How Much Does It Cost to Climb a Mountain in the Philippines?
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How Much Does It Cost to Climb a Mountain in the Philippines?

Peaksy Team6 min read

The Real Cost of Mountain Hiking

One of the best things about hiking is that it's one of the most affordable outdoor activities out there. Unlike sports that need expensive memberships or specialized facilities, hiking just asks for a trail, a pair of shoes, and your willingness to walk uphill.

That said, there are still costs involved. Knowing what to expect helps you plan better and avoid surprises.

Here's a realistic breakdown of what it costs to climb a mountain in the Philippines in 2026.

Registration and Environmental Fees

Most mountains in the Philippines require hikers to register and pay fees at a local DENR office, tourism office, or barangay hall. These fees go toward trail maintenance, conservation efforts, and local community programs.

Typical Fee Ranges

  • Registration fee: PHP 50 to PHP 200
  • Environmental fee: PHP 50 to PHP 150
  • Camping fee (overnight): PHP 100 to PHP 300
  • Conservation fee: PHP 20 to PHP 100

Examples by Mountain

| Mountain | Registration | Environmental | Camping | |---|---|---|---| | Mt. Pulag | PHP 150 | PHP 100 | PHP 200 | | Mt. Apo | PHP 200 | PHP 150 | PHP 300 | | Mt. Batulao | PHP 50 | PHP 50 | N/A | | Mt. Daraitan | PHP 50 | PHP 20 | PHP 100 | | Mt. Gulugod Baboy | PHP 50 | PHP 50 | PHP 100 |

Fees change from time to time, so check the latest rates before your trip or look them up on the Peaksy app.

Guide Fees

A lot of mountains in the Philippines require a local guide, especially those managed by DENR or local government units. Even where it's optional, hiring one is a smart move for trails you haven't done before.

Standard Guide Rates

  • Day hike guide: PHP 500 to PHP 1,500 per group
  • Overnight guide: PHP 800 to PHP 2,000 per group
  • Major peaks (Mt. Pulag, Mt. Apo): PHP 1,000 to PHP 3,000 per group
  • Porter (carries gear): PHP 500 to PHP 1,500 per day

Guide fees are usually split among the group, so hiking with more people brings the per-person cost way down. Five people splitting a PHP 1,000 guide fee? That's just PHP 200 each.

Transportation

Getting to the trailhead is often one of the bigger expenses, especially for mountains outside Luzon.

From Metro Manila

  • Batangas mountains (Batulao, Maculot, Gulugod Baboy): PHP 200 to PHP 500 by bus, PHP 500 to PHP 1,000 by van rental per person
  • Rizal mountains (Daraitan, Pamitinan): PHP 100 to PHP 300 by public transport
  • Benguet mountains (Mt. Pulag): PHP 500 to PHP 800 by bus to Baguio, plus PHP 300 to PHP 500 for jeepney or van to jump-off
  • Mt. Apo (Davao): PHP 2,000 to PHP 5,000 for flights, plus PHP 500 to PHP 1,000 for ground transport

Ways to Save on Transport

  • Join group hikes that include shared van rental
  • Carpool with other hikers heading to the same trail
  • Take public buses for Batangas and Rizal destinations
  • Book flights early for destinations that require air travel

Food and Water

Day Hike Budget

For a day hike, budget around PHP 100 to PHP 300 for food:

  • Trail snacks from home: PHP 50 to PHP 100
  • Packed lunch: PHP 50 to PHP 150
  • Water (2 to 3 liters): PHP 30 to PHP 60 if bought, free if you refill from home

Overnight Budget

Overnight trips run about PHP 200 to PHP 500 for food:

  • Dinner and breakfast ingredients: PHP 150 to PHP 300
  • Snacks and trail food: PHP 50 to PHP 100
  • Extra water or purification method: PHP 50 to PHP 100

Cooking your own meals saves a lot compared to buying from vendors at popular trail stops, though those vendors are handy when they're around.

Gear Costs

If You're Just Starting Out

You don't need to buy everything at once. Focus on the essentials first and borrow or rent what you can.

Must-have gear and approximate costs:

  • Trail shoes: PHP 1,500 to PHP 5,000 (one-time investment)
  • Backpack (25 to 40L): PHP 800 to PHP 3,000
  • Rain jacket: PHP 500 to PHP 2,000
  • Headlamp: PHP 300 to PHP 1,000
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder: PHP 200 to PHP 800

For overnight trips, add:

  • Tent (2-person): PHP 2,000 to PHP 8,000
  • Sleeping bag: PHP 1,000 to PHP 5,000
  • Sleeping pad: PHP 500 to PHP 3,000
  • Cooking set: PHP 500 to PHP 2,000

Tips for Saving on Gear

  • Buy local brands like Conquer or Sandugo for reliable budget options
  • Check secondhand groups on Facebook for lightly used gear
  • Rent gear from outdoor shops before committing to a purchase
  • Borrow from friends who have extra equipment
  • Invest gradually in better pieces as you hike more

Total Cost Breakdown

Day Hike (Batangas area, group of 5)

| Expense | Per Person | |---|---| | Transportation (shared van) | PHP 500 | | Registration and fees | PHP 100 | | Guide (shared) | PHP 200 | | Food and water | PHP 200 | | Total | PHP 1,000 |

Overnight Hike (Mt. Pulag, group of 5)

| Expense | Per Person | |---|---| | Transportation (bus + van) | PHP 1,200 | | Registration and fees | PHP 450 | | Guide (shared) | PHP 400 | | Food and water | PHP 400 | | Total | PHP 2,450 |

These estimates don't include gear since that's a one-time investment that gets cheaper per trip the more you hike.

Making It More Affordable

The single best way to cut hiking costs is to go with a group. Guide fees, van rentals, and cooking supplies are all shared, which drops the per-person cost dramatically.

A few more ways to keep it budget-friendly:

  • Start with nearby mountains to save on transport
  • Cook group meals instead of buying individual food
  • Bring water from home instead of buying bottled water on the trail
  • Carpool or take public transport whenever you can
  • Join organized group hikes through communities like Peaksy

Plan Your Budget with Peaksy

The Peaksy app helps you find organized hikes with transparent pricing, so you always know what you're signing up for. Browse upcoming events, see cost breakdowns, and join a community that makes mountain adventures accessible to everyone.