Travel Guide to Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan

TALES OF A FIRST TIMER ON DOING A TWIN DAY-HIKE

Waiting for sunrise

Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan are very close to each other and most hikers are doing the so-called "twin dayhike". These mountains were open to public last February 2015. It was new to hikers and the local government is still in the period of revising their policies, especially DENR as these mountains are considered as protected areas. The aforementioned mountains, including Mt. Hapunang Banoi are part of the Pamitinan Protective Landscape of DENR.  

Wawa River dividing Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan

Montalban Mountains became popular because its near the Metro, perfect for budget travelers, the trail difficulty is for beginners and the "SEA OF CLOUDS" that is worth "INSTAGRAMMING". I saw a lot of hikers that doing the "buwis buhay" selfie that they will post in their social media account, some were even shouting or saying "hugot" stuff.

Exhibit A!

Anyway, I do not want to rant but I am quite happy to see young people climbing mountains and exploring their world. I just hope they become more responsible hikers! 

Going back, here is my Travel Guide to a twin day hike in Montalban, Rizal. Our guide for our hike was Tatay Fernando. You can contact him with this number (63) 921 - 564 - 7249.  He was recommended by my friend who also loves outdoor life, Gian.

Groufie with Tatay Fernando!

How to get there?

Ride a UV Express van, that is bound for (Montalban- Eastwood) from Cubao (Gateway - in front of Dunkin Donut), then tell the driver to drop you off at Eastwood and ride a tricycle going to DENR in Bgy. Wawa.

How to get home?

From the DENR Office there are jeeps and tricycles waiting. I highly advise that you take the public Jeepneys bound for Bayan or Eastwood or Robinson, it is more comfortable and cheaper than riding a tricycle. Then, tell the driver to drop you off at the FX Terminal or if you prefer taking the jeepney back to Cubao, just tell the driver. 

Our Itinerary for the Dayhike

2:00 AM Wake up | Prepare things | Travel to Cubao

3:00 AM ETD for Montalban

4:15 AM ETA DENR Office in Bgy. Wawa | Register and pay necessary fees

4:30 AM Start hike at Mt. Binacayan

5:30 AM ETA Summit | Enjoy Sunrise and Sea of Clouds

7:00 AM Start descent

8:00 AM Start hike at Mt. Pamitinan 

9:30 AM ETA Summit | Photo Op

10:30 AM Start Descent

11:00 AM Lunch at the so - called 7-11 | Rest | Eat Halo - Halo

1:00 PM Start Descent

1:30 PM ETA DENR Office | Freshen up 

3:00 PM ETD for Manila

4:30 PM Home Sweet Home

Total Expenses for our Trip: (Note: It was just ME and my PARTNER)

50 Php - FX to Montalban

60 Php - special / 30 each 

2 Php - Waiver

20 Php - "donation"

20 Php- "donation"

500 Php - Guide Fee / 250 each

8 Php - Jeep to Bayan

50 Php- FX to Cubao via Philcoa

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360 Php!

Travel tips:

1. Start early, so  that you finish early. Also, if you start early there is a higher chance for you to reach the summit before sunrise and witness their majestic "sea of clouds". Lastly, it gets really crowded after 7 in the morning. 

See that, we were so early pero may NAUNA pa din. :D

2. There are stores on your way up, you may or may not bring too much food and water, just be prepared for cash, they do not accept credit cards! HAHAHAHA. 

3. Be friendly especially to the locals and people you meet along the way. :) This is basic. 

4. Please promote the Leave No Trace Policy. Be a responsible hiker. #biyaHERO!

5. Stop taking too much selfie on the summit, especially if there are LOTS of people waiting for their turn! You don't have to take picture of every corner of the mountain. 

1/8 ang ito ng taong nagaabang makapag summit

6. Stop playing loud music, talking/ laughing out loud, or even screaming! It is unethical and disturbing to other living things. ;)

7. It is advisable to wear a worker's gloves as the limestone are really sharp. Be more cautious and always listen to your guide. 

3M Workers Gloves

8. I highly recommend that you climb on weekdays, as it really gets crowded on weekends! There was a line going up to the summit of Pamitinan and people are waiting for their turn. BTW, we were 17th on the line. 0.0

NAKATULOG NA KO KAKAHINTAY!

9. It would be best if you already have a contact guide prior to your hike as it will ensure you that your guide is a LEGIT one, that has undergone training so that you will not just enjoy the view but also learn some history about their place. I highly recommend that you get Tatay Fernando on your next hike. He is very kind and funny! Call him, 0921 - 564 - 7249. 

10. There is a new policy effective February 1, 2016. They have new rates, please take note of the following:

• ENTRANCE FEE : 20 PHP
• TREKKING FEE : 50 PHP/ PERSON
• CAVING FEE : 20 PHP/ PERSON
• TOUR GUIDE FEE : 500 PHP/ GROUP OF FIVE (5) PERSONS [FOR HIKERS]

*** Visting Time is from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Note: They do not allow hikers to start after 2pm, for safety purposes)

Verdict of Tara Gumala: It was a fulfilling hike, as it was my first time to climb two mountains in 1 day. I prefer early morning hike, as it is not exhausting. I will definitely come back here on a weekday. I regret going there on a weekend, it was so crowded. I enjoyed seeing young people but argh! I hate crowded places.

Ano, TARA GUMALA??

CIAO. 

--

GABRIELA

Budget hike at Mt. Sembrano

SAAN AABOT ANG 250 PHP MO?

SA MT. SEMBRANO

Peak 1 of Mt. Sembrano (The grassy slope)

So after months of not traveling. My partner decided that we do a day hike at Mt. Sembrano. I was hesitant at first because of its infamous reputation for having a high number of theft cases. The thing that made me agree to do a day hike was the chance to travel again. Since I am too busy on my academics, my partner planned everything and I just invited some friends.

Mt. Sembrano is really a hard one, not perfect for beginners or "pabebe". According to Pinoy Mountaineer, the trail difficulty is 4/9 (for me it was 6/9). What made it harder was the mud and slippery trail plus it was all assault! I was really exhausted, by the time we reached the north peak I almost gave up but I could not stay there because they will all go to the summit.

The best season to hike this is during December - February (Amihan Season) because of the cool wind breeze!

The grassy slopes remind me of Mt. Pulag

Going back, I am so proud of this trip because I only spent 300Php for this trip. This is my cheapest hike ever! So how this we managed that? Simple lang..

Selfie at the summit

Here is  a sample itinerary for you guys (spoon feeding to ha!):

4:00AM Ride a van/jeep bound for Tanay
5:30AM ETA Tanay (buy snacks or lunch)
5:45AM Ride a jeep bound for Malaya (Tell the driver to drop you off at the Bgy. Hall)
6:30AM Register | Start Trek
* Depending on your phasing, the trek usually takes 2 - 4 hours before you reach the summit.
9:00AM Summit | Photo Ops, Rest, Picnic
10:30AM Start Descent as there are no shade in the summit.
11:30AM Side trip at Manggahan Falls
12:00NN Start Descent going to Barangay
1:00PM Wash up
2:00PM Ride a jeep bound for Tanay
2:45PM ETA Tanay
3:00PM Ride a bus bound for Crossing or Van bound for Starmall
5:00PM Home sweet home


Here is the breakdown of expenses:
70 - Van bound for Tanay
23 - Jeep bound for Bgy. Malaya
20 - Registration
10 - Registration at Mangahan
20 - Coconut
10 - Wash up
23 - Jeep bound for Tanay
60 - Bus bound for Crossing
-----------
236.00 PHP!

You still have extra money to buy food or drinks. I highly advise that you bring your own food, there are no stores open on early morning.

Ahhh This is life! :)

VERDICT OF TARA GUMALA:
When you are on a tight budget and just want a new place to visit. Mt. Sembrano is the perfect place for hikers, maybe not for beginners but for those strong willed will surely conquer this!

Ano, TARA GUMALA?? 

Chasing Milky Way at Mt. Daraitan + Tinipak River with Plan B

This post is for you to drool how cool it is to stay outdoor! Enjoyyyyy!

First stop, ride that boat and cross the river. Fare: 5 Php

Then ride a tricycle going to Barangay and Register. Fare: 10 Php
Environment Fee: 20 Php
Mandatory Guide Fee: 1,250 Php for overnight

The rocky boulders on our way to Tinipak River. A horse is their way of transporting their goods.




View in front of our tent city.

Photographers getting ready to chase milkyway! No lights pleaaase!

Took us 1 minute to have this shot! Thank you Master Rizalde Cayanan

After an early morning hike, this view welcomed us. Sea of clouds

Buwis buhay shots!



Groupie with Sleeping Beauty!



Best selfie for 2015!

Tinipak River enroute to the Cave

VERDICT OF TARA GUMALA:
Daraitan and Tinapak River is indeed a must go to because of its natural beauty. I just hate the "mandatory" guide fee that is so expensive and they did not even issued a receipt! The local government must review their policy on this, in order to protect the environment at the same time the tourists.

Ano, TARA GUMALA??

Travel Guide to Tanay, Rizal

TARA SA TANAY, HANE!

Tanay is just 1 - 2 hours away from Manila, depends on the traffic. It has been serving a lot of tourists, mostly locals, a great escape from the bustling sound of Metro Manila. I don't know much about Tanay, whenever I hear about it all I can remember is that it is a place where Joseph Estrada was house arrested! Nothing more, nothing less.

Until recently, a friend of mine asked me if I have been to a falls in Tanay. I was puzzled if there is such a thing and I even doubt if it is really stunning.You can't blame me, it just an hour away from Manila and we all know how polluted Manila is!

Anyway, me and my travel buddies/photographers (c) Sir Elvis for the photos below (naks naman), set a date to explore Tanay for a day. I did not do a full research about Tanay, I just asked a co-blogger, Sir Jay, who has been there a week before ours. Since this blog is all about my travel, itinerary, how to's; I'm gonna give you guys my travel tips to Tanay! HANE?

This is our itinerary, hope this will help you.

TIPS!

1. If you are travelling with group like 4 - 5 pax, you may opt to rent a tricycle for a day. Rate ranges from 800 - 1000 depending on your haggling skills! Though if you are a group of 10, renting a van is the best option as there are no jeeps passing thru Daranak and Calinawaan Cave.


2. TRAVEL EARLY! As in 4am - 5am. To avoid heavy flow of traffic in Ortigas Ext., -___-

3. Gates of Daranak Falls opens at 8:00am, be there before the said time as it gets crowded. If you don't like being in a crowded place, Daranak Falls is not for you. Though I was able to get a good shot! ;)

4. Never miss Batlag Falls, yes the entrance is VERY EXPENSIVE!!! For the record, it costs 120 Php per head. I know, even I contest about it but I have no choice. IT WAS PRIVATELY OWNED BY A GREEDY INDIVIDUAL!!! Nevertheless, I enjoyed it because I was the only one swimming during that time!!! hahaha. #RareMoments

Photo Credit: Sir Elvis

5. Calinawaan Cave is not a must see. It is also privately owned by a clan and not properly maintained. If you are a celebrity fan, you'll recognize the place as it is one of the favorite locations for shooting. One of the recent movies filmed there was Bonifacio.

Photo Credit : Mark Garcia

6. Visit the old church of San Ildefonso, the one in the town center. It has a sculpted tree with an image of Mother and Child(Not so sure about it). It is worth visiting plus there is a saying that you can wish in a church when it is your first time to visit it.

Photo Credit : Frezian Villanueva

7. REGINA ROSARI. Largest Mama Mary I have ever seen! Reminder: Shorts, mini skirts and sleeveless are not allowed to go up to the statue but they are giving long skirt ("tapis"). The view up there is very relaxing, the lush greenery of Sierra Madre and the fresh air! Ahhhh!!!! Though it is really crowded -____-

Photo Credit: Frezian Villanueva

8. If you are a fan of balancing stones, you find a lot of it at the river below the gates of Daranak Falls!

Credits to Sir Elvis

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? VISIT TANAY NOW! ESCAPE FROM THE HUSTLE BUSTLE OF MANILAAAAAAA!


 Hope I helped you in any way. Please leave a comment if you have any clarifications and I'll be glad to answer it all.


Ano, TARA GUMALA??

CIAO.
--
GABRIELA.