Hiking Adventures #7: Mt. Daraitan Climb Traversed to Tinipak River

As long weekend is approaching due to Pope Francis' visit in the Philippines, I convinced my hiking buddies to grab the chance to go hiking again. And the first mountain that comes through my mind was Mt. Daraitan.

Mt. Daraitan

Mt. Daraitan is located at Tanay, Rizal and it's part of the Sierra Madre mountain range. Daraitan came from the name of the Barangay where the mountain is located. The height of the mountain is 739+ meters above sea level with 4/9 difficulty according to PinoyMountaineer.com but for us it was 5/9. Mt. Daraitan is famous by it's view of meandering Daraitan river as seen from the summit. Also, there's a possible traverse to Quezon Province's Tinipak River. There can be also a sea of clouds if the weather is on good condition.

Meandering Daraitan River

I was the one who organized this climb and this was my first time. I had to limit the number of participants since we have limited tents. Therefore, we're only 6 on the group. We met at Starmall Shaw then rode a jeep going to Tanay. It took 2 hours before we arrived at Tanay Public Market. We immediately looked for fastfood stores to avail meals. According from some blogs and from the people we met, there are jeeps that are directly going to Brgy. Daraitan but it will leave at exactly 1pm. Seems it would break our itinerary, we decided to ride on a jeep heading to Brgy. Sampaloc then ride a tricycle going to Brgy. Daraitan. However, you can also ride a tricycle directly to Daraitan if you afford to pay P150 or above per person.

When we arrived at Brgy. Sampaloc, we had to ride additional tricycle heading to Gate 1 according to some tricycle drivers. Because the terminal of  the tricycles were relocated, and it cost us additional P10 pesos. I was surprised when I asked the fare going to Daraitan, because I thought it was P100 yet it was only P50. They can charge additional P10 for the backpacks.

We crossed the river via raft. The fare is P10. Then we rode on a tricycle again going to the jump-off.

River Crossing via Raft in Mt. Daraitan

River Crossing via Raft in Mt. Daraitan

Daraitan's Brgy. Hall

Mt. Daraitan Map

We immediately ate our lunch when we arrived then secured guides before we proceed. We started to trek at around 1pm and the initial part is a concrete uphill but not too steep.

Initial part of the trail

When we reached the main trail, we were shocked because of the muddy trail and it was already steep. We had a hard time climbing up because it was so slippery. We took a stop after an hour of hiking to rest and appreciate the view of the meandering Daraitan river.

The whole climb took more or less 3 hours. When we reached the campsite, we immediately set up our tents. The campsite on the summit is very small, it can only accommodate 5 to 6 tents. However, there are other campsite but it's 15 minutes trek away from the summit.

At the Trail

Mt. Daraitan Campsite

Group shot at the Summit

Limestones at Mt. Daraitan Summit

Jane Calipay sitting on a limestone

Zaldy Santos

Before we cook for dinner, we first took photos in rock formations near the campsite. Please put extra care while dealing with these pointed limestones because it might hurt you really bad. 

We cooked Adobo for dinner, and Sisig as pulutan for socials. It was a really a fun night though it there was rain showers. At 11pm after our socials, we turn the light off.

(L-R) Aldrin, Zaldy, Edmund during Socials

The next morning, it was raining and there was no sea of clouds or even sunset because of the bad weather. It was a little bit disappointing but I already expect this so it was alright. We get back to our tents and sleep a little bit more. 

We prepare for breakfast at around 7pm. The other group, Team Hart Hart gave us hotdogs to add on our meals. After our breakfast, we packed-up and prepare for descent to Tinipak River. But before that, we visit the Rockies and I thought there was no Rockies in Daraitan. Since it was raining, we didn't have clear shots from there. So we just appreciate the view while drenched in rain waters.

The trail going down to Tinipak River was a little bit more longer. It took more or less 4 hours before we reached the river. 

Tinipak River

Going back to the jump-off

It's not a good climb but it was a great experience. We made it even though the weather is not on our favor and for me it took me on another level as a newbie in hiking. I would like to thank my hiking buddies, Zaldy, Edmund, Aldrin and the two tough girls Jane and Cindy for sharing your time for this adventure that I organized. Til our next adventure!

 

ITINERARY

Day 1
0600 Take jeepney from EDSA-Shaw to Tanay, Rizal
0730 ETA Tanay, Rizal. Take jeep to Sampaloc, Tanay (P26
0815 ETA Sampaloc, Tanay. Take tricycle to Brgy. Daraitan (P100/person)
0900 Arrival at Daraitan River. Cross with raft and take trike to barangay hall
0930 ETA Barangay Hall; Register and secure guides.
1000 Start trek up Mt. Daraitan
1200 Lunch along the way
1300 Resume trek
1600 ETA summit. Set up camp.
1800 Dinner / socials
Day 2
0545 Sunrise viewing at the limestone formations
0700 Breakfast / Break camp
0800 Start descent to Tinipak River
1100 Arrival at Tinipak River. Lunch / Sidetrips
1530 Proceed to Brgy. Daritan via riverside trail
1615 Back at Barangay Hall; tidy up
1730 Head back to Tanay, Rizal via tricycle
1830 Back in Tanay Rizal. Take jeepney back to Shaw / Cogeo
2000 Back in Manila

BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES

Transportation
EDSA - Shaw to Tanay(Jeep): P70 - P90
Tanay to Sampaloc(Jeep): P26
Sampaloc to Gate 1(Tricycle): P10
Gate 1 to Brgy. Daraitan(Tricycle): P50
Cross Daraitan River (Raft): P10
River to Jump-off (Tricycle): P10

Registration Fee: P20

Guide: P500 (Dayhike); P1250(Overnight)

Estimated Budget: 
P500 - P700 (Dayhike)
P800 - P1200 (Overnight)

Photos by:
Aldrin Valentona 

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