The Hidden Valley

Northeast-Luzon is a land of rugged mountains, rough seas- and a deep peaceful river valley.

The remoteness of this region makes it the keeper of some of the country's best and most exciting secrets. Northeast Luzon provides venues for a surprising variety of action sports, many of them of high quality and offering unique experiences.

Rough and Rugged

The pacific Ocean and the Cagayan River from natural borders that isolate this corner of archipelago with its rugged mountains, thick forests and panoramic coasts. Rising out of the country's longest mountain range- The Sierra Madre- the Philippines; longest river, the Cagayan flows northward 350km to the Babuyan Channel. Mostly limestone karts  the Sierra Madre range crosses nine provinces from Cagayan to Bicol down to Luzon's eastern flank, averaging heights of 1000m. With its rugged, forest clad slopes, it remains largely unexplored to this day.

Besides being the water shed for the Cagayan, many of other rivers of Luzon start life here, fed by hundreds of smaller streams and tributaries that flow down the western slopes of these mountains. The eastern slopes face the ocean and in many places they tumble quickly  and spectacularly down to the surf below, meaning that settlements here are usually few in number and generally tend to be a smaller size.

Scuba Diving In The Philippines

Subic bay and its wrecks area magnet for scuba divers in the northwestern Luzon. At least 19 have been discovered in the bay, and half a dozen are regularly visited by recreational divers. Subic's accessibility form Manila is another major attraction.

various dive sites north of Subic bay are interesting for their historical significance and geological oddity. Unfortunately, much of the coral reef, which one covered almost the entire northwest coast at the 18m mark, is now only notable for the destruction wreaked upon it by illegal fishing and pollution  but in the areas where dive centers have long been established, the reefs have been relatively protected. Subic bay is the best example.

Subic Bay

definitely the best all-around diving along the coast, Subic also has the best infrastructure and facilities, with the major pull being the wrecks. The star attraction is the USS New York, a battleship scuttled during the World War II, to keep her 17in main guns from falling into the hands of the Japanese. A rare fine example of an 1899 dreadnought, she lies on her port side in 27m of water, cannons intact.

A standard dive starts at the stern withg a swim around the propellers and up to the aft gun emplacements. You enter the wreck amidships for a check around the vast mess room, exit again, then re-enter the bow section for another spell. There is a abundance marinelife in and around the wreck and tis combined  with the clearly defined structure of the vessel, makes it a truly unforgetable diving experience.

Ttrekking In The Philippines

In  region which has had, an interesting recent mountain history, it is hardly surprising that Northwest Luzon has a great diversity of experience Sto offer hikers. Mt Pinatubo is the most infamous peak in the ares, but plenty of other less explosive destinations await hikers. These include the craggy peaks of the Zambales Range, which runs up the lower half of northern Luzon, and the pristine tropical rain forests neatly preserved in the area surrounding Subic Bay, just minutes from a busy free port zone.




Mt Tapulao, Zambales

This two-day trek brings you to the highest point in the Zambales Range, 2037m above sea level. Safe and easy accessible, it retains a remote feel. the views are exceptional and the trail takes you through a number of distinct ecosystems, from lowland grass and scrubland up through pine forest to stunned, most-draped alpine forest above 1800m. It is possible to hike this in a day, but most prefer to camp at the summit.

Mt. Tapulao rises at the center of the rugged Zambales range, a string of mountains borders on the west by the South China Sea and on the East by the central Luzon plain. mt Tapulao is one of the few remaining areas where this ancient mountains can be viewed in their original state. No permit is required, but a brief call at the provincial tourism office in Iba is recommended. Form Iba, buses and jeepneys run north to the next town, Palauig, where you can take a tricycle or jeep to Bario Salasa and then on to the top pf the trail of Dampay resettlement area. There is only one trail, which is well marked, so no guide is neccesary. If you want one way, make arrangements in Dampay.

Beach Camping In The Philippines

Almost every adventure traveler dreams of discovering a perfect, deserted beach- devoid of tourists, resorts, beach bars, and discos, string of shells and broken coral. Perhaps the ideal beach fronts a traditional fishing village, or rims, one of those deserted sand islands everyone talks about, but few ever see. If this is what you are after, north-west Luzon has Hundreds of kilometers of spectacular, unspoiled coastline for beach camping expeditions: places where you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, beach comb and of course, sleep under the stars.


Dasoy Bay

In western Pangasinan proince, Between Dasol Bay and overrated hundred Islands tourists area, there is a secluded coastline where craggy cliffs just into clear blue ocean, protecting sheltered coves with white beaches. Very few roads approach the sea here, and many villages are accessible only by boat.

Numerous buses stop in Dasol. At the boat terminal under the bridge either take a scheduled trip to the Villageof Tambobong or negotiate a special trip. The hour long boat ride runs down the river, past fishponds and mangrove swamps, where you may see hawks, sea eagles, pelicans and other seabirds. Emerging on Dasol Bay, Boats head out to Tambobong Village, a small fishing village sitting on one of the best white sand beaches on Luzon. There are no resorts, either camp out or arrange to stay with a family.

White Water Kayaking In Philippines

The Cadcadir is close to the Bulu River and offers good creaking, with constant grade 2 rapids and some grades 3 sections. There are many rocks, and agile dodging is necessary to get through without getting stuck. The river runs out of a heavily forested valley and into an agricultural area, supporting a variety of bird life, including hawks and herons and kingfishers.

To get to the river, leave Pagudpud by the same road as for the Bulu river, but drive past the Adams fork for 30 minute and take another right turn, heading inland past Cadcadir and another small village. You will reach a ford where the pad crosses a substantial tributary. Just past the Ford there is a parking area, and a good footpath leads up to the river. Carry your kayaks up past some rice fields to the put-in located where the river is diverted for irrigation. The river is negotiable above this point, though access is difficult.

Early sections offer several entertaining drops and lots of scooting between boulders: further down, the river picks up a lot more water turns sharply right, dropping fast into grade four rapid. Scouting is essential to negotiate this section safely, as the rocks are sharp and there is a nasty hole.

Hardcore kayakers will relish doing this one over and over: almost everyone else want to poortage, which is rather easy. Below this point, the river runs for another 4-5 km of steady grade 2 to 3 rapids to the village along the road: a good pull- out point.