Casino Peak: There’s A HIDDEN Innate BEAUTY Behind HIS Weird Name

The uncomfortable feeling starting to crawl, telling me I can’t leave. It remains a reason to stop blending with my desire to flirt with the mountains again. It dragged me back to the place where I suppose to leave. It annoys me, it gives me reason to embrace the drudging weekend. But I was trying to remind myself that whatever my stomach is going to behave, I would still be going because I know that the mountain is calling me once more. Struggling with my uncomfortable feeling while traipsing my feet on the morning street scene of Cebu City going to South Bus Terminal is somehow have mollified me. We got an early Bus trip going to Dalaguete, Cebu so we could begin an early trek to Casino Peak.

Photo Credit: James of ASANASADSIJAMES

Our trek was in reality part of our pre-climb since we have to be well prepared for our coming major climb in which I’ll be sharing it as well soon. Hence, our weekend was bidden by the 3 Peaks located in the southern part of Cebu and they’re all situated in the Peaceful and windy town of Dalaguete. The Casino Peak, which was recently getting its name known and this is the first Peak that I’m going to share.  Another one is the well-known Osmeña Peak and one of the crowded Peaks in Cebu, maybe because it is really easy to reach due to the concreted road going to the jump off area. The last Peak that we have visited on that same day was the Kandungaw Peak in which I’ll be sharing about it as well.

Photo Credit: Sean of His Hidden Letters

Casino Peak is not yet known to everyone, it is actually the opposite view when you’re standing on the stunning peak of Osmeña Peak. At first, the name itself is enticing and seemed so mystical. I was guessing that there must have been a group of people who used to gamble on top of the Peak that’s why they named it “Casino Peak”. But upon reaching the foot of Casino Peak, I was granted a chance to ask the locals who happens to actually cleaning their carrot farm. One of the locals whom I have asked said that the peak was called after the owner of the land named “Seno”. Locals called it as “Kang Seno” or “Ka Seno”. A Visayan word means “Owned by Seno”. “This is where the “Ka Seno” or recognized now as “Casino Peak” or “Lugsangan Peak”, which is located in Lugsangan, Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines.

The jump off area of Casino Peak can be reached by riding a motorcycle from the main Highway of Dalaguete. But since we desire to make it sounds like a challenging trek, we then trek from the Mantalongon Market going to Casino Peak. The trail was not that challenging at all since the road is already concreted, but what makes it challenging was the clinging heat of the sunlight. After the sweating trek, we were able to arrive at the drop off area after almost 2 hours of trek while I was still suffering from a disturbing stomach pain.

We were welcomed by a pacifying grin of the locals the moment we set foot at the jump off area. They volunteered to guide us going to the Peak, but since one of our friends have already been to the Peak, we didn’t say yes to their offer, but we thank them for extending their kindness. At the Jump off area, you’ll be seeing a sign that says Casino Peak is just 450 meters away. But according to the locals, they said that the Tourism office have just measured the distance from the jump off area going to the Peak and they said it’s 566 meters. There was a wooden bench and the umbrageous tree at the jump off area that grants us time to rest before going to the Peak.

After we had a short rest and as we about to ascend to the Peak. There are young little boy told us that it will entirely take them around 5 minutes going to the Peak. I was smiling while gazing to the Sharp edges of the Peak while thinking that it might likely take me around 15-20 minutes going to the Peak which I got it right. While moving up, I didn’t appreciate the mountain view below cause it seems like just an ordinary one. Only while I keep going to the higher ground, the real innate beauty of Casino Peak is slowly revealed. There were locals whom we have encountered while on our way to the Peak and I was granted a chance to know that they were actually cleaning their land that is full of carrot plants. And we also get the opportunity to talk to them.

The trail from the jump off area is consists of a rocky path and a small green grass. It is in some way made me exude clear liquid from my sweat glands because the track was a bit steep and have truly caused me to breathe laboriously. Soon enough, we reach the Peak with the fresh air that welcomes us and the panoramic views of a jagged hill which is a resemblance to the well-known chocolate hills of Bohol. We are so lucky during our visit cause there were no other travelers that time except us and we owned the place during our stay. It was really a great time for us, for we were able to commune with the innate beauty of Casino Peak.

Standing at the Peak, I was able to see the  pinnacle of a jagged hill that bears a long scree slope on their flanks. It renders a very rough semi black igneous rock which provides a superb grip for mountaineers and non-mountaineers. The summit has bare rock, jagged in outline, and with steep cliffs and deep cut corries and gullies. A lot of travelers who compare the peak as it almost similar in physique to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. But seeing Casino Peak on the other side is thinner, sharper-pointed and rocky, unlike the Chocolate Hills of Bohol that looks like a giant mole hill or some say, a cone-shaped Hills. But actually, If you are standing and facing on the other side of the Casino Peak, you’ll be seeing a stunning hill that really looks like the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. This is something what Osmeña Peak can’t provide and in my own opinion, Casino Peak offers a better view than the Osmeña Peak.

Photo Credit: James of ASANASADSIJAMES

On top of the Peak, there is a narrow line of rock that contains a sharp edges on both sides which looks like a sturdy rock bridge with a just a small space to step on. We all love challenging stuff and passing the other tip is somehow scary, but fun cause by just making a wrong step, you’ll surely be saying goodbye. There’s also a scary spot where you get to climb to the sharp edge of the rocky cliff and you can choose to just stand or sit while enjoying the view and of course have yourself being photographed. I wasn’t able to stand, cause I was scared hence, I was just sitting while gazing at the sensational view of Casino Peak.

Photo Credit: James of ASANASADSIJAMES

 

Photo Credit: James of ASANASADSIJAMES

Whatever you do and see on top of Casino Peak is just amazing. The panoramic view of a bunch of green jagged peaks and rolling hills will surely pacify you. Embracing the fresh breeze as it kissed your surface and whatever view you capture with your Camera will spell amazing and would leave you in awe. Since we own the place during our visit, we all bear a perfect moment to capture beautiful photos without bothering about the crowd. We actually didn’t know that we have spent about 2 hours on top of the Peak without any shade of trees. We didn’t bother to think about the clinging heat of the sun and we genuinely have enjoyed.

While we were at the peak, we were trying to figure out where is Osmeña Peak, and we did. It was actually on the opposite side of the Casino Peak. From where  we stand, we were able to see the People on top of Osmeña Peak, which I was also thinking if they could able to see us. After truly enjoying the innate beauty of Casino Peak, we have decided to get down cause it’s already pass noon and we haven’t had our lunch. We still set out to walk from the Casino Peak to Osmeña Peak like around more than an hour since two or three of our friends haven’t been traipsing their feet to Osmeña Peak. Another sweating walk going to Osmeña Peak and we have enjoyed it. From Osmeña Peak we again walk going to Mantalongon Public Market for more than an hour and we finally had our lunch around 4:00 PM.

Note:

The whole trip was part of our pre-climb for our coming major climb. What we did was we trek from the Mantalongon Market going to Casino Peak like around 2 hours. From Casino Peak, we trek going to Osmeña Peak like more than an hour and from Osmeña Peak we again trek going to Mantalongon Market for more than an hour. Kandungaw Peak is a bit far and we don’t hold enough time, so we ended up riding a motorcycle going to the drop off area, then we trek like around an hour going to the Peak.

Also Check:

• Osmeña Peak: Cebu’s Highest PEAK with the Stunning View Of Jagged HILLS
• Kandungaw Peak: A Picture-Perfect Peak That Challenges Those That Have A FEAR of Heights

HOW TO GET TO CASINO PEAK

Take a bus at the South Bus Terminal bound for Oslob or Bato. Ask the driver to drop you off at Dalaguete junction. Travel time is about 3 hours, (The fare is not more than PHP 150 with Aircon Bus).  The crossing is populated with bakeries and motorcycles (habal-habal). From there, ride a motorcycle (habal-habal). Usually the fare going directly to the nearest jump off spot at the foot of Casino Peak is PHP 100 to 150 per person. (As of the date I’m writing this blog, there is no fix fare rate yet, it may change anytime) The travel time is 30-45 minutes.

What we did was we rode a motorcycle from the crossing of Dalaguete going to Mantalungon market. The fare is Php 50.00 and from the market, we trek from the market going to Casino Peak like around 2 hours.

There are no registration fees to be collected yet as of May 2017. If you are a first timer, you can request for a guide going to the Peak at the jump off area.

TRAVEL TIPS 

• Drinking water is not readily available, especially when you’re at the Peak.  Hence, I advise you to bring adequate drinking water.
• I advise you bring your umbrella or apply your sunscreen on your skin for the clinging heat of the sun could be really that bad.
• Expect heavy fogs anytime, especially during the rainy season for the month of June to December.
• If you’re planning to camp here, I would suggest that you better camp in the Osmeña Peak than in the Casino Peak since, there’s only a small space for camping and the wind can be very strong. Also, the camping space is not that advisable because personally, I don’t find it a dependable place to camp. Make sure to be very careful with the sharp edge of the rocks as well.
• Please, be always kind to nature, don’t break its innate beauty.
• We can’t predict the weather, so you better bring your dry bag to put all your gadgets and camera when it rains.
• If you wish to have your snacks or meal at the summit, please take responsibility of your garbage, make sure to bring them all with you and don’t leave your garbage there.
• Please remember to leave no trace behind. Take full care of our mother nature. Just enjoy and be responsible enough.

NOTE: 

This is part of our 2 days and 1 night trip, visiting the 3 Peaks in Dalaguete, Cebu. The Casino Peak, Osmeña Peak and Kandungaw Peak.

 

POSSIBLE TRAVEL EXPENSES

• Fare from Cebu to Dalaguete – Php 120.00
• Fare from Highway Dalaguete to Mantalongon Market – Php 50.00
• Mantalongon Market to the jump off area of Kandungaw Peak – Php 50.00
• Kandungaw Peak Entrance Fee – Php 30.00
• Kandungaw Peak Camping Tent Space fee – Php 50.00
• Kandungaw Peak to Mantalungon Market –Php 50.00
• Mantalongon Market to Dalaguete National Highway – Php 50.00
• Dalaguete to Cebu City – Php 120.00
• Food and water for 2 days and 1 night – Php 450.00

        TOTAL EXPENSES – Php 970.00 

 

SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR THE WHOLE TRIP

DAY 1 

• 03:00 AM – Meet up at the South Bus Terminal
• 03:30 AM – Depart for Dalaguete
• 06:30 AM – ETA Dalaguete
• 06:40 AM – Breakfast
• 08:00 AM – Depart for Mantalungon Market
• 08:30 AM – ETA Mantalongon Market
• 08:40 AM – Buying some food
• 09:00 AM – Hike going to Casino Peak
• 11:00 AM – ETA Casino Peak
• 11:10 AM – Enjoying the Peak (Picture taking)
• 12:30 PM – Hike going to Osmeña Peak
• 02:00 PM – ETA Osmeña Peak
• 02:10 PM – Rest (Picture taking)
• 03:00 PM – Hike going to Mantalungon Market
• 04:00 PM – ETA Mantalungon Market
• 04:10 PM – Having our Late Lunch
• 04:30 PM – Depart for Kandungaw Peak Jump off area
• 05:00 PM – ETA Kandungaw Peak jump off area (Registration and paying of fees)
• 05:10 PM – Hike going to Kandungaw Peak
• 06:00 PM – ETA – Kandungaw Peak
• 06:10 PM – Setting up the camping tent.
• 07:30 PM – Dinner
• 08:30 PM – Social (Camping game)
• 10:00 PM – Star Gazing
• 11:00 PM – Rest time

DAY 2 

• 07:00 AM – Wake Up Call
• 07:30 AM – Prepare for breakfast
• 08:30 AM – Breakfast
• 09:30 AM – Cleaning the Camping site
• 10:30 AM – Exploring Kandungaw Peak (Picture Taking)
• 12:10 PM – Hike going to the jump off area
• 12:40 PM – ETA Kandungaw Peak Jump Off area (Rest & snack time)
• 01:00 PM – Depart for Sergio’s Farm and Maloray Rice Terraces
• 01:10 PM – ETA Maloray Rice Terraces
• 01:30 PM – Depart for Mantalungon Market
• 02:00 PM – ETA Mantalungon Market (Late Lunch and rest)
• 02:30 PM Depart for Dalaguete National Highway
• 03:00 PM ETA Dalaguete National Highway
• 03:30 PM – Depart for Cebu City
• 06:30 PM – ETA Cebu City
• 07:30 PM – Home sweet home.

 

SPECIAL THANKS 

I would like to thank Master Arnold of Wandering Soul Scamper for the invitation and for planning the whole trip. To John Jay of Wandering Feet PH, James of ASANASADSIJAMES, Sean of His Hidden Letters, Vanessa and RJ. Thank you so much guys for the fun filled adventure that I have experienced together with you all. See you all on our next adventure again!