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Mount Apo is an active volcano, situated in south central Mindanao, from Davao City 40 km (20 mi) west; Digos City-25 km southeast, and Kidapawan City-20 km (12 mi) west; it is the highest peak in the Philippines, with an altitude of 9,692 feet (2,954 meters). Part of the Cordillera Central, it is covered by a forest of tall, tropical hardwoods; two subsidiary peaks nearly match its height. Mount Apo National Park, established in 1936, has an area of 64,053 hectares; it is known as the home of the rare Philippine eagle and features numerous peaks and valleys, as well as Malasita Falls, Sibulao Lake, and the Kisinte Hot Springs. About 19 kilometers up its slopes is found Lake Venado. The mountain’s high peak appears to be white, due to a crust of sulfur that is released in the mountain’s emissions. Volcanic in nature, the mountain has 3 craters but is not known to have ever erupted. The mountain is a source of geothermal power, however, with at least two geothermal plants located on it. Mt. Apo is the tallest Philippine mountain. It measures 3,143.6 meters above sea level. Despite its height, the mountain is considered easy to climb and is popular with climbers.

Mt. Apo has five distinct forest formations. These include lowland, low montane, high montane, and summit or scrub forest. Mt. Apo is known as one of the most ecologically rich mountains in the region. And a wide variety of plants grow on the mountain. Hundreds of endemic species of plants, including rare and threatened species, have been found on the mountain. There are about 800 different types of endemic plants have been identified as growing on the mountain’s slopes in a segment between 300 to 1000 meters above sea level. Among these are the rare lauan and the endangered almaciga. There are 629 species of flowers and 42 endemics. There are 18 threatened species of flowers, which include the waling-waling orchid.

Mt. Apo forests are home to various species of endemic animals. There are almost 227 vertebrate species, which include amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, inhabit the mountain. Some as 118 species of butterflies have been recognized in the area. The mountain is also home to 272 species of birds, of which 111 (40%) are endemic to Mt. Apo and two endemic bird species are endangered, the Philippine eagle known to as the (monkey-eating eagle), and the abukay.

Route:

Transport to the mountain can be arranged from nearby Davao City, which is accessible by land, air, and sea transport. From Davao City take a taxi to Ecoland Bus Terminal; look for a Digos bound bus. While you are in Digos, take a tricycle to Kapatagan terminal, you can prefer to ride public van vehicle or the "Habal-habal" or motorcycle transport, if you want. Once you're in Kapatagan, get a ride going to Sitio Marawer, you can choose a motorcycle, passenger jeep or horseback could also be. From Marawer start hiking up to Mainit. On the first night, you can build you tent at Camp Goddy-goddy (former military base). On the second night, you can reach the peak and build a camp at the peak. On the 3rd day explore the several small peaks within the summit; the sky is usually clear at this time of the day. It takes about 2-3 hours walking down to Lake Venado from the peak where you can build your tent for the night.