Mt. Taraw

Mt. Taraw a.k.a Taraw cliff in El Nido Palawan

waiting for boarding

Mt. Taraw also known as "Taraw Cliff" is the highest point in El Nido. There was unexpected invites from a friends which prepares us a short length of time. Every time I have a scheduled out of town, I do research to the place, if I can do some trekking. Luckily I found Taraw Cliff, for our love of mountains, being in El Nido this cliff is the place to be added in our experience.

shopping before heading to El Nido

Dinner time

Itinerary

Nipa Hut

Day 0

1600 Assembly NAIA 3
1800 Boarding Time
1830 ETD Puerto Princesa Airport
1940 ETA Puerto Princesa Airport
2000 Late Dinner
2200 ETD El Nido

Day 1

0300 ETA El Nido
0700 Check-in Accomodation (rest)
0800 Breakfast (explore the area) free time

view from my bed

1100 Arrange guide to Taraw Cliff
1130 ETD El Nido town Proper
1140 ETA Town Proper (early lunch)
1300 Start Trek
1430 Taraw Summit (cliff viewing)
1530 Start Descend
1630 ETA jump-off (rest)
1700 Heading back to Accomodation
1730 Dropping by El Nido Market (re-supply) for dinner
1800 Prepare Dinner
2000 Dinner
2200 Lights off

Going to Mt. Taraw

 unique tricycle of Palawan

Our flight was scheduled 6:30PM and luckily it went smooth even though there was a typhoon in Palawan. We arrived at Puerto Prinscesa Airport ahead of time and immediately take our dinner at Robinson Palawan. We bought some foods, clothes and make a quick tour at the mall as well. After almost 6 hours of travelling from Puerto Prinscesa to El Nido, we reached our lodge and took some rest. We took lunch at the town proper in near cafeteria. We're simply amazed to a type of vehicle around the area which is the tricycle.

Entry point (first part of the trail)

Let's do this

Trekking or rubber shoes is a must

According to our local Guide the best time to climb the Mt. Taraw is early morning around 7-9AM. We started our trek around 01:30PM, thought it was a bad idea because we can exposed directly from the heat of sun.

To get to the jump off, you have to passed through some local houses. Jump off greeted us with a big rocks, so from that point challenge accepted! ^_^. The ascent is gradual but will immediately require some rock scrambling.

glimpse of scenery

beautiful rock formation at the summit

sharp edges

touch down (summit)

Our excitement heightened when we saw a glimpse of scenery along the trail as we go up and up. The rocks are really sharp and anything sharp always points to danger, so it’s really better to secure your footing and not rush to get to the top, if you are not that careful and feet turn to a wrong move, you can get some bruises or worst wounds.

view from the peak

foreigner also explore the area

panoramic view from the summit

Ave and May dated in Taraw

 The view at the summit was spectacular and breathtaking . The whole El Nido town and nearby islands can be seen. It made me appreciate the naturals beauty of the place. Good thing that the weather was unbelievably good. Because it is not a good choice to conquer this great wonders of God on bad weather, stone might be slippery.

with great effort, comes great reward

Summit Area

My Sweet explorer conquered Taraw Cliff

After one hour of staying at the summit, we started our descend. From time to time we need to trek slowly but surely. It takes only one hour to reach the jump-off, again it depends on the pacing of the group. I'm glad that all of us reached Taraw and returned back safe. Our day one here in El Nido was a success and felt accomplished. I strongly recommended this trip to my friends and for the visitors of El Nido.

clear scenic view from the summit

El Nido Market

After a tiring trip to Taraw, we head to El Nido Market to buy foods for our dinner. Meats and Chicken are more expensive than sea foods. We bought "tahong", fish, vegetables and some condiments we need.


While preparing foods, the sun send the warm goodbye for this day. Special thanks to JC, Fredo and Jojo for preparing  dinner. SaRaaaaP!!!...
Day one accomplished..

Sunset View

Cooked dinner (yum!)

Group Picture

Mt. Taraw Video <-----

Budget Breakdown:

(airfare not included)
6000 - Package tour(7pax) day O to day 3 (puerto-El Nido - Puerto) (lunch included)
150 - Guide Fee (Taraw Cliff)
260 - food (dinner) day 1 and day 2
40 - environmental fee (puerto princesa) day 2
20 - entrance fee Ugong rock formation
100 - terminal fee (puerto princesa airport)
500 - personal expenses etc..
1000 - pasalubong etc..

follow our 2nd day  (click this link)

Mt. Cristobal

Mt. Cristobal a.k.a "The Devils Mountain in Dolores Quezon

Our Itinerary:

DAY 1

Group Picture before the climb (so fresh!)

0500 : Assembly at Jam Transit Buendia Terminal (Pasay)
0530 : ETD from Jam Terminal to San Pablo City
0800 : ETA Chowking, San Pablo Terminal
0815 : Wait or board jeep to Bgy.Tanay (Kuya Joel Hapon)
0820 : ETD from San Pablo to Bgy.Tanay
1000 : ETA Bgy.Tanay (prepare for trekking)
1010 : Start trek
1200 : ETA Green Mountain, stop for lunch (Pack Lunch)
1230 : Start ascend to Jones Peak
1600 : ETA Jones Peak (take picture, better if we reach the peak on sunset)
1615 : Start descent to saddle for camping
1700 : ETD Saddle for camping
1800 : Dinner
1900 : Socials
2200 : Lights out

DAY 2

Start Trek

0530 : Wake-up call (prepare for breakfast)
0650 : Break camp
0700 : ETD Start descent to Kinabuhayan
1030 : ETA Montelibano's House
1130 : ETA Kinabuhayan (Lunch & preparation to go to San Pablo, Laguna)
1330 : ETD Kinabuhayan to San Pablo
1530 : ETD San Pablo to Manila
1830 : Manila (Home Sweet Home)

Montelibano Waiting Area

Mt. Cristobal also known as  "Devil's Mountain", -due to its "W" shape as well as creepy secrets and mysteries.

After a trilogy in Batangas, Malipunyo, Manabu and Susong Dalaga. Climb&Dive family chose this place to celebrate Anniversary climb.

Assault

We walked through an uphill, cemented road followed by bushy, forested area.  It took us approximate1 hour before reaching "Montelibano House", where we registered and took our lunch prior to resuming the trek. From here, you can refill water and can use their restroom. Then we turned right and took an uphill way again.
Trekking way up was very tiring of course, but it's really relaxing once you felt the blowing breeze of air coming from somewhere, added by tall trees giving shade and those moisten bark of trees everywhere.

Bulwagan Campsite

We reached the Bulwagan campsite and surprisingly, we saw a lot of "Happy Camper" in the area. We simply looked some space for us to stay.

 During night time - we experience cold weather, I was not prepared that time, my jacket was not enough to regain my body heat.

Zero Visibility at the Summit

Boodle Fight

On the next day, after taking our breakfast, we head the trail that way to summit, After passing the forested area, we went to a trail densed with cogon grass. It was like passing on a grass tunnel, so basically we had to bend down each time until we reached the end up to the summit. Still no clearing for us this time, so we just paused for a moment, took some pictures and decided to descend.

Entering Mall for Dinner

We broke tent quickly and descended until we reached Montelibano House. We had a late boodle fight lunch. Prepared our stuff then head back to Manila.

We reached Manila around 2000H, and decided to take our dinner at Mang Inasal, the funny thing was, we need to enter the Mall, so thet Guard would have to check our Bulky Full Packs. The good thing is, he had a metal detector, so he simply put detector in front of the bag.

Another Successful event Happy Anniversary Climb&Dive Family...

Group Picture (Bulwagan Campsite)

Mt. Cristobal Video <------

Budget Breakdown:
340 - Cubao -San Pablo (Vice Versa)
50 - Bargy. Tanay Rented Jeep (Vice Versa)
150 - Share Food, Butane etc...