Apr 22, 2024
Very hard! Very rewarding! - Excited to leave this review! The pros and the precautions!
First the pros… my guide, Asia, and driver Rency (I think) were great. On time, fun to talk to, and the local hiking guide they paired us with Alexis, was a beast of a hiker. Guy even walked barefoot part of the way.
Now the precautions! I made it to the summit, I’m not an experienced hiker, but I am in good shape. Tip one, DO NOT eat a heavy breakfast, in fact if you can, skip breakfast (I did), cuz the assent to station one is so challenging you don’t want to get sick. Two, bring twice the water you think you need!!! For the summit, you def need two liters, and drink them sparingly to make sure they last. Three, good footwear! Hiking boots preferred. I also had climbing gloves, but didn’t use them. Four, be honest with your physical ability. If you’re not in great shape or experienced hiker, you will not make it to the summit, and if it’s raining or rained recently it will be even more challenging. If you tap out early, there are alternative paths they take you on to get down, BUT getting down is just as challenging as getting up.
All in all… the hike whooped my butt, I ran out of water, BUT I feel like a beast for making it to the summit! Letssss goooo!!!!
Review provided by Viator
Mar 7, 2024
Intense hike with great views - Intense short hike with a great view from the top. The swim in the Tinipak river was a great way to cool off after with its clear and cool waters. Asia was knowledgeable about the area and a phenomenal guide for the day. Hike guide Willy was great as well and set a good pace over the rocky terrain on the way to the top. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Dec 13, 2023
Great hike with wonderful views - I was on my own as I had only one spare day during a business trip to Manila. So it was a great possibility to escape the city and get to the jungle. Really nice hike with great views and wonderful nature. Tour guides where fun to hang out with so I really enjoyed my time. One should have some sense of balance and be in ok physical condition as path was quite slippery and steep so nothing for the complete unexperienced. Also one should bring enough water. I'd definteley book it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 20, 2023
Very difficult but amazing - For starters, this needs to be described for what it is. An extremely difficult hike that is not for everyone.
It doesn’t help that it rained leading up to and during the hike but the terrain is extremely muddy and slippery. It is also a steep climb in many places where you need to be able to pull yourself. The hike down is bordering on dangerous when wet and I highly recommend real hiking shoes if one wants to do this hike. I was wearing normal gym shoes and definitely finished the way down with a couple of bruises.
Having said that, I absolutely loved the climb up and the views were stunning and would recommend for any outdoor enthusiast.
One comment to the company - If you’re going to send a guide - you should not be sending any and everyone and make sure that he or she is physically fit and capable of handling the activity. Guide was very nice but unable to handle this hike and ended up tapping out early on to wait at the bottom.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 17, 2023
My Last day experience !!!! - Extraordinary experience! A pleasant spot to travel. It was a new and serene spot with a close to clear waters.
The climb to the culmination of Daraitan was trying since it down-poured the prior night. We began journeying around 4:00AM. You really want to bring gloves since the stones are sharp. It was a long journey yet the view as worth the effort. The path returning was additionally lengthy however when you see the waterway, it is definitely worth the effort! There was likewise a cavern and it is great. Water was so chilly in the cavern.
What an impact for my last day of climb, I would suggest this one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 24, 2023
Great Solo Day Hike - Red and Yves:) were great tour guides, I really lucked out. As a woman traveling alone, you have to have your guard up at times but they were complete gentlemen and very sweet. Thank you 🙏 for showing me the beautiful views and making me feel so welcome and comfortable. The hike had a pretty steep ascent but I’m happy I did this and the train is beautiful and well maintained.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 9, 2023
Real deal - Wonderfully spent day - from the early start at 4 a.m. till the end of the day. Pedro, the driver, and Eddy - the exceptionally nice and motivated guide provided a beautiful experience of authentic Philippine people and nature. Quite a demanding hike was rewarded with astonishing views and an off-road tricycle drive for a plunge in a river. Small tip - it was really good to have gloves for the climb, they were offered for a symbolic money at the beginning and turned out to be very useful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 29, 2023
Great! - I'm pretty sure I have already left a review. Is there another site? This was an awesome trip and we went on the weekday so there was no one else except my partner and me. Terrific experience and highly recommended. The tour guide was extremely helpful as well.
Review provided by Viator
Apr 11, 2023
Excellent Arrangements - It was a challenging but worthwhile trip. Communications and all the arrangements were excellent. Pedro (Yolo Travel guide) and the local guide were both very nice and knowledgeable. They were very helpful and patient. I was able to go at my own pace, which made the whole experience more enjoyable. Pedro the driver was very good and the drive was smooth. Louie shared many pictures to record the memorable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 17, 2024
Excellent day trip out of Manila, but be prepared for clamber up muddy rocks rather than a hike. - Amazing trip for me, Asia was an excellent and kind guide for the day, and Pedro a good driver. Communications easy from the outset, early start well worth it to beat the traffic, and fabulous scenery to experience. Do be prepared for more of a clamber over muddy rocks than a hike, gloves sold at site well worth the 50 pesos, you need them for the climb up and down. I loved it, but it might not be for everyone. Amazing visit to caves and dip in Tinipak was very welcome. An expensive trip for me travelling solo, sadly I don’t think much of that high fee gets to our guides on the day.
Review provided by Viator