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IT01- TINIPAK RIVER ADVENTURE

Want to escape the hassle here in metro? Want to go out of town and relax but dont have budget? Tinipak River is the perfect place for you, just 4 hours away from Manila, you will have an adrenaline filled weekend by visiting Tinipak River which is located in between the province of Daraitan Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar Quezon.

How to get there ??

1.From Starmall in shaw boulevard, ride a van going to Tanay, Rizal.  Go down at Tanay Public Market. Fare: 70 pesos; Time: 2-2.5 hrs   If you will be coming from Ortigas/Cainta/Taytay, ride a jeepney going to Tanay,Rizal. Go down at Tanay Public Market. Fare: 45 pesos; Time: 1-1.5 hrs.

2. From Tanay Public Market almost all the tricycle there can take you to Brgy. Daraitan. Fare: 500/ trip. Maximum passenger: 4. They will not allow more than the maximum for safety purposes. Also don't try to haggle with the price because the trip is long and will consume a lot of fuel.

 3. Go down at the junction of Brgy. Daraitan, from there you will need to cross a wooden bridge to get to the other side of the river. 

4. After crossing the river, you have two options:   If you want to warm up for your trek/hike : start walking, it will take 15-20 mins to reach the barangay hall.   For convenience: ride a tricycle going to barangay hall. fare: 15/ person. 5. Registration at the barangay hall,  you will pay the environmental fee for Tanay : 50 pesos and your group will be assigned to a local  guide: 500/ group. Whether you will climb Mt. Daraitan or just go straight to Tinipak River the fee  is the same .  If you will go to Tinipak Cave, you need to rent a headlight  : 30/each because the underground cave is pitch black 

The Journey :))

The trek going to the main attraction of Tinipak river will take 1-1.5 hrs from the barangay hall.It is somehow challenging because it requires  river crossing,  wooden bridge crossing and  rock climbing. It's actually a good trek for a newbie because although it's short, it's still full of different activities.

Before you reach the main part of the river, you will pass by another registration. You will pay an environmental fee of 20 pesos/each  because some of the parts of Tinipak river belongs to Quezon Province. This is also the perfect spot to take a break and to  fuel up. You should try Tinipak's famous Lomi for only 35 pesos.

Another 15 mins trek and you finally reach the Tinipak River. You will now see the crystal clear water and the mesmerizing white rock formations

After enjoying the beauty of Tinipak River, we went to our side trip destination which is the Tinipak Cave.It's an underground cave located 10 mins away from the main part of Tinipak River.  Just for 5 pesos entrance fee you will be able to see live limestones formations that shines like glitters under sunlight. The caving will take around 15-20 minutes and at the end is a basin like area with flowing water from Tinipak river where you could take a dip. The water here is very cold, So get ready for the tempreature! Don' be afraid to try swimming here even if it's dark, the water is just shallow.

After caving you can go back to the river and enjoy :)

You can swim and relax, you can take photos whatever you want just dont leave any trash .

[jharelle14-blog]

IT01 - MT ULAP EXPLORATION

 MT. ULAP ECO-TRAIL

Location: Itogon, Benguet

Entry point: Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon Exit point: Brgy. Sta. Fe, Itogon LLA: 16.2904 N, 120.6312 E, 1846 MASL (Mt. Ulap) Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours Specs: Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3, Features: Grassland and pine ridges, scenic views of the Cordilleras, burial caves

Baguio City known as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines” is a great place to visit all year round not just because of its cold weather but also for its beautiful scenery, unique and tasteful foods and most especially the culture and welcoming vibes of the people lives in here. But beyond our knowledge, there is a place in here wherein known as one of the most favored mountain for beginers in mountain climbing, That is none other than “Mt Ulap”

If you want an easy access bonding with your friends and relatives Mt Ulap is a perfect place for you. Compare to other mountains like Mt. Ugo and Mt. Pulag, Mt Ulap is just 45mins to 1hour ride from Baguio City and when you arrive in the jump off area all you need to do is to register at Barangay Hall manned by Brgy. Officials, secure a guide and pay necessary fees.

All in all you will finish the whole 10km trail  for around 6 to 8 hrs(which in my case it takes 8hrs hahaha)  depending on your pacing. The first part of the trail consist of almost non-stop ascend so better watch out your step when you go here. For experts Mt. Ulap is not a hard climb but for beginers  because of its non stop ascend and rocky part it will be an intense climb.

The Tomtombek, a gradual walk from the Barangay Hall to the metal welcome board showing the different stations and the beginning of the upward assault. The next station, Ambanao Paoay, a 1,788 mASL peak, is adorned with man-made stone stacks but to reach this, you must survive the almost non-stop ascent trail.

Gungal Peak is the most popular spot on Mt Ulap. It is a must that you take a picture of it because of the stunning view made up of amazing rock formations, rolling canyons and often mesmeric cloud formations that linger atmospherically on and between the peaks. You have to be quick though as the officials of Mt Ulap have decided to limit taking pictures here for 10 seconds per person and this is especially enforced whenever a large number of people are hiking. Apparently, this is to ensure that everyone has the chance to take their photos. My friends and I had to wait for at least an hour since we went there on a weekend and the place was swarming with people.

From Gungal Peak, it will take you at least an hour to reach the Summit. Once you reach it, you are rewarded with a splendid view of the Cordillera Mountain ranges. It is truly breathtaking and the cold breeze adds up to the total satisfaction.

If you think going down is easy, think again! Going down is a tricky descent because of the steepness of the trail. Fortunately, locals have been kind enough to make a real effort for the tourists and have constructed a makeshift stairway.

After an hour or so of knee numbing descent, you will be welcomed by the ‘infamous’ store up in the mountain, the Ministop/711. You can take a break here and recharge your energy. You can try ordering pancit canton and red rice for Php 40 only! From the Ministop store, it will only take you around an hour to finish the trail of Mt ulap.

Once you get a view of the hanging bridge you’ll know you made it to the finish line! You just survived Mt Ulap.

Itenerary

0100 ETD Cubao to Baguio 0640 ETA Brgy. Ampucao. Head to barangay hall. Register / Secure guides 0700 Start trek 0930 ETA Gungol Rock 1030 ETA Mt. Ulap summit 1130 Visit Burial Caves 1300 Arrival at Sta. Fe exit point. Wait for jeepney back to Baguio 1400 Back in Baguio City (and then to Manila)

Reminders

1. When climbing “Leave no trace”. Practice clean as you go as form of respect to the natives there

2. Bring at least 2Litters of water

3. Dont bring too much stuff when hiking

4. Have fun :)