Mt. Pimmayong, Zambales | Travel Guide
Here comes Mt. Pimmayong, another new destination for your #ZambalEscape travel goals!
Mt. Pimmayong
San Marcelino, Zambales
Jump-off Point: Sitio Ilong, Brgy. Sta. Fe, San Marcelino Zambales
Latitude: 15° 1′ 48.7″ (15.0302°) north
Longitude: 120° 10′ 50.2″ (120.1806°) east
Elevation: 657 MASL (2,156 feet)
Description: Minor Climb, Grassy Plains, Forest, scenic views of Cabusilan Range, Cawag Mountains, Lake Mapanuepe, Lahar Flows from Mt. Pinatubo
Where is Mt. Pimmayong:
Mt. Pimmayong is located in Brgy. Sta. Fe in the municipality of San Marcelino, Zambales. Approximately 150 kilometers from Manila, and the fourth one after Castillejos, Subic and Olongapo City, and is known for their sweet and juicy Singkamas/Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus,) and Zambales Mangoes, make sure to grab one at their Public Market just across their Municipal Hall.
How to Get There
Via Commute: To reach San Marcelino from Manila, there are 2 options via Victory Liner Bus:
- Manila to San Marcelino
- Victory Liner plies the route of Cubao/Caloocan to Iba, Zambales daily that passes through the town of San Marcelino. Alternatively, one can opt to take the Sta. Cruz, Zambales trip since it passes by the same route.
- Cubao, Quezon City Terminal Bus Schedule:
- 10 trips to Iba, Zambales daily every 2 hours interval, 3-4hrs travel time depending on traffic conditions, fare starts at 253php/pax. :
- 05:00am/ 07:00am/ 09:00am/ 11:00am/ 01:00pm/ 02:30pm/ 03:30pm/ 05:00pm/ 07:00pm/ 09:00pm
- 10 trips to Iba, Zambales daily every 2 hours interval, 3-4hrs travel time depending on traffic conditions, fare starts at 253php/pax. :
- Monumento, Caloocan City Terminal, Bus Schedule:
- 18 trips to Iba, Zambales daily, hourly interval, 3-4hrs travel time depending on traffic conditions, fare starts at 247php/pax:
- 05:00am/ 06:00am/ 07:00am/ 08:00am/ 09:00am/ 10:00am/ 11:00am/ 11:30am/ 12:00nn/ 01:00pm/ 02:00pm/ 02:30pm/ 03:30pm/ 04:00pm/ 04:30pm/ 05:00pm/ 06:00pm/ 11:00pm/ 11:55pm
- 18 trips to Iba, Zambales daily, hourly interval, 3-4hrs travel time depending on traffic conditions, fare starts at 247php/pax:
- Cubao, Quezon City Terminal Bus Schedule:
- Victory Liner plies the route of Cubao/Caloocan to Iba, Zambales daily that passes through the town of San Marcelino. Alternatively, one can opt to take the Sta. Cruz, Zambales trip since it passes by the same route.
- Manila to Olongapo:
- Victory Liner plies the route of Cubao/Caloocan to Olongapo City daily, then upon arrival at Olongapo, transfer to another bus bound for Iba, or take the jeeps bound for San Antonio then descend down in San Marcelino. Alternatively, one can opt to take the Sta. Cruz, Zambales trip since it passes by the same route. Check the bus schedule here:
- Cubao, Quezon City Terminal Bus Schedule:
- 31 trips daily to Olongapo City, hourly interval, fare starts at 202php/pax, 3-4hrs travel time depending on traffic conditions:
- 01:00am/ 03:00am/ 03:30am/ 04:30am/ 05:30am/ 06:00am/ 06:30am/ 07:30am/ 08:00am/ 08:30am/ 09:30am/ 10:00am/ 10:30am/ 11:30am/ 12:00nn/ 12:30pm/ 01:30pm/ 02:00pm/ 03:00pm/ 03:30pm/ 04:30pm/ 05:30pm/ 06:00pm/ 06:20pm/ 06:40pm/ 07:30pm/ 08:00pm/ 08:30pm/ 09:30pm/ 11:30pm
- 31 trips daily to Olongapo City, hourly interval, fare starts at 202php/pax, 3-4hrs travel time depending on traffic conditions:
- Monumento, Caloocan City Terminal, Bus Schedule:
- 22 trips daily to Olongapo City daily, hourly interval, fare starts at 202php/pax, 3-4hrs travel time depending on traffic conditions:
- 02:30am/ 04:00am/ 05:30am/ 06:30am/ 07:40am/ 08:40am/ 09:40am/ 10:40am/ 11:40am/ 12:40pm/ 01:40pm/ 02:40pm/ 03:40pm/ 04:15pm/ 05:15pm/ 05:45pm/ 06:15pm/ 06:45pm/ 07:00pm/ 07:30pm
- 22 trips daily to Olongapo City daily, hourly interval, fare starts at 202php/pax, 3-4hrs travel time depending on traffic conditions:
- Cubao, Quezon City Terminal Bus Schedule:
- Victory Liner plies the route of Cubao/Caloocan to Olongapo City daily, then upon arrival at Olongapo, transfer to another bus bound for Iba, or take the jeeps bound for San Antonio then descend down in San Marcelino. Alternatively, one can opt to take the Sta. Cruz, Zambales trip since it passes by the same route. Check the bus schedule here:
Via Private Transportation:
- Via SCTEX
- Take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Northbound lane, then exit at Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
- Drive to SBMA gate after the Tipo/ SFEX exit (429php/ Class 1 vehicles).
- Take the Iba-Olongapo Road and drop off at San Marcelino Zambales.
- Via Pampanga
- Take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Northbound lane, then exit at San Fernando, Pampanga Exit (169php/ Class 1 vehicles).
- Drive to Dinalupihan, Bataan via Lubao-Guagua Road, enter SCTEX then exit at Tipo/ SFEX.
- Take the Iba-Olongapo Road and drop off at San Marcelino Zambales.
Upon arrival at San Marcelino, make sure to contact your service prior to the hike, there are two types of vehicle for rent, the road leading to Sitio Ilong is composed of Lahar Fields and it is up to you if you want to bring your vehicle and rough things up:
- Tricycle – can accomodate 3-4 persons, 600php/roundtrip.
- Kuliglig/ Tractor – can accommodate atleast 10persons, 1500php/roundtrip
Please be mindful to pay 80php/pax for the registration fee and 500php for the guide fee with a ratio of 1 guide is to 5 persons.
Getting Around San Marcelino
- Tricycles are the main modes of transportation in this town, while Jeepneys/ Kuligligs travel to far flung barangays such as Sta. Fe, Aglao, Pili etc. Buses ply the main highway routes to other towns and municipalities.
Hike Tips
- You can contact Ms. Michaela Labio of San Marcelino Tourism at 0920-287-2200 or check their Facebook Page HERE.
- You can also contact our guide Joel Soler at 0927-205-1169.
- The hike takes approximately 1.5-3hrs to Tarudak campsite and another hour to reach the summit of Mt. Pimmayong
- It is advisable to trek really early to avoid exhausting heat since tree covers are scarce from Tarudak Campsite to Mt. Pimmayong Summit
- It is optional to trek down to Tarudak Falls which is approximately an hour by foot, and it is up to you how much you’ll pay for the guide since there are still no fixed rates for it.
- Toilets and water sources are available at the campsite area of Tarudak Peak.
- Food and other merchandise is available at Sitio Ilong.
- There is signal and data connection at the campsite and summit.
- Always practice the LNT (Leave No Trace) Principles, minimize impacts on the environment.
- Please, always do your research, it’s better to be properly prepared than be surprised by some turn of the events. If you are reading this, high five!
Extend Your Trip
- Capones and Camara Island – located in San Antonio, Zambales, brave the blue waters of Pundaquit to reach the century old lighthouse standing at the highest point of Capones Island.
- Anawangin/ Talisayen/ Nagsasa/ Silanguin Coves – choose from the different coves of San Antonio, Zambales and take a dip at the fine sandy shores lined with Agoho Trees and disconnect from the hustle of the city for a day or two.
Itinerary and Expenses
San Marcelino (Mt. Pimmayong) + San Felipe (Liwliwa Beach) Day Trip
0000 Depart for San Marcelino, Zambales via Victory Liner (247php/pax)
0300 Arrival at San Marcelino, breakfast, wait for tricycle contact (600php/round trip – 150php/ group of 4 pax)
0330 Depart for Sitio Ilong, Brgy. Sta Fe
0400 Arrival at Brgy. Hall, secure guide (80php/pax – registration fee)
0430 Start Trek
0600 Tarudak Peak, campsite
0620 Mt. Pimmayong Summit (657+)
0830 Descend down
0900 Tarudak Peak, Sleep
1030 Resume
1130 Brgy. Sta Fe, Snacks (Guide Fee:500php/5pax – 100php/pax)
1230 Back at San Marcelino Highway, take bus to San Felipe(50php/pax)
1310 San Felipe, tricycle to Liwliwa (100php/trip – 25php/pax)
1320 The Circle Hostel, wash up (150php/daytour)
1400 Lunch
1430 Free time at the beach
1700 Wash up, tricycle to highway (100php/trip – 25php/pax)
1730 Highway, Take bus to Manila (297php/pax)
2200 Manila
Total Expenses: 1124php/pax + Food. Safe Budget: 1500php/pax
Disclaimer: This is based on the actual trip that I have done, all information stated above is up to date as of writing. There are more options to choose from and please feel free to message me for any concerns and suggestions that comes up as you browse this two-part series.
