After over a year of being cooped up at home, I’m pretty sure you’re excited to explore the great outdoors again. With more and more people getting vaccinated against COVID-19, especially from the NCR plus area, it is expected that travel will slowly return. While international travel is still off the table, domestic travel seems like the best option for now. Personally, I have decided to explore less crowded places in my own “backyard” during the pandemic.
A few weeks ago, my friends and I went on a spontaneous trip in a camping site near Metro Manila. It’s a new campsite called Camp Sandugo located in Barangay Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal. Since we wanted a place away from other people and a place with lots of outdoor spaces, this campsite was perfect for us.
In case you missed it, I have also recently went on a clamping trip to Valleypoint Campsite in Benguet. Check out my experience here!
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About Camp Sandugo
Camp Sandugo is a new campsite in San Mateo, Rizal. At 400 meters above sea level, it boasts a 360-degree view of Metro Manila, La Mesa watershed, Mt. Arayat in Pampanga, Mt. Samat in Bataan, Tagaytay Ridge, and the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. Here, you can set up camp yourself, or you can book a worry-free glamping/camping experience.
Glamping for Luxury Travelers and Leisure Travelers
Camp Sandugo offers 3 types of overnight glamping packages – Mini Glamping, Standard Glamping and Premium Glamping.
Mini Glamping Package
Rates: 1,400 pesos (weekdays) and 1,900 pesos (weekends & holdays) for 2 pax
Inclusion: Entrance Fee, overnight tent accommodation on a shared west-facing deck, sleeping essentials, amenities kit, electric fan and use of facilities
Standard Glamping Package
Rates: 2,500 pesos (weekdays) and 3,500 pesos (weekends & holdays) for 2 pax
Inclusion: This package offers a big tent pitched on a private west-facing deck with balcony. The tent is furnished with cots, sleeping essentials, towels, amenities kit, ice chest/mini bar, and electric outlet. Complimentary bottled waters, welcome snacks and drinks, and breakfast for two are also included.
Premium Glamping Package
Rates: 4,500 pesos (weekdays) and 6,000 pesos (weekends & holdays) for 4 pax
Inclusion: This package offers a big tent pitched on a massive private west-facing deck with balcony. The tent is furnished with cots, sleeping essentials, towels, amenities kit, ice chest/mini bar, and electric outlet. You’ll have your own mini kitchen with a stove and butane and a lavatory (urinal only). Complimentary bottled waters, welcome snacks and drinks, and breakfast for four are also included.
Camping for Adventure Seekers and Budget Travelers
Should you choose to rough it up by pitching your own tent, you can still enjoy all the campsite amenities at Camp Sandugo for as low as 350 pesos per person during weekdays and 500 pesos per person during weekends/holidays. This camping fee gives you access to picnic area (where you can get the best view), campgrounds, shower area, cooking area with barbecue equipment, and on-site carinderia/cafe. If you don’t have your own tent, you can rent one out for only 500 pesos for 2 persons and 1,000 pesos for 3-5 persons.
Our Camping Experience at Camp Sandugo
We wanted to avail Camp Sandugo’s glamping package but since it was a last minute trip, they were already fullybooked. We settled for a camping tent instead and rented out sleeping essentials like pillows and earth pads. My friends and I were worried if we will be able to set up the tent upon arrival. To our surprise, it was already pitched at the campground. All our rented sleeping essentials were laid out as well. There was really nothing else for us to do. Lol!
Sunset View at the Picnic Area
Further up from the campsite, we found the picnic area. There were no crowds except for a few mountain bikers and walk-in visitors. There were plenty of wooden benches and tables where you can eat and drink coffee from the on-site cafe. My most memorable time at Camp Sandugo was when I sat under the tree, watching the purple sky at sunset.
Craft Beer and Pulutan outside the tent
Aside from food, drinks are big part of the camping experience. My friends and I initially wanted to buy some canned beers before we travel up to the campsite. Good thing, we learned that Camp Sandugo has their very own craft beer called “Brusko.” So after dinner, we ordered some craft beers and pulutan. Drinking and eating with Metro Manila skyline in front of us made the camping really special.
Other Activities at Camp Sandugo
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or someone who just wants to relax, there’s something for you here. Aside from enjoying the views from the campsite, you can also book activities such as trekking to a nearby waterfalls or mountain bike tour (MTB tour). If you’d rather just chill, you can always spend some time in the balcony of your glamping tent or picnic area.
My friends and I woke up early the next day to avail the trekking package, which costs 400 pesos per person. Our trek started at Sandugo BaseKamp Trail then we passed through the dense bamboo forest of Barangay Silangan. It was only around 30-45 minute trek but for someone like me, who spent most of my time in front of the computer, it was difficult. I wish I had some trekking poles to cross that rough terrain. When we arrived at the waterfalls, there were a lot of people swimming, so we decided to just sit and watch to prevent risk of exposure from possible COVID-19 carriers.
Overall Experience at Camp Sandugo
I’ve been living in San Mateo, Rizal for over 20 years and I never realized that it actually offers many outdoor destinations. I’m a little embarrassed to find how many campsites there were within 15 minutes from my home. It was a great way to explore my own “backyard” in just two days. I will definitely recommend it to anyone looking for some outdoor adventure near Metro Manila.
Travel Notes
Camp Sandugo
Address: Sandugo Trail, Barangay SIlangan, San Mateo, Rizal, 1850
Contact Numbers: 0926-064-9537 (Viber ready)
Facebook: @CampSandugo
How to get to Camp Sandugo?
Camp Sandugo is fairly easy to get to. It’s just a 30-minute drive from SM City San Mateo and most parts of Marikina. Use waze and pin AFP Housing Gym in Barangay Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal. From there, pin Camp Sandugo. At the end of the cemented road, there is a parking lot where you can leave your vehicles overnight (parking fee is 100 pesos). From here, you can avail Camp Sandugo’s pick up/drop off service (one-way rate below) or you can trek all the way to the campsite if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Parking Area (Sandugo Trail Head) – 50 pesos per person
- Silangan, San Mateo – 100 pesos per person
- Marikina area – 150 pesos per person
Note: Suggested route by Google Maps is via Marcos Highway and through Sun Valley and Forest Hills. This route is currently NOT PASSABLE.
Is there are parking area within Camp Sandugo?
There is a parking lot within Camp Sandugo and has corresponding parking fees – 100 pesos for four wheel vehicles and 50 pesos for motorcycles. The rough road going to the campsite is accessible during the dry season.
Can I bring food and drinks? Is there a corkage fee?
There is a 200 pesos corkage fee for walk-in visitors bringing in outside food and drinks. If you’re a camper at Camp Sandugo, you’re free to bring food and drinks.
Is Camp Sandugo digital nomad-friendly?
They do not have wifi and 3G is weak so this will be a problem for digital nomads and employees who are working remotely. However, if you want to immerse with nature or fill your creativity cup, then you will never go wrong with Camp Sandugo.
Is Camp Sandugo pet-friendly?
Camp Sandugo allows pets within the premises provided that owners observe proper pet etiquette.
One reply on “Camp Sandugo: One of the Best Campsites in Rizal”
Wow! Camp sites near manila blog is what i need right now. I’m actually searching for nearby places to relax this coming weekend!