A visit to Mt. Daraitan in Rizal will not be complete without swinging by Tinipak River. For day-hikers and overnighters, these two are a package deal. And it makes sense, too, because of the close proximity. If you go to one without going to the other, that is tantamount to having wasted your time. We did nothing of the sort, because after our speedy hike up and down Mt. Daraitan, we proceeded to Tinipak River, where we camped the night and had a caving and (mini) bouldering adventure the next day.
Tinipak River, just like Mt. Daraitan, is located in Brgy. Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal, but also within General Nakar of Quezon Province, which puts it smack dab in the boundary of the two provinces. In fact, you can see the river (literally) snaking its way in the distance from the summit of Mt. Daraitan. We also happened to cross it using a raft when we first arrived.
There was a theory that the place got its name owing to the rocks and boulders seemingly carelessly strewn all over the place. As though the gods had a fight (or a playful time) just throwing rocks and flinging them this way and that, so that they crumbled into smaller pieces and settled where they were around the river. I’d like to accept that explanation, if only because it sounded so mystical and fantastical.
4:30PM After our descent from Mt. Daraitan, we spent a good half-hour resting our legs and getting some refreshments, before we picked up all our gear and made that long walk to Tinipak. It’s an easy hike, considering we were just following the dirt road, walking past houses and some local kids playing in the late afternoon.
4:47PM Then we came alongside the river, with lots and lots of limestone rocks and boulders. The gurgling sound of the river was very inviting, but what mesmerized me the most was the sight of the large rocks and boulders. And some people standing atop the boulders, aiming to take that perfect shot.
Soon, we left the road and started following a path around limestone rocks. In some instances you have to clamber up and over some of them.
5:20 PM As we arrived at the area where overnighters are allowed to camp, we saw many tents already set up. Registration cost around Php 25.00, if I remember correctly, thereabouts. From the Barangay Hall of Daraitan, it took us 50 minutes to arrive at the Tinipak River campsite. We were already slow, at this rate, because we were just taking our sweet time.
The camping area was already filled with tents, so we made our way back close to the entrance, which was still quite empty, and started setting up camp when we were given the go-ahead.
From what I’ve seen, the place was spacious enough, but expect it to be too crowded during weekends and holidays, when campers and out-of-towners flock to the place. There were several shower rooms and toilets, but again, expect to stay in queue for a while if there are a lot of campers.
We were understandably exhausted after the race up and down the mountain that we did earlier, so after partaking in the feast of a dinner that our companions whipped up, Lorie and I hit the sack. Our companions stayed up quite late (I think some even turned in only around 1 or 2 am, but we were just too out of it, haha!)
The next day. We all got up early, had breakfast, and got ready to explore the Tinipak Cave. You don’t really have to bring anything, other than water (if you thirst easily) and your camera. We also expected to get wet, so, yeah.
At 8:00AM, we set off.
The initial part of the hike towards Tinipak Cave involved descending down rocks and makeshift stairs made of logs and wood. Kudos to the local government unit (and local Tourism office, I presume?) for setting up these structures to ensure that guests, especially those who are not really used to getting ‘down and dirty’, won’t have a hard time.
Then we arrived at the side of the river, where you have to walk on the rocks and boulders. Several times, I found myself just stopping and taking it all in. It was soooo pretty. The whites of the boulders, the mild heat of the sun, the sound of running water… it made for a pretty picture, and a relaxing time.
8:25AM Finally we got to a wooden bridge, which will take us to Tinipak River. Before crossing the bridge, however, each person has to pay P5.00.
To get the full experience, use the rope to pull yourself up the boulder, and get on the wooden bridge. Stop for a while to take photos, haha!
8:40AM Now it is time to enter the Tinipak Cave.
I didn’t know what to expect, going into the Tinipak Cave. I suppose because I’ve been spoiled with Capisaan Cave in Nueva Vizcaya and the Ambongdolan Caves in Benguet (here and here). I, however, reminded myself that this won’t be as spectacular.
I was right.
But do not get me wrong. That does not mean that Tinipak Cave is not good. It was still a thrill picking our way through the narrow opening, and walking down the slippery slope into the darkness inside. Not all of us had flashlights, so we relied on our phones for illumination.
Do not be fooled by the photos below. It was verrrry dark inside; it was just the flash at work. There were narrow passages, no thanks to rocks “strategically” located on the path. I vaguely remember having my shins and knees hit something, and hit something hard. Did that stop me, though? Nope.
It was not a very long walk. After 15 minutes (I think it’d be 5 to 7 if we had enough light and some parts weren’t slippery), we arrived at the end part of the cave….
…where there was a pool with very cold and very refreshing water. Our guide referred to it as the Tinipak Cave Swimming Pool.
We just had to take a dip. It was so darn cold but you get used to it after a while, and we stayed there for quite a while. I think we could have stayed longer, if not for our guide telling us that we stayed long enough already, and it’s time to head back.
Yeah, I think we spent close to 30 minutes in the pool. I can practically feel my fingertips going all pruny.
9:40AM Once we got back out, we went back up the river and spent several minutes taking in the sights and playing in the water. It would be travesty not to enjoy the river when you’re already there, right?
Apparently, cliff-diving is also a thing here, but there are certain parts for it, especially since one would be stupid to do a cliff dive when the water below is shallow. Most of us can’t swim, so our guide just brought us to the shallow part. Haha!
We spent a longer time here, because the day was starting to heat up and the cool water was luring us in.
10:40AM We headed back to break camp. Prepared lunch, hung out a bit.
1:30AM After lunch, we headed to the river close to the campsite to wash dishes and wash up.
We again spent some time in the river, sort of our last hurrah before heading back home.
This was another memorable experience for us. For those living in Manila and neighboring areas, it’s a very good one- or two-day getaway. For us, it’s a longer one, as we’re still coming all the way from Baguio. It is no wonder why some of our companions on this trip have been here several times already. If I lived close, I would also make this a regular weekend haunt.
I am not a person you’d hear complaints from regarding fees being collected because, so far, I think the fees are reasonable, even minimal for some. Plus the fees are for maintenance purposes. I am holding on to that belief, that the money actually goes where they are meant to or supposed to. In fact, I would say that your expenses for a Mt-Daraitan-Tinipak River adventure is considerably cheaper than what other places would charge you.
(I’m not sure that could be said 3, 5 or 10 years from now, though.)
It was already 10-ish that night when the three of us boarded a bus going back to Baguio, and early morning the next day when we arrived there. Pretty exhausting, but all the more experience-rich for it. I hope we can do this again, and soon.
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