After an overwhelming response with the our Budget, here s another set of day hikeable mountains for a budget less than Php 500.00! Yes, they are still near Manila. DISCLAIMER: * This budget hikes are possible if you are a group of 5 or more. 1. Maynoba Circuit, Tanay, Rizal Cayabu Peak and Mt. Maynoba (728+ MASL) Mt. Maynoba (pronounced as May-nu-ba) is relatively new to hikers since it just opened few months ago (early 2016). But due to its sudden popularity boosted by social media, hikers flocked here during weekends which causes human traffic along the trail. I suggest visiting this mountain on a weekday for a less crowded climb, and you ll surely find peace there. You have two options, whether to hike both peaks (Cayabu Peak and Maynoba Peak) or just proceed to the summit of Mt. Maynoba. The Cayabu-Maynoba loop can be finished with 3-4 hours depending on your pacing. The steep slope to the summit can be challenging, thought you ll be rewarded by the breathtaking view of the Sierra Madre Mountain range. As per the Pinoy Mountaineer, the hike difficulty to summit is at 3/9 and 4/9 if you re going to go with the loop hike. It is best to start your hike as early as possible for you to be able to reach the summit before sunrise and watch the sea of clouds before descending down to the waterfalls.
One must be fully cautious when hiking on the rocky parts of the trail near the waterfalls. Many parts of the trail can be muddy and slippery during rainy seasons. How to get to Brgy. Cayabu From Cubao, ride a jeepney going to Cogeo From Cogeo, ride a jeepney going to Batangasan (You might wait for the seats to be filled before taking off) From Batangasan, ride a trike and tell them to drop you off to Brgy. Cayabu Mt. Maynoba jump off Expenses and Fees Jeep Cubao to Cogeo Php 25.00 Jeep Cogeo to Batangasan Php 42.00 Trike Batangasan to Jump Off Php 200.00/Trike (1:4) Registration fee Php 40.00 Guide fee Php 500.00 (1:5) Expenses and Fees Romar 0929 765 8457 / 0905 973 4256 To read more about Manoba Circuit, check out our dedicated blog entry for this mountain here: /MaynobaCircuit 2. Mt. Sipit Ulang, Rodriguez, Rizal 252+ MASL
Mt. Sipit Ulang, a mountain that offers a scenic view of rock formations, rich caves, and panoramic view of the Sierra Madre mountain range. It has various trail ranging from easy to slightly hard trail, and can hike for about 2-3 hours going to summit. At the summit, you will see a rock formation depicting a crab s claw, which is the main landmark of this mountain. One can climb up to the top of it and enjoy the picturesque panoramic view of the city and the Sierra Madre mountains. After descending down, a possible side trip to Payaran Falls, the so called 7 layered falls, which offers a nice and relaxing cold water that you need after a tiring climb of Mt. Sipit Ulang. On the top layer of Payaran Falls is a small pool like basic where in you can jump, swim, and enjoy with your friends. There are tables available at the falls for free so that you eat your lunch before or after swimming at the falls. How to get there: Ride a van going to Eastwood, Rodriguez, Rizal from Cubao, tell the driver to drop you off the tricycle terminal going to Brgy. Mascap. Ride a Trike going Brgy. Mascap Expenses:
Cubao to Eastwood, RR (Van): Php 50.00 (Php 100.00 RT) Eastwood, RR to Brgy Mascap (Trike): Php 150/trike (150/5* pax = Php 30.00*) (Php 60.00 RT) Guide Fee: 400+Considerate fee if you want to go to Payaran Falls. In our case, we are 7 pax in the group, and wee decided to contribute Php 100 each for the guide fee. Registration for he DENR is Php 50.00/head To read more about Mt. Sipit Ulang, check out our dedicated blog entry for this mountain here: /MtSipitUlang 3. Mt. Manalmon and Mt. Gola 196+ MASL If you are looking for a chill hike near Metro Manila, San Miguel, Bulacan is the right place for you. Mt. Manalmon and Mt. Gola is best for chill hikers and beginners. You can hike these two mountains half day and then you can explore and go spelunking in Madlum Cave and Bayukbok Caves. We first hiked Mt. Gola, which almost at the same level as Mt. Manalmon (196+ MASL). We reached the summit in less than 2 hours. It has an easy trail, just need to be careful with sharp rocks. We descended after 30 minutes and the we proceed to Mt. Manalmon.
Mt. Manalmon has more little assaults than Mt. Gola, and it will give you a better view of Mt. Arayat from afar. We reached the summit also in less than 2 hours, took some photos and descended after 30 minutes. Expenses Guides (Required): Php 300.00/Guide/Mountain Caving: Php 40.00/Pax/Cave Parking Fee: Php 25.00/Van Registration Fee: Php 10.00/Pax Van: Php 5,000/van can accommodate 15-16 pax Fee before you can proceed to the jump off: Php 20.00/pax Contact Numbers Van Rental: +63 906 339 5064 Municipal office of San Miguel Bulacan: 0447640154 Boy Florencio (Municipal Tourism Officer of San Miguel Bulacan): 09053726148 09195746470 look for Mr. Carlito (tata Carling) Carpio President M.A.D.L.U.M. Inc. 09434440033 look for Mr. Rexel Marketing and Promotion officer M.A.D.L.U.M. Inc. Hiking Notes I suggest that you rent a van for a non-tight schedule so that you can enjoy all of the activities this place has to offer. Activities includes: hiking, monkey bridging, spelunking, and swimming. You need to secure a permit a week before the actual activity date. You can find details on where to send your request here: /BulacanTwinHike To read more about Mt. Manalmon and Mt. Gola, check out our dedicated blog entry for this mountain here: /BulacanTwinHike 4. Mt. Batolusong Mapatag Plateau (645+ MASL) and Susong Dalaga Peak (780+ MASL)
A short, budget-friendly adventure to escape the busy streets of Metro Manila. Here s our DIY weekend trip to Mt. Batolusong + Kay-Ibon Falls in the heart of Tanay, Rizal.All of us think that this is mini Batanes because of the mountain slopes. A very windy grassland welcomed us to the point that even our body is shaking up. View from above is really breathtaking, you ll be able to see the Sierra Madre ranges of mountains and Laguna de Bay. How to get there From Cubao, ride a jeepney going to Cogeo From Cogeo, ride a jeepney going to Batangasan (You might wait for the seats to be filled before taking off) From Batangasan, ride a trike and tell them to drop you off to Mt. Batolusong jump off Expenses Cubao to Cogeo Jeepney 24 Pesos Cogeo to Sitio Batanggaasan Kanto 42 Pesos Habal-Habal Ride from Batanggasan to registration area 30 Pesos Registration Fee 40 Pesos Guide 5 is to 1 for 500 Pesos / 100 per person Highway to Cogeo jeepney 42 Pesos Cogeo to Cubao jeepney 24 Pesos
To read more about Mt. Batolusong, check out our dedicated blog entry for this mountain here: /MtBatolusong 5. Mamuyao Loop Mt. Tala (598+ MASL) and Mt. Pinto (846+ MASL) Another mountain has recently been opened for hikers, a relatively new day hike destination that nature lovers have to add to their mountain bucket list. Mt. Tala, standing about 598 meters-above-sea-level, offers a 360 view of the Sierra Madre mountain range plus a bonus experience of the Sea of Clouds. A full loop can be done with Mt. Pinto with a total distance of 19km. The trail is a combination of grasslands, bamboo and narra covered forest. Trails can be muddy on rainy seasons. How to get there
First, secure a permit one week before the actual trek. No permit no climb policy is strictly observe with this mountain. You can contact Mr. Perdrito Campus to arrange your permit. He can also provide you vehicle/jeepney that you will need in order to reach the jump off point from the extraction point (river crossing). From Cubao, ride a jeepney going to Cogeo From Cogeo, ride a jeepney going to Batangasan (You might wait for the seats to be filled before taking off) From Batangasan, ride a trike and tell them to bring you off to Brgy. Mamuyao Mt. Tala jump off Expenses Jeep Cubao to Cogeo Php 25.00 Jeep Cogeo to Batangasan Php 42.00 Trike Batangasan to Jump Off Php 200.00/person (Not yet confirmed) Registration fee Php 40.00 Guide fee Php 500.00 (1:5) If you will be renting a jeep, that would be Php 6,500 from Cogeo to Brgy. Mamuyao (2- way) Brgy. Cayabu to Brgy. Mamuyao RT Php 80.00 Hiking notes Best if you will be hiking with a group of 10 or more to lessen your expenses. The jump off point is almost 1 hour away from the extraction point which the cheapest way is to rent a jeep from Cogeo to Brgy. Mamuyao. Contact Mr. Pedrito Campus so you can request your permit and arrange your transportation if you don t have vans or monster vehicles that can do multiple river crossings. If you have vans, better if you ll park it to the nearby barangays because there s no secure parking lots near the extraction point. You can ask Mr. Pedrito to arrange you a jeepney that can fetch you from Brgy. Cayabu (where you will park your vehicle) to Brgy. Mamuyao. There s presence of limatik so be prepared, bring alcohol or any ointment that can prevent them from sticking to your body and suck your blood. Trail is super muddy when wet so wear shoes that are appropriate with this kind of situation. Contact person
Mr. Pedrito Campus Smart: 09193265454 TM: 09263652353 To read more about Mt. Tala, check out our dedicated blog entry for this mountain here: /MtTala