Every climb to me is special with each one having its own unique tale. And finally, this January I have conquered the last of the trio: Mt. Binacayan. The trio is composed of Mt. Pamitinan, Mt. Hapunang Banoi and Mt. Binacayan (click on each one for the full guide). It took me a while to post this guide since I was very busy with both work and school (define stress!) and now that I have the time to post it, I am very excited since this climb is so memorable to me. Our target is the sea of clouds (which unfortunately, we didn’t get to see) but we did saw another beautiful side of Rizal. Also, this is the first hike of my classmates (talk about influence ha ha!) and definitely not their last.
So what’s with Mt. Binacayan and what sets it apart from the rest? Here’s a quick overview:
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA (Binacayan): 14°43′30.5′′N 121°11′26.1′′ E 424 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day 2-3 hoursSpecs: Minor, 3/9 / Trail class 1-4
Features: Limestone formations, scenic views of Sierra Madre and Rizal province
Source: Pinoy Mountaineer
Class in Session
Since I have no classes during Thursdays, we decided to hike Mt. Binacayan. I wasn’t really expecting anything since I have already climbed the other two mountains so I thought I’ll just have th same view. But I was very wrong.Mt. Binacayan offers a different scene having the Wawa River just below it. Also, it has the best spots for those daredevil shots.
The trail is quite different compared to its sister mountains especially during descent (we did a traverse so our routes are different, highly suggesting this). Expect sharp rocks and cave like formations. It’s very challenging actually.
Journey to Middle Earth
Like what I mentioned, we didn’t get to see the sea of clouds since we got there late. 🙁 But hey, Mt. Binacayan did offer us something that was unexpected. The view at the summit was just magical. It was like seeing Lord of the Rings right in action.
Fave shot of the bunch! So magical right?
NOGNOG! HAHA!
Mt. Crinkles
On your way, you’ll pass through large rocks which I call Mt. Crinkles since the resemblance is too damn high!
Ate lunch at the kubo. Good thing there’s kuya who sells buko (coconut) during our hike.
Wow-a Wawa
Itinerary
This is the same itinerary from my Mt. Hapunang Banoi guide. It’s basically the same. Just adjust the time if you want to see the sea of clouds. The earlier, the better.
Note: The new fees are implemented as of writing. Refer here for the full notice.
Via Cubao
0500 Call time McDo Marcos Highway / Sta Lucia East
0530 Ride jeep from Metro East to Eastwood
0630 Tricycle to Brgy. Wawa
0645 Start Trek up Mt. Binacayan
0900 ETA Summit
1030 Start Descent (we had a super long break at the summit)
1230 Side trip to Wawa Dam
1300 Lunch at the cottage
1730 Pack up
2000 Back in Manila
0530 Ride jeep from Metro East to Eastwood
0630 Tricycle to Brgy. Wawa
0645 Start Trek up Mt. Binacayan
0900 ETA Summit
1030 Start Descent (we had a super long break at the summit)
1230 Side trip to Wawa Dam
1300 Lunch at the cottage
1730 Pack up
2000 Back in Manila
budget breakdown
Cubao jeep to Sta. Lucia – Php 15
Sta. Lucia jeep to Eastwood – Php 27
Tricycle to Brgy. Wawa jump off – Php 10
Registration Fee – Php 2
Cottage – Php 150Guide fee – Php 650 (no fixed rate for the guide. We’re a group of 7 and decided to share Php 100 each for both the cottage and guide fee. We also added in Php 100 tip to the guide.)
Tricycle to Eastwood – Php 10
Eastwood jeep to Cubao – Php 38
Sta. Lucia jeep to Eastwood – Php 27
Tricycle to Brgy. Wawa jump off – Php 10
Registration Fee – Php 2
Cottage – Php 150Guide fee – Php 650 (no fixed rate for the guide. We’re a group of 7 and decided to share Php 100 each for both the cottage and guide fee. We also added in Php 100 tip to the guide.)
Tricycle to Eastwood – Php 10
Eastwood jeep to Cubao – Php 38
Total expense: Php 202
Via Sandiganbayan / Batasan
0700 Call time McDo Philcoa / Ride jeep to San Mateo Maly
0800 Ride jeep to Montalban
0815 Ride tricycle to Brgy. Wawa
0830 Start Trek
1100 ETA Summit / Photo opps
1200 Start Descent
1330 Lunch at the Pit Stop
1400 Start Descent
1530 Swimming at Wawa Dam
1700 Pack up
2000 Back in Manila
0800 Ride jeep to Montalban
0815 Ride tricycle to Brgy. Wawa
0830 Start Trek
1100 ETA Summit / Photo opps
1200 Start Descent
1330 Lunch at the Pit Stop
1400 Start Descent
1530 Swimming at Wawa Dam
1700 Pack up
2000 Back in Manila
budget breakdown
Philcoa Jeep to San Mateo Maly – Php 22
San Mateo Maly Jeep to Montalban- Php 8
Tricycle to Brgy. Wawa jump off – Php 10
Registration Fee – Php 2
Cottage – Php 150 Guide fee – Php 500 (no fixed rate for the guide. We’re a group of 7 and decided to share Php 100 each for both the cottage and guide fee..)
Tricycle to Eastwood – Php 10
Montalban Jeep to San Mateo Maly – Php 8
San Mateo Maly Jeep to Philcoa – Php 22
San Mateo Maly Jeep to Montalban- Php 8
Tricycle to Brgy. Wawa jump off – Php 10
Registration Fee – Php 2
Cottage – Php 150 Guide fee – Php 500 (no fixed rate for the guide. We’re a group of 7 and decided to share Php 100 each for both the cottage and guide fee..)
Tricycle to Eastwood – Php 10
Montalban Jeep to San Mateo Maly – Php 8
San Mateo Maly Jeep to Philcoa – Php 22
Total expense: Php 182
Breezy!! Shoutout to my design mates for conquering your mother mountain. (L-R): Fab, Vawter, Ye, April
Cheers to our next adventure!
– Justin –
10 Comments. Leave new
so WOW. 🙂
Well, very nice view and I really saw how much you enjoy. It was really full of fun and adventure I guess. Hope I could climb mountains to. By the way I've created a blog hope you could visit http://Philippine advisor.xyz
buwis buhay pose sir!kinakabahan ako pag nakikita ko haha!pero astig.i love your blog!it helps me to plan my upcoming trips.keep it up!
Pwede po bang pumunta dyan ng weekends?
Pwede pong makuha contact nung guide nyo? Sobrang ganda po ng pics!! ❤❤
Pwede pong makuha contact nung guide nyo? Sobrang ganda po ng pics!! ❤❤
Ask ko lang bout guide fees? Is there any ?tnx….
Its always good to learn tips like you share for blog posting. As I just started posting comments for blog and facing problem of lots of rejections. I think your suggestion would be helpful for me. I will let you know if its work for me too. Adventure Tour Guide
Hey Justin I mus say this is a lovely post. It almost like asking me to do some hiking as well kahit ayaw ko. The shots are beautiful. Were you using phone or SLR? And the editing is superb.
thank you! I’m using a mirrorless camera. 🙂