The Masungi Georeserve is a conservation program located in the upland area of Baras, Rizal, Philippines. It is one of the privately owned properties and gardens in the Philippines that boasts 4-hour worth of thrilling adventure and a time to commune with nature. It is about an hour and a half away from Manila.
Masungi Georeserve captured attention since it made rounds on social media. I’ve wanted to go to this place even before I live in Baguio. However, you need to be in a group of 7 or more to visit the place. Thankfully, I got my chance to visit it last month together with my family and friends.
Rates and Making Advance Reservations:
Making reservations at least 3-4 days before the actual date of your visit is a must. Visit this website for a reservation: masungigeoreserve.com/trailvisitrequest. You can reserve a minimum of 7 people per group and a maximum of 14. If you can’t get at least 7 people together, you can still go, but you’ll need to pay the cost for 7 guests regardless of how many people you have in your group. The rate is PHP 1,500 per guest on weekdays and PHP 1,800 per guest on weekends. Payments can be made via Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) bank deposit or PayPal. Note: Walk-ins are not allowed
Masungi Georeserve details:
Website: masungigeoreserve.com
Email: trail@masungigeoreserve.com
Facebook: masungigeoreserve
Instagram: masungigeoreserve
Clothing and Packing List:
- Closed shoes (non-slip); slippers are not allowed
- Casual, lightweight & comfortable clothing
- Towel
- Cap or Hat
- Water for hydration
- Sunblock for your skin protection
- Extra Shirts
How to go there?
The Masungi Georeserve is accessed along Kilometer 47, Marcos Highway, Baras, Rizal, by the municipality of Baras’ boundary with Tanay. The easiest way to get there is by private transportation. We hired a chauffeured van for a day costing us PHP4,000 (Manila – Rizal – Manila).
Van Rental: Kuya Bong Palomique; +639171022838
By Public Transportation:
- From Araneta Center Cubao or Marikina, take a jeepney or FX bound for Padilla/Cogeo Gate 2.
- Drop off at Gate 2 near the market, and take a jeepney bound for Sampaloc via Marcos Highway in Tanay
- Get off at Garden Cottages and walk to the entrance of Masungi Georeserve. Note: Jeepneys are only available until 6:30 pm
More information here: https://www.masungigeoreserve.com/getting-here-masungi-georeserve/getting-here/
What to expect there? (Trail features)
Masungi Georeserve offers several trail experiences:
- Discovery Trail
- Discovery Trail at Night
- Legacy Trail
- Silayan (Sustainable Dining Restaurant)
All in all, there were a total of 9 major stops that we were brought in. A park ranger will be guiding the guests through the trek providing a deeper understanding of the area. Masungi Georeserve management makes sure that their place is systematically kept and respected, rules are followed strictly and there is a 30-minute interval between groups.
Silungan (Shelter)
It is the receiving and briefing area. A pretty quick discussion of general guidelines and the history of the place is discussed during the briefing. You will meet the assigned park ranger who will accompany you to your whole expedition.
Sapot ni Ric (Cobweb of Ric)
A web-style viewing platform that offers spectacular 360-degree views of the conservation area and nearby places, including the largest bay in the Philippines, Laguna de Bay and the Sierra Madre mountain range.
Note: Acrophobes, beware! But don’t panic and have no worries. They made the Sapot using industrial-grade cables and rope materials which are used in making buildings and ships. Thus they are perfectly safe.
Next to Sapot is a hanging bridge which gives you an opportunity for amazing photos and picturesque views.
Haring Bato (King Rock)
After a couple of minutes, we arrived at a place where we could view the highest peak of the georeserve, which they used as their logo.
Suutan
Another feature of the reserve is a pathway where we had our Meditation walk. We were not allowed to talk or make any noise, just commune with nature.
Patak (Water Droplet)
This area contains the air house. It is a place where visitors can rest and take photos.
Ditse (Female)
Ditse is also one of the peaks where you can get an amazing view of abundant greenery. It is connected to Patak.
Duyan (Hammock)
This giant rope hammock is one of the most interesting features of Masungi. It spans a few hundred feet.
Yungib ni Ruben (Cave of Ruben)
This cave formation was discovered by one of Masungi Georeserve’s workers, Kuya Ruben.
Tatay (Father)
Tatay is the tallest accessible peak in the georeserve. We spent a couple of minutes here appreciating the view surrounding the karst terrain and feeling the slightly cold wind contradicting the hot weather.
Nanay (Mother)
A bit shorter to Tatay is the next stop. It features five limestone rock peaks interconnected by bridges.
Bayawak
After Nanay and Tatay, we headed to Bayawak. It is another steep rope course and is named after the largest lizard. This feature of Masungi Georeserve is probably one of the activities acrophobes will not enjoy, but overcoming your fear is a fulfilling achievement.
Liwasan (Park)
Liwasan is where the guests can rest. Restrooms, tables, and chairs are available in this area.
After the tiring 4-hour trek, they will serve here healthy snacks, which are included in the fee. They will also provide cold towels and the snacks served are honestly the best snack ever!
You can also buy souvenirs here. We bought high-quality bucket hats and cups as a remembrance.
After the delicious snacks, we’re ready to take our last and final stop of the hike.
Sawa (Snake/Python)
Sawa is a hanging bridge that will lead you back to the starting point.
The Masungi Georeserve discovery experience is truly worth it! You can really experience world-class service and facility, the place is so organized and maintained. Adding to the experience is the mission and goal of the place in bringing back the forests which involve strategic planning for forest restoration, long-term tree nurturing, support infrastructure, and mitigation of threats to forest growth (i.e. illegal logging, quarrying, treasure-hunting, grazing animals, kaingin).
More photos:
Some photos taken by my friend: Demi Amoureaux Libed (IG: demiamoureaux)