Whenever you’re looking for a quick and budget-friendly climb, Rodriguez, Rizal will always be a part of the list. Less than 2 hours away and a budget of just Php 200, there will always be a mountain in Rizal to conquer. And finally I’ve crossed another mountain off my bucket list. I present to you Mt. Hapunang Banoi, Rodriguez, Rizal.
When we climbed Mt. Pamitinan (read the full guide here), I was eager to conquer to Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Hapunang Banoi (which both can be seen from the summit) and I’m really happy that we were able to conquer it two weeks ago. Here’s a quick detail about the mountain:
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA: 14°44′25.3′′ N, 121°11′30.4′ 517 MASL (+460m)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3.5 hours
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 1-4 with limestone scrambling
Features: Limestone formations, scenic views of Sierra Madre and Rizal province
Mt. Hapunang Banoi
The route to Mt. Hapunang Banoi is also the same as the route to Mt. Pamitinan that’s why it’s popular for trilogy and even pentalogy climbs. The point where the route is divided (which I call “The Pit Stop”) has now a sari-sari store. This was very surprising. I don’t know what to react. It’s good since you can stay here for lunch and even buy food and drinks if you don’t have one. On the other hand, I find it sad because it’s the start of commercialization.
Sari-sari store at the Pit Stop
Note: Mt. Hapunang Banoi is more of bouldering so you may want to bring some gloves and arm and leg sleeves.
Our guide.
The Sierra Madre Mountain Range as seen from the summit.
Sunset in Wawa Dam
Wawa Dam has gotta be one of my favorite place. I will forever be in awe with its beauty.
Met these folks along the way.
Why I love Rizal
I have a deep affection with Rodriguez, Rizal. Why? Because so far, it’s the place where they actually care about the mountain more than everything else. There’s no fixed guide fee and registration is around Php 2 only. When I got a chance to talk to the head of the association, I praised them for doing such a great job of preserving the area without the idea of commercializing it especially that a lot of places now are starting to implement a high guide fee which is so absurd. So kudos to the people behind Rodriguez.
Cave Updates
When we first conquered Mt. Pamitinan, we were supposed to visit Pamitinan Cave. Unfortunately it was closed. And when we returned, it was still closed. According to our guide, it is closed since there is water inside and the bridge that connects Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan is still under construction. It will be opened early next year.
Itinerary
I have two sets of itinerary for you guys. The first one is via Cubao (this is the same itinerary for Mt. Pamitinan but I adjusted the time) and the second one is via Sandiganbayan/Batasan (the one we used for this climb).
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. Hapunang Banoi
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. Hapunang Banoi
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
(L-R): Justin, Sam, Rayna, Sj, Rachelle, Celest, Anton
Shoutout to the people behind this climb. To my buddies who also joined me in my Laguna Chasing Waterfalls trip (read the full guide here) Sj, Celest and Anton and to first time hikers Rayna, Rachelle and Sam.
Thanks to Celest, Anton and Rachelle for the photos.
Cheers~!
– Justin –
