Extreme Reality at Mt. Daraitan
Before we discuss Daraitan one of the famous places to trek. Let’s define what is trekking first. It means to go on a difficult journey by foot. A common example of this is trekking in a jungle.
The Philippines has 48 trekking sites from different regions and still counting.
In general, the young ones are into adventure and here’s why.
1. Young people are adventurous. 
Traveling away from home is an adventure. Life is short not to experience the beauty of nature. You only live once, enjoy every year when there is still plenty of time before it is too late.
2. Experience is a good teacher.
Learning is not bounded by books. Outside experiences can teach young ones also. It is like thinking outside the box and learning. It can teach someone to manage his budget wisely in a travel. Teaches to overcome fears and rewards fulfillment in every peak. Photo by Jeremy Bishop
3. Stepping stone to maturity.
Traveling is one step ahead of maturity. It teaches someone not to depend on others rather on himself or herself to survive.
4. Promotes someone to be a nature lover.
Many young ones nowadays are influenced by technology and also to the obsession of things and less of contentment. Go trekking, appreciate the nature while it exists and not on posting expensive gadgets on social media. Invest in things that money can’t really buy like memories, friendships, and experiences.
5. Gives time to meditate and relax.
In this world full of stress, trekking can give time to meditate on yourself, evaluate your performances, plans and perceive what you want in the future. A time to inhale good vibes and exhale the bad ones. Simply, to relax for a short span of time.
Trekking has common physical benefits. Aside from that it also has mental benefits. It improves focus while on a journey. Lets someone think strategically about every step and find a safe path. It relieves stress as one has more active time than usual.
Photo by Nathan Dumlao
Daraitan can be found in Brgy. Daraitan Tanay, Rizal. The province a promising with uprising number of tourists as it is the heart of the longest mountain range in the Philippines, Sierra Madre.
Mountain climbers consider the difficulty to climb this mountain “easy” compared to other mountains. Its elevation is 719 meters above sea level. It will take two hours and a half to reach the cliff of Mt. Daraitan depending on which path to take.
So, if you are attracted to many Instagram or Facebook picture posts at the cliff of Mt. Daraitan think twice until you know the hardships on the way up.
- It is not recommendable for beginners as per the guides of Daraitan. Better practice first before going up this mountain. A lot a time to do core exercises that will help you along the way and at least month before or more.
- Mud makes the way slippery for both going up and down. Going up would be hard for first-timers expect twice the difficulty of going down since mud is everywhere. You must be a sort of “jungle” people along the way down hugging the trees, holding onto the branches adding the other hikers from your back.
“Most unforgettable? Yung pakiramdam na ayoko nang maglakad kasi hindi na nakikicooperate mga paa ko hahaha”
Yung feeling na “AYOKO NA. IWAN NYO NAKO DITO.” Hahahaha
Hindi ko makakalimutan na paulit ulit kong sinasabing hindi na ako babalik dun. Pero ang totoo e babalikan pa din. Haha.
Unforgettable kasi mahirap talaga. Hindi ko naenjoy. Pero ang sarap sa pakiramdam na natapos ko yun. 🙂
-Carmela Lao
The good sides of Daraitan are the following:
- The peak where you can see the sea of clouds. Yes, it is hard on the way up and even lets you burn so much calories, bumping on each other and even more hardships on the way up. The peak will amuse you after all those difficult steps.
- Heart-shaped river and its color. The cool and refreshing view from the cliff of the mountain and the heart-shaped river and its color makes the experience unique. The natural formation is a worth it attraction after all.
- The guides who won’t leave you. The journey going up won’t be complete without a guide. They are the ones who knows the path, the nature and all about Mt. Daraitan. The good thing about them is that they won’t leave you in the midst of the hardships. You can truly count on them!
After all, it is still your decision if you still want to try going up Mt. Daraitan not because it is famous but after all it is the experience you can get from there. Just enjoy the way up and especially going down the river is waiting for your bath. 