Nepenthes of the Philippines

MANILA TO SIBUYAN

Our expedition begins in Manila, where we meet before travelling south to Batangas and boarding our overnight ferry to Sibuyan Island.

As we leave Luzon behind, we cross the Sibuyan Sea towards one of the most biologically remarkable islands in the Philippines. Often described as the “Galápagos of Asia” because of its exceptional biodiversity and isolation, Sibuyan is dominated by rugged mountains and extensive forests that harbour numerous endemic plants and animals.

We spend the night aboard the ferry, arriving on Sibuyan early the following morning ready to
begin the first mountain expedition of our journey.

Overnight: Ferry to Sibuyan.

ASCENT OF MT GUITING-GUITING

Our first great botanical adventure takes us into the spectacular mountains of Sibuyan, climbing from the tropical lowlands through increasingly cool montane forest towards the exposed, cloud-swept ridges above.

Over the following days, we trek deep into this remarkable wilderness, camping in the mountains and exploring the changing vegetation as we gain elevation. Orchids, ferns and other tropical plants line the route, but our principal objectives are the extraordinary Nepenthes that grow across the mountain.

The first species we encounter are Nepenthes armin and N. graciliflora, growing in openings in the forest as we climb. Higher still, we find N. sibuyanensis, a spectacular species found only on Sibuyan and renowned for its large pitchers.

We then ascend towards the highest point of the island, Mount Guiting-Guiting, following the spectacular serrated ridge that forms the backbone of the mountain. High above the forests of Sibuyan, this dramatic ridge cuts through the clouds in a succession of sharp peaks, rocky pinnacles and exposed sections of mountain terrain.

Along the ridge and towards the summit grows the remarkable Nepenthes argentii — one of the smallest species in the entire genus.
Reaching these plants requires a demanding mountain trek, but seeing these extraordinary species growing naturally amongst the mist and vegetation of Sibuyan’s highlands is one of the great highlights of the expedition.

After exploring the high mountain habitats, we descend through the forests and return to the lowlands.

Overnight: Camping on Mount Guiting-Guiting.

SIBUYAN TO MANILA

After our adventure in the mountains, today we leave the highlands of Sibuyan behind and begin our journey back towards Manila.

The overnight crossing allows us to cover much of the journey while we sleep, arriving in Batangas early the following morning. From here, we continue towards Manila and begin our journey south to Mindanao, where a very different landscape – and an entirely new assemblage of Nepenthes – awaits.

Overnight: Ferry to Batangas

SOUTH TO MINDANAO

Arriving in Batangas early this morning, we leave the ferry and continue north towards Manila, before transferring to the airport for our flight south to Davao on the island of Mindanao.

Flying across the Philippines gives us a wonderful perspective on this vast island nation, with countless islands scattered across the tropical seas below. On arrival in Davao, we meet our local team and continue overland towards the mountains of southeastern Mindanao.

The landscapes become increasingly rural as we leave the city behind, eventually reaching the foothills of our next mountain adventure. Here we settle into our accommodation, prepare our equipment and rest ahead of tomorrow’s ascent.

Overnight: Southeastern Mindanao.

ASCENT OF MOUNT HAMIGUITAN

Today we begin the ascent of Mount Hamiguitan, the second great mountain journey of our expedition. Our route takes us through changing tropical forest towards increasingly unusual ultramafic habitats, where mineral-rich soils have helped create a distinctive landscape
of stunted forest and specialised vegetation. This mountain supports an exceptional concentration of endemic plants and is among the most important botanical environments in the Philippines.

As we climb, we begin searching for the extraordinary Nepenthes of the mountain. One of the first species we see is Nepenthes peltata, a striking species characterised by its distinctive foliage and spectacular pitchers. We also search for the diminutive N. micramphora, whose small pitchers provide a remarkable contrast to some of the giants encountered elsewhere during our journey.

Other highlights include Nepenthes alfredoi and N. justinae, adding further to the remarkable diversity of pitcher plants we hope to encounter as we explore the mountain’s changing habitats.

Higher on the mountain, we search for Nepenthes hamiguitanensis, another remarkable pitcher plant associated with these highland habitats, alongside orchids, ferns and a wealth of other endemic flora. We pass a beautiful double cascade called Twin Falls, and look for ant plants and blooms of the spectacular Paphiopedilum adductum.

We have a full day to explore and photograph these plants in their natural environment before beginning our descent. As we return through the forests, we leave the mountains behind and start our journey north through Mindanao towards Surigao and the final island of ourexpedition: Dinagat.

Overnight: Camping on Mount Hamiguitan.

NORTH TO DINAGAT ISLAND

After completing our exploration of Mount Hamiguitan, today we continue north towards Surigao, travelling through the changing landscapes of the island on our way to the coast.

From Surigao, we cross the narrow waters separating Mindanao from Dinagat Island, a rugged and remarkably biodiverse island that forms the final major chapter of our expedition.

Dinagat is particularly fascinating botanically. Its extensive ultramafic landscapes support unusual forests and specialised plant communities, including an exceptional diversity of Nepenthes. After arriving on Dinagat, we settle into our accommodation and prepare for tomorrow’s exploration.

Overnight: Dinagat Island.

LOWLAND NEPENTHES OF DINAGAT

Today we explore the lowland landscapes of Dinagat in search of an exceptional diversity of Nepenthes.

Travelling by vehicle, we visit a series of habitats where pitcher plants grow naturally close to the island’s roads. This allows us to explore several different sites during the day, stopping wherever conditions and plant populations are best.

Among our principal targets is the magnificent Nepenthes merrilliana, one of the largest pitcher plants in the Philippines, producing enormous pitchers amongst the surrounding vegetation. In striking contrast, we also search for the much smaller N. bellii, together with N. mirabilis, N. mindanaoensis and the spectacular N. truncata, instantly recognisable for its enormous pitchers and characteristically truncated leaves.

With relatively little trekking required, today provides plenty of time to examine and photograph these remarkable plants before returning to our accommodation and preparing for our final mountain adventure.

Overnight: Dinagat Island.

ASCENT OF MOUNT REDONDO

Our final mountain adventure takes us into the extraordinary ultramafic landscapes of Mount Redondo, rising above the forests of northern Dinagat.

Leaving the lowlands behind, we begin our ascent through tropical forest towards increasingly unusual vegetation. As we climb, the landscape changes dramatically. The nutrient-poor ultramafic soils support strange, stunted forests and open areas of low vegetation, creating an almost otherworldly mountain environment.

The botanical rewards are exceptional. Our principal target is the remarkable Nepenthes erucoides, a highly distinctive species adapted to these harsh ultramafic conditions. We also search for N. truncata and N. mindanaoensis, providing further opportunities to observe how different Nepenthes species occupy the changing habitats of the mountain.

Higher on Mount Redondo, the increasingly open vegetation reveals spectacular views across the rugged landscapes of Dinagat and the surrounding islands and sea. We camp on the mountain, surrounded by its remarkable vegetation, before continuing our exploration the following morning. After plenty of time to photograph the Nepenthes and other unusual flora, we begin our descent through the forests to the lowlands.

Descending Mount Redondo brings our final mountain expedition to an end – a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary journey in search of the wild Nepenthes of the Philippines.

Overnight: Camping on Mount Redondo / Dinagat Island.

RETURN TO MANILA

Today we leave Dinagat Island and begin the final journey of our expedition.

After breakfast, we travel to the coast and cross by boat to Surigao, leaving the remarkable ultramafic landscapes of Dinagat behind. From Surigao, we continue by air towards Manila, arriving back in the Philippine capital later in the day.

Our return to Manila marks the end of an extraordinary journey through the Philippines – from the cloud-swept ridges of Sibuyan and the forests of Mindanao to the remarkable ultramafic landscapes of Dinagat – in search of some of the world’s most spectacular and little-known Nepenthes.

We recommend that participants overnight in Manila and depart internationally the following day, providing a comfortable buffer around our domestic transport connections.

Upon arrival in Manila, our Nepenthes of the Philippines Expedition comes to an end.

IN SEARCH OF NEPENTHES ALZAPAN

or those wishing to continue the adventure, we offer a special six-day expedition into the remote mountains of Luzon in search of one of
the Philippines’ most mysterious pitcher plants – Nepenthes alzapan.

The species was first collected during a remarkable botanical expedition by Filipino plant collectors Maximo Ramos and Gregorio Edaño in 1925. It was subsequently described as a new species in 2013, but for decades the location of the mountain from which the original specimens had been collected was uncertain.

Almost a century later, the lost mountain was rediscovered with the help of local knowledge, historical records and modern fieldwork. In 2022, local forest rangers photographed living Nepenthes alzapan in the mountain’s summit forest, confirming the survival of this remarkable species in the wild.

Our add-on expedition follows in the spirit of these earlier botanical journeys. Travelling with experienced local guides and the necessary permissions, we venture into the mountains to search for N. alzapan and explore the remarkable forests in which it survives.

For conservation reasons, precise locality information is deliberately not published.

DAY 15 — NORTH INTO LUZON

Sunday, April 11th, 2027

Leaving Manila, we begin our journey north through Luzon towards the remote landscapes that form the setting for our search.

It is a long overland journey, taking us away from the densely populated regions surrounding Manila and towards increasingly rural and mountainous country. By evening, we reach our base near the mountains, meet our local expedition team and make final preparations for the journey ahead.

Overnight: Local accommodation.

DAYS 16–19 — ASCENT

Monday, April 12th to Thursday, April 15th, 2027

Over the following four days, we journey on foot into the remote mountains of Luzon. Our route takes us through tropical forest towards increasingly cool and mossy highland habitats. The summit vegetation has been described as stunted submontane mossy forest, creating a beautiful and atmospheric environment of moss-covered trees, ferns and other specialised mountain plants.

Our principal objective is the extraordinary Nepenthes alzapan. We spend as much time as conditions allow exploring the mountain and photographing its remarkable flora before beginning our descent through the forests.

As with all genuine botanical exploration, wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. Finding N. alzapan will depend upon conditions in the field, but the search itself provides an opportunity to experience a remote mountain ecosystem visited by very few outsiders.

Overnight: Expedition camps.

DAY 20 — RETURN TO MANILA

Friday, April 16th, 2027

After completing our mountain journey, we say farewell to our local team and begin the long overland journey south to Manila.

For participants departing internationally, we recommend overnighting in Manila and flying home the following day, providing a comfortable buffer after our journey from the mountains. Upon arrival in Manila, the Add-On Trip concludes.

Please contact sales@redfernadventures.com for further information and pricing.