Mt. Daraitan and Tinipak River

In the unassuming barangay of Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal, lies secret wonders every adventurer should see.

Mt. Daraitan is bordered by Tanay Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon. Coming from Manila, travel will take you about 4 hours or less to arrive there. And when you do, you'll be amazed at the hidden wonders this little barangay can offer.

It's recommended to depart Manila early in the morning to avoid the traffic. Unfortunately in our case, we left a bit late so we started our trek a little before noon.

Arriving at the barangay, we visited the barangay hall for registration, requiring us a fee of 20Php each. The barangay staff told us that when we got to the top, we won't find any stores where we can buy refreshments, unlike in other mountains. This is because they wanted to preserve the mountain.

As always, we offered a prayer to ask our Lord Jesus Christ for guidance throughout the trip.

The weather was fine as we started our adventure.

Greeting us as we began the trek are these kids, asking us for piso and biscuit. Since we didn't have biscuits, we gave them piso coins instead.

The trek to the mountain had its challenging parts but thanks to the handrails provided, climbing was easier. I wasn't also feeling well during the climb and so I wasn't able to take much pictures. Having enough sleep and rest is definitely a must before climbing any mountain. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't prepared. :(

The price of the hike is the view of the Tinipak River. The view was regrettably foggy when we were at the top as the rain started to pour down on us. But minus the fogginess, I'm sure the view would be lovely.

Climbing down became a bit difficult because of the weather. The steps were muddy and slippery and it was a really a challenge for all of us. Thankfully, the weather got better when we finally arrived at the foot of the mountain.

Thumbs up to everyone!

By this time, we were already feeling the excitement of going to the Tinipak River.

Kids were running around when we got back to the town. They gave us their gleeful greetings, making us feel more hyped and positive about the whole trek.

After that muddy descent, we went our way to the river, all of us looking forward to the refreshing swim. :)

Aside from being Region IV's cleanest inland body of water, Tinipak River was also a sight to behold. It felt as if it was a treat for us after that challenging muddy climb from Mt. Daraitan.

The current of the river was too strong and the water was ice cold. It was definitely a refreshing reward for what we've been through during the trek.

Among the mountains I've climbed, this one will definitely be an unforgettable one. It's the first time that I organized a hike by myself. Yes it gave me added stress but it also gave me a sense of satisfaction and achievement.

Also, it was the first time when I really had a difficult time hiking. And I blame my unwell condition :( That day, I gained many battle scars and though the wounds felt painful in the beginning, they quenched my hunger for adventure in wonderful way.

All of these I thank God for because without Him I wouldn't be able to do all these. His creations are what push me to go as far as this and I will continue to do this to appreciate Him more.

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