In the last post following our Mindanao travel blog series, I strolled you around the Communal Ranch of Impasug-ong Bukidnon. This time, I'll take you to a destination that I never thought
will test my "risk-taking-guts" just to reach a paradise in Bukidnon, the Roty Peak Ridge Camp.
Roty Peak Ridge Camp is another destination in the municipality of Impasug-ong, that Bukidnon should take pride in.
As I, together with my cousins James and Abegail planned to visit the very well-known Communal Ranch of Bukidnon, I searched the internet for a place to stay before proceeding to such a tourists destination. By browsing Google Maps, I have seen Roty Peak Ridge Camp which is situated in the same place as the Communal Ranch. I only saw two accommodations resting in the same place as the destination we are about to visit, and so I chose RotyPeak Ridge Camp upon seeing the scenic view of the premises as well as the different activities that I and my cousins may enjoy, especially after seeing they have a beautiful mountain ridge and many picturesque corners.
I have booked a reservation through RotyPeak Ridge Camp Facebook page, which is very responsive, something I appreciate for my last-minute booking.
The Travel that made me so nervous
As I mentioned in my previous blog, we came from Kidapawan, North Cotabato, where we visited some of our family (aunts, uncles and cousins) after our Pangantucan stroll, and before we proceeded to Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. Initially, we will depart earlier at our families' place as planned, but we left late, but the time to travel to Impasug-ong is still right when we arrived at Maramag, Bukidnon. However, because the public utility van is not available at Maramag bus terminal that afternoon, we took a bus going north which took us so long that we arrived at Impasug-ong in the pitch dark.
Considering we are in Mindanao, the place in the Philippines that is claimed as unsafe to travel to because of the NPA (New People's Army, acclaimed as local terrorists), I was already hesitant to push through the trip to RotyPeak Ridge Camp. I was already thinking of having Plan B which is staying overnight at Malaybalay City, and traveling to Impasug-ong on the next day, which is just a town next to each other. I asked James on the bus, as Abegail was sleeping tightly, lol, if we will continue to travel by evening to the accommodation, and he said yes, he was also eager to travel by night, I don't want to decide on my own as I am the eldest in the group and I feel responsible with my younger cousins.
Later on, the motorcycle for hire or locally known as habal-habal driver called me, which was arranged and referred by the accommodation to fetch us. They were calling as we were transporting by bus along the way, checking on our location, which we were so delayed in the expected hours of arrival because of the many bus stops. His last call has made up my mind, the habal-habal driver has pleaded with me to push through our trip to the Roty Peak as they just went down to the town to fetch us, knowing enough that our destination is located on a remote barangay of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, where they also lived. He even mentioned that they are willing to wait for us and travel as late as 10 pm, as long as we will not postpone the trip.
I understand and sympathize with his predicament, in exchange for the safety assurance to travel to the mountains as I asked him. Kuya driver assured me that the road is safe enough to travel after I asked him if it is such, because I saw online that the road leading to Impasug-ong is very challenging.
We arrived at the Impasug-ong tourism office, which is situated on a roadside, around 7pm, and seeing enough of the remodeled motorcycles, with high wheels already, I am confident that these road experts drivers will take us safely to our reserved accommodation in the middle of the night.
Overthinking while Riding
Honestly, my research is so lacking that I missed knowing that Roty Peak Ridge Camp is not practically near the Communal Ranch. As we traveled to the mountains, the first 20 to 30 mins seems to be okay and normal, but as our ride progressed, it felt so scary! There were no houses along the way, there were no lights and electricity except the light from our vehicles. Most especially, the undeveloped, bumpy, and rocky road has made the trip seems to be endless!
showing the daytime view of the road, I haven’t had so much night captures
I was overthinking!
I was already thinking all the way that- what if, they are NPA's, they just pretended to be habal-habal drivers, what if, they are just accomplices with the accommodation personnel who are also NPAs. But on the other side, I convinced myself that they are legit as they have many good feedbacks and reviews on their Facebook page together with the photos shared by the netizens during their stay in the mountain resort.
I was really overthinking!
I have already made up an escape plan through the bushes and trees in the mountain. In the back of my mind, I was asking myself if it happened, will our cousins who are soldiers come to save us all the way from North Cotabato? OMG! I bear the responsibility for the safety of my two cousins, what if, I will be scolded by the entire clan because I bought harm to them?
Not knowing, Abegail, whom I shared a ride with the habal-habal, is also thinking the same! Lol! we really are cousins, not just in blood but in mind, lol! We entered the gated premises, which are the gates to prevent the cows from going out of the mountains, which is actually a ranch. As we entered the ranch, Abegail was overthinking, she thought that we are going to be captivated! And honestly, I was thinking the same! So, she composed a note on her phone, amidst the very bumpy ride we had that time, and let me read it. To comfort ourselves, I asked the driver to take a stop, as I will call the accommodation in charge. I called the personnel with an alibi of informing them that we are already near and we will order a dinner set.
On the other hand, James was pretty confident while not being so comfortable with the bumpy ride because the habal-habal driver of his rides has been very accommodating with his questions which led to their conversation all along the way. He even discovered that the two drivers were brothers, and they had another sibling who is also bringing guests to the camp.
And after an hour of an endless bumpy, very rocky road trip, we finally arrived at our destination- the Roty Peak Ridge Camp!
Roty Peak Ridge Camp
Waking up the next day with a kind of view that relaxes the mind and soul, is making our trip worth taken for!
Nature never goes out of style, indeed!
We explore the vacinity of the place as we got out from the native hunt that we rented overnight for ₱1,500 ( about $27), commonly known as "kubo". Nothing fancy to expect from this kind of accommodation, just a perfect match with nature. It has comfortable beddings, that can accommodate 6pax up to 10 individuals who can sleep closer to each other (price may differ). And the hunt's door is just locked up with a wooden knob, which made me overthink again! Well, my prayers are all over the kubo that night.
Staying in Roty Peak Ridge Camp is indeed a home with nature, as aside from the native accommodations they have, they don’t have any electricity as they are only relying on solar energy for the lights they used in the evening. So, everyone doesn’t have a choice but talk to each other, under the moonlight and campfire.
charging our devices through a device remaining battery
The day was so refreshing as we stroll around the ridge and the premises, it was like strolling and playing around with nature. Something I can reminisce and add up on my memory lane, with the two cousins I want to spend time with.
... and I could say: This was one of the best breakfast I had! We had a coffee and breakfast for ₱200 per head (about $3). For a fact, the rate is kinda fancy for food rates in the Philippines and for the foods served, as well, but considering the location of the place, it’s considerable. They charge a corkage fee also, but ironically, they don’t have foods and beverages for sale 😬 , so if I were you, just bring along your comfort foods and drinks in your bags because you can’t find any stores nearby, as well!
As we call it a great morning, we then proceeded to Communal Ranch to call it a day!
Fare to Communal Ranch from RotyPeak Ridge Camp is ₱400 per head
As for my review, RotyPeaks Ridge Camp trip was all worth it but I won’t go back there if I were to ask. It’s a destination that’s good for once.
Thank you for strolling with me today, see you on the next!
About the Author
Hi! I am Kim- The Strolling Mind.
I love to travel, I have been traveling in my beautiful country- Philippines, and some Asian countries, as well. My pleasure to share them here in Hive.
I believe that our mind is so powerful that anything we think is anything we can reach and achieve.
It is our mind that'll lead us to where we are heading to, so....
WOW what an amazing place, I really wanted to visit this wonderful place. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful moments with us 😊
My pleasure sharing the beauty of nature @name0 :)
I could feel the thrill and fear in this trip to the camp. Especially if you're new to the place and the people you're with are strangers like the habal2x drivers!But I'm glad you're all safe. The place is so beautiful and relaxing. The mountain landscapes is a real beauty!
Thanks for sharing☺️
‘Twas indeed a very challenging trip @missjoycee something I couldn’t recommend (the time of travel ) lol! But all worth it!
!LUV this blog post. The place is amazing. I think that the effort and time spent planning and traveling to go there is worth it. The landscapes are stunning. You are very lucky that the sun was shining while you were there to be able to get these gorgeous photos. By the way, we have a Hive Filipino community on Discord, please drop by if you haven't already. [here---> HivePH]. Thanks for sharing your travels, Kimberly. Keep it up. 😎
Oh! Thank you @juanvegetarian ! Yes so thankful to mr sun , perfect match with the view 💙 my pleasure sharing this experience:) will join HivePh :)
Cool. All the best. !PIZZA 🍕
Great Post, Kim,
I wish I could visit PH oneday and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mountain in PH too.
I live in Indonesia so I think the flight cost wouldn't too expensive,
Upvoted 100% :)
Hello @queen-silvia 👋 please let me know if you’ll visit the Philippines, I’ll bring you to beautiful places here 😉
I and @ybanezkim26 and two other friends will be going to Indonesia on September 😊
Yeah Sure, would love to visit Philippines when I have free time. Thank you very much.
Really? wow in which city? I am living in Jakarta tho
Bukidnon is such a wonderful place, hope i can visit there soon!
I’m excited for your future Bukidnon adventure! :)
ka layo ba pero nindot. need lang gyud og saktong planning kay layo gyud tinuod. ok ra unta if naa mo own vehicle.
Nah! Dmd kun magsakyanan dam hehe I suggest mag commute nlang kay big wheels jud need ddto hehe
Aww mao ni ge ingon nga need gyud og trusted nga driver. hehe!
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Ka nice sa mga photos uy. I wouldn't mind walking up to this kind of view. But mas nindot jud ni if naay kuryente pud para kudkud while travel. Hehe
kaayu aunchieee! hehehe