MT. APO: THE HIGHEST PEAK IN THE PHILIPPINES

Mt. Apo, a dormant volcano and the highest mountain the country, is favorite destination, treks may be arranged with tour agencies. The trek starts only after a bus ride to Kidapawan, 107 kilometers south of Davao City, a 12-kilometer jeep ride to Barangay Ginatilan, and a five-kilometer jeepney ride to Barangay Ilomavis. From there, the climb begins. Trekkers will find on the slopes forest of exotic flora, steaming geysers, rainwater lakes, swift-flowing rivers, and cascading waterfalls.Peak of Mt. Apo

After four days of leisurely trek, you are bound to see the Agko Blue Lake, a steaming lake with some parts that are icy cold and others that are boiling hot; Lake Venado, an irregularly shaped expanse bordered by a think carpet of bermuda grass; and the Mt. Apo Crater.

Mt. Apo is home to the endangered Philippine Eagle, the world's tallest eagle species at one meter high and, with a wing span of about 2.5 meters, the largest. The eagle preys on monkeys, flying lemurs, flying squirrels and, occasionally, pigs nd goats. The mountain is also a sanctuary for some rare birds such as the flycatcher, fairy blue birds, flower catchers, coltos, doves, sunbirds, and racket-tailed parrots.