If you fancy the outdoors and taking off-the-beaten path, Valderrama in Antique province will astonish you with unspoiled natural attractions. Lording over this sleepy town is the gorgeous Mt. Igcuron (also Mt.Igcoron). Its knife-edge peak draped by greenery will seduce you to climb it.
Since I posted the photo of Mt.Igcuron on my Instagram and Facebook account, I’ve received a couple of queries on how to get to Mt. Igcuron (Mt.Igcoron). I’ve never climbed it but I will be providing you here with the essential information to help you plan your trip to Valderrama (thanks to Antique Tourism officer Jola Tingson for the help with the details here). I personally know some travel blogger friends like Gian and Sheila who recently climbed Mt.Igcurun (Mt.Igcoron) recently and they all said it’s a difficult climb because of the long knife-edge shoulder.
Climbing Mt. Igcuron takes roughly 5-6 hours (back and forth), so around 2.5 to 3 hours one way. However some say it took them longer 7 hours one way. The climbing hours differ because it depends on where you will start your climb, so you can just ask the guide to take you to the shorter route if you want.
WHAT'S IN THIS BLOG POST?
Route 1
HOW TO GET TO VALDERRAMA, ANTIQUE FROM KALIBO,
Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Airasia flies daily between Manila and Kalibo. Cebu Pacific also flies between Cebu and Kalibo.
From Kalibo Airport, take a tricycle to Cere Bus Terminal. Board a bus bound en route to San Jose, Antique. Tell the driver you are getting off at crossing Ilaures (a town before Valderrama). Fare is approximately Php 135 (prices vary depending if it is air-con or ordinary bus). Travel time is about 2.5 to 3 hours. Alternatively from Kalibo there are also passenger vans en route to San Jose.
From Ilaures town, hire a habal-habal (motorcycle) to take you to Valderrama town proper, fare is about PHP 100- PHP 150. Travel time is roughly 30 minutes. If you are in a budget and you have the luxury of time, you can wait for the jeep bound for Valderrama but trip schedule is unreliable.
Route 2
HOW TO GET TO VALDERRAMA, ANTIQUE FROM ILOILO
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific travels between Manila and Iloilo. From Iloilo, take a Ceres bus bound for San Jose, Antique. Alight at crossing Ilaures town (town prior to Valderrama). Fare is about Php 140. You can also take a van from Iloilo for Php 150. Travel time is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. Then from Ilaures, take a habal-habal (motorcycle) to Valderrama town center. Fare is PHP 100- PHP 150.
HOW TO GET TO VALDERRAMA TOWN TO MT. IGCURON
At Valderrama Town proper, head to the Municipal Hall for assistance, look for Valderrama Tourism Officer Randy Canja (0915 721 4411) or executive assistant Tim Ledesma (0917 507 5409).
Alternatively, you can just text or call the Head of the Sites Guides Bon Jane (0975 366 7513) or Micheal Ti-ad (Valderrama Nature Park Manager) Mobile #: 0926 314 6733. They will be the ones to call a motorcycle and reserve a guide for you to Mt. Igcuron. I suggest contacting them a day or a few days before your arrival so they can find a guide.
MT. IGCURON GUIDE FEE
Again, hiking hours depends on where you will start your climb and on your pace, but ascent can be done in approximately 2.5 – 3 hours, and descent can be done in 1.5 hours. So about a total of 5 to 6 hours. As for the guide fee PHP 300 good for 2 persons (back and forth) and additional PHP 200 if you want to camp overnight. See guide contact above.
ALSO READ: NOGAS ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE (ANINI-Y ANTIQUE)
WHERE TO STAY IN VALDERRAMA, ANTIQUE
Villa Valderrama Mountain Resort
Contact Person: Micheal Ti-ad (Valderrama Nature Park Manager)
Mobile #: 0926 314 6733
It’s a basic resort with swimming pool. But the LGU is planning to renovate this resort.
Entrance Fee at Villa Valderrama Mountain Resort:
Adult PHP 15
Children PHP 10
Room Rates at Villa Valderrama Mountain Resort
| ROOM TYPE | ROOM RATES |
| Dormitory | PHP 50 |
| Maragtas | PHP 500 |
| Duplex | PHP 500 |
| New Cottage | PHP 300 |
| Conference Room | PHP 300 |
| Sheds (Family) | PHP 75 |
| Shed (Picnic) | PHP 50 |
FIND OTHER HOTELS IN ANTIQUE : CLICK HERE
WHERE TO EAT IN VALDERRAMA:
Take note that there are no eateries or restaurants near Villa Valderrama Mountain Resort. You can dine at eateries downtown Valderrama or buy food there before heading to the resort. If you have a cook set, you can cook your own food.
THINGS TO BRING
Proper hiking gears (shoes, etc)
Jacket
Tent (if you plan to camp overnight)
Sleeping bag
Mosquito repellent
Sunblock lotion
Flashlight
Food and drinks
Stove/cook set
SAMPLE MT.IGCURON/ MT.IGCORON ITINERARY
DAY HIKE MT. IGCURON/ MT.IGCORON SAMPLE ITINERARY
( Shorter hike)
*Start early because getting to the shoulder and the summit is said to be difficult because of the unforgiving sun and the wind.
| TIME | ACTIVITIES |
| Day 1 | |
| 11:00 AM | ETA at Kalibo Airport. |
| 11:15 AM | Lunch at Restaurant outside Kalibo Airport |
| 11:45 AM | Head to Ceres Bus Terminal. Board Ceres Bus to San Jose Antique. Text your contact person (phone number listed above) and tell them your estimated arrival time. |
| 12:15 AM | ETD to Antique. Tell driver you will get off at crossing Ilaures. |
| 02:45 PM | ETA crossing Ilaures. Hire habal-habal to Valderrama |
| 03:15 PM | ETA Valderrama. Hire or meet your habal-habal driver. See contact details above. |
| 03:30 PM | Buy food at eateries for dinner and breakfast before heading to the resort. ETD to Villa Valderrama Resort |
| 03: 45 PM | ETA to Villa Valderrama. Check in. |
| 04:00 PM | Rest or Hike to see the Raffleasia (seasonal). About 45 mins to 1 hour hike from the resort. Ask assistance from the resort, hire a guide. Guide fee is PHP 200, good for 5 people. |
| 06:00 PM | Dinner |
| Day 2 | |
| 04:30 AM | Wake-up call. Freshen up. Breakfast. Bring camera, food and drinks. Avoid bringing heavy bag. You can leave your stuff at the resort. |
| 05:00 AM | ETD to jumping-off point. |
| 05:30 AM | Start trek. |
| 08:30 AM | ETA summit |
| 09:00 AM | Start descent. |
| 11:00 AM | ETA at the jumping off point. |
| 11: 30 AM | ETD to Villa Valderrama Resort |
| 12:00 PM | Back to Villa Valderrama freshen up. Lunch. |
| 01:30 PM | Take habal-habal to Bugasong Highway and wait for bus to Kalibo or Iloilo. |
CAMPING/OVERNIGHT AT MT. IGCURON / MT. IGCORON
(Longer hike)
| TIME | ACTIVITIES |
| DAY 1 | |
| 07:00 AM | Arrival at Iloilo. |
| 07:20 AM | Travel to Ceres Bus Terminal |
| 08:20 AM | ETA at Ceres Bus Terminal. Board bus to San Jose |
| 09:00 AM | ETD to San Jose Antique. Tell the conductor you are getting off at crossing Ilaures. Text or call your driver and guide. inform them of your estimated arrival time. |
| 11:30 AM | ETD at Ilaures. Hire habal-habal to Valderrama town |
| 12:00 PM | ETA at Valderrama. Lunch. |
| 12: 30 PM | Meet your habal-habal driver and guide at Valderrama Town |
| 12:45 PM | Head to jumping off point |
| 01:15 PM | Start trek. |
| 03:15 PM | Arrival at campsite. Set up tent. |
| Day 2 | |
| 04:30 AM | Wake-up call. Breakfast. |
| 05:00 AM | Start trek. Bring only camera, food and drinks. |
| 06:00 AM | ETA shoulder |
| 07:00 AM | Summit. |
| 07: 30 AM | Start descent. |
| 09:00 AM | Back at campsite. Pack tent and stuff. |
| 12:00 PM | Star trek to Brgy. Binangunan. |
| 2:30 PM | Habal-habal to Villa Valderrama. |
| 3:30 PM | ETA at Villa Valderrama resort. Freshen up. Lunch. |
| 4:00 PM | Take habal-habal to Bugasong Highway. Wait for bus to Iloilo or Kalibo. |
SAMPLE BUDGET FOR MT.IGCURON HIKE
| ACTIVITIES | EXPENSES |
| Bus to Ilaures from Kalibo/ Iloilo | PHP 150 (one way) x 2 = PHP 300 |
| Habal habal to Valderrama from Ilaures | PHP 100-PHP 150 |
| Guide Fee | PHP 300 (day hike) / PHP 500 (overnight) good for two |
| Habal-Habal to Villa Valderrama | |
| Villa Valderrama Resort | PHP 75 (Dorm) per person |
| Habal-Habal to jumping off point | |
| Habal-habal to Bugasong Highway | |
| Food | About PHP 100 per meal x 4 = PHP 400 (could be cheaper) |
- This is just a sample itinerary, hiking hour depends on your pace, how fast or slow you hike and where you will start your climb.
- Be extra careful at the knife edge part of mountain.
- This blog is a work in progress. Kindly comment below if you want to add additional information.
