CAMP ELEAGA: Budget Travel Guide + Everything You Need to Know

Davao City is one of the largest cities in the Philippines, yet it remains abundant in nature. Despite rapidly developing into a modern metropolis, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes still thrive not far from its city center. In contrast to other cities, individuals do not have to travel great distances to enjoy the beauty of nature.  If you want to escape into nature but don’t want to travel far while in Davao City, places like Camp Eleage offer the perfect retreat.

The Journey To Camp Eleaga

One hot Sunday morning in Davao City, I decided to head over to Camp Eleaga. I was staying at my cousin Pani’s house, which wasn’t far from my best friend Rhea’s place. Rhea and I have traveled together a lot in the past. We’ve explored Baguio, Sagada, Batad, and even Cebu together. However, she’s been busy with grad school lately and hasn’t been the biggest adventurer, so I thought that it would be a good idea to invite her along.

We started our journey from Mintal to Camp Eleaga on a tuk-tuk. Since three-wheelers are not allowed on the highway, we took the inner road to Calinan. We reached Calinan at 8:00 AM and took a short break for breakfast before continuing our journey to Malabog.

We didn’t anticipate that the drive to Malabog would be so treacherous. Although the road was mostly concrete, it had numerous steep climbs and perilous curves. Despite this, the journey was enjoyable, and the picturesque views along the way were sufficient to divert our attention from the nerve-racking ride. The most difficult part was towards the end, where we encountered rough roads that were challenging even for larger vehicles.

At 10 AM, we arrived at Malabog where we stopped by their public market to purchase food and beverages. Camp Eleaga was just a 10-minute drive along a not-so-busy highway. Upon reaching the destination at 10:30 AM, we were promptly welcomed and assisted by the staff. The registration and payment process went smoothly and we were quickly shown to our accommodations.

We decided to set up our hammocks between two coconut trees near the lake. Since we opted for tables and chairs instead of getting a cottage, we had the freedom to select our preferred spot. Our chosen location offered an excellent view of the lake, making it ideal for taking pictures and relaxing.

Camp Eleaga has a designated area for cooking and washing, which is wide enough to accommodate many visitors. Their toilets and baths are also clean and well-maintained, with clean, running water readily available. This made me love the place even more. On top of the place being incredibly beautiful, with a pristine and natural-looking lake, it was nice to know that all my preferences were checked.

After having lunch, we decided to explore Camp Eleaga and take some photos. Even though it was crowded with visitors, we didn’t mind. The place was spacious enough for everyone to relax. The pool wasn’t too crowded, and I enjoyed swimming in the cold water of the lake. Despite the noise from the karaoke in the main reception hall, with drunken songs blaring, I didn’t find it irritating. On the contrary, I appreciated seeing families come together to bond and have fun.

I usually avoid crowds, but on this particular day, I didn’t mind. Maybe it was because Camp Eleage exceeded my expectations by a mile, so a few minor annoyances didn’t bother me. I can think of many words to describe Camp Eleaga, but I would simply call it otherworldly, especially for a place within Davao City. The lake’s crystal-clear water and abundant nature totally transported us to a place outside the metropolis within just a couple of hours. Not many things can beat that.

How To Go To Camp Eleaga

From Manila – Fly to Davao. Once there, ride a cab to Ecoland Terminal. Hop on a bus going to Bukidnon and alight in Calinan (₱50/way | 2Hrs). Alternatively, you can ride a jeep to Calinan for  ₱40/way. Hire a tuktuk to Camp Eleaga in Brgy. Malabog (₱350/way/5Pax | 1Hr).

Useful Travel Tips To Camp Eleaga

• The Entrance Fees are ₱100/head for a day tour while ₱200/head overnight.
• Camp Eleaha has cottages and treehouses for overnight stays. You can also pitch a tent and camp.
• Table and chairs are rented out for ₱150 and guests are obliged to get one for themselves if they don’t intend to rent cottages.
• You can explore the lake ridden on a raft for ₱250/hr good for 5 people.
• You can bring food. Camp Eleaga doesn’t charge a corkage fee for food, beverages, and tents.
• You can also order food from their kitchen. They have a menu consisting of Filipino favorites. If you’re a little adventurous, they also offer roasted rabbit.
• The resort has a store where you can buy snacks, drinks, and anything you might need which is open from 7 AM to  9 PM.
• The resort practices Claygo. This doesn’t only imply cleaning up after yourselves but also bringing all the waste, especially plastics when you leave.  Please let us help Camp Eleage maintain its beauty and cleanliness so that we will still have it to enjoy in the years to come.

Budget & Other Essentials

There you have it, lovelies. I hope you enjoyed this post about an otherworldly campsite in Davao City.  Share this with your friends and plan that adventure trip now. If you want to keep tabs on my adventure, follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Until next time. Ciao!

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