Mt. Daraitan

MT. DARAITAN

Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon Major jumpoff: Brgy. Daraitan (village centre), Tanay

Minor jumpoff: Sitio Cablao Brgy. Pagsangahan, General Nakar

LLA: 14°36′48.5′′N 121°26′19.5′′ E, 739 MASL (+600)

Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2.5-4 hours

Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 1-3

Features: Tropical forest, limestone formations, river trek

BACKGROUND

A gem at the heart of the great Sierra Madre mountain range, close enough to Manila to do as a dayhike, which sits near the border of Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon. A former logging area, the village that bears the mountain’s name is now an ecotourism site that offers outdoor attractions such as caves, springs, natural pools, and limestone formations. A model for ecotourism, the barangay has an organised system for handling visitors, including trained local guides.The hike up is a (mostly) straightforward 600-meter ascent that might feel steep to those not used to hiking. There are, however, plenty of holds and the trail is well-maintained. The forest environment is similar in characteristics with Mt. Pinagbanderahan, which also lies in the Sierra Madre – but Daraitan has more rewarding limestone viewpoints and a much more challenging hike.

At the summit, one can see the Sierra Madre mountains (E, NE), the meandering Daraitan River, and a glimpse of Laguna de Bay with its outlying mountains (i.e. Makiling and Sembrano) and the mountain within it: Mt. Tagapo. There is space for several tents if you wish to stay overnight. From the summit, instead of returning all the way to the barangay, a recommended route to take is the trail to Tinipak River. Though the trail itself is very similar to the ascending trail, Tinipak River, with its beautiful limestone boulders, is a great highlight and must not be missed! This is also a popular camping ground which gives the option of exploring the springs, natural pools, and caves in the area.

Mt. Daraitan is a great sampler for hiking up the relatively unexplored Sierra Madre mountains, and along with the other attractions in Daraitan, particularly the scenic, lunaresque Tinipak River, is a highly recommended dayhike or overnight destination from Manila.

ITINERARY:

RENT A VAN: P4,500 all in

2am – Meet up at Wendy’s Greenfield District

2:30-3:45am Travel time from Wendy’s to Daraitan River Tanay, Rizal

3:45am Arrival at Daraitan River, Cross with raft and take trike to Barangay Hall

4:00am ETA Barangay Hall; Register and secure guides

Recommended guide Kuya Rudy CP # 09174217628

4:30 am- Start trek up Mt Daraitan

8:30am ETA Summit. Explore the viewpoints / Bfast

9:30am Start descent to Tinipak River

12:00 nn Arrival at Tinipak River; Explore the area; swimming

1:30pm Proceed to Brgy Daraitan via riverside trail

3:00 pmHead back to EDSA Shaw

5:00pm ETA EDSA

If commute:

Mt. Daraitan + Tinipak River Dayhike

0230 Meet up at Wendy’s Greenfield District

0300 Take jeepney from EDSA-Shaw to Tanay, Rizal

0430 ETA Tanay, Rizal. Take jeep to Sampaloc, Tanay (P26)

0515 ETA Sampaloc, Tanay. Take tricycle to Brgy. Daraitan (P100/person)

0600 Arrival at Daraitan River. Cross with raft and take trike to barangay hall

0630 ETA Barangay Hall; Register and secure guides

0700 Start trek up Mt. Daraitan

1030 ETA summit. Explore the viewpoints / Lunch

1100 Start descent to Tinipak River

1400 Arrival at Tinipak River. Explore the area

1500 Proceed to Brgy. Daraitan via riverside trail

1600 Head back to Tanay, Rizal via tricycle or Jeep if available

Things to bring:

Packed lunch

Trail food

Water

Flashlights kasi madilim pa

Place your things(Clothes, CP, wallet) in plastic inside your bag (in case lang na umulan) dala ng payong pede din hehe at Raincoat n manipis kung meron

Towel

Extra clothes if maliligo sa Tinipak River

most of all, bring extra and more more ENERGY!!!

Estimated total expenses: 570(inc. Guide, Reg fee) + food and water.

The earlier you arrive at the summit the amazing view you will see. Sea of clouds everywhere!!!

Team Wanderlust @ Wendys Greenfield