Camiguin is an island with 7 volcanoes. And as expected, there will be natural hot springs. Ardent Hot Springs is a natural hot spring at the foot of Hibok-Hibok Volcano and is accessible 4.2 kilometers from the main road at Mambajao town, Camiguin's capital. Temperature is ranging from 36-38 degrees Celsius, this one of the most relaxing hot spring you can dip in.
The best time to get to Ardent Hot Springs is nonetheless during night time when the ambient temperature is cold. This hot spring is located exactly at the jump-off for climbing Mt. Hibok-Hibok and is already located at 200MASL.
When climbing Hibok-Hibok using the Ardent Trail (as it was called because of having this hotspring as the jump-off for the climb), this is the best place to return and have a relaxing dip after a very arduous climb to the 1337 MASL volcano monster.
Schadow1 Expeditions on the other hand has entered the Yumbing side of Hibok-Hibok and made a traverse to the Ardent trail ending up at this hot spring, thus ending our 15-hour climb with a dip on this hot spring. A truly rewarding climb at its endpoint.
Additionally, the temperature is just right, slightly higher than human temperature. Some hot spring i've tried is ranging from 40-42C and is taxing to the chest. This one is satisfying.
The hot spring is divided into 5 pools. The 1st and nearest to the source is the hottest and smallest. It gets larger as it gets further away.
The Ardent Hot Spring is within the resort they call as Esperanza Mountainside Resort and due to this, there are few home-stays along the compound but as I have heard, it is a bit expensive. Not to worry as there are a lot available within the Mambajao town proper as well as the adjacent Agoho town where we stayed.
A restaurant/bar is available nearby with prices a bit higher than other establishments but would still not compare to prices in Manila. Generally, Camiguin's prices are very reasonable.
We were able to check out Ardent Hot Springs using a rented motorcycle for P500/day. Other tours will allow you visit it using a multicab. The rentals are available just right outside the Benoni port
For more information you can contact the following people who helped us out for our Camiguin Road trip.
Contact:
Sauro (for tours) - +63 927 2751086
Jonel (for motorcycle rental) - +63 927 6307606
The data gathered in this Camiguin Roadtrip has been contributed to the +OpenStreetMap Philippines project for free use of travelers who plan to roam around Camiguin with GPS assistance.
Map
Openstreetmap Philippines Map (link)
Schadow1 Expeditions Contributions (link)
How to use for your Navigation System (link)
For a more detailed account of Schadow1 Expeditions on its 4- day Camiguin Adventure and Mapping Expedition, check on the links below:
- Camiguin Island Roadtrip - discovering the best of Camiguin for four days
- Conquering Hibok-Hibok Volcano 1337 MASL
- Mt. Vulcan Trail 580 MASL
- White Island - A majestic solitary sandbar at Camiguin
- Gui-ob Church Ruins - a reminder of Mt. Vulcan's Eruptive Past
- Sunken Cemetery, a cemetery turned coral reef
- Katibawasan Falls, grandeur with the waterfall flowing from Mt. Campana
- Ostrich Farm, Camiguin - the only ostrich facility in the Philippines
- Sto. Niño Cold Springs, Camiguin
- Ardent Hot Springs - relaxing dip after an H2 Traverse
- Paguia Cottages, a budget resort with big hotel-type rooms
It looks pretty! :)
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