Love nature and the outdoors? Masungi Georeserve is now open to visitors
The award-winning Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal is now ready to accept visitors once again on a limited basis.
As a sanctuary for plant and animal species and home to imposing limestone formations, the Masungi Georeserve is a go-to place for those with an adventurous spirit and an innate love for nature.
In a Facebook post, the georeserve announced its Discovery and Legacy Trails are now open to visitors from Tuesdays to Sundays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visitors need to pre-register on its website just like they did pre-pandemic. Only small and private groups can be accommodated inside the trails. Furthermore, only one group (minimum of five persons) will be accommodated per time slot at this time to ensure zero impact on the natural environment and the privacy and experience of visitors.
Visit requests must be made at least four days before one’s intended visit and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
“There are no closed spaces within the trail experiences, so you can be assured they are low risk activities for friends and family,” the Facebook post read.
What requirements are needed to enter the Masungi Georeserve?
According to the georeserve’s guest care team, it is not requiring visitors to be vaccinated prior to their visit to the sanctuary. However, the following will be required:
- Valid IDs
- Pre-visit waiver/COVID-19 health declaration forms
- Wearing of face masks
- Social distancing measures
- The georeserve’s health protocols are subject to change to comply with local and national guidelines.
What are the experiences available inside the georeserve?
Both the Discovery and Legacy Trails are now open to visitors. Each group of visitors will be provided with a park ranger who will guide them and provide information about the area.
Complimentary light refreshments are also available but visitors are encouraged to bring their own water jugs, which may be refilled in designated water stations in the georeserve.
One of the trails, the Discovery Trail, is a three- to four-hour trek through the conservation area, where visitors are given a front-row seat to the area’s majestic karst terrain. According to the Masungi Georeserve, this trail is ideal for outdoor and nature enthusiasts, regular and beginner hikers, and groups and families.
The trail is lined with rock and concrete blocks that makes it easier to cover the area but visitors are also to expect ups and downs in the trail. There are also a hanging bridge and rope courses through the main trail.
For security purposes, guests should be 13 years old and above to be allowed inside the trail.
It is on the Discovery Trail where you can find the Instagram-famous web-style viewing platform called “Sapot,” where a great view of Laguna de Bay may be seen. It is just one of the nine features of the trail, which include Yungib ni Ruben, a cave formation that’s part of the karst landscape; Nanay and Tatay, the two limestone formation peaks; Ditse, Patak, at Duyan; Bayawak, a rope course shaped like the lizard of the same name; Liwasan, a valley-like area with a bird bath and resting area; and Sawa, a hanging bridge shaped like a snake.
Meanwhile, the Legacy Trail is where visitors can participate in the Masungi Geopark Project, where restoration efforts are currently ongoing.
Interested visitors, who must be at least 10 years old and above, can have the opportunity to join in tree planting and nurturing alongside park rangers.
Its terrain is largely composed of grasslands and there are trees (including pine trees and bamboo) stand along the trail, while rock and concrete blocks line the trail, which makes it easy to cover the area. Food (“minalot”) will be served after the activities.
There are also ropeways and floating huts where visitors may rest after participating in the activities.
The Legacy Trail’s full round could last from four to five hours.
How much are the conservation fees?
For the Discovery Trail, it’s P1,500 per guest on weekdays and P1,800 on weekends.
For the Legacy Trail, it’s P1,500 per guest on weekdays and weekends.
How to get to the Masungi Georeserve from Metro Manila?
The Masungi Georeserve is accessed along Kilometer 47, Marcos Highway, Baras, Rizal.
According to the georeserve’s website, those who are coming from Metro Manila should only take Marcos Highway as the other optional route (Manila-East Road) is significantly longer and less reliable.
From the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Masungi Georeserve is approximately a 3 1/2-hour drive, while coming from Katipunan Ave. in Quezon City, it’s approximately a 1 hour 15-minute drive.
As the georeserve halted its accredited transport services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recommended that visitors bring their own private vehicle for point-to-point travel.
For more information and to reserve your slot, visit www.masungigeoreserve.com or e-mail [email protected].