Hours away from the bustling Davao metropolis lies a secluded paradise known as Lake Holon. Located in South Cotabato, a province in Southern Mindanao, Lake Holon offers a tropical charm blended with its freshwater ecosystem, making it a great choice for a retreat or any adventure.
Continuing with our travel guide series, allow me to take you on a tour of this must-visit destination. Here are the top 7 reasons why you should visit Lake Holon.
Photo: Fechi Fajardo
1. Witness a view like no other
We all know that Mindanao has a lot of scenic places to visit, and we’ve documented them all in our Car Rental blog posts, but Lake Holon will still leave you in awe. Take your pick (and take a pic with your camera) from its crystal clear blue waters to its surrounding green pastures. Everything about this place is enchanting!
From the lake itself, you can also witness a view like no other from the top of Mount Melibingoy — also known as Mount Parker — the mountain that surrounds it. The stunning and picturesque view of the place bears a resemblance to paradise. One can actually say this is heaven on earth.
Photo: Jirasupiter
2. Experience mountain trekking
Getting to the best view of Lake Holon requires you to walk by foot, and this in itself is an adventure. First, you need to head to the T’boli Tourism Office to register. A short orientation follows, and you will be asked to pay a certain fee before you proceed.
You have two choices here: the easier route known as the Salacafe trail or the more challenging route, the Kula trail. I happened to choose the latter. I was accompanied by my friends, so I didn’t mind the long walks.
The Kule trail is roughly 7km long and will take you 5 to 6 hours of non-stop walking. If you prefer this route, you need to be at the T’Boli Tourism Office no later than 12 noon as no hikes are allowed past that.
Salacafe, on the other hand, will only take you 3 to 4 hours, so it is much more advisable, especially for those who prefer shorter trekking time. From here and back to the T’boli Tourism Office, you can choose to ride a horse for only P400. A habal-habal or motorcycle ride is also available for P300, and this is good for 2 passengers.
Regardless of which of the two you choose, I assure you that it will be a memorable experience!
Photo: Explora
3. Experience the T’boli culture
A trip to Lake Holon isn’t just any other trip. It’s educational and exploratory. It’s an immersive experience, and you will learn a lot about the colorful and storied culture of the locals here. When we visited a year ago, we were treated with so much hospitality by the T’boli natives, who by the way act as travel guides. They were so kind that they allowed us to live like them. Yes, like living like actual locals — like one of them.
We got to experience feasting and interacting with them, as well as sleeping like true T’boli royalty. How amazing is that? We also got to see how talented their young children are as they danced to the traditional music played by their talented musician mothers. It was just great to see so much talent and so much love for their culture. We can only hope that they will continue to nourish and safeguard their rich heritage.
Photo: Biyahilo
4. Have a taste of the T’boli’s native dishes
No adventure is complete without food, right? In this case, it’s not just any food, but delectable native dishes that tell stories of the history, culture, and lives of the T’boli tribe. The locals here are very fond of native chicken, and for good reasons. The meat of a native chicken is proven to be more nutritious than that of commercial broilers. They are also more flavorful.
From their signature heklafak, which is roasted chicken marinated in herbs and spices, to their own version of chicken tinola, a common dish across the country but more organic and healthier.
But perhaps one dish that tourists should really try is their llolot anok, where the chicken is drenched in herbs and placed inside a bamboo while being cooked over live charcoal. Now, it might sound a bit exotic, but it tastes really great. And for the T’bolis, it’s comfort food that is best eaten and shared with other people, in this case, visitors of Lake Holon.
Photo: Jirasupiter
5. See the cleanest inland body of water in the Philippines
Yes, you read it right. Lake Holon’s 300-hectare wide body of water, which sits at 1,756 meters above sea level, has been hailed as the cleanest inland body of water in the country — so clean that you can actually drink it straight from the lake. No kidding!
No less than the Philippine government awarded Lake Holon that title, and it happened twice — first in 2003 and then in 2004. Furthermore, it was also named one of the world’s “Top 100 Sustainable Destinations” by Green Destinations, a global non-profit foundation that promotes sustainable tourism.
Photo: Jirasupiter
6. Do swimming, kayaking and canoeing
Ever wonder what it’s like swimming in the cleanest lake in the Philippines? Well, you are actually permitted to do so, albeit with caution. Swimming is a great way to observe Lake Holon and its natural beauty. Note that you can only swim during the daytime, as swimming after dark is prohibited for safety reasons. It is also advisable to have the proper gear for protection, so make sure to add them to your must-bring items.
If you’re not interested in swimming, you can try kayaking instead. Enjoy the fresh air and water, free from littering and pollution, while paddling in a kayak on Lake Holon. A kayak can be rented for just P200 per head.
For those who prefer not to swim or kayak, you can choose to go boating. Canoeing provides a fantastic view of Lake Holon. There’s not a lot of effort involved; you just need to relax and enjoy the sightseeing. There’s nothing quite like enjoying nature’s splendor and seeing its reflection on the surface.
Canoeing is available at Station 5.
Photo: Jirasupiter
7. Experience overnight camping like never before
End your day with a relaxing and amazing camping experience with a scenic nighttime view of Lake Holon. Campers are very much accommodated and allowed here. You just need to secure a tent from the T’boli Tourism Office. It is not free, so make sure to rent one upon your arrival. Of course, it’s best if you can bring your own.
If you love the idea of resting in nature, camping overnight at Lake Holon is really a great idea!
How to get to Lake Holon
Interested in visiting Lake Holon? You have two choices: take the bus or rent a private vehicle.
1. Taking the Bus
From the Davao Ecoland Terminal, you can ride the bus that passes by General Santos. Trip will be around 5 hours. The bus is bound for Korinadal-Marbel so take note of that. From there you need to transfer to a van with a sign board ”Direct T’boli”. This will take another hour of travel time.
2. Renting a car
Commuting just to get to Lake Holon is a bit of a hassle so renting a vehicle is more advisable. After all, the whole point of travelling is to experience new things and have some fun, right?
If you need one for your trip, contact Car Rental Davao. Whether you’re travelling to Lake Holon alone or with family, on a short or long-term car rental basis, we can secure a unit for you. If you’re based in Davao, we can drop off the unit at your preferred location, or if you’re flying straight to the city, we can also have the unit picked up at the airport.
By choosing to rent a car, you can shorten the trip to 4 hours, or even less. And you will surely have a more comfortable and relaxing trip.
How to contact the T’boli Tourism Office
Landline: 083 237 1205
Mobile: 09072832968