At Lake Holon, your exploration of South Cotabato begins with a clear choice: the trek takes three to four hours, and along the way you’ll encounter indigenous plants, orchids, and other colorful flowers.

Lake Holon and Choosing a Route

Lake Holon is on Mt. Melingoy, also known as Mt. Parker; the lake lies in the crater of an inactive volcano.

You can choose between the traditional Salacafe Trail and the Koli Trail. The Salacafe Trail is recommended for first-time trekkers. The Koli Trail is intended for experienced hikers and starts with a challenging, steep climb before descending toward the lake. The trails therefore differ mainly in the level of challenge described and the recommended audience.

Culture Between Lake Sebu and Surallah

In Lake Sebu, the Manlilikha ng Bayan Centers introduce you to T’boli culture: there, you can experience traditional T’nalak weaving and Indigenous songs. These two forms of expression offer different ways to engage with the culture—through textile craft and through song.

The T’nalak Festival takes place every July in honor of the founding anniversary of South Cotabato. Street dancing, cultural performances, decorated floats, and community celebrations are highlights of the festivities. If you’d like to plan your visit for the festival month, check the specific event dates.

In Surallah, the Tri-People Monument symbolizes harmony among Christians, Muslims, and Lumads. It complements the cultural insights of Lake Sebu with a distinctive landmark.

Waterfalls, Lake, and Mountain Scenery

The zipline at Seven Falls passes above cascading waterfalls and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. On Lake Sebu, boat rides let you take in the surrounding mountains and forests. This gives you two different perspectives: a ride above the waterfalls and views of the landscape from the lake.

Mt. Matutum has ecological and cultural significance and is a source of water for the communities of Tupi, Tampakan, and Polomolok. The mountain is therefore important not only as a landscape feature but also to the communities named above.

Farm Visits and Visitor Planning

The Strawberry Guyabano Farm in Tupi combines fruit picking and farm tours as agritourism experiences. In contrast to trekking and boat rides, the focus here is on agriculture. Mambukal Hot Sulphur Spring Resort has natural hot sulfur spring pools, which are believed to have therapeutic effects.

For destinations with visitor limits, the Provincial Tourism Office recommends coordinating with the municipal tourism offices. In January 2026, nine accredited travel agencies were operating in the province; check which providers are currently active before traveling.

Discover more destinations: General Santos

For the broader travel overview: Soccsksargen.