Daraitan Adventure – A Travelogue

By Nina Dumlao – Photographer, WAFP Admin and Events Organizer

I first saw the beauty of Tinipak River in Daraitan, Rizal, from a friend's Facebook post. Since then, I told myself that I will go visit this place one day. So I decided to ask a mountaineer friend, Roberto Labaniego,  if he could accompany me and my daughter. I was so glad he said yes. We went twice, the second one being with a bigger group during a  FUNLakwatsa Adventure with 21 members of We are FUNtastic Philippines. 

Photo by Nina Raymundo Dumlao

The day finally came and all 21 of us were raring to go. The first two hours of the trip was an easy drive but getting closer to Brgy. Daraitan was an approximately nine-kilometer stretch of major rough road with sharp rocks. The place is protected and maintained by the local govt. of Brgy. Daraitan, every visitor is required to pay P20 for the registration fee and P500 tour guide fee which is good for eight people. 

Photo by Nina Raymundo Dumlao

A few minutes into the trail, you would see beautiful river scenery with rocks and boulders, trees, and clear, running water. It took us twice the time of the usual 20-minute hike because of the photo stops and breaks. We descended down going to the major point of Tinipak River by way of narrow wooden (seemingly rickety) bridge and ladders, climbing down the huge, white boulders by the riverbank, which in itself was already quite a challenge for newbies like us who are not familiar with hiking.

Photo by Art Soriano

We were all amazed at how awesome this place is (even for the second time around, I still marveled at its beauty). We found a spot near the entrance of Maytuntong Cave (commonly called Tinipak Cave) where we settled, ate our packed lunches, dipped in the brook nearby (with clean drinking water) while chit-chatting the time away.  

 Photo by Nina Raymundo Dumlao

At 1 p.m., it was time to go spelunking. The first time I went, I wasn't able to go in the cave and I promised myself I will not fail the second time around. The entrance of Maytuntong Cave is different from the ones I've seen; you need to climb down into a hole on the ground which is approximately 20 feet deep with the rugged rocks as stepping stones/ladder.

As we went deeper into the cave, we saw glittering stalactites on the walls and ceiling scattered all over.

Farther on, we heard the sound of gushing water. Soon enough, we have reached the cave's natural pool. The water was so clear and cold, but it sure was refreshing. At first glance, there seems to be a deep black hole in the center but it's actually black sand and it was only waist deep, so no worries there.

Photo by Art Soriano

Photo by Art Soriano

 

Photo by Nito San Luis

At 3 p.m., we started our hike back. We were made to pass a different route with no paved trail – we, newbies, were literally bouldering! It was difficult and it took us almost two hours to get back. Thank, God, nobody was hurt except for a few scratches and a dead toe nail – not mine.  Nevertheless, the experience was really awesome and memorable… new friendships were born among us and our Daraitan Adventure never fails to bring a smile on our faces and so off we look forward to our next adventure!

*** Tinipak river is a hidden paradise of Brgy. Daraitan in Tanay Rizal, which is located  at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains. It offers a perfect outdoor adventure from trekking, mountaineering, spelunking and swimming. Join us in our next adventure!
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More Photos here DARAITAN FUNLAKWATSA ALBUM

Hiking/Trekking in the Philippines.

My first hiking experience was during my scouting years in the late 70’s.   Los Baños Laguna was the center of all scouting activities during that time.  I was so excited to look at the lush greeneries of sugarcane plantations along the stretch of old SLEX that leads to Laguna.  Even more excited to learn that we will hike up on the mystique mountain of Mt. Makiling.  After the Makiling experience I never cease to dream of climbing a mountain.   

It is during my high school days in the early 80’s that I experienced the real hiking or trekking experience.   We are on a summer break when we planned to scale what I believe to be the blue mountain that I saw across the lake.  Just for me to find out that it was Mt. Irid a part of Sierra mountain ranges from the eastern side of Rizal. 

Sierra Madre Mountains

Crossing rivers and lakes
Rare Rafflesia Flower

 One of my trekking experience in the 80’s is climbing the mountains in Tanay Rizal. We boarded an old dilapidated jeep bound to Daraitan.  The trip was so exciting  we are on top of a jeep and  as I remember we crossed the river for more than 10 times before we reach sitio Daraitan, a Dumagat sitio. Our guide passed us to a Dumagat (local guide) wearing a G string,  a 3 feet hollow bamboo tube (buho) tucked in his behind and his native bow and arrow. It was a survival kit for drinking.  After locating a moist clay at the edge of a cliff he stucked his buho to a clay and a chocolate brown water runs.  In less than two minutes it becomes a clear water and he invited us to drink (or die without water while trekking).  After less than an hour of walking on a dense jungle we emerged on a miniature falls (spring) on a knee deep water.   We don’t have cameras then but the sight of a natural pool landscaped and encircled with variety of water plants is so enchanting.  Indeed, the Dumagat warned us that the place was enchanted so we move on until we reach our base camp at the foot of a limestone wall facing the mighty Agos river of Tanay. After several attempts, I finally scaled Mt. Irid last 2010.  Last March 2013 was my last visit to this place and I am at a lost due to its changing landscape.
Hiking/Climbing today are made easy with the advent of the technology and information. 
There are places that can be promoted as an Eco Tourism destination but there are some that is better left untouched with nature.   Mountains have their own capacity.  The most frequently visited mountain are the most vulnerable.   Mt. Pulag for example is accepting 25000 tourist a year (this info was based on 2010 data. Mt. Pulag is home to a diversity of a unique flora and fauna.  An indigenous dwarf bamboo and a cloud rat, slightly bigger than your average house cat, is a home on this mountain revered by the locals as the home of their ancestral gods.

Article Written by : Roberto Labaniego – A Mountaineer and an Admin of “We are FUNtastic Philippines”

Mt. Pulag by Raymond Medina

The most climbed mountains in the Philippines are Mt. Apo, Mt. Mayon, Mt. Halco, Mt. Mantalingahan, Mt. Hamiguitan, Mt. Guiting guiting, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Dulang dulang, Mt. Pulag and Mt. Kanlaon.
Article was published in HK LIFE News for November 2013 issue
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HKLIFE News November 2013 Issue
Written by: Roberto Labaniego