Casino Peak Dalaguete
Apr 25, 2019 - Casino Peak is a short trek to my favorite viewpoint on the island of Cebu. Also known as Lugsangan Peak, it is near Mantolongan Town in Badian region. May 9, 2020 - Casino Peak in Dalaguete is the new hip bringing both Baguio (cold weather) and Bohol (Chocolate Hills) feels to the Visayas. Mar 23, 2019 - Casino Peak is a short trek to my favorite viewpoint on the island of Cebu. Also known as Lugsangan Peak, it is near Mantolongan Town in Badian region. How to get to Casino Peak: There are 3 ways to reach Casino Peak in Lugsangan, Dalaguete from Cebu City. As far as I’m concerned, the best and cheapest way to get there is to take a bus bound for Mantalongon (fare is PHP 100 and travel time is about 4 hours) from Carbon Market, Cebu City.
Osmeña Peak is considered as one of the highest points in Cebu and is part of Mantalungon mountain range with unique jagged hills feature stretching as far as Badian shorelines. It is approximately 1,000 meters above sea level.
The scenery is comparable to Chocolate Hills of Bohol and Quitinday Hills in Camalig, Albay but the peaks in Mantalungon are somehow pointed and rocky. It has cool weather closely equal to that of Baguio and Benguet. In fact, it is considered as the “Little Baguio of Cebu.” The climate and the fertile land made it ideal to grow vegetables and crops.
May 23, 2020 - Casino Peak in Dalaguete is the new hip bringing both Baguio (cold weather) and Bohol (Chocolate Hills) feels to the Visayas.
You don’t need to be an experienced mountaineer or hiker, trekking your way up to Osmeña Peak is perfect even for beginners. The trek can be done less than 30 minutes from jump-off. Although considered an easy climb, the trail can be slippery especially when it rained and during wee hours where fog most likely to accumulate.
There is a Php30 entrance fee being collected for each visitor. Log your name(s) and register at Osmeña Peak Tourism Center. Local guides are available with standard rate of Php150. They will serve as your photographers and know exactly the best spots to take pictures. Campsite is available if you plan to stay there overnight. Bring your own tent. There is access to toilet and bunkhouse for those who do not have their own tent for camping. Rent is Php300/night.
When you visit Osmeña Peak, you can ask for Kuya Boy Vargas as your tour guide. His contact number is 09102939447.
Osmeña Peak is best to experience during sunrise and sunset giving you a more dramatic view of the hills and ranges.
And of course, hiking is better with friends!When in Osmeña Peak, you can check Casino Peak as well and is just another 30 minutes trek. We captured these stunning mounds during the aerial shot. If you have extra time to spare, you should visit this.
Location
Located in Brgy. Mantalongon in municipality of Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines.
How To Get There
From Cebu City
- From Cebu City, go to South Bus Terminal and ride a bus going to Oslob or Bato. Fare is around Php120. Ask the driver to drop you off at Dalaguete junction. Travel time on average is 2.5 – 3 hours. Landmark is 7Eleven convenience store and
- From Dalaguete junction, hire a motorcycle heading to the jump-off point. Travel time is 45 minutes to 1 hour.
From Oslob
- From Oslob highway, ride a bus heading to Cebu City. Ask the driver/conductor to drop you off at Dalaguete junction. Travel time is around 1 – 1.5 hours.
- From Dalaguete junction, hire a motorcycle heading to the jump-off point. Travel time is 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Osmeña Peak to Kawasan Falls
If you plan to go to Kawasan Falls in Badian, you have two options from Osmeña Peak. One is by hiking and the other is by motorcycle.
The trail to traverse to Kawasan Falls is near Mantalungon market in Dalaguete. The hike/trek will take about 6 hours.
A more convenient option is to ride a habal-habal (motorcycle). For Php1,000 good for two persons, you can reach Kawasan Falls after a 2-hour motorcycle ride.
Sample Itinerary for Osmeña Peak
If you’re coming from Cebu City and included the City Tour, you can follow this sample itinerary. You may adjust the schedule based on your preference.
During our visit in Cebu (November 16 – 18, 2018), we booked our 3D2N Cebu City Tour + South Cebu Tour with DREAM TOUR CEBU
We highly recommend them for providing us top quality service, hassle-free and affordable packages. Reach out to Ate Giselle and Kuya Jun here:
Facebook Page: DREAM TOUR CEBU
Contact Number: 0999-8529207
Comments
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It is Casino Peak! Not Bohol’s Chocolate Hills nor Albay’s Quitinday Hills! Not taken from Osmeña Peak but the roof of Cebu still.
The ragged peaks of Mantalongon Range is undeniably among the most picturesque mountain peaks not only in Cebu but in the entire Philippines. The mountain range borders the towns of Badian and Dalaguete and covers various sitios and barangays of the two towns. It features countless conic peaks reminiscent of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills and Albay’s Quitinday Hills.
For years, Casino Peak has remained a secret while Osmeña Peak of Barangay Mantalongon has gained popularity for the imposing view of the roof of Cebu. This is understandable as the site is just an easy trek from the main road and yet it offers a panoramic view of the iconic multiple jagged peaks that stretch to as far as the neighboring town of Badian, overlooking the towns of Ronda, Moalboal, Argao and Alcoy, and the islands across Tañon and Cebu Straits.
But aside from Osmeña and with the countless peaks comprising Mantalongon Range, there are other lesser known peaks and I am sure there are still not yet discovered that offer equally if not more imposing vista of this spot. There’s Tabon Peak, Lovers’ Peak, Sunset Peak, Kandungaw Peak and the recently becoming popular Casino Peak!
Casino Peak is an icon of Sitio Lugsangan in Barangay Tabon, the neighboring town of Barangay Mantalongon where Osmeña Peak is located. It would be hard not to notice this spot if you are at the village due to its attractive shape, ask any local from the village and they will instantly point you to a towering peak in their backyard. That’s how iconic it is!
Like other sitios in this hinterland of Dalaguete, Sitio Lugsangan is typically rural and laid back. Its high elevation makes it climate temperate and soil rich, ideal to grow high value crops such as lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, beans and onions, among others. Tourism is not the village’s way of life and most locals are into farming. Literally, Sitio Lugsangan is a huge farm.
There’s an easy and not so easy way of getting to Casino Peak from Mantalongon proper. The former is by taking a motorbike (habal-habal) from Mantalongon Public Market straight to its base which is just 450 meters assault to the peak while the latter involves around an hour of leisurely trek from Osmeña Peak or so from downtown Mantalongon. You will be needing a guide or assistance from the locals specially if you are first timer and you decides for the long trek.
See the roof of Cebu from a different viewpoint at Casino Peak!
Getting to Casino Peak from Cebu City is the same as going to Osmeña Peak. There are two ways:
1. The easiest way of commuting to Casino Peak is by catching a local bus direct to Mantalongon (Dalaguete) from Cebu City South Bus Terminal or Carbon Market, travel time is about three hours and fare is around P120. However, the firs trip is around 6AM to 7AM, which is too late if you are aiming for sunrise. The bus will stop at Mantalongon Public Market, from there you may take a habal-habal to Sitio Lugsangan (P40/person, 15 to 20 minutes ride). Lugsangan bound habal-habal are stationed at the end of the road, en route to Osmeña Peak; those stationed in the market charge higher fee so better ask the locals where these habal-habal are stationed.
2. If you are aiming for sunrise, take a Bato via Oslob bus at Cebu City South Bus Terminal and get off at Dalaguete (in front of 7/11). Travel time is at least two hours and fare is P120 (aircon). Habal-habal drivers will crowd you as soon as you get off the bus, avoid them as much as possible as they charge higher rate (around P300). From 7/11, walk to the corner of the street where Mantalongon-bound habal-habal are stationed, fare is P50/person or P100/trike. The driver will drop you at Mantalongon Public Market, from there you may take a habal-habal to Sitio Lugsangan (P40/person, 15 to 20 minutes ride). Lugsangan bound habal-habal are stationed at the end of the road, en route to Osmeña Peak; those stationed in the market charge higher fee so better ask the locals where these habal-habal are stationed. Alternatively, you may ask the habal-habal driver from Dalaguete to take you direct to Lugsangan but expect the rate to balloon.
Casino Peak Dalaguete
Note: Guides are readily available at the trailhead, no standard rate but it usually starts at P150
Casino Peak Dalaguete
First Published: 04-Jul-2017 Updates 20-Mar-2018; 20-Aug-2019; 28-Apr-2020