Pamulaklakin Forest Trail
Pamulaklakin Forest Trail
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Pamulaklakin Forest Trail and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
23 within 5 kms
Attractions
10 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
36 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
15
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
riazam_94
3 contributions
Dec 2019
During Christmas, our whole family went on a light trek at this forest trail with one of the female Aeta guides named Nene. Apparently they have tours even during the holidays. It was a pleasant and serene experience being surrounded by nature, and Nene was very knowledgable in medicinal plants used by Aetas. Afterwards, we requested for a demonstration on how to make fire from bamboo, which was done by Tata Kasoy Liwanag. He was very engaging and funny, and demonstrated other survival skills as well, such as making utensils and basic weapons out of bamboo. I recommend bringing uncooked rice and chicken, as they also demonstrate cooking, which we weren't able to do, but maybe next time. It was quite simple, but would definitely recommend this as it was a refreshing and new experience for our family.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jbajba
Manila, Philippines86 contributions
Oct 2021
With kids and granny tagging along, this was a good option for a half day visit. The fee is 100 pesos per person and a local will guide you down to the stream. We saw some bikers making use of the trail. You can have a little picnic if that is your taste, although the place to picnic is good for only 1 family ( maybe 2 the most).
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
archlgn
Manila, Philippines12 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
We were a group of 14. All boys. We started out at 9 am with our guide, Miguel. The tour cost 250 pesos a head and would last about 1-1/2 to 2 hours. We had pre-ordered a lechon (suckling pig) to be served when it was ready. The pig takes three hours to prepare. Rice would be cooked in bamboo shoots. This would cost 5,000 pesos. The lechon would be good for 20 people.
Money well spent.
The trail guide was wizened aeta (or aboriginal tribesman) who takes you down a trail that goes into the jungle, beside and across a pristine creek, and up and down some rough terrain.
The scenery is beautiful. The guide pointed out the different kinds of trees and their uses, used his bolo (machete) to make different implements, made a fire, all the while telling stories about the jungle, and answering all your questions. Lots of interesting info.
Miguel is an active trainer for jungle warfare for the Philippine armed forces, and his dad served the US Navy and Marines when they still had the base.
One should be in fairly good condition to do this but if you aren’t, just pace yourself. Miguel had an assistant who stayed at the rear and helped laggards across hard terrain.
At the end we feasted on the lechon which was served on banana leaves with the rice steaming. Following the local custom, we invited the guides and the cook to join us.
Money well spent.
The trail guide was wizened aeta (or aboriginal tribesman) who takes you down a trail that goes into the jungle, beside and across a pristine creek, and up and down some rough terrain.
The scenery is beautiful. The guide pointed out the different kinds of trees and their uses, used his bolo (machete) to make different implements, made a fire, all the while telling stories about the jungle, and answering all your questions. Lots of interesting info.
Miguel is an active trainer for jungle warfare for the Philippine armed forces, and his dad served the US Navy and Marines when they still had the base.
One should be in fairly good condition to do this but if you aren’t, just pace yourself. Miguel had an assistant who stayed at the rear and helped laggards across hard terrain.
At the end we feasted on the lechon which was served on banana leaves with the rice steaming. Following the local custom, we invited the guides and the cook to join us.
Written February 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaoB915
United States21 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
You have all the elements of an Indiana Jones movie. A tropical jungle, streams and rivers to cross, vines and trees for jungle survival, and the Aetas, an indigenous tribe.
Our guide Michelle was very knowledgeable and personable. She showed us what the purpose was for the different plants and trees and in fact used one of the plants for a wound my partner suffered. My partner also broke out in hives due to the heat and perspiration and our guide came up with another leaf to soothe her ailment. Both medicinal leaves worked like magic!
Michelle tailored our trek to our fitness level and interest. A typical tour takes 2-3 hours. You can also bring a picnic and your guide will grill your food and cook rice wrapped in leaves inside a bamboo.
The water is clear and there are areas perfect for children wherein the depth is shallow. Cool, refreshing water running through the stream, the sound of birds calling, aroma from grilled food.
Will definitely be planning another trek soon.
Our guide Michelle was very knowledgeable and personable. She showed us what the purpose was for the different plants and trees and in fact used one of the plants for a wound my partner suffered. My partner also broke out in hives due to the heat and perspiration and our guide came up with another leaf to soothe her ailment. Both medicinal leaves worked like magic!
Michelle tailored our trek to our fitness level and interest. A typical tour takes 2-3 hours. You can also bring a picnic and your guide will grill your food and cook rice wrapped in leaves inside a bamboo.
The water is clear and there are areas perfect for children wherein the depth is shallow. Cool, refreshing water running through the stream, the sound of birds calling, aroma from grilled food.
Will definitely be planning another trek soon.
Written April 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
otezabal
Euskal Herria2 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
We were so excited about this visit after reading so many positive reviews, we decided to choose the overnight option for 500php. We were three adults and two kids, 11 and 6. We paid 2.000 for four persons, then 500 for the food and surprisingly we had to pay extra 500 to hire a camping tent for overnighting. (I had thought we'd be sleeping in a hut or so). We started walking following our guide, and about 200 metres from the starting point the guide sits down and tells us that we're going to stay there. First he said that it would be for a while, to let us enjoy the spot, then he said it was a good place to prepare our meal, then that the sun was too hot and we had to insist a lot to get him guide us in a just ninety minutes slow walk through a forest area close to the main road. The guide showed us one single plant. allegedly used to treat asma, not a single animal, not even a bird, but a huge metallic electrical tower. He sat down to smoke a cigarrette just fifteen minutes after departure and he didn't do it again just because we didn't hide how upset we were with that. The guy, called Miguel, liked to show his skills cooking but was too lazy to walk and showed no enthusiasm in what he was doing. Maybe because he's 60 years old and fed up with working. I had also hoped that he'd help us prepare a bed made of leaves or so to set the camping tent on a soft ground, but we had to sleep directly on the hard ground of the picnic area.
Summarizing, this is not a real forest but a just a tiny picnic area (very cozy, that's true) close to the highway. Even if our guide insisted that the Aeta live in their 4.700 hectares wide forest, hunting wild huns with wire traps, and that there are plenty of birds and monkeys there, the area where we walked was not bigger than just 5 hectares, and so poor in wild life. So, don't choose the overnight option and don't hope anything else than a very beautiful picnic area with a few very interesting uses of bamboo to cook, to grill and to get dishes, glases forks and spoons out of it. Choose the cheap picnic program or if you prefer the ecological trail option dont take Miguel as your guide.
Summarizing, this is not a real forest but a just a tiny picnic area (very cozy, that's true) close to the highway. Even if our guide insisted that the Aeta live in their 4.700 hectares wide forest, hunting wild huns with wire traps, and that there are plenty of birds and monkeys there, the area where we walked was not bigger than just 5 hectares, and so poor in wild life. So, don't choose the overnight option and don't hope anything else than a very beautiful picnic area with a few very interesting uses of bamboo to cook, to grill and to get dishes, glases forks and spoons out of it. Choose the cheap picnic program or if you prefer the ecological trail option dont take Miguel as your guide.
Written February 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RakMaew
Melbourne, Australia41 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
Initially I was reluctant to get a guide as I thought I could walk around this myself and it was a pain to have to pay extra for this but it was worth it as it saved my life! Make no mistake there are deadly snakes in this forest. My sharp eyed guide spotted a spitting Philippine cobra at a water crossing we were about to make and said to also be wary of vipers in the trees. It was a great walk after that. To get there despite a guide book saying you could get there by public transport I saw no such service in the Freeport zone so I just got a taxi and got his number to pick me up again. They can organize a guide for you at the starting point. My guide was a highly knowledgeable local with top notch bush skills and also knew a lot about the history of the area.
Written June 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Butil
Tokyo, Japan32 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
Did a short one trek with a guide from the aeta indigenous tribe, while another one was preparing our lunch by the river. We chose the short route because we were with a 7 year old child and a 72 year old grandmother. A longer route and overnight jungle escapade is available for the more adventurous ones.
During the trek, we were introduced to the basics of jungle survival, from medicinal plants to “water trees”. How to start a fire was amazing for the kids. They went home with a free souvenir of cup and “sfork” made of bamboo, personally made by our guide.
We did some barbeque and cooked rice in a bamboo. The rice just came out fantastic! Then came the boodle fight enjoyed by everyone.
It was also an opportunity to ask about the life of the eatas and how the local government is helping them and supporting their culture and way of life. They speak some English so communication should not be a major issue.
I coordinated with a local community member before the visit and was given very informative options. Since we were arriving quite early, she made sure that there was already somebody waiting for us.
It is best to go early morning to avoid the heat; wear long pants and caps. Bring extra water, though bottled water can be bought from a small shop at the entrance of the park. Toilet is also available, but don’t expect too much. This is the jungle anyway.
The trek was very educational, fun, and at the same time an opportunity to support the indigenous community.
During the trek, we were introduced to the basics of jungle survival, from medicinal plants to “water trees”. How to start a fire was amazing for the kids. They went home with a free souvenir of cup and “sfork” made of bamboo, personally made by our guide.
We did some barbeque and cooked rice in a bamboo. The rice just came out fantastic! Then came the boodle fight enjoyed by everyone.
It was also an opportunity to ask about the life of the eatas and how the local government is helping them and supporting their culture and way of life. They speak some English so communication should not be a major issue.
I coordinated with a local community member before the visit and was given very informative options. Since we were arriving quite early, she made sure that there was already somebody waiting for us.
It is best to go early morning to avoid the heat; wear long pants and caps. Bring extra water, though bottled water can be bought from a small shop at the entrance of the park. Toilet is also available, but don’t expect too much. This is the jungle anyway.
The trek was very educational, fun, and at the same time an opportunity to support the indigenous community.
Written March 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bubong
Subic, Philippines112 contributions
Apr 2013 • Business
This is forest trail accessible via the golf course road, leading to the Binictican housing areas. Don't just go for the trail, be creative and pay your guides to prepare lunch for you by the creek. They can whip up a traditional feast for you with viands and rice cooked in bamboo over a fire. Best for groups. Haggle with the locals. You budget will determine what they can prepare for you.
Written June 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
New_YLOO
Philippines7,569 contributions
Feb 2013 • Couples
Pamulaklakin trail is a guided trek through the Subic Pamulaklakin forest. A native aeta takes you along, showing the uses of different tress and plants (did you know that the branches of a particular tree can give you water to drink?).
Teh trail lasts 3 hours, and is moderately difficult. Wear full sleeves clothes with arms and legs covered to be on the safe side. Take a big hat, shades and water along with you.
For more details and photos, see my Pamulaklakin trail blog post - http://expattraveller.blogspot.com/
Teh trail lasts 3 hours, and is moderately difficult. Wear full sleeves clothes with arms and legs covered to be on the safe side. Take a big hat, shades and water along with you.
For more details and photos, see my Pamulaklakin trail blog post - http://expattraveller.blogspot.com/
Written April 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tjel
San Fernando, Philippines514 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
I have been going to Subic many many times and this is the only time that I found out there is this and it is amazing. Firsf off, whether you have your own car or take the cab (₱200), finding it is easy and quick. Second, do not come hungry. This place is educational and ok for kids. It will embark a deep sense of understanding of nature and the Aeta culture. Enjoy their love and humility. We all need it.
Written February 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, can you share how you got in touch with a tour guide for this trail? thanks!
Written November 5, 2024
Id like visit in april this area. Im photographer and Id like have one contact for book good guide for this area.
Written January 30, 2023
richardmperalta
Manila, Philippines
hi, can we do mountain biking trail inside the park, how much is the entrance fee for that? thank you so much.
Written October 5, 2019
I do not recall that being one of the options. It is noisy and environmentally damaging.
Written October 6, 2019
Could you tell me how to get to Pamulaklakin Forest from Olongapo Habor point?
I want to get in Bus., not Taxi.
Written May 21, 2019
Can we go there as walk-in or should we have a reservation placed before hand?
Also, we cannot contact you at the posted contact number.
Written January 8, 2019
What kind of activities can you offer for 6-8 adults?
Written February 18, 2018
It’s a quick hike and it’e very educational. The place is accessible and is not too crowded. It will be a nice experience. A tour guide is a must.
Written March 5, 2018
_helsbels1002000
Gold Coast, Australia
Hello! How much time is needed to travel return to Manila and enjoy the forest?
Written April 14, 2016
Better book a hotel in Subic, lots of things to do there, with Manila traffic, day trip might not be enough time.
Written April 15, 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 11
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing