Lake Danao National Park: 40 Photos of Nature, Adventure, Serenity and Fun

The City Hall of Ormoc City one year after typhoon Yolanda. The city is only 2.5 hours travel via van (fare: P130) from Tacloban City. If you’re coming from Cebu City, you can get here in 2.5 hours via fast crafts, such as SuperCat, OceanJet and Weesam Express (fare: P650-P750). Slow crafts like Roble and Lite Shipping have also regular schedule from Cebu to Ormoc, and vice versa (fare:P400+ to P2,000+ depending on your accommodation).

I traveled aboard Roble Shipping from Cebu City so I arrived at Ormoc City Port as early as 4am. I waited for the sunrise at the Port to take this shot.

Danao Barangay Hall. From here, you can walk to Danao National Park and arrive in 5 minutes. From Ormoc City, you can ride a multicab and embark on an 18km, 30-minute travel to get here. There are only few multicabs travelling from Ormoc City proper to Danao. So if a multicab isn’t available, you can ride a tricycle with sidecar (fare: P30) from Ormoc terminal to Barangay Dolores, the neighboring barangay of Danao. And from Dolores, you can ride a habal-habal (motocycle) to Lake Danao for P70. This is actually what I did since the tricycle driver who offered me a special trip from Ormoc terminal to Lake Danao was charging me P400 (I saved P300).

The residents in Brgy. Danao are friendly. If you’re lost, you can ask them for directions and information. You can also ask the residents here who own a motorcycle if they can give you a ride to the next barangays where there are regular vehicles travelling to Ormoc City when you go home.

I arrived at Danao National Park at 7am. That was too early that I’d seen joggers here. What a great place to jog.

Lake Danao National Park is a government protected eco-tourism area.

One of the entrances to the lake. Are you already excited to see the lake? By the way, that’s not my motorcycle

Here’s your first photo showing the lake, the floating cottage, a boat and a group of children.

And here’s another floating cottage for rent. I did not rent a cottage since I’m alone. I rented a boat instead.

Let’s see more.

And here’s more. Unlike beaches where you can see the waves, the waters of a lake show calmness.

You can rent this bamboo raft to do your meditation or just relax on this lake of peace and tranquility. Ease your mind from the stresses you get everyday in the crowded city.

A perfect boat for couples.

One of the caretakers told me that there’s another area to view the lake better, so I started exploring the place further.

The park which is situated 2,130 ft above sea level is a habitat for many plants and other species.

Including this tree or plant that I think can only live and grow in places with cold temperature.

Then I arrived in this postcard-perfect location. If you’ll visit here, make sure to come early so that there will be no crowd to disturb you. I came here at 7am so I owned this place. 🙂 I took a lot of personal and wacky pictures which I cannot show to the public.

How nice is it to hang out on these big branches of tree?

So here I am paddling on a boat I rented for P150. My bag, my laptop and my camera were with me during the ride.

Here’s my paddle.

The caretaker also told me that there’s a view deck where I can have a better glance of the lake from the top.

The trees knocked down by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) can still be seen in the park. The caretaker told me that the park was even more beautiful and green before Yolanda struck the place. Let’s hope that the Philippine government will also include these protected areas in their priority list for rehabilitation. This site is not only vital for the plants and animals who are living here, but also for the people whose livelihood depends on tourism.

Here’s the view deck. Exciting isn’t it?

The spiral stairs you need to climb to reach the top.

And here’s the view of Lake Danao from the top floor of the viewdeck. The lake is indeed calm. It’s another postcard-perfect picture, isn’t it?

I decided to go back to the area near the entrance. Other tourists and local residents who want to enjoy the lake have already arrived. They already rented this floating cottage. The cottage can be moved by just pulling the rope from one side of the lake to another.

And here’s the other floating cottage.

These kids in Lake Danao are ready to jump and swim.

Another floating cottage. This is the third floating cottage I’d seen so far.

At the other side of the lake near the entrance, there’s this mini lake where people who are afraid of depth can swim.

Here’s another view of that mini lake.

But if you’re not afraid of height and depth, you can try this one.

This is awesome!

Cool, isn’t it?

On your way back to Ormoc City proper, don’t miss the chance to visit Carmelite Spirituality Center in Sitio Cantilong Brgy. Milagro. Milagro is the barangay after Dolores going to Ormoc City from Danao. You can request your driver to drop you here to visit the place even for just a few minutes. The motorcycle driver whom I hired was kind enough to tell me about this place.

This statue of the Lady of Mount Carmel is waiting for everyone who will arrive at the top.

Carmelite Spirituality Center is a place for retreats, recollections and other spiritual experiences.

This place is like Tagaytay.

The statue of the Lady of Mount Carmel overlooking Ormoc City.

I’m happy to discover and visit this place. Spending even just a few minutes here has indeed rejuvenated my mind and spirit.