Journey to Mt. Binacayan, Rodriguez, Rizal

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

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

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

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

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

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!