A beautiful inland sea on the island of Mindanao, the lake is nested into the southern Tiruray Highlands at an altitude of almost 300m (984ft). The chance to delve into traditional lifestyles and culture, rather than modern attractions, is the highlight in this remote area. The local tribespeople, the T'boli, live in almost total seclusion and are known for the quality of their brassware and weaving. Their Saturday market is especially colourful.

Mount Apo features a whole range of natural attractions such as huge cascading waterfalls, fast rapids, lakes, sulphur pillars, geysers, a steaming lake and endangered flora and fauna. The volcano is home to the Philippine Eagle, the tiny falconet and the Mount Apo Mynah. Plant species include exotic ferns, pitcher plants and the Queen of the Philppine orchids, the waling-waling or vanda sanderiana. You can go on treks and climbs with the most scenic trail by far is via Kidapawan City in North Cotobato.