Against All Odds | Mt. Guiting-Guiting (2,058+) Travel Guide 2023
(Updated as of March 29, 2023)
Sibuyan, Romblon: In this Mt. Guiting-Guiting travel guide, let us take you to the dramatic landscapes of the saw-toothed mountain peaks of G2. This is often included in the list of the most extreme and technically challenging climbs in the Philippines.
Mt. Guiting-Guiting adventure here: Against All Odds | Mt. Guiting-Guiting (2,058+), Romblon
MT. GUITING-GUITING
Sibuyan Island, Romblon
Major Jump-off: Brgy. Tampayan, Magdiwang, Sibuyan
LLA: 12°24’50″N, 122°34’4″E, 2058 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 3 days / 10-13 hours
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 9/9, Trail Class 5 with rock climbing/scrambling
(www.pinoymountaineer.com)
In this hike, I was using the new Merrell Moab 3 which provided comfort on our three-day climb. The thick cushioning provided plenty of isolation from the sharp rocky trails and non-stop rains. #LetsGetAway.
GET IT HERE!
Also wearing the new Next Trail Gradient Tee on this challenging hike! With breathable Dri-fit fabric that kept me cool, dry, and active as we clambered up the boulders of the sharp ultramafic rocks of the mountain.
GET IT HERE!
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Where is Mt. Guiting-Guiting?
Mount Guiting-Guiting is the highest mountain in the province of Romblon, located on Sibuyan Island, in the Philippines, with an elevation of 6,752 ft (2,058 m) above sea level. Moreover, Sibuyan is a crescent-shaped island, the second largest in an archipelago comprising Romblon Province.
It is ranked as the 11th-most prominent mountain in the Philippines, and the 71st-highest peak of an island in the world. Located at the heart of Sibuyan, it dominates the landscape for miles around. Guiting-Guiting, in the Romblomanon dialect, means “jagged”.
#NoToMiningInSibuyan
We stand in solidarity with the people of Sibuyan Island against the illegal mining activities of Altai Philippines Mining Corp., which, as per reports, is commencing mining exploration activities despite the alleged absence of the necessary barangay, municipal, and environmental permits.
“..it cannot be denied that the people of Sibuyan are brave and strong enough to take a stand to defend their island, its natural beauty, and all the other plants and animals that live in it. Without doubt, they sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears. Still, there is a long battle ahead as mining companies threaten to spoil this paradise, especially if they are involved in irresponsible mining.”
How to Get There
- Mt. Guiting-Guiting is located at the heart of Sibuyan Island in Romblon.
- Trails: There are several trails to choose from when climbing Mt. Guiting-Guiting, but these two are the most commonly used trails by mountaineers:
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- Tampayan Trail (Magdiwang, Romblon) – this trail starts at the end of a dirt road leading down to Ga-ong River in Brgy. Tampayan in Magdiwang. Moreover, this trail is around 8.8++ kilometers long from the jump-off at Ga-ong River (35 MASL) up to the summit of Mt. Guiting-Guiting (2,058 MASL). This is the traditional trail that will take you to the challenging Knife Edge, 90-Degree Wall, and many more.
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- Olango Trail (San Fernando, Romblon) – this trail starts at the end of a dirt road leading down to Olango River in Brgy. Espana in San Fernando. Moreover, this trail is around 9++ kilometers long from the jump-off (25 MASL) up to the summit of Mt. Guiting-Guiting (2,058 MASL) – This trail passes through the infamous “ Crash Site”
- We did the traditional 3D2N Tampayan Back Trail Route camping at Camp 3 and Secret Garden. Our group’s total covered distance is 29.22 kilometers, with a total elevation gain of 2,721 meters
- Mt. Guiting-Guiting proved to be a very challenging hike because of its 9/9 difficulty rating. It has all there is to ask from a mountain: from rivers, tropical- to mossy forests, and nerve-wracking boulders and cliffs to scale.
- Mt. Guiting-Guiting is open all year round, but the best time to climb it is from December to March.
- There are two water sources along the trail:
- Bulod’s Spring – A few minutes away from Camp 3
- Mabel’s Spring – A few minutes past the Kiss the Wall portion, but water could be scarce in here during the summer months
- It is required to appear and register at the DENR Office prior to your climb, so allot time to visit the office before climbing to register
- Guide and Porter Fee is fixed at P3000/each for a group of 5 people. If doing only an overnight or day hike, the same rate applies.
- Mountain Guide: You can contact Sir Bermar Tansiongco or Jayson Tangco to arrange your hike and permits
- Bermar Tansiongco – CLICK HERE
- Jayson Tangco – CLICK HERE
- Mt. Guiting-Guiting
- Always practice LNT Principles at all times
Ferry Schedule – Batangas/Lucena/Roxas/Caticlan to Sibuyan Island (Updated as of March 2023)
- Batangas to Sibuyan (Direct Trip)
- Starlite Ferry departs from Batangas Port to Ambulong Port, Magdiwang every Monday to Saturday at 04:00 PM. Travel time: 9-10 hours (P1,250/pax)
- Batangas to Odiongan
- Montenegro Lines (MV Reina Timotea) departs from Batangas Port to Poctoy Port, Odiongan daily at 05:00 PM. Travel time: 10-11 hours (P1,224/pax)
- San Agustin to Sibuyan
- If coming from Odiongan Port, transfer to buses/vans bound for San Agustin Port
- Star Horse Ferry departs from San Agustin Port to Ambulong Port, Sibuyan with a stopover at Romblon, Romblon daily at 06:30 AM. Travel time: 3-4.5 hours (P395/pax)
- Starlite departs from San Agustin Port to Ambulong Port, Sibuyan with a stopover at Romblon, Romblon every Wednesday and Friday at 02:00 AM. Travel time: 3-4.5 hours (P450/pax)
- Lucena to Sibuyan
- Starhorse departs from Dalahican Port, Lucena to Sibuyan with stopovers at Corcuerra, San Agustin, Romblon then Sibuyan daily except Friday at 04:00 PM. Travel time: 16 hours (P 900/pax)
- Roxas City, Capiz to Sibuyan
- Star Horse Ferry departs from Roxas City, Capiz to Ambulong Port, Sibuyan daily (except Mondays) at 01:00 PM. Travel time: 5 hours (P 800/pax)
Ferry Schedule – Sibuyan Island to Batangas/Lucena/Roxas (Updated as of March 2023)
- Sibuyan to Batangas (Direct Trip)
- Starlite Ferry departs from Ambulong Port, Magdiwang to Batangas Port daily except Mondays at 07:00 PM. Travel time: 9-10 hours (P1,250/pax)
- Sibuyan to Lucena (Direct Trip)
- Starhorse Ferry departs from Ambulong Port, Magdiwang to Dalahican Port, Lucena with stopovers at Romblon, San Agustin, and Corcuerra daily except Mondays at 09:00 AM. Travel time: 16 hours (P900/pax)
- Sibuyan to San Agustin
- Starlite Ferry departs from Ambulong Port, Sibuyan to San Agustin Port with a stopover at Romblon, Romblon every Wednesday and Friday at 07:00 AM. Travel time: 3-4.5 hours (P450/pax)
- Sibuyan to Romblon, Romblon
- Starlite Ferry departs from Ambulong Port, Sibuyan to Romblon, Romblon Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 07:00 PM. Travel time: 1.5-2 hours (P250/pax)
- Sibuyan to Roxas City, Capiz
- Starlite Ferry departs from Ambulong Port, Magdiwang to Roxas City, Capiz daily except Mondays at 05:00 AM. Travel time: 5 hours (P 800/pax)
Itinerary
Mt. Guiting-Guiting (Tampayan Backtrail)
3 Days 2 Nights
Day 01 – Batangas Port to Sibuyan Island, Romblon
0145 Buendia Jac Liner, Depart for Batangas Port 268php
0330 Buy tickets for Odiongan
0530 Depart for Odiongan, Romblon via Montenegro MV Reina Timotea 1224php, 30php Terminal Fee
Batangas Port
Option 1 Starlite 0400pm MWF Romblon-Magdiwang, Sibuyan
Option 2 Montenegro 0500pm Daily Odiongan
Day 02 – Jump-off Point to Camp 3
0350 Arrival at Poctoy Port, Odiongan
0400 Mini Bus to San Agustin 250php
0520 San Agustin Port
0640 Depart for Sibuyan via Starhorse, 395php
0745 Dock at Romblon, Romblon
0800 Walking tour of Romblon, Romblon
1030 Depart for Sibuyan Island
1200 Arrival at Sibuyan Island, meet contact Bermar Tansiongco, lunch, supply run, tricycle service Tampayan-Olango Traverse 550 per head 2200php/4pax
1315 Arrival at DENR, Register 500php, 100php Environmental Fee
1430 Brgy. Tampayan, meet guide and porter (Guide and Porter 6000php/5pax)
1500 Start Trek 35MASL
1600 Camp 1 350 MASL
1700 Camp 2 730 MASL
1900 Camp 3, 1270 MASL set up camp
2100 Dinner
2300 Lights Off
Day 03 – Camp 3 to Secret Garden
0500 Wake-up call
0800 Start
0850 Mayo’s Peak 1500 MASL
0910 Eagle’s Rock 1420 MASL
1200 Kiss the Wall 1500 MASL
1220 Mabel’s Spring 1550, lunch
1315 Resume
1445 Peak of Deception 1630 MASL
1520 90-Degree Wall
1535 Secret Garden 2015 MASL, set up camp
1800 Dinner
1900 Lights Off
Day 04 – Summit and Descent
0400 Wake up call, prepare meals
0530 Mt. Guiting-Guiting Summit 2058 MASL
0630 Break Camp
0730 Start descent
0820 Peak of Deception
0945 Kiss the Wall
1130 Eagle’s Rock
1215 Mayo’s Peak, lunch
0115 Camp 3
0230 Camp 2
0310 Resume
0340 Camp 1
0440 Jump-off Point
0530 Sir Bermar’s House, tidy up
2100 Lights off
Day 05 – Sibuyan, Romblon to Dalahican Port, Lucena
0600 Wake-up call, breakfast
0730 Magdiwang Beach, buy pasalubong at Poblacion
0930 RORO to Lucena, Quezon, 900php Starhorse MV Virgen de Peñafrancia
1200 Dock at Romblon, Romblon
1345 Dock at San Agustin, Romblon
2330 Arrival at Dalahican Port, Lucena, bus back to Manila
***Please note that we used the Odiongan (Montenegro)-San Agustin-Romblon-Sibuyan (Star Horse) Route as we failed to catch the 04:00 PM Ferry in Batangas Port going directly to Sibuyan Island.
Extend Your Trip
- Cresta de Gallo (Azagra Port)
- Entrance Fee: P70.00/pax for day tour, P100.00/pax for overnight
- From Azagra Port to Crest de Gallo, pumboat rate (motor Banka rates, price may change without prior notice)
- 1-5 pax: 2K-2.5K
- 6-10 pax: 3K-3.5K
- 11-15 pax: 4K-4.5K
- 16-20 pax: 5K-5.5K
- 21-25 pax: 6K-6.5K
- 26-30 pax: 7K-7.5K
- Cantingas River (Taclobo)
- Entrance Fee: 70 pesos non-resident.
Expenses (As of March 2023)
Mt. Guiting-Guiting (Tampayan Backtrail)
3 Days 2 Nights
|
Description |
Cost Per Person |
| Bus (Pasay to Batangas Port – JAC Liner) | P 268.00/pax |
| Batangas Port Terminal Fee | P 30.00/pax |
| Montenegro Ferry (Batangas Port to Odiongan, Romblon) | P 1,224.00/pax |
| Mini Bus (Odiongan Port to San Agustin Port) | P 250.00/pax |
| Starhorse Ferry (San Agustin – Romblon – Ambulong) | P 395.00/pax |
| Tricycle Service (c/o Bermar Tansiongco) All transfers throughout the whole stay (Port-Market-DENR-Tampayan-Jump-off Vice Versa) | P 550.00/pax |
| Guide Fee (Tampayan Backtrail) | P 3,000.00/per group of 5 |
| Porter Fee (Tampayan Backtrail) | P 3,000.00/per group of 5 |
| Registration Fee | P 500.00/pax |
| Environmental Fee | P 100.00/pax |
| Ambulong Port (Magdiwang Terminal Fee | P 12.00/pax |
| Star Horse Ferry (Ambulong Port, Magdiwang to Dalahican Port, Lucena) | P 900.00/pax |
| Bus (Lucena to Pasay) | P 300.00/pax |
**Total Damage per Person (Group of 4): P 6,029php/pax (Excluding food, tips, and pasalubong)
***Please note that we used the Odiongan (Montenegro)-San Agustin-Romblon-Sibuyan (Star Horse) Route as we failed to catch the 04:00 PM Ferry in Batangas Port going directly to Sibuyan Island.
Against All Odds | Mt. Guiting-Guiting (2,058+), Romblon Travel Guide 2023
Updated March 29, 2023
