Sulu has been on my bucketlist since 2017, after seeing its highest peak, Bud Tumantangis (811 MASL) while on a boat to Tawi-Tawi. As it was not safe to hike at the time, I just parked it on my wish list.
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| Passing Bud Tumantangis in 2017 |
7 years later, here I am for the first time for a weekend of hiking and cups of great coffee with Christian and Gid! Thanks to Na Jib for organizing (and to everyone else who helped) and to Gid for pushing for this trip!
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| with hikers from Sulu. Thanks for the photos, Cat! |
From Zamboanga City, we flew to Jolo via Leading Edge, a 72-seater plane that just started the Zamboanga-Jolo route in September 2024. (Fare : 3,200 Pesos/per person, one way, promo rate. Contact details below.)
First stop was at Shara's for a nice breakfast of Kahawa Sug (Sulu coffee) and local delicacies. After checking in at Sulu Peacekeepers, we headed to the jump-off with a hired van (4500 Pesos/day).
We started hiking at 10:45 AM, joined by 11 other hikers from Sulu and unarmed military escorts of about 5.
The trail to the summit is a straightforward ascent on a nice forest with lots of huge, old trees. It was moderately challenging but thankfully, there were plenty of areas to rest and connect with our newfound friends.
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Our sidetrip was at Tanduh, a beautiful white sand beach popular to locals and it was easy to see why. Its sand is powdery and the water is so clear and inviting!
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| at Tanduh beach in Parang, Sulu |
Getting to the province of Sulu was not easy but well-worth it for curious travelers. In the past, a visit would have been daunting due to its peace & order situation. These days, you can find local tour operators on Facebook offering tours.
Check out our other hike in Sulu, Bud Dajo
HOW TO GET TO SULU
DIY is still not recommended as accommodations are limited.
For hiking Information on Sulu, go to Gid's blog - Pinoy Mountaineer | Bud Tumantangis
Travel Requirements to Sulu
If going with a tour operator, just confirm the requirements. In our case, we had to write a letter of intent addressed to the Provincial Tourism Office of Sulu which we submitted to Na Jib, our organizer. He then made the reservations to Sulu Peacekeepers Inn.
Accommodations
We stayed at Sulu Peacekeepers which offered simple but clean rooms. Other options are Big Bites and Bay Natuh Boutique hotel. There are other resorts set to open soon. What an exciting development!
Sulu Peackeepers Inn - Rate range from 950 Pesos for a solo aircon room with bathroom to 3,000 Pesos for a room with 3 single beds. It has its own restaurant and sari-sari stores are just across it.
Via RORO
From Manila, take a flight to Zamboanga city then board an evening RORO (huge boat that also takes in trucks and cars) . Travel time is approximately 8 hours. You can book through a tour operator in Zamboanga city. A trusty tour operator in Zamboanga is Zamboanga Itravel Tourist Lane. Just click on the look to reach out through their Facebook page
From Manila, take a flight to Zamboanga city then board an evening RORO (huge boat that also takes in trucks and cars) . Travel time is approximately 8 hours. You can book through a tour operator in Zamboanga city. A trusty tour operator in Zamboanga is Zamboanga Itravel Tourist Lane. Just click on the look to reach out through their Facebook page
Via Plane
From Manila, take a flight to Zamboanga city then another flight to Jolo. Visit Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines to book. From Zamboanga International Airport, take another flight to Jolo via Leading Edge. For updated ticket prices and schedule to Jolo, get in touch with King Aces Travel and Tours.
Flight Schedule as of October 2024:
Zamboanga to Jolo: 0820H - 0915H
Jolo to Zamboanga: 1015H - 1100H
For bookings and inquiries:
Cebu Office:
▪ Email: kingaces.charterdesk@gmail.com
▪ Primary Phone: 0917 132 1062
▪ Secondary Phone: 0917 637 8443
Head Office (Taguig):
▪ Email: kingaces.reservations@gmail.com
▪ Primary: 0917 622 3248
▪ Secondary: 0917 126 5743