South Cotabato: Lakes, trekking and T’nalak culture

South Cotabato combines impressive nature experiences with cultural discoveries. At Lake Holon, trekking routes lead to a lake in the crater of an inactive volcano; in Lake Sebu, boat rides and T’nalak weaving take center stage. There is also a museum, a festival held annually in July, and other excursions.

Trekking at Lake Holon

Lake Holon is on Mt. Melingoy, also called Mt. Parker, and lies in the crater of an inactive volcano. The trek to the lake takes three to four hours. Along the way, visitors see indigenous plants, orchids and brightly colored flowers. The excursion combines physical activity with views of the plant life along the trail.

There are different factors to consider when choosing a route: the Salacafe Trail is recommended for inexperienced trekkers. The Koli Trail is suited to experienced mountain hikers and offers a challenging, steep ascent before the descent to Lake Holon. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider which of these described trekking experiences better suits your preferences. The route information differs mainly in its recommendations for different experience levels and the steep ascent on the Koli Trail.

Lakes, mountains and nature

You can also experience the landscape from the water at Lake Sebu: boat rides are offered across the lake, with views of the surrounding mountains and forests. This ride offers a different focus from the trek to Lake Holon. If both nature experiences appeal to you, you can consider them as distinct highlights when planning your trip, without assuming they are part of a combined route.

Mt. Matutum has ecological and cultural significance for South Cotabato. The mountain is also a source of water for the municipalities of Tupi, Tampakan and Polomolok. Its role therefore extends beyond the mountain itself and affects several municipalities. This connection between nature and regional significance adds another perspective on South Cotabato’s landscape to the lake and trekking experiences.

T’nalak, museum and festival

In Lake Sebu, the Manlilikha ng Bayan Centers offer traditional T’nalak weaving and indigenous T’boli songs. Visitors interested in crafts and music will find two distinct forms of cultural expression here. The South Cotabato Community Museum offers another focus: its permanent area features exhibitions, artifacts and archived objects. The museum’s subject matter also includes a monthly community presentation and an exhibition of South Cotabato visual art.

The T’nalak Festival is held every year in July to honor the founding anniversary of South Cotabato. The festival includes lively street dances and cultural performances, decorated floats, and community celebrations. The Tri-People Monument in Surallah symbolizes harmony between Christians, Muslims and Lumads. The museum, festival and monument offer different opportunities to engage with art, community celebrations and the region’s cultural life.

More experiences and trip planning

In Tupi, the Strawberry Guyabano Farm offers farm tours and fruit-picking experiences. At Seven Falls, a zipline takes visitors over cascading waterfalls, with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Another option is Mambukal Hot Sulphur Spring Resort, with natural hot sulfur spring pools that are said to have therapeutic effects. These excursions are quite different: you can choose between a farm visit, a zipline ride and a stay at hot springs.

For destinations with visitor limits, the Provincial Tourism Office recommends coordinating with the municipal tourism offices. Include this recommendation in your planning if a destination with such a visitor limit is an option for your trip. When looking for a vacation rental, it makes sense to first prioritize the experiences and places you want to define your stay, rather than making assumptions about distances between excursions that have not been specified.

You can also explore General Santos as another destination.

For the broader travel overview: Soccsksargen.