Up more than a hundred meters above the emerald waters of Boracay, we spied three small beaches lined with the island’s celebrated white powdery sand. These, unfortunately, falls near a land owned by a big resort and are usually off limits to the public. It was something we wouldn’t have seen if not for the vantage point we were in. No, we’re not on a helicopter tour of Boracay, we’re somewhere a lot cheaper but with relatively the same view sans the mobility, Mount Luho.

HOW ABOUT A VISIT TO MOUNT LUHO?

It was almost lunchtime but we were still waiting for one of our friends to arrive in Boracay. With nothing to do, one of the staff at Ferra Hotel Boracay suggested we visit the nearby Mount Luho. Well, we’re still full from their breakfast buffet anyways, so why not.

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A BOY ROLLING WITH THE WAVES AT BULABOG BEACH

Going there took us through Bulabog Beach, popular for its water activities rather than its sand, then up through a hilly road, dodging buggy and ATV riders, and finally to the drop-off point where the hike going up the mountain’s peak is located. It’s actually walkable from Bulabog Beach, but if you don’t fancy walking uphill, you can flag down a tricycle for about PHP150.00, one way.

► SEE: BORACAY TRAVEL GUIDE

GOING UP TO MOUNT LUHO ON CONCRETE STAIRS

Non-hikers that we are, we were bracing for a trek—we’re going up the peak, right? But we were assured that it’s very easy, Mount Luho, being quite low for a mountain. And easy it was. Paying for the requisite PHP120.00 entrance fee, the trail leading upwards is made up of concrete stairs and didn’t take ten minutes. My kind of apex assault, lol.

THE ORIGINAL MOUNT LUHO VIEW POINT

Mount Luho actually has three view decks that I know of. The oldest one, Stoy Mt. Luho Viewpoint, seemed off limits at the time. This is the one with the wooden bridge and bamboo viewpoint. The second one, the Mt. Luho View Deck, with a proclamation that it’s new and safe on its sign board, is where we went. And third one, Happy Planet, which is accessed on a different part of the mountain, is the one with the cable car and zipline rides.

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CABLE CAR RIDE AT MOUNT LUHO, IT’S NOT THE CABLE CAR THAT YOU IMAGINED

There is actually a fourth one being built during our visit. And they said it would even be higher than the highest one to date, Mt. Luho View Deck.

THE NEWER MT. LUHO VIEW DECK

Okay, so we went to the second one. The stairs going up was littered with animals in cages, which I guess is a zoo of sorts. It was actually more sad than endearing. The animals having limited space and the cages in not so clean condition. I hope the owner would reconsider transferring these on proper places instead of adding them as attraction to the view deck. I mean, the view should be enough to make people go here.

STRIKE A POSE AREA

The view deck is actually a series of platforms set on a skeleton steel structure. On the first level, they have a deck extending out with a heart-shaped bouquet that can frame a couple with a view of Boracay below. There’s no additional fee for this, but there’s a donation box, in case you’re feeling generous.

BAR AND SNACK AREA

The second level, has a newly opened mini bar and snack area, complete with tables and chairs. And on the final deck, there’s nothing but the view; a three-sixty view of Boracay Island.

A VIEW OF LAPUZ LAPUZ AND ILIG-ILIGAN BEACH FROM THE DECK

Turning counter-clockwise from the north, you can see the three beaches of Lapuz Lapuz—all private beaches from the Fairways & Bluewater Newcoast Resort; farther onwards, the public Ilig-Iligan Beach spreads its sands. Turning left, the undulating golf greens and structures of Fairways fill the view before the treetops again rule the island.

FAIRWAYS’ GOLF COURSE AND RESORT

HIGH TIDE AT BULABOG BEACH

Southwards, the view opens towards Bulabog Beach’s almost two-kilometer stretch. It was actually the first time I noticed how long this beach is and how interesting its southern end looks like. It made me want to see more of this beach next time I visit Boracay.

NABAS WINDMILLS AS SEEN FROM MOUNT LUHO

The famous Boracay White Beach is hidden from view, being at the other side of Bulabog, but the Nabas Windmills from mainland Aklan, which you can see from the beach, looks much more beautiful from this vantage.

THE VIEWING DECK IS HIGHER THAN MOUNT LUHO

We spent quite a long time at the topmost deck, taking everything in and endlessly snapping away with our cameras. It was high noon at the time and we endured the scorching midday sun just for the view.

NORTHERN VIEW OF BORACAY ISLAND FROM MOUNT LUHO

The entrance fee going to the Mount Luho View Deck isn’t really cheap, but almost everything in Boracay is expensive. If you have cash to spare, a visit to Mount Luho, especially during sunset is definitely worth your hundred and twenty pesos. It’s a chance to see Boracay from a different perspective without burning through your bank account for a chopper ride.

Mount Luho View Deck
Address: Boracay Mount Luho Road, Brgy. Balabag, Boracay Island, Aklan
Opening Hours: 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Entrance Fee: PHP120.00
GPS Coordinates Map: 11.976602, 121.928802

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