Davao Travel Related Tags

Have you ever seen a Bonsai (pygmy) forest? Well, there were only a few places where it can be found. The province of Davao Oriental is lucky enough to have been blessed with such a captivating wonder of nature. As a matter of fact, Davao Oriental is home of the country’s largest pygmy forest – The Mt. Hamiguitan. Indeed, it is mother nature’s gift to the Filipino people! Not only that, Mt. Hamiguitan offers many wonderful sites and can truly give the best destination and satisfaction to the adventurers visiting the province of Davao Oriental.

Mt. Hamiguitan has a height of 1,620 meters with a total land area of 6,834 hectares. It is located in Sitio Tumalite, Brgy. La Union, San Isidro Davao Oriental. This majestic wonder proudly stands at 5,345 feet above sea level and looks like a huge vegetable garden in the middle of the jungle. Its vicinity holds one of the most diverse wildlife population in the Philippines, a sanctuary of rare and exotic birds, such as the famous Philippine Eeagle. It is also the home of impressive flora of 878 species, such as Nepenthes which are endemic to areas like Nepenthes Peltata. It is home to eleven endangered vertebrate species.

Bonsai Forest

Not only that, Hamiguitan also has the vast of 600 hectares old century Bonsai Forest. This vast field of about two to three feet tall, century–old trees covers almost 1,000 hectares of Kapatagan Valley. From afar, the Pitcher plants and ferns as well as mossy patches will dominate the view. Unsurprisingly, it was being recognized as a heritage site.

Tinagong Dagat

And, here is more: Have you heard of the mysterious Tinagong Dagat? If not yet, that proves that it is indeed mysterious. “Tinagong Dagat” roughly translates to “Hidden Sea” in the English Language. It is actually a lake lying deep into the uninhibited mountain. The lake is reported to have high-tide and low-tide schedules. Amazing, isn’t it?

Mountain Adventurers, Welcome

Mt. Hamiguitan is also a favorite campsite of local and foreign tourists, mountaineering or plain adventure-seeking people! It has also received a lot of media attention lately. Popular TV Shows like Rated K and Magandang Gabi Bayan have already featured the Mt. Hamiguitan. It had also been reported that medicinal plants have the potential to cure cancer were discovered in the mountain.

Experience the world of paradise being on the top of the Hamiguitan. From the peak of mountain one can see the breath-taking view of the Pujada Bay, Sleeping Dinosaur, Pacific Ocean and Davao Gulf.

Leaving Hamiguitan, you’ll feel awed with the beauty of the mountain that you can treasure forever.

It is Davao Orietal’s optimistic dream to include Mt. Hamiguitan in the World Heritage list.

Mount Hamiguitan in Magandang Gabi Bayan

Here is a 3-series short video snatched from YouTube featuring the Mount Hamiguitan in ABS-CBN’s Magandang Gabi Bayang program.

If you are adventure-seeker, this video might give you an idea on what to expect climbing the Mt Hamiguitan.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

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This article is contributed by Cristine Faith Andan. Cristine hails from Mati City, Davao Oriental.

The municipality of San Isidro, which is the smallest town in Davao Oriental, is not only known for its miniature land area. It also owns a Bonsai Forest with 16 species of century old trees that stand 1 foot to 5 feet tall covering an area that spreads to almost a thousand hectares with an elevation 5,345 feet as it main attraction.

Backpacking to Mt. Hamiguitan will not only offer beautiful scenery and sites that make you feel closer to untouched nature but it also offers river trekking that will make you experience plunging into its series of water falls along the way to the top not to mention its majestic Twin Falls.

Along the trail giant Pitcher plants can be seen. If lucky enough Philippine trogon, Philippine scoops owl and other wild life and even Philippine Eagle can also be seen.

Also, unlike other mountains, Mt. Hamiguitan also has a hidden lake locally known as Tinagong Dagat which serves water hole for inhabiting wild life.

If backpacking is your thing, doing so in Mount Hamiguitan as Giant Backpacker would definitely be a lifetime adventure worth considering.

This article is contributed by Engr Albert Gabriel. When not busy with electronics and radio waves, you can see him backpacking the mighty peaks of the Philippines, sailing the blue waters of Davao, or just doing the unusual outdoor adventures only a few of us would dare to try.