Lake Sebu, South Cotabato | A Budget Travel Guide 2020

June 8, 2020September 14, 2022 Rex Lim Lim 7 falls, BLOG, hikong bente, ITINERARY, lake sebu, seloton, south cotabato, tboli, tnalak, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE, TRAVEL GUIDES

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South Cotabato: Up in the highands of South Cotabato lies Lake Sebu, a municipality where rich cultural traditions and mother nature has harmoniously coexisted for hundreds of years.

Lake Sebu is a prime tourist destination in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao famed for its seven majestic waterfalls, the exhilarating zipline ride, placid lakes, ice cold rivers, cool weather, and hospitable locals.

The cradle of Filipino identity and natural beauty – which inspite of the modernization of times, remains untarnished. Lake Sebu is one of those places that I will always want to get back to. I only spent the weekend here but it feels like I’ve been homesick with the place after leaving.

In this travel guide, let me take you to the “Land of the Dreamweavers”. Journeying to this part of Mindanao will make you believe that there is so much more under the mists of misconception.

Where is Lake Sebu?

Table of Contents

Lake Sebu is a mountainous first class municipality in the province of South Cotabato in the island of Mindanao. This is part of Region XII, collectively known as SOCCSKSARGEN or South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani and General Santos City.

The lakes of the municipality are also important watersheds. Lakes Sebu, Lahit and Seloton supplies water for irrigation to the Allah Valley Protected Landscape in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

How to Get There

Lake Sebu is a municipality in South Cotabato that also has three lakes named Sebu, Lahit and Seloton.
The nearest airport hub is the General Santos International Airport

Cebu Pacific flies to General Santos City at the following schedules:
- MNL – GES – flies 3x daily (0440, 1135, 1330) travel time is 2hrs
  - I tried to mock book a month in advance and cheapest regular roundtrip fare costs around 3,587php
- CEB – GES – flies once daily (1010) travel time is 1hr 15 minutes
  - I tried to mock book a month in advance and cheapest regular roundtrip fare costs around 2,275php
- ILO – GES – flies 3x a week (Tue/Thu/Sat) departs 0745, travel time is 1hr 15mins
  - I tried to mock book a month in advance and cheapest regular roundtrip fare costs around 3,097php
- Philippine Airlines flies to General Santos City at the following schedules:
  - MNL – GES – flies once daily (0650) travel time is 1hr 55 minutes
    - I tried to mock book a month in advance and cheapest regular roundtrip fare costs around 7,192php
  - CEB – GES – flies once daily (0700) travel time is 1hr 5 minutes
    - I tried to mock book a month in advance and cheapest regular roundtrip fare costs around 3,198php
  - ILO – GES – flies 4x a week (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun) departs 1100, travel time is 1.5 hrs
    - I tried to mock book a month in advance and cheapest regular roundtrip fare costs around 4,519php

From GenSan Airport, take any Marbel (Koronadal City) bound Yellow Bus (travel time 1-1.5hrs, 150php)
Upon arrival in Marbel Bus Terminal (Koronadal City, South Cotabato), transfer to Lake Sebu bound vans. They take a while to fill up so you can have your meal first after reserving a slot. (travel time 1hr, 80php)
Alternatively, from GenSan Airport, transfer to vans bound for Bulaong Terminal in GenSan, then from there transfer to vans bound for Lake Sebu, although trips here are limited.

If coming from Davao City, take any Marbel bound buses at the Davao Ecoland Terminal (travel time 4hrs, 350php)
Upon arrival at the Lake Sebu Terminal, habal-habal drivers are already waiting there.

Where to Stay

We stayed at Sunrise Lake Garden Resort (Brgy. Lake Seloton, 2 kilometers from the Terminal) – 200php for the dormitory type room
El Galong Waterpark Resort (Brgy. Poblacion, Lake Sebu)
Punta Isla Lake Resort (Sitio Toku-fol, Brgy. Poblacion, Lake Sebu)
Mountain Lake Eco Resort (Brgy. Bacdulong, Lake Sebu)
Tolento Lodge and Resto (Sitio Toku-fol, Lake Sebu)
Evelandia Lake Vista Resort (Brgy. Takonel, Lake Sebu)

Travel Tips

Practice LNT Principles at all times
Data reception is strong for all networks
These are the fixed guided tour rates for Skylab/ Habal-Habal as of June 2019:
- Half-day Tour (500php) – Good for 1-2pax and can be finished in 4 hours
  - Falls 1 and 2, Seven Falls Zipline, Punta Isla and I Love Lake Sebu Marker
- Whole Day Tour (750php) – Good for 1-2pax and can be finished in 6 hours
  - Lotus Flower, T’boli Museum, falls 1 and 2, Seven Falls Zipline, Punta Isla and I Love Lake Sebu Marker, Divine Mercy Shrine
- There’s also the “Pakyaw System” (600php) for touring Kefnit Cave or Bird Watching – good for 1-2 pax and can last from 6-8 hours

- Drivers will also be your guide and photographer.
- They are not allowed to collect tour guiding fees or extra payments, but tips are always appreciated.
- Always include your drivers with your meals and snacks

Our guides grilling freshly caught Tilapia and other fish for our early dinner.

lake sebu, south cotabato — Early dinner and alcohol sessions at T’daan Kini Falls.

Things to See in Lake Sebu

Seven Falls Zipline – said to be the highest zipline in the Philippines. This thrilling ride encompassing the promising seven waterfalls of Lake Sebu is one of the things you shouldn’t miss when going here.
- The seven waterfalls are the following:
  1. Hikong Alu – Alu, means passage in T’boli
  2. Hikong Bente – accessible, the immeasurable waterfall
  3. Hikong B’lebed – inaccessible, the zigzag waterfall
  4. Hikong Lowig – inaccessible, booth waterfall, or the one sandwiched by B’lebed and Ke-foi
  5. Hikong Ke-foi – inaccessible, ke-foi means wild flower in T’boli
  6. Hikong Ukol – inaccessible, the short waterfall
  7. Hikong Tonok – inaccessible, the last one, which means land or soil

Lang Dulay Weaving Center – witness how T’bolis craft and weave the renowned T’nalak cloth from Abaca fibers. The distinct and intricate geometric patterns in the red and black fabric are said to be a story from the dreams of the weavers. Thus, “The Land of the Dreamweavers”.

Lakes Sebu, Seloton, Lahit – the three important lakes in the municipality where aquaculture is practiced by the locals. One shouldn’t also miss the blooming of the hordes of Lotus Flowers during the early morning in Lake Sebu while riding a dug-out canoe, locals call as “Owong”.

T’daan Kini Falls – cradled in the lush jungles of Lake Sebu is a haven for relaxation for travelers who went around the municipality for a day. Grill and drink to your heart’s desire on wooden huts located just beside the river.

Extend Your Trip

Lake Holon – a mystical crater lake inside Mt. Parker in T’boli, South Cotabato. The Crown Jewel of the South | Lake Holon, South Cotabato

Itinerary and Expenses

2-Day Lake Sebu and Lake Holon Adventure 2019

Day 01 Lake Sebu
0400 Depart for General Santos City from Manila via Cebu Pacific (Promo Fare 1,798php RT)
0600 Arrival in General Santos International Airport
0640 Take Yellow Bus Line going to Marbel (150php)
0740 Koronadal City Bus Terminal, breakfast
0840 Van to Lake Sebu (80php)
0945 Arrival at Lake Sebu, secure guide
1100 Check in at Sunrise Lake Garden Resort, Lake Seloton (200php/night dorm type)
1130 Lunch at Poblacion
1200 Start Tour
1215 Hikong Alo (Entrance 20php)
1245 Seven Falls Zipline (300php) 200php for photos
1300 Hikong Bente
1430 Divine Mercy Shrine
1445 Lang Dulay Weaving Center
1600 Snacks at Poblacion, buy foods
1645 T’daan Kini Falls, Brgy. Lamlahak, early dinner
1730 Depart for Hotel
1800 Back at Hotel, end of tour 750php
2100 Lights off

Day 02 Lake Holon
0430 Wake up, tidy up
0515 Depart for Lotus Flower, Lake Sebu
0545 Lotus Flower Viewing, Boat Ride (100php/each)
0700 Back at Lake Sebu Van Terminal
0730 Depart for Surallah (40php)
0800 Surallah Terminal, transfer to T’boli bound vans
0830 Depart for T’boli (40php)
0900 T’boli, buy packed lunch and snacks, register at tourism office (150php)
0930 Charter habal-habal, depart for Sitio Kule (550php/ one way)
1030 Sitio Kule, register 20php, secure guide 600php
1040 Start trek to Lake Holon via Kule Hunter Trail
1140 Lake Holon Viewdeck, lunch
1220 Start of descent
1300 Back at jump-off point, rest
1330 Depart for T’boli, Habal-habal (550php/ one way)
1430 T’boli Poblacion, snacks
1445 Tourism Office, tidy up
1515 Take van going back to Surallah (40php)
1645 Arrival at Surallah, ride non-stop bus to General Santos City (200php)
1930 SM General Santos, dinner at Pioneer Pastilan
2100 Check in at lodge (350php/12hrs)

Day 03
0500 Ride van going to airport at SM GenSan (150php)
0630 Depart for Manila

Total Expenses: 4,340+php (for solo traveler, excluding airfare, food and tips)

If Lake Sebu daytrip solo travel from GenSan – Lake Sebu – Gensan: 2130++ (excluding airfare, food, and tips)
If Lake Holon dayhike solo travel from Gensan –Lake Holon – Gensan: 2,330++ (excluding airfare, food)