Guide to Mt. Napulak

Mt. Napulak is the highest peak of Igbaras, Iloilo. It is a common getaway place of those who want to spend their weekend at the top with a 360 degrees view of Panay region. The trek is very suitable for first timers and staying up there overnight is recommended.

What to bring 

Just like in any other treks, mountaineers should be well prepared for the climb at Napulak. Napulak has a variety of vegetations that's why gears should be able to protect yourselves from whatever these areas may bring you. First and foremost, your shoes must be comfortable yet sturdy enough to get you through the trail. Your clothes must also be comfortable and light. Since there is an area where cogon grass are as tall as 5.5 feet, leggings or long socks or trek pants, sleeves and gloves should be worn. I suggest you wear trek pants because sharp cogon grass might injure you with thin leggings. I made it an investment so I bought mine for 950PhP at the Ati Shop at Jalandoni St., Iloilo City owned by Mr. Joemar Regondon. I got my sleeves at Marymart Shopping Center for 60PhP, which is already a good deal for an excellent quality protective sleeve, and I bought my gloves (the ones used in gardening, latex lined) at Daiso Japan Store at Robinsons Mall for only 88PhP. There is an open area where heat could be very intense, so cap/hat and sunscreen are a must. In case of rain, you could bring light poncho and waterproof cover for your bag. Most trek bags come with a protective cover but if you don't have one, you could use a garbage bag and make holes for your head and arms to cover both your body and bag. I bought my poncho at Handyman for 150PhP. At the summit, the wind can be very strong and the temperature is cold so warmers, jackets and bonnets would be very helpful to keep you warm. Alcoholic beverages are also allowed at the summit.

Each climber should bring at least 1L of water bottle. Since you will encounter 2 water sources as you ascend (1-2 hours and 3-4 hours from the base), you can refill your water bottle there for the next part of the ascent. For your cooking and hygiene needs at the summit, you need to bring additional 1-2 empty water bottles per person (depending on your needs) and just refill all bottles at the last water source. At the last water source, you may cook your lunch there if you don't have packed meals. In our case, we just brought prepared meals for lunch and bought groceries to be cooked at the summit for our dinner and breakfast the next day. What we had was chicken and pork adobo, corned beef and noodles. You also need to bring your own cookset, stove, butane cylinder and utensils.

For your sleeping needs, you should bring tents and sleeping bags. Since the wind is very strong at the summit, I suggest you bring a tent which is light but with high wind stability. You may also bring flashlights or headlamps for night strolling. And of course, don't forget to bring your toiletries, personal medicine and camera.
 

Pre-climb preparation 

Before going to Igbaras, you must book a guide first. Your guide will help you with everything from the trails to cooking your food to taking your pictures. Our guide was Tatay Murot Escalarga (you may contact him through 09263074853) who charges 500PhP per day. He has been a guide at Mt. Napulak for over 20 years now and is already known to the residents in the mountain, making climbers feel more secured and safe. At the summit, ask him which spots are best for picture taking. You may also hire a porter or two (depending on your baggage) for 250PhP per porter per day. Just contact Tay Murot and he will arrange everything for you. You should be able to contact him at least 2 weeks before the schedule of your climb.

Don't forget to prepare cash for your trip. Aside from the guide and porters, you will also need to pay for your transportation from Igbaras town proper to the base of the mountain. 200PhP is charged per motorcycle, which can accommodate 2 people.

Itinerary

Igbaras is 1 hour away from Iloilo City. It is best if you take off early to arrive at the shaded part at an earlier time. So if you are coming from afar, estimate well your tavel time to arrive at 5:30-6:00AM at Igbaras. In our case, we were coming from Iloilo City and we followed this itinerary:

Day 1
0430: 

• Travel to Igbaras

0530:

• ETA at Igbaras Town Proper, meet with Tay Murot (guide)
• Register at Igbaras PNP Station.
• Register at the Igbaras Municipal Hall Tourism Office (Look for Engr. Delgado, the tourism officer or Sir Dan)
• Take a habal-habal/motorcycle going to Brgy. Bagay, the Jump-off point. Ask the contact number of habal-habal drivers so they can fetch you upon your descent.

0700:

•  ETA at Brgy. Bagay
• Register at the Brgy. Log Book (if asked only)
• Start trekking. We took rests in between.

 1130:

• Lunch @ the Last Water Source
• Rest. You may start your ascent again when the heat is bearable again since     the next part of the ascent is an open and unshaded area. Some recommend resuming by 3pm but we resumed by 1:30pm.

1330:

• Resume trek

1530:

• Summit Area
• Pitch tent, Change clothes (for cold weather)
• Climb the nipple peak (highest peak at Napulak with 360 degrees view of Panay Island and other mountains). It's better to climb up at this time since visibility may be very poor the next day.
• Cook & Eat dinner
• Socials

Nipple Peak

I was climbing my way to the top

My view from the top

My view at the top

Going through these rocks as we go down the Nipple Peak

Day 2
 
0500:

• Wake up Call
• Cook breakfast
• Eat then prepare for the traverse descent to Brgy. Tigbanaba

0800:

• Start Descent

1100:

• ETA Water Source
• Lunch

1430:

• Brgy. Tigbanaba
• Ride habal-habal to Igbaras Town Proper

We were supposed to follow this itinerary for lunch but we were going down too slow that we opted to have our lunch at the water source, instead of eating the famous linagpang na manok at Elgario Family House. We also chose not to go to the waterfalls since we were already too tired.

1130 ETA:

• Elgario Family House
• Linagpang na Manok c/o Elgario Family House (200PhP each). They will provide your rice but you have to give them uncooked rice in exchange. You may also give them tip.

1400 ETA:

• Brgy. Tigbanaba
• Visit Nadsadhan Falls which is about 20 minutes away from the Brgy. Proper or go to the river then freshen up before returning to the city.
• Register at Brgy. Passi Log-Book (if asked) then take a habal-habal/motorcycle going back to Igbaras Town Proper

1630 ETA

• Igbaras Town Proper