Mt. Daraitan and Tinipak River

I've always wanted to go to Daraitan and I've been nagging for almost a year now, bugging my co-interns and blockmates from Rizal to take me there. IT FINALLY PUSHED THROUGH! This is the cheapest and my favorite-est #RRADventure so far.

I contacted my cousins the night before (I guess it's partly true, what they say, "mas natutuloy pag biglaan".), plotted to leave at 10am. Of course, no surprise at all, we left at 11am (Filipino time 😅😜).

Activities included: Trekking, rock climbing, rappelling, hiking, mountaineering, cave spelunking, river fording and rafting.

Short mandatory boat ride to the other side of the river

Ride the tricycle going to the Brgy. City Hall for registration. After registering and meeting your tour guide, don't forget to rent at least two (for a group of 4) flashlight headbands needed for cave spelunking. The tour guide will bring his own as well. The tricycle will take you to the Tinipak River trekking take-off spot.

Tinipak River trekking take-off spot

45 minute trek to the Campsite of Tinipak River

Along the way, there is ice-cold fresh spring water you can safely drink.

We arrived in the campsite at 3pm and decided to eat in a canteen located in the midst of the wilderness. How cool is that? There is a wide selection of homemade viands that you can choose from. We had menudo and sinigang! There's also a sari-sari store if you want to buy snacks.

Here comes the challenging part. Trekking alone for hours is exhausting enough, but now we have to go rock climbing, rappelling, hiking and mountaineering too? Fret not! I know it sounds tiring, but with the picturesque view, surprisingly you won't feel exasperated even when you get home. Everything is SO WORTH IT!

Cave spelunking commenced at 4pm. This, I must say is the most challenging part of the trip because just entering the pitch black cave is already hard, what more if we explored the rest of it for 45 minutes?

There's a jacuzzi at the end of the cave where you can relax and swim. It may have been the trickiest part, but it was also the best part! Having a private pool party in an isolated cave? I'm up for that!!!

Going back isn't as rough as the first time since you'll be sort of familiar with it now, it only took us 20 minutes to see the light! The only source of light coming out from the hole of the cave, that is. 😁

What's funny about the whole thing is we got dirty so we could clean ourselves in the jacuzzi, but only to get dirty again... Haha! But there will be time to swim again once you get back to the campsite.

Ah, yes! River fording at last. And swimming again, yaaaaaay!!

5:30pm and it's time to go... NOOO!! 😭 Arriving at the Tinipak River trekking take-off spot, you'll see tricycles waiting. We got back in the Brngy Hall at 6pm, took a bath and tidied up there, paid our tour guide and bid our see-you-soons!

That was definitely one for the books. <3

HOW TO GET THERE:

Via private vehicle

-> Once you get to Tanay Public Market, just ask the locals for directions to Baranggay Daraitan and they will gladly show you the way. (2-3 hours travel)

Note: It's a long and bumpy 11km ride to the starting point when you enter Brgy. Daraitan. You'll see a sign "to Mt. Daraitan 11km".

Via public transportation

-> Shaw Boulevard Starmall, ride a jeepney to Tanay. (1-2 hour/s travel)

-> From Tanay, ride a tricycle to Brgy. Daraitan. (1-2 hour/s travel)

I'm not entirely sure, but there are jeepneys from Tanay going to Brgy. Daraitan as well, it's cheaper and easier since the road is really bumpy.

P.S. Tour guide Daraitan summit = P800 Tour guide fee overnight = P1250 Professional shoots = P500 Tent rental for overnight = price unknown Things to bring for both day trip/overnight: - Snacks and water bottles/tumblers. - Water-resistant jacket or rain coat (I suggest you wear it after swimming in the jacuzzi, while spelunking so your bag won't get wet.) - Extra clothes, including socks and underwear. - Slippers/Aqua socks (It's either you change into slippers or aqua socks while swimming in the jacuzzi and then wear you rubber shoes again or swim with your rubber shoes on and change into slippers after the whole trip.) What to wear: For girls - Leggings (I prefer leggings because it will be so muddy and it'll be light whilst swimming. Wearing shorts or jogging pants on the other hand, in my opinion, will be such a hassle. But it's fine as long as you are comfortable!) - Sports bra and any loose (just not hanging or crop tops) or fit shirt. - Rubber shoes/Any outdoor footwear with high-performance rubber soles (it will be slippery at times).

For guys - Jogger/board shorts - Any loose or fit shirt - Rubber shoes/Any outdoor footwear with high-performance rubber soles (it will be slippery at times).

ENJOY!