Mt. Purro Nature Reserve - Healthy, Relaxing, and Enjoyable Stay

We sometimes take a break from our usual fellowship-at-the-mall-or-coffee-shop monthly schedule whenever there’s a special occasion to celebrate on that particular month. We visited Binondo one time and explored the place since it’s also the birth month of three of our light group sisters. Now that it’s simply summer season, one of us decided to have a close encounter with nature for our (fellowship) light group monthly meeting, hence hello, Mt. Purro.

*Evening photo c/o a friend of mine*

It’s more like a back-to-the-basics type of overnight vacation. According to my light group sister who first learned of Mt. Purro, the owners are preserving the natural setting of the place. They’re helping indigenous people too (though I tried looking for this on their website but couldn’t find it). Mt. Purro’s surroundings made me miss the calming earthy scent that I used to sense during my active mountain climbing days (ages ago).

We availed their Barkada Nature Trip promo for Php 1,500 per head, minimum of six pax inclusive of:

• Overnight bamboo cabin stay
• Light snack and dinner on the first day and breakfast and lunch on the second day
• Community bonfire, Asian lounge, pool
• Guided hike

First time to encounter a kubo for accommodation with a clean and beautiful bathroom (with hot and cold shower and bidet)!

*cabin photo c/o a friend of mine*

 

 We only had an overnight stay, but it felt like such a long vacation. Every activity that we had was awesome: trekking (though I only did the half-trek and was the only person who didn’t make it to the summit), bonfire, night swimming, photo op (heheh! The perks of having two pro photographers in the group), and the afternoon nap in one of the Martha Stewart Gazebos.

*Pool and Bonfire photos c/o my lovely friends*

Right photos: taken at the gazebos

Left photos: taken at the pool and bonfire area, near the garden tent

 

 

We spent most of our time on our first day exploring every corner of Mt. Purro (with lots of stopovers for photo ops). I love bonfires, and that's what made me excited after our dinner. I was thinking of going back to the cabin after our fellowship near the bonfire. However, my sisters thought the place was too charming not to be photographed. I may agree with them, though. The place that looks like nothing but a healthy forest suddenly becomes a Disney-like enchanting garden at night.

*photos c/o my lovely friends*

Lights out at 10:00 p.m., but we slept at around 11:00 p.m. We were up at around 4:30 a.m. for the one-hour trek, which usually starts at 5:30 a.m. sharp! (Camp master’s a bit strict when it comes to the schedule). It’s just an hour's trek, and it might be an easy one, I thought. BUT I WAS WRONG! L

                        

            

                         




*photo c/o one of my friends

  (and I wish it was I in that photo)

I am aware that for years, I haven’t had any strenuous physical activity. No swimming for more than six months, no yoga practices for more or less three years, no climbs for ages, hence my climbing powers were obviously not with me on our pabebe trek! Well, at least they have this half-trek thingy, heheh! Half-trek won’t bring you to the summit, but will allow you to see the big image of Mama Mary (the grotto). Those who can complete the full trek will automatically get to see this as well on their way back to the camp.

photo taken by one of the guides who assisted me to get back to the camp (when I finally declared that I couldn't take another step to reach the summit.:-P )

As for the food – they’re all healthy to eat. The plated meal goes with our package, while other guests can enjoy buffet. (Those who do not like veggies may bring additional food. Or you can request for a special meal at an added price. Health-conscious folks, you’ll love the food that they serve!)

Itinerary and Budget:

Budget:

Package: Php 1,500

FX at Farmer’s beside Jollibee (route: Padilla) to Cogeo: Php 60.00

Jeep from Cogeo (route: Paenaan) to Kanto Veterans: Php 23.00

Tricycle from Kanto Veterans:

• First ride going to Arko Calawis: Php 75 (whole trip)
• Second ride going to Mt. Purro: Php 70 (whole trip)

Tricycle from Mt. Purro:

• First ride going to Arko Calawis: Php 70 (whole trip)
• Second ride going to Kanto Veterans: Php 70 (whole trip)

From Kanto Veterans, you may hail an FX or jeep going back to Masinag, Gateway Cubao, or Marikina.

I spent Php around 1,800 for this overnight vacation: inclusive of junk food, roundtrip fare, and Mt. Purro package

(Our) Itinerary:

Day 1:

2:00 p.m. – check in (and photo op)

3:00 p.m. – snack at Loli’s kitchen

5:00 p.m. – “night” swimming

7:00 p.m. – dinner at Loli’s Kitchen

8:00 p.m. – community bonfire, fellowship, photo ops

10:00 p.m. – lights out

Day 2:

5:30 a.m. – call time (trek)

9:00 a.m. – breakfast at Loli’s kitchen (free time)

12:00 n.n. – checkout and lunch at Loli’s Kitchen

We stayed until around 3:00 p.m. and took a nap in one of the gazebos because we still wanted to stay a bit longer. But reality check, we had to force ourselves to leave the place.

Other photos (from my humble mobile phone):

thanks to my friend, Geraldine for proofreading this :-)