San Jose Circuit, Tarlac Travel Guide

Mt. Kawayan, San Jose, Tarlac, Philippines — It may look like something that isn’t risky but you should be a hundred percent sure of this feat when you jump between these two protruding rocks. One mistake and you’ll fall off a cliff.
📍Mt. Kawayan

🇵🇭SAN JOSE CIRCUIT/TRILOGY ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭

✈️🛳🚌 How to get to San Jose, Tarlac:
⏺ Ride a bus that passes by Tarlac City Siesta Bus Terminal (e.g. Victory Liner; travel time is 2.5 – 3 hours depending on traffic condition and number/duration of stop-overs).
⏺ Coordinate with GAMENEST for jeepneys for rent to reach Barangay Iba which serves as the jump-off. It is much better if you are traveling with a group so the expenses can be shared among the participants of the climb. You can also join organized hiking events to save on time and cut on costs.

🏄🏝🚴 Sites to Explore/Activities:

Mt. Kawayan
Mt. Bungkol Baka
Mt. Tangisan

Mt. Tangisan, San Jose, Tarlac, Philippines — I wanted to scale these three mountains because I’ve been meaning to test my stamina to do a day hike of three peaks. So I joined my friend when he organized a climb to conquer San Jose Circuit.
📍Mt. Tangisan

Mt. Bungkol Baka, San Jose, Tarlac, Philippines — We left Manila at midnight and arrived at the jump-off by dawn. It was still dark when we commenced our ascent.
📍Mt. Bungkol Baka

⏰⏳ SAMPLE DAYHIKE ITINERARY:

12:00 AM Assembly
1:00 AM ETD for San Jose
5:00 AM Commence trek
8:00 AM ETA Mt. Kawayan summit
9:00 AM Resume trek
12:00 PM ETA Mt. Bungkol Baka summit
1:00 PM Resume trek
3:00 PM ETA Mt. Tangisan summit
4:00 PM Head back to jump-off
6:00 PM Wash up / Head back to Manila

💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo joiner of an organized hiking event): Php 1,300 – Php 1,500 (exclusive of food)
***Expenses may vary depending on personal consumption of food and other necessities.

📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:
📌Hiking these three mountains in one day is not advisable for beginners. The total duration of hiking the three peaks would take about 8 – 12 hours depending on your pace and number of rest stops.
📌Majority of the trail is exposed to the sun so bring enough hydration.
📌Minimize sun exposure by wearing arm warmers or long sleeves and hats/caps.
📌Check the weather first before scaling these mountains. Some parts of the trail get really muddy during rainy season.
📌Always observe the LNT principles.