My First Hiking Experience

If you are looking for a challenging and a memorable hiking experience. Check out Mt. Daraitan, one of the popular and the most visited hiking destination in the Province of Rizal.

Mt. Daraitan is a gem at the heart of the great Sierra Madre mountain range which sits near the border of Tanay, Rizal, and General Nakar, Quezon. It offers a relaxing view of the sea of clouds, sunrise, the Daraitan river, and scenic views of the Sierra Madre Mountain range. It is located in Barangay Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal.

Mt. Daraitan is one of the popular mountains located in the first-class municipality of Tanay, Rizal. Bragging all of nature’s excellence from clean rivers and attractive caves which is approximately a hundred years old structure of pillar and pebble rocks to the delightful view of the Sierra Madre mountain range and the beautiful Tinipak River.

Credits to Daraitan Tanay Rizal Facebook Page

How did I get to Mt. Daraitan?

I was in my STEP 1 Training Program that time last November 2018 in this current job of mine right now. When we are about to finished our training, we planned to treat ourselves. The first thing that came to our minds at that time was just a simple celebration, just treat ourselves with delicious foods together with my co-trainees. Then here comes one of my co-workers suggested that if it's okay for us, we should try something new, "how about mountain hiking he said". The day after, at our Training Office we opened this plan, that instead of going outside and grab some foods, we should try something new and exciting. Then gladly, all of us agreed about it, as well as my trainors. We researched and saw a lot of recommendations of the good hiking spots near in Metro Manila, then we finally agreed and choosed Mt. Daraitan.

The week after, we all prepared the budgets for foods, waters and medical supplies that are really needed during our trek, and especially ourselves. The night before the day of our departure,we cooked the food that we bought from the budgets that we raised. The day after, early in the morning at exactly 3 AM, we left and started our journey to Mt. Daraitan.

To get to the main village, we had to cross the Tinipak River via a bamboo floating raft. After crossing the river. We rode a tricycle towards to the Barangay Hall. We arrived at the Daraitan Barangay Hall at around 5-6 AM, then the tour guide instructed us the following safety protocols and divided our team into four groups. The tour guide also discuss the different places that we might pass by while trekking the mountain. At first I thought it was just an easy track but later on I realized that it wasn't at all, because as we go on reaching to its peak the road becomes narrow and rocky. Fast forward, when were about to reached the top the weather changed, it rained and becomes foggy. So we decided to wait for the sun to rise and took pictures.

After we decided to went down we took group photo.

When we were about to went down the weather changes again, and as per suggested by the tour guide we should stop over lastly at "heart peak" where we can also took some good photos.

After stopping at the "heart peak" we decided to went down at the bottom of the mountain and went on a swimming on the river called "Tinipak River."

After swimming, we went back to the Barangay Hall and waited for the other members of our groups to come. Then we finally leave the village at around 3-4 PM and arrive at our company at around 7 PM in the evening.

After that hiking trek my whole body hurts. I didn't even go to work the next day. But still my first hiking experience was one of the best experience I've had, not because we saw a lot of nice places there but because we completed the challenges that we faced during that trek. I even saw the hardships and the teamwork of my group, until we all reached to the summit.

So if your planning your next hike with your friends or your family you should try Mt. Daraitan guys I'm sure that you will enjoy it. And always remember not to throw your garbage anywhere. Always maintain the cleanliness of our mother nature.

That's all for today blog guys. Have a great night and God Bless.

Rhedren20