DIY Travel Guide for Mount Binacayan, Rizal [Rizal Travel Guide]

Mount Binacayan is one of the rocky mountains in the Philippines with 423 meters above sea level.

What will you do to escape the stress of your job, of the traffic in Manilaof your pain? Maybe you can say you’re just going to have an ice cream, a carton of chocolate or go to the mall? Have you ever tried to escape by dating nature?

Last October 11, 2015, I organized my first event with my fellow friends, where we decided to go to Mount Binacayan in Rodriguez Rizal.

We choose this mountain as a training ground because we are all new mountain hiking and to witness the sea of ​​clouds and sunrise.

Our day started around 2 a.m. at Jollibee farmers. While waiting with my fellow hikers, we had breakfast and bought some food for our trekking. Then we drive to a van that goes to Eastwood, but the driver offered us a direct ride to Brgy. Wawa and add ten pesos. Around 4:00 AM we arrived at the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), then I registered my group and paid two pesos for the environmental fee and they also give us our guide that goes to Mount Binacayan and then we pass by the Brgy. Hall and make a donation.

At around 4:30 AM, we will start hiking to Mount Binacayan as we walk and see the two mountains named Mount Pamintinan and Mount Haponang Banoi. After an hour of walking we noticed how blessed this place is by nature. You will also see the people who live there say good morning with their warm smiles.

Around 6:00 AM we witness the sea of ​​clouds and the sunrise. My group noticed how sweet their smiles were when they reached the top. And they said that God is great. I felt the happiness and the warm smile in my heart and I feel that Gods love us. While he releases our worries and stress in our works.

After that we had taken some pictures at the top with my fellow hikers, they were really happy to see that place around 10am we start descending and take the other way. Then we had a trip to the cave, at Karugo falls and Wawa dam.

Nature is truly priceless. how can you escape the stress apart from eating chocolates, ice cream or going to a mall. Why not give yourself a little break while working in the office? Pack your things and go to some beautiful places. Are you saying that travel is expensive? What if I told you that when I was a kid it was my big problem too? My mom always says that when I invite her to go to beautiful places, she always says maybe another time. I know how poor we are, but thanks to God my father likes to go to the fiesta and I always had the chance to go to places like churches.

What if I say we spent only PHP250.00 during our trek. Traveling is simply a matter of choice. If you want to travel, you have to make it your priority. If you’re investing some money with nonsensical staff, why not try exploring the great outdoors?

Mother nature has a lot to offer you. She heals the broken heart, she relieves your worries and also your stress in work.

One day you will say how blessed you are as you explore the world. See a beautiful place and meet new friends and maybe you can meet your life partner.

“Because eventually you don’t remember the time you spent in the office or mowed your lawn. Climb that damn mountain.”- Jack Kerouac.

Anything is possible if you pursue your dream of traveling. Little by little you meet the whole world. Try the Mount Binacayan as your training ground to climb a mountain, it is highly recommended for the first time and you will not believe how amazing that place is. Also try to explore the Karugo waterfalls and have a swim and relax with the amazing view of the falls.

Related article: Looking for affordable accommodation in Rizal? View this Agoda offers.

When you start to leave the place, you will pass by the Wawa dam. Feel the spot as they whisper to you and just close your eyes. It’s really great in that place. After five hours of walking you are back in DENR and you are going to clean up. Anyway the people in that place are very nice and approachable if you had any question about them. They will answer you with their sweetest smile.

Escaping stress isn’t easy, but if you’ve opened your mind to alternative ways, you’ll be surprised to try some more. Enjoy and explore the world!

Here is our route and breakdown of our trekking during our climb up Mount Binacayan.

Expenses:

PHP55.00*2 – UV express rate goes to Eastwood

PHP10.00*2 –Rate goes to DENR

PHP2.00 – DENR fee

PHP50.00 – Guide fee (we give PHP 500 to our guide, divide 10)

PHP20.00 – Brgy. donation (it depends on you)

Travel directions:

0300 – Appointment at Jollibee Cubao farmers

0315 – Minibus from Cubao to Eastwood, Rodriguez Rizal

0430 – ETA, Rodriguez Rizal, take a tricycle or jeep to Brgy. Wawa/tourism

0500 – Start trek to Mount Binacayan

0800 – Arrival at the summit

1100 – Early lunch

1300 – Start descent

1500 – Back at Brgy. Wawa, clean up, take outgoing trike

1700 – Back in Manila

About the writer:

Visit to Florence, Flor and I for short are from Bicol province and currently work in a construction company in Makati. I just started traveling during my high school, but only close by. During college years, I had the opportunity to travel by entering a competition and they are the one who spends my travel expenses and hotel accommodation. When I started my first job in April 2015, I started looking for new places and had my first trip near Manila and exploring nature and mountains. I plan to work abroad so that I can travel the world. I have dreamed of going to Venice and Florence since childhood. Exploring nature is my only way to escape missing my family and stress from work.

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