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Taking a tent - Worth it? (Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia)

Replies: 12 - Last Post: Dec 1, 2012 4:45 PM Last Post By: dutchpickle

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ncst

ncst avatar

Nov 15, 2012 11:07 AM
Posts:  34

Taking a tent - Worth it? (Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia)

Hi all,

Am planning my trip to Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia spring next year. My main interest is nature: National Parks, volcanoes, lake, treks and hikes. Could it be usefull bringing my tent (the tarptent contrail)? It weighs less then a kilo, so does my sleeping bag so that is not the problem.

Or is it possible to stay in cabins in the parks and then do dayhikes at each time? Was wondering if anyone had experience with this?

I went to Cambodia, Vietnam, China (Yunnan, Sichuan, Beijing) and Nepal (EBC trek) last year and was glad I didn't take my camping gear because I never saw any chance to use it...

Thanks in advance!

douglassawyer

douglassawyer avatar

Nov 15, 2012 3:08 PM
Posts:  58

1

In short...the answer is no...the range of cheap home-stays just makes it rather needless to pack a tent.Plus it's the tropics,you'd want to be off the floor and in a hammock anyway to keep your distance from creepy crawlies

D

Klemencja

Klemencja avatar

Nov 15, 2012 3:29 PM
Posts:  557

2

It depends ... if you want to do the trek on Pantar Island from Beang/Darang up to Mt. Sirung, then on to Mt. Delaki, and down to Koliabang, a tent will come in handy, because you can't do it in one day, and there's nothing, just pure nature. Get some info here.

surfboy

surfboy avatar

Nov 15, 2012 8:12 PM
Posts:  3,125

3

Not really needed in the Philippines unless you are going somewhere very remote where there is no other accomodation..

lucapal

lucapal avatar

Nov 15, 2012 11:10 PM
Posts:  10,192

4

As above...unless you are going somewhere that no other tourists visit..there is always cheap accommodation available.

These are not countries where you find campsites or camping facilities...

asean2011

asean2011 avatar

Nov 17, 2012 8:41 AM
Posts:  860

5

I did not see any camp sites in the philippines on my 18 vists.
most backpackers stay in inns guest houses pension houses or lodging houses.
rates from $5 a night.

dutchpickle

dutchpickle avatar

Nov 19, 2012 10:34 AM
Posts:  206

6

Capul Island in NW Samar could be a possibility
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/samar/capul-island.html

or a climb on Mt Apo in Mindanao
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/mindanao/climbing-mount-apo.html

...as surfboy mentions - tents are not really needed in the Philippines except in remote areas -

...but I like remote areas
dp

dutchpickle

dutchpickle avatar

Nov 19, 2012 10:42 AM
Posts:  206

7

note:

camping in a tent can be very hot if you try it on an exposed beach with no shade

but I tented on the rocky "beach" on the north coast of Luzon in Bangui Bay behind the karoke bar under the windmills and that was pretty cool

http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/luzon/philippine-windmills-bangui-bay-luzon.html

wisdm14

wisdm14 avatar

Nov 26, 2012 6:51 PM
Posts:  24

8

I would strongly advise against it because you will wake up with nature bedding down in your tent with you and I don't think you want to wake up and find a hungry python staring you in the face

dutchpickle

dutchpickle avatar

Nov 29, 2012 12:27 PM
Posts:  206

10

additional boredom ...

almost stepped on this rattlesnake in North Dakota
http://www.dutchpickle.com/stories/rattlesnake-and-bison.html

beautiful
dp

Klemencja

Klemencja avatar

Nov 30, 2012 2:13 PM
Posts:  557

11

Congrats - great snake and great pics! In Bali, too, you can do a night tour to see snakes - Bali Reptile Rescue.

dutchpickle

dutchpickle avatar

Dec 1, 2012 4:45 PM
Posts:  206

12

...cool !
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