EZCamp: Private Glamping Hideaway in Naga City, Cebu

EZCamp is a new glamping site in the forested mountains of Naga City, Cebu.

Looking for a real nature getaway with the creature comforts of a hotel? Tucked away in the mountains of Naga City, only 42 kms south of Cebu City, EZCamp is a new glamping (ie. “glamorous camping”) destination set in a lush 28-hectare property that offers the rustic ambiance and tranquil seclusion of a traditional campsite, while providing the comfort and convenience of staying in a well-appointed guesthouse.

Each group of guests who book get the glampsite all to themselves, ensuring a safe, private, and peaceful experience. Pets are welcome to stay, too (outside the tents)! Serviced by friendly and helpful staff members from the local community, the glampsite has two spacious hilltop tents with a detached outhouse, an open-air lounge with kitchenette, and campfire area. Aside from the enjoying the scenic glampsite itself, excursions to a decommissioned coal mine, waterfall, and mountain peaks can be arranged.

The glampsite is situated in a 28-hectare forested property, where a coal mine used to operate.

Lotus Belle tent with the covered lounge area and outhouse with toilet and shower.

AMENITIES

The glampsite features the 16-foot wide Lotus Belle Tent, pitched on a wooden platform, atop a hill overlooking a forested valley. The spacious onion-shaped accommodation is furnished with creature comforts one typically finds in a well-appointed hotel. The king-size bed with pillows and comforter and pull-out bed accommodates four people in total. There’s even room for side tables, a desk, a clothes rack, a stand mirror, and a portable air-conditioner. A mattress can be provided to accommodate an extra person on the floor.

The newer, similar-sized Creekside Tent farther down the hill, next to the campfire area, also accommodates up to five persons. Thus, the glampsite can now accommodate bigger groups of up to 10 persons in total, occupying both tents.

Located near the Lotus Belle Tent, an outhouse walled in with corrugated iron sheeting accommodates the toilet and hot & cold rain shower (face and body towels are provided), while an open-air lounge area houses the dining table and kitchenette, equipped with a stove, a refrigerator, and an oven toaster. Need to stay online? No worries. Free WiFi is included.

If there’s anything else you need, guests may conveniently call the staff for assistance at a press of a buzzer fixed to one of the posts. A net hammock and wooden lounge chairs (the perfect spot to enjoy a mug of sikwate or coffee!) overlooking the forest completes the whole picture.

Hotel-like amenities in the middle of nowhere!

Cozy around the complimentary campfire while roasting skewers of s’mores. Yum!

An open-air lounge area has a kitchenette, dining table, and, yes, free WiFi.

DINING OPTIONS

A single-tent booking comes with complimentary breakfast for four persons, and s’mores for the evening campfire included in the package. Breakfast options include the standard rice meals with two eggs, your choice of plain or garlic rice, and either brewed coffee, tea, or instant orange juice.

For local flavor, I’d recommend Cebuano specialties chorizo bungkag (crumbled native pork sausage) or danggit (dried rabbitfish). There’s complimentary sikwate (native hot chocolate) that guests may prepare themselves at the kitchenette as well.

Since the glampsite is equipped with cooking appliances, campers may bring their own food to cook for lunch and dinner. Alternatively, guests may pre-order from their lunch & dinner menu. We enjoyed their Grilled Liempo (PHP 300), Grilled Jalapeño & Cheese Sausage (PHP 180), and Squash with String Beans & Mushroom in Coconut Milk (PHP 150). The health conscious may opt for mango (PHP 250) or banana (PHP 160) smoothie bowls.

Bookings come with complimentary breakfast! Try the *chorizo bungkag* (crumbled pork sausage).

ACTIVITIES

Coal Mine Tour

Staff members may guide guests in exploring interesting spots within the area. From 2006 to 2011, the property was mined for coal. Remnants of the operations may be visited by interested guests, such as a concrete tunnel entrance, a derelict staff house (which would make a great resort, if renovated), and ruins of a conveyor bridge used to transport excavated material.

Busay Falls

An easy 30-minute hike from the glampsite takes guests to Busay Falls, a 15-foot tall cascade with a shallow swimming area shaded by the surrounding forest. It’s an excellent spot to cool down on hot and humid days. Guiding to the falls is currently free of charge.

Manayon Peak

A longer trail takes guests from the campsite to Manayon Peak. It takes two to three hours for a return hike to the grassy summit with 360-degree views of the rolling countryside. One can see as far as the sharp peak of Mt. Naupa, another popular hiking destination in Naga City. Guide fee is PHP 300 per group.

Visit remnants of a decommissioned coal mine like this concrete tunnel entrance.

Cool off at Busay Falls, only a 30-minute hike from the glampsite.

ROOM RATES

Private accommodations at the Lotus Belle Tent start at PHP 6,000 per night, good for four to five persons, inclusive of complimentary breakfast for four persons. Larger groups of six to 10 persons will be accommodated at both the Lotus Belle Tent and Creekside Tent for only PHP 10,000 per night for the entire party. Check-in is at 3:00 pm, and check-out is at 11:00 am. Book your stay here!

HOW TO GET THERE

Located at Barangay Uling, Naga City, EZCamp is a 90-minute drive from Cebu City via the Naga-Uling Road by private car (Navigate using Waze or Google Maps).

By public transportation, one may take a bus from Cebu City to Toledo City via Naga-Uling Road, and alight at the junction next to Uling Barangay Hall. From here, it’s only a five-minute ride to EZCamp by habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) for only PHP 30 per person.