Davao City Hotels

Ever gone to the country’s highest peak? If not, here are some facts on Davao’s Mt. Apo that may tickle the imagination and thrill.

Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines. It looms right over the city of Davao. Davao’s Mt. Apo actually has a three-pronged peak, flat topped like a famous chocolate, and is a dead strato volcano, according to experts. One of the things that earn the dedicated interest of mountain climbers is the fact that on top of Davao’s Mt. Apo is a dazzling 500-meter volcanic crater with a small lake within. The lake scene disperses all languidness brought about by the exhausting ascent.

The name of Davao’s Mt. Apo literally means grandpa. Ancient Filipino culture fondly referred to tribal chiefs or elders as “apo.” Thus, Davao’s Mt. Apo is said to be the chief or grandpa of all the mountains in the country. Though huge and majestic, it has been inactive since history can remember. Actually, according to records, Apo’s last explosion has been unknown. And that’s good news for all of us—although geothermal activity in Davao’s Mt Apo goes on. This may mean volcanic activity is still present in the mountain, though probably not enough to cause a major activity. Local government engineers tap the geothermal power for an energy source.

Nestled at the foot of Davao’s Mt. Apo is the national park named after it. Davao’s Mt. Apo sits right in the middle of this vast forested area of protected mountain ranges. And there the dormant volcano looms like an elder among subordinates. This gargantuan mountain stretches across southern provinces and ends at the southern tip of Davao. The National Park encompasses a huge 70,000 plus hectares. Thus, no other park in the country has a bigger land area. So Davao’s Mt. Apo is vast enough for the rare Philippine Eagle to roam around and call the mountain home. It has been declared as a protected area.

Aside from the national eagle, Davao’s Mt. Apo is also home to hundreds of other birds exclusive and endemic to Apo. They roam freely in the Apo environs and are a major target of bird watchers foreign and local. In fact, Davao’s Mt. Apo is considered a center of many endemic things in Mindanao—Apo has a potential biological variety.

Davao’s Mt. Apo is an amazing feat of nature in the South that gives, not only southerners, but the entire country a reason to climb up to a new level.

Tags: Samal, Travel, Samal Hotel, Davao Resort, Davao City Hotel, Davao City, Pearl Farm