Mt. Binutasan + Batis Falls

Location: Sitio Maysawa, Brgy. Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal
Elevation: 591 MASL
Date: September 13, 2017
How To Get There:

📍 From Cubao take a jeep going to Cogeo, alight in Gate 2(landmark is SUPER8 on the left side)

 📍 Walk towards the Palengke where the Terminal of jeepneys going to Sampaloc, Tanay is located. Nasa right side yon.☺

 📍 Ask the driver to drop you off at Cuyambay, from the junction may mga nag-aabang ng habal going to Brgy. Hall. Have fun!

It was a rainy Sunday but me and my friend still pushed this climb in search for the Sea of Clouds. This was actually my friend's first hike that's why we were both stoked despite of the muddy and slippery trail.

I was praying hard inside that we catch the sea of clouds because I don't wanna disappoint my friend on her first hike. :) And God is great! Because after more than an hour of trekking, thick cotton candy clouds welcomed us even before reaching the summit.

I saw the smile of fulfillment on my friend's face and that doubles my happiness! I don't know, but I just felt so happy that she has finally opened her doors to adventure. Because I know the feeling when I first started travelling. Do you guys know the feeling as well? I'm sure you do!

It was one of the most beautiful mornings in my life.💕 I just stand there in owe, admiring God's creation and realizing how much I am blessed to be able to see this kind of beauty.

I've been hiking for almost two years now, yet haven't witnessed the sea of clouds that's why I'm too happy we get to catch it. I'm also happy to see my friend, being speechless of what she's seeing! I have always shared to her how beautiful it is up into the mountains and how it heals the burdens of mankind.

We opted not to hike Mt. Sapari and head directly to Batis Falls as my friend is really looking forward for a falls side trip.  We enjoyed the waters so much because there were only few hikers that time and eventually left after taking pictures! :P

Got tired and hungry after the hike and swimming at the falls? Nanay Linda's kubo is the best place to head to. You can mention Nanay Linda to your guide so they can prepare in advance. Native Chicken Tinola is only Php 300, they will actually catch the chicken in front of you! They have rice as well for Php 20.

Here's our sample itinerary for you reference:

0330 Meetup mcdo tropical/take jeep to Cogeo 

4000 ETA Cogeo take jeep to Cuyambay 

0500 ETA Cuyambay 

0600 Start trek 

0800 Summit/Photo Op 

0845 Descent 

0900 Eta Nanay Linda's House/Rest 

1000 Head to Batis falls 

1020 ETA Batis 

1100 Head back to ate Linda's 

1130 Lunch 

1200 Power nap 

1300 Start Descent/Head back to jumpoff 

1400 ETA Jumpoff/wash up 

1500 Back to Manila 

EXPENSES:

Tropical vv Cogeo P26 

Cogeo vv Cuyambay P96 

Habal to Brgy. Hall P40/pax 

Registration fee P100/pax 

Guide Fee P500/2=P250/pax 

Habal habal to Maysawa P60/pax(this includes the guide's fare on habal) 

Lunch Native tinola P300/2=P150/pax 

Rice P20 

Shower Fee P40(mejo mahal per timba P20 kaloka) 

Total: P752

CONTACT GUIDES: 

Kuya Muhammad 09071018668 

Kuya Jessie 09293571746

Watch our travel video here:

Mt. Sipit Ulang + Payaran Falls

This is so long overdue, I already posted this on my Facebook Page because I can't blog yet. But here it is now. 

The saying, "The mountains are calling and I must go." is indeed true. Whenever I feel the calling, I don't care whether I have or don't have a companion. Good thing there's always a friend who always feels the same itch! :) My friend Isay, we were hiking for a while now but haven't hiked together yet, that's why I'm happy to have her that day.

Location: Brgy. Mascap, Rodriguez, Rizal 
"Sipit Ulang" is derived from the rock formation at the summit's pinnacle which looks like a crab's claw. Arising at 251MASL, this mountain is best for a chill climb or a twin hike. 

HOW TO GET THERE:
📌 If you're coming from cubao, I believe there are jeepneys and UVs going to Rodriguez 
📌 If you're coming from Pasig, you can ride a Jeepney going to Marikina, alight in Ligaya and ride a jeeepney going to Sta lucia east. Take the footbridge going to Yellowcab and you'll easily find jeepneys with Montalban/Rodriguez sign on it.
 Alight in Montalban, walk towards Eastwood Tricycle Terminal, you can ask around because there are really no signs going to the terminal.
 Take a tricycle going to Brgy. Mascap

The first part of the trail is mostly covered with trees and bamboo, then you'll have to pass thru a cave, which is very dark and narrow. You might want to bring your headlamps, although the guides are very hands on on, giving you precautions so that you won't slip or hit your head on the rocks.

There are two trails to choose from namely the Banayad Trail which is the easier route and the Paniki Trail which offers a more challenging trek. Our guide didn't asked us and automatically led us to the latter. I guess he smells our hunger for adventure! The Great Wall of MASCAP, I believe is part of the Paniki Trail.

After about 2.5 hours of trekking, we reached the famous Sipit Ulang Rock Formation. Hiking the mountains on my bucket list is always worthwhile, always surreal that you get to be at the summits you once only see in photos.

Mountains Hapunang Banoi, Pamitinan, and Binicayan can be seen atop of Mt. Sipit Ulang

I always love the feeling above, I always feel renewed--indeed mountaineering has been my therapy for all the stress life has given.

This is our guide, Sir Bobby, skilled and trusty guide I must say. Outfit pa lang, you know he's ready for a hike. He'd always give us precautions while passing the cave, the narrow passages and while hiking the rock formations at the summit. He even told us that he already did an undecalogy hike.It's an eleven-mountain hike, take note, eleven mountains in like two or three days. I'll put his contact number together with the itinerary at the end of this post!

No gloves, no problemo!

My kind of high!

GOING TO PAYARAN FALLS

A dip at Payaran Falls is a recommended side trip after the hike. It's about an hour trek from jumpoff with river-crossing activity.

Braved ourselves to reach the basin and last layer of Payaran Falls even if we both don't know how to swim. 

Watch our travel video here:

Here's our sample itinerary and list of expenses for your reference: 

ITINERARY:
🔸0545 Tropical to Eastwood, Rodriguez
🔸0630 Eastwood to MASCAP / special trip
🔸0730 Start Trek
🔸1000 Summit 🗻
🔸1100 Descent
🔸1200 ETA Jumpoff/Eat Lunch 🍴
🔸1300 Start Trek to Payaran Falls 🍃
🔸1400 Payaran falls
🔸1530 Head back to jumpoff
🔸1630 ETA jumpoff/Wash up/Head back Home

EXPENSES:
Sta Lucia East vv Rodriguez P68
Eastwood vv MASCAP P75
Breakfast P25
Guide Fee P700/2=P350
Registration Fee P50
Bathroom Fee P20
Total: P588

CONTACT GUIDE: 
📎Sir Bobby 09366144396

Til our next hike! P.s Travel Video to follow! :)