If you are the kind of person who loves adventure and relaxation at the same time, then Mt. Daraitan is the perfect place for your get-away. Experience Tinipak Cave, Tinipak River and the summit all in one place. 😀

Two weeks ago, I and my travel buddies (together with their friends), made it to the top of Mt. Daraitan. I was surprised by how we managed to reach the summit for only 3 hours. I was actually surprised by how fast was I during the climb. Maybe because we started it around 2:30AM and there’s nothing much to take pictures of when it’s that dark.

Below are the pictures they captured while we were resting for a while:

And before giving tips and sharing the details regarding our climb, here’s a back story for you to better visualized our adventure.

We scheduled our trip on weekend, and as usual, the place was so crowded (because it’s weekend). As in sooooo crowded. Your group must fall in line in order to have a picture on the amazing spot.

My sister even made a meme with our experience at the top:

This adventure was actually overnight, because we were after the sea of clouds. We were so eager to witness that awesome wonder of God, but, we were surrounded by sea of people instead. But that’s okay, at least, they’ll witness another masterpiece of God.  And although, we didn’t see what we were after of, it is still an amazing journey when you have reached the top plus the other activity we had, like caving tour and swimming both in the river and in the cave. It was so refreshing.  Nakakawala ng pagod (please use google translate if you’re not a Filipino :P).

Here’s what the Tinipak Cave looks like inside:

Be very careful if you’re planning to experience this activity; the stones and man-made ladder are very slippery.

I forgot to mention that our adventure in Mt. Daraitan was overnight. Acually, we made an itinerary but ended up revising it right after our tour guide said that the camp site is just beside the Tinipak River… just at the bottom of the mountain.

If you are planning for an overnight trek, you don’t have to bring a lot of things (like thermos, etc.) because those are available at the camp site. But if you’re like us who are making sure that our tour will be a budget friendly for all joiners, think wisely of what to bring and what’s not to.

Our first-day-activity includes, swimming at the river and cave tour.

And during 2:30AM, we started the trek and left our tent and those not so important things at the camp. Here are some of the photos of the view/scenery at the top of Mt. Daraitan.

There you go, I hope you have visualized your own adventure here in this place. But I suggest, don’t just visualized, experience it yourself. 😀 And aside from leave no trace policy, I must remind you that you should pray before the climb. Well in our case, even while we start the trip, we are praying and asking God for our safety. And that is very important.

Here’s some tips that I know you’ve been wanting to know 😛

Things to bring:
– water (good for two days, pero may mabibilhan din naman dun)
– extra clothes
– sandals (meron kasing River: Tinapak River)
– swimming clothes (yung gusto maligo sa river)
– Tents (overnight)
– Trail snacks (bread, etc.)
– energy bar (chocolates, candies, etc)
– trash bag
– tissue/wet wipes
– firs aid kit
– jacket

Expenses: (this is for 11 pax)
Transpo – 510 (5500/11 + parking fee)
Registration – 100 (Environmental, cultural, tourism)
Tour guide (overnight) – 228 (1250+1250 / 11, overnight tour guide rate)
Camping/Tent site fee – 45

Itinerary:
(Day 1)
6AM – Tejero
11AM – Lunch (along the way)
12:30NN – registration / gear up
12:50NN – start of trek
2:30PM – camp site
2:30 to 3:00 PM – tent building
3:00-4:30 PM – Tinipak Cave
4:30PM to 5:30 PM – Tinipak River
6:00 7:00 – Dinner
(Day 2)
2:00AM – breakfastand prep
2:30AM – start of trek
5:30AM – Summit
7:30AM – trek going down
9:30AM – campsite
10:00 to 11:00 AM – free time (swim again)
11:30AM – Lunch
12:30PM – pack up
1:30 PM – board the car
5:00PM – Tejero

Here are bonus photos from our overnight trek captured by our friend Ryan Rey:
(meanwhile, here’s the link of our adventure footage at Mt. Daraitan: https://youtu.be/Nc6jwIJrEEQ)