Mt. Talinis Profile and Itinerary

Mount Talinis, also known as the Cuernos de Negros (Horns of Negros), is a mountain in the Philippine province of Negros Oriental. At about 1,903 meters(5905 feet) above sea level, it is the second highest mountain in Negros Oriental after Mt Kanla-on. Cuernos de Negros is a potentially active stratovolcano, with a base diameter of 36 kilometres, and has many volcanic lakes and solfataric or volcanic sulfurous steam vents. Main rock types are andesite and basalt. It is located 9 kilometers southwest of Valencia, Negros Oriental, forming part of the Negros Volcanic Belt.

-Second highest peak in the Negros Island with 1,864 meters above sea level.
-Habitat to endangered and endemic wildlife
-91 tree species, 18 of which are commercially important
-78 birds species of which 38 are endemic and 6 are threatened. These includes 2 Negros endemics that have not been sighted for a long time and are currently believed to be very rare or extinct. These are the Negros bleeding heart pigeon Gallicolumbia keayi and the Negros fruit dove Ptilinopus arcanus.
-21 species of mammals. These include Visayan island endemics namely: the spotted deer Cervus alfredi, the warty pig Sus cebifrons, the fruit bats Nymtimene rabori and the presumably extinct Dobsonia chapmani.
- 64 herpetofaunal species (13 amphibians, 26 lizards, 24 snakes and 1 turtle) of which 33 are endemic and 10 are rare. Two of the snakes are restricted to Negros Island only. These are the light-scaled burrowing snake Pseudohabdion oxycephalum and the Mountain burrowing snake Pseudorhabdion montanum.

Biodiversity

The region of Mt. Talinis has a rich biodiversity that is threatened by illegal logging and "kaingin." The lakes around Mt. Talinis contain freshwater shrimp, snails, carp and tilapia species, and its forest system is home to endemic and rare wildlife. There are 91 tree species, 18 of which are commercially important, including Alphonsea arborea, Elaeocarpus monocera, Pometia pinnata, and Phyllocladus hypophyllus and Tigerwood. Other notable flora include wild orchids, edible berries and, broad-leafed tree ferns.

Common fauna include boars, civets, chickens, pigeons, monkeys, sunbirds, monitor lizards, Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes, polka-dotted Leopard cats, and the brown weaver ant. Some of the endangered and rare animals are Tarictic Hornbills, Philippine Spotted Deers, Visayan Warty Pigs, Philippine Tube-nosed Fruit Bats, and Negros Bleeding-hearts.

Tourism
Mt Talinis is popular because of the sweeping views. It has a number of lakes at its base, the most visited of which are the twin crater lakes of Balinsasayao: Lake Nailig and Lake Yagumyum. They are separated only by a narrow mountain ridge. Mt. Talinis is easily climbed via nature trails that start in Bidjao, Dauin and Aplong, Valencia.

How to get there?

Bediao Route

There is a regular trip from Dumaguete to Magsaysay. You can either walk the remaining 2 kilometers from Magsaysay to PNOC drilling site in Bediao or hire a jeep (pakyaw) which would bring you directly to Bediao.

The main route is considered to be the easiest which include the Nacolon peak (the highest peak – 1,800 MASL) and lake Yagumyum. It takes four hours from Bediao to Talinis peak.

Regular Fare:
Dumaguete – Magsaysay – (Jeep – 11:00 AM & 4:00 PM) P 20.00
Lipayo – Magsaysay Proper (Pedicab/Tricycle) P 30.00
Dauin – Bediao (Habal-habal) P 80.00

Timbao Route

There is a regular jeep from Dumaguete to Timbao. The trail is considered to be the hardest but the shortest route. It only takes 3 hours to reach Talinis peak. It’s the same trail used if you pass through the PT&T route in Bongbong, Valencia.

Regular Fare:
Dumaguete – Timbao(Jeep) P 25.00
Dumaguete – Valencia – Timbao (Habal-habal) P 30.00

Bongbong Route

You can take a jeep from Dumaguete to Valencia. Upon reaching Valencia, several motorcabs for hire (MCH) which have regular trips to Bongbong. You can request the motorcab driver to take you to PT&T in camp look out. PT&T marked the start of the route to Talinis peak.

The route is one of the hardest and the trail in going to the peak when you pass through the Timbao route.

Regular Fare:
Dumaguete – Valencia (Jeep) P 10.00
Valencia – Bongbong (Habal-habal) P 50.00

Apolong Route

You can take a jeep from Dumaguete to Valencia. Upon reaching Valencia, you can ride a jeep bound for Apolong or hire in “pakyaw” a jeep which would take you to Casaroro.
The Apolong route is considered to be moderately difficult. Before reaching Talinis peak, main attractions are Kaipuhan, Tutoy Dalaga and Lake Yagumyum. It is estimated to take seven hours to reach the peak.

Regular Fare:
Dumaguete – Valencia (Jeep) P 10.00
Valencia – Apolong (Casaroro) (Habal-habal) P 30.00

Lunga Route
You can take a jeep from Dumaguete to Valencia. Since there’s no regular trip going to Lunga, you can hire “pakyaw” tricycle up to upper Lunga.

This route can also be considered difficult and challenging since it is the longest route in going to the Talinis peak which would take a maximum of 10 to 12 hours. Major attractions along the way are Dakong Sapa, Dakong Datag, Kaipuhan, Camp Vendiola, Tutoy Dalaga and Lake Yagumyum. It’s even more challenging if the PT&T route is taken in going down from the Talinis peak.

Regular Fare:
Dumaguete – Valencia (Jeep) 10.00

Reminders to all visitors of Mt. Talinis

1. Have yourself registered before proceeding to Mt. Talinis
2. Contact the Mt. Talinis Tour Guides or information, guides or poster & carrier for your baggage/baggages.
3. Pay the necessary user’s fee.
4. Observe proper waste disposal; bring back non-biodegradable waste.
5. Observe P.D. 705 the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.
6. Cutting or collecting minor forest products is strictly prohibited.
7. Wildlife poaching is also prohibited.
8. Do not make any noise that disturbs wildlife.
9. Observe safety, secure and a peaceful trekking.
10. Above all, Leave No Trace (LNT)


ITINERARY

Day One June 12, 2009
12:00 mn Assembly @ Caltex Star Mart
1:00 am ETD for Oslob
7:30 am ETA Dumaguete
8:30 am ETA Magsaysay, Dauin (Jump off)
9:00 am ETA Magsaysay Nursery (resume trek) *potable h20 source*
10:00 am ETA Pandong Bato (resume trek)
11:00 am ETA Open ridge (resume trek)
12:30 pm ETA Yagumyum Lake (lunch) *h20 source*
1:30 pm ETD Yagumyum to deer-face ridge
3:00 pm ETA Quicksand field (resume assault to Nacolon Ridge)
4:00 pm ETA Nailig Lake (set up camp cook dinner) *potable h20 source*
10:00 pm Lights off

Day 2 June 13, 2009
7:00 am Wake up call (break camp cook b-fast/lunch)
9:00 am ETD Nailig-Ranchohan
11:00 am ETA Kaipuhan “sulphuric river” resume trek to Camp 2
1:30 pm ETA Ranchohan (set up camp cook dinner) *potable h20 source*
10:00 pm Lights off

Day 3 June 14, 2009
6:00 am Wake up call (break camp cook b-fast/lunch)
8:30 am ETD to River Y
10: am ETA to Valencia Ridge
11:00 am ETA Casaroro Entrance
12:00 pm ETA Tejeros Spring refresh & take lunch
2:00 pm ETD Back to Dumaguete City
2:30 pm ETA Dumaguete City
4:00 pm ETA Back to Sibulan Port
11:00 pm ETA Cebu City “home sweet home”

Itinerary by Kidjoe of COAT