Osmeña Peak in Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines

I knew Osmeña Peak was beautiful but I was not sure if we would be able to do a visit due to its challenging logistics. We only knew that travelers could get to Osmeña Peak in Brgy. Mantalongon via Dalaguete Town Proper. On our itinerary we were coming from Badian the next place we needed to visit was Oslob. If we wanted to visit Osmeña Peak, we had to ride a bus for 1 hour and 40 minutes to Carcar City then ride another bus to Dalaguete for 1 hour, ride habal-habal to Osmeña Peak, then back to Dalaguete then ride bus to Oslob. Plus there was also the consideration of our backpacks when we climb Osmeña Peak. Do we climb with our backpacks? It was a logistical challenge with very little options to work with.

I was really puzzled on how we would do Osmeña Peak to the point of being a pessimist on its possibility.

Luckily, when we arrived at Matutinao Beach Resort we overheard one of the guides that the group who just arrived was heading to Osmeña Peak. We were curious so when he was free we asked him if it was really possible to get to Osmeña Peak from Badian. He answered yes and we could actually do it right after our Canyoneering activity. The rate for the roundtrip habal-habal ride was 500 Pesos/person, quite steep but we could work with it. So that was our plan, do the Canyoneering then visit Osmeña Peak in one day.

Unfortunately, we get to enjoy Canyoneering a little too well that we ended finishing at 3:38 PM. Doing Osmeña Peak was no longer an option that day. We asked our guide if there was a way for us to ride the habal-habal with our bags and ride the habal-habal from Badian to Osmeña Peak then to the town proper of Dalaguete, he said it was possible. So he asked some habal-habal drivers and they told him the rate was 700 Pesos/person. Still very steep but we would rather do this than waste time going back and forth. We asked the habal-habal driver to meet us at to meet us the next day at around 7AM.

Travel to Osmeña Peak

7:29 AM After breakfast, we were ready to go do our Osmeña Peak adventure. We first said farewell to Marky (Nomadic Experiences) since he needed to catch his flight later in the afternoon. It was now only me, Kuya Dane (my brother) and Lisa (Pinay Travelista).

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We were given two habal-habals. One could accommodate 2 people and the other could only accommodate one person. I asked where my bag will be placed since it was big and the habal-habal driver said that it would be placed in front of him. Then we left for Osmeña Peak.

It was one of the most scenic routes I have been to. I never expected that the view from the route would be like how I pictures Osmeña Peak. The habal-habal driver was fast but still within my tolerable level.

8:27 AM (Travel Time 58 minutes) We finally arrived at the jump-off of Osmeña Peak in Brgy. Mantolongan, Dalaguete. There were a lot of habal-habals waiting at the jumpoff area, I’m assuming they are from other visitors.

We registered first at the Public Assistance Center which doubles as a sari-sari store. There was no fee for the registration but we were told that soon there will be a fee to be collected to visitors.

We bought some water and some candy just in case we needed it during the trek.

One of our habal-habal driver told us that he would guide us to the peak while the other one would guard our belongings. Phew! I was glad that we were not carrying my heavy bag up the mountain.

One of the stores even had some tent for rent if you would like to camp overnight.

The Hike Up to the Peak

8:32 AM We started our ascent to the peak. Slowly but surely with a lot of breaks.

According to the locals, this construction will soon be a Tourism Office.

8:56 AM (Hiking Time 24 minutes) We reached the peak. Unfortunately, the peak and the view was full of fog.

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Surprisingly, we met Kareen (Laagan na Cebuana) at the top of Osmeña Peak. We met again in Cebu City a few days after.

9:18 AM (22 minutes at the peak) Eventually, we gave up waiting for the fog to clear. We needed to go down since we wanted to visit Tumalog Falls in Oslob in the afternoon.

9:57 AM (39 minutes hike down) We reached the Public Assistance Center. Rested a bit for the journey to Dalaguete.

Travel to Dalaguete Town Proper

9:59 AM Rode the habal-habalagain to Dalaguete Town Proper.

10:30 AM (Travel Time 31 minutes) We were dropped off along the highway at the town proper of Dalaguete. We paid our drivers 700 Pesos/person and thanked them for their service.

We initially planned to have lunch at Dalaguete, since it was still early we decided to just get some snack and just have lunch at Oslob. So we went in to 7-11 to buy snacks and wait for the bus.

11:07 AM A bus passed by and we rode it to Oslob, Cebu.

Conclusion

It was somewhat disappointing not to see the full beauty of Osmeña Peak due to the fog yet I am still happy that we did push through to visit the place. It was still beautiful as it is.

Would I go back there? Yes!!!

Notes

The roundtrip habal-habal ride from Dalaguete Town Proper to Osmeña Peak rate was 200 Pesos/person. Travel Time is 30 minutes (one-way). They may charge extra if you let them wait really long.

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