pesos/head

Mountain Creek Farm and Resort is located at Brgy. Calitlitan in the town of Umingan, Eartern part of Pangasinan. This place is for those who want to breathe fresh air and relax their mind and body. Though the place is quite far, but I'm pretty sure that it is worth the effort once you get there.

Why is it called Mountain Creek Farm and Resort? This resort is located beside a mountain and there is a creek (a stream of small to medium size, may dry during summers or drought) near to it. Also, it has a dragon fruit farm, pools and pond. I have read in the other blog, that there is a 500-meter trail hike (coz we haven’t experienced it when we went there).

Another thing that makes this resort different from the others, is that they have tree houses and they call it “Kuzebo” (kubo + gazebo).

So, here are the pictures that I have taken 😊