Apu Malyari Base Camp 

 A Mount Pinatubo Eco Lodge

Overview: The Mount Pinatubo area has the potential as a major tourism destination for Ecotourism. The major attraction of course is the crater of the volcano. Other sites include the hot springs, the river bed for hiking, and just the general area. Currently visits to the area start from Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas,  Tarlac. While some activities have occurred to provide some development the scope has been very limited. Some of the locals have been trained to provide services such as guides and 4x4 drivers. The only “development” has been the Pinatubo Spa Town by the Pinatubo Development Corporation. This however is a development funded by a Korean Tour operator and targets Korean tourist. Other than the Koreans at the Spa town, the majority of the visitors come on their own. Seahorse Tours and Souvenirs have developed a set of tour packages that has shown some promise. A very key item that can expand the marketability of the area is that hiking and camping opportunities are basically unlimited. The views are breath taking and trails can be designed from very simple “walks” to extreme.

Name: Apu Malyari Base Camp, I think the concept of a “base camp” will add to the marketability of the project. After a 30 minute drive on a mostly dirt road with scatter buildings you arrive at the little village of Sta. Juliana. This village is very simple but marks the end of modern conveniences. Like a base camp for extreme adventure activities this will be the jumping off point of entering the remarkable area around the Mount Pinatubo. This village sits along side a river that leads towards the volcano. The volcano itself is hidden from view by other mountain peaks and there are a number of valleys in this often difficult terrain. The village can easily convince you that you are about to leave the civilized world on to an unknown adventure.   This name being considered for the base camp is Apu Malyari

To the Aetas, the country’s semi-nomadic Negrito tribes, Pinatubo was no ordinary mountain. The 1,745 meter peak straddling the provinces of Pampanga, Zambales, and Tarlac in the central part of Luzon Island in the Philippines is home to this ethnic people. Considered an inheritance from their ancestors, Pinatubo is the place where the Aetas believe they can freely commune with departed spirits of their forefathers whom they believe inhabit the animals, trees and mounds of earth that abound there. Traditionally animists, the Aetas have considered Pinatubo as sanctuary as they struggle to survive through game hunting and crop-gathering while holding fast to their pagan practice of animal and tree worship. More than a home and a sanctuary of worship, however, Pinatubo is the Aetas’ ‘Holy of Holies’, the inner sanctum where their supreme God, the Apo na Malyari, dwells.

Concept: This project will develop a low impact facility to provide services for tourist and hikers to the area. It goals will be:

·         A check in center where tourist can arrange hiking and 4x4 trips

·         A transfer point for tourist on pre arranged trips

·         A rental facility for camping equipment

·         A canteen style restaurant facility

·         Simple overnight accommodations

·         Showers, changing rooms and rest room facilities.

·         Work with local Aetas elders to provide cultural exchange opportunities