Sumlang Lake Travel Guide – Camalig, Albay
Mt Mayon is amazing. This nature’s perfect cone is overwhelmingly beautiful that no sweet soul will ever get tired of staring at it. No wonder, the province of Albay takes great pride in having it.
Tourists who visited the province of Albay got mesmerized by the grandeur of the picture-perfect Mt Mayon. The local government of the province exerted all efforts to make sure all visitors get to witness the best view of its pride, providing and improving various sites and locations for Mt Mayon appreciation.
The newest attraction the province now has is Sumlang Lake. The place offers a calm and relaxing atmosphere and boasts an unobstructed view of the famous Mayon Volcano.
Although swimming is not allowed because of the murky water, there are various activities that you can try in this postcard-worthy destination. The place also features a stylish set of chairs, art pieces, and cottages distributed around.
Related Adventour: Matnog, Sorsogon Travel Guide
Table of Contents
SUMLANG LAKE BRIEF HISTORY
Sumlang Lake was once an ugly duckling filled with filthy waters and covered by water lilies. It was there for decades, competing with Mayon for attention. For years it was ignored.
Then one day, in 2014, a “bayanihan” was held and the residents decided to clean and clear the lake of debris. The 14-hectare body of water shone after oodles of waterlilies were taken away from its surface. Then its once hidden potential was discovered.
The quiet lake which had been unnoticed for eras made an uproar. Like wildfire, its name conquered various media outlets. It is now an outstanding rendezvous for people looking for the best site to admire the perfect volcano.
Sumlang Lake is among the top tourism destinations in Albay nowadays. It no longer needs to compete with Mayon Volcano as it has already found its role.
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HOW TO GET TO SUMLANG LAKE
From Legazpi
- Ride a jeepney heading to Camalig, Guinobatan or Polangui. Just look at the signboards. When we were there, we waited in Penarada Park or Old Albay Park for the jeepney. Camalig town is just 30 minutes away from Legazpi City.
- Tell the driver that you are heading to Sumlang Lake. He will drop you off at Albay Agri Ethno Eco Village (Agri-Village).
- From there, you can simply take a 5-minute walk to your destination. Sumlang Lake is only 300 meters from the National Highway.
SEARCH FOR HOTELS IN LEGAZPI CITY HERE
From Manila
- Ride a bus bound for Legaspi and tell the driver to get you off at Albay Agri Ethno Eco Village.
- From there, you can simply take a 5-minute walk to your destination. Sumlang Lake is only 300 meters from the National Highway.
FUN SIDE TRIPS FOR SUMLANG LAKE
Side trips to the Cagsawa Ruins and Quitinday Green Hills are highly recommended. Just rent a tricycle or a habal-habal to get to these two destinations from Sumlang Lake.
SUMLANG LAKE ITINERARY
(Sample IT from Legazpi City with side trips to Cagsawa Ruins and Quitinday Green Hills)
After lunch, you can ride a jeepney to Camalig
1300 – ETA Sumlang Lake. Enjoy the view!
1430 – Travel to Quitinday Green Hills
1500 – Quitinday Green Hills. Trek. Enjoy the view
1700 – Travel to Cagsawa Ruins
1730 – Cagsawa Ruins. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon
During our visit, we only managed to go to Sumlang Lake and Cagawa Ruins as we had a 3 PM flight back to Manila that same day. Tricycle rate from Sumlang Lake to Cagsawa Ruins was Php100 (special trip)
SUMLANG LAKE EXPENSES
| ITEMS | RATE (per person) | NOTE |
| Jeepney fare from Legazpi | Php14 | |
| Entrance Fee | Php20 | |
| OPTIONAL | ||
| Parking Fee | Php10 l Php20 | Two-wheeled l four-wheeled vehicle |
| Balsa Tour | Php25 | |
| Kayaking | Php50 | 30 minutes |
| Aqua Biking | Php50 | 30 minutes |
| Floating Cottage | Php300 | 1 hour. Good for 8-10 persons |
| Use of Washroom | Php5 | |
TRAVEL TIPS TO SUMLANG LAKE
- Camalig Albay is home to the famous delicacy “Pinangat”. Make sure to have a taste of it while you are there.
- Sumlang lake is best visited in the afternoon. When you are lucky, you can see two images of the perfect cone – the real one and its reflection on the lake.
- If you have enough time, you can also visit Cagsawa Ruins and Quitinday Hills. Both are very much accessible from the lake.
- Sumlang Lake is also near the showroom of Napa Carpet Industries, one of the successful producers of abaca-based products in the province, might as well pay them a visit and see for yourself their export-quality products made of abaca and rattan.
HOURS OF OPERATIONS
Monday to Thursday – open from 0800 to 1800
Friday to Sunday – open from 0630 to 1800
CLICK HERE TO BOOK SUMLANG LAKE TOUR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We left Sorsogon past 4PM. Confident that we will reach Legazpi City before dark, we did not book a hotel. We were wrong. It’s a little over 8PM when we got in the city and looking for accommodation became a challenge. We decided to take our dinner while looking for a hotel within the vicinity, and online – to no avail. I then called an old friend I haven’t seen for more than a decade and asked her if she knows a good place where we can stay for the night. She offered their home and even asked her cousin, Cristine, to pick us up.
What’s more? We have the whole house for ourselves as they are not actually living here. She’s the best, right? Indeed, good friends will never let you down.
Thank you, Seal Sean. Love you, bhek!
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