The main reason why we went to Kidapawan City in North Cotabato is to visit Lake Agco. It is located inside Mt. Apo Natural Park at the foot of Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines. So, on our 2nd day in the city, we woke up early and went to the Kaosa Terminal where we met Kuya Marvin (Contact Number: 0906-961-1114), the habal-habal driver who will bring us up to Lake Agco. We agreed on 100 pesos per head/way. It took us about 45 minutes to reach the park.
Terminal for motorcycles going to Lake Agco
Beautiful scenery on our way up
Pine tress abound as we are nearing Lake Agco
It was still cold and chilly when we arrived at Mt. Apo Natural Park at around 9:00 in the morning.
Mt. Apo Natural Park
We then proceeded to Agko Mahomanoy Mountain Resort. The resort has pools, a store for basic needs, shower and comfort rooms, open cottages as well as rooms which you could rent for as low as 300 pesos if you wish to stay for a night. Entrance fee to the resort is 25 pesos for day tour and 35 pesos for overnight.
Agko Mahomanoy Mountain Resort
Sulfuric steam envelopes the place
Mud pools with sulfuric steam
The pool surrounded by open cottages
Open cottage for 100 pesos
Just having a good and relaxing time
There's also a souvenir shop inside the resort where you could buy some key chains, t-shirts, bags and other items. To make your souvenir more personalized, you can write your name on the key chain, just like what my friend did.
Key chains for sale (30-40 pesos each)
Put your name on the souvenir
Ryan writing his name on his souvenir
Mt. Apo and Lake Agco souvenirs
Resort's amenities and fees
After about 1.5 hours, we went out of the resort and proceeded to Lake Agco. Entrance fee is 10 pesos each. From the gate, it will take you about 10 minutes of easy trek to reach the lake.
Lush tropical foliage abound on our way to the lake
On our way to the lake, photo ops muna... :)
Virgin and secluded paradise
One of the creatures we met along the way
You'll also pass by this, I think it's a tomb
Upon reaching the lake, I just uttered "WOW!" Ang ganda!!! It's mystical! The place is enveloped with thick sulfuric steam and the lake is indeed boiling.
The hot and steamy Lake Agco
The boiling mud at the lake is an evidence that Mt. Apo is indeed a volcano. They say, Lake Agco is hot enough to boil and cook eggs with the heat coming from the volcano's vent. This is the first time I've seen a boiling lake. Truly amazing!
Boiling mud
Some men fixing the mud pool
How hot is the mud?
Steamy Lake Agco
You could try dipping your foot at the mud, just be careful and test it first if you can bear the heat. It's tolerable naman.
After spending about an hour, we made our way back to the main road.
Then we were "Lost and Found".
This is our very nice habal-habal driver, Kuya Marvin. You can find him at KOASA Terminal in Kidapawan City or you may call him at 0906-961-1114.
With Kuya Marvin
Note: North Cotabato is also known as Cotabato Province. For this blog, I used North Cotabato to differentiate it with Cobabato City.
HOW TO GET TO KIDAPAWAN CITY
Kidapawan can be reached by bus or van from Davao or Cotabato City. From Davao City's Ecoland Terminal, there are buses (Weena bus) bound for Kidapawan or to Cotabato City which passes by Kidapawan City. If you want to take the passenger vans, go to NCCC Mall or SM City Davao where you could find the vans bound for Kidapawan City. Estimated travel time from Davao City to Kidapawan is about 2 hours. Fare is around 150 pesos from Davao City.
If you are coming from General Santos City, take a bus to Davao City and drop off at Digos City Terminal and take a bus bound for Cotabato City, which will stop over at Kidapawan City.
HOW TO GET TO LAKE AGCO
Take a habal-habal or single motorcycle at KOASA Terminal in Kidapawan City. Travel time is about 45 minutes, fare is around 100 pesos per head.
This trip to Kidapawan, North Cotabato happened on June 10-11, 2012 during my "6-day Davao Region + North Cotabato trip". North Cotabato is the 66th province on my list. COMPOSTELA VALLEY DAVAO ORIENTAL
NORTH COTABATO
DAVAO DEL SUR |
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I recently visited Lake Agco and it was such an adventure! I most especially enjoy the jacuzzi and the boiling lake. It was truly an amazing experience.
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