Climb Guide: Malarayat Range Traverse

View from Peak 2 of Malepunyo

Malarayat mountain range is situated in the province of Batangas, covering municipalities of Sto Tomas and Talisay. There are trails that lead to the neighbor provinces such as San Pablo, Laguna and Tiaong, Quezon which technically puts the mountain range between the borders of three provinces.

The Malarayat range is composed of several peaks and the three most prominent are: Manabu Peak, Susong Dalaga, and Malepunyo Peak. Traversing these peaks is feasible and can be done in various ways. The traverse itinerary can vary depending on the point of entry and exit as well as the desired number of peaks. When we did the Malarayat Traverse we took the Sto. Tomas entry through Mt. Manubu and exited at Talisay after climbing Mt. Malepunyo. Overall, we covered 6 peaks.

The Traverse

If you are taking Sto. Tomas - Talisay traverse, the first mountain to climb is Mt. Manabu. You can take the trail via Grotto that leads to the summit and go down to the campsite. Right after the campsite is a trailless trail that leads to Mt. Maraduhan. You can also take the traditional trail of Manabu and pass by Tatay Piryeng’s nipa hut for a free coffee. Ascend to Manabu summit afterwards and backtrack to get to the next peak (or you may opt not to go to Manabu summit by turning right at an almost impenetrable trail that forks out from the main trail before the campsite, to go to Mt. Maraduhan.)

The trail to Mt. Maraduhan is overgrown with grasses, vines, and heaven knows what else. Merciless teka-teka (thorny shrubs) and Lipa plants (poison ivy) are thriving in abundance along the way; be careful not to get in touch with them.

After Mt. Maraduhan, pathway becomes easier and manageable. You’ll have to pass by a grassland until you reach the third peak - the shadeless summit of Biak-na-Bundok. This mountain I may say has an impressive view, it boasts a very good vantage point for other Southern Tagalog Mountains. Biak-na-Bundok is also a good campsite as there is a water source nearby. On our end, we continued trekking until we reached our guide’s “tree house”. We spent the night there. Good thing we did because after several minutes of resting when we reached Kuya Mario’s house, heavy rain poured.

The next day, we took the 3 remaining peaks of Malepunyo. From the tree house, it took us one and half hour to reach Peak 2, thirty minutes from Peak 2 to Peak 3 (the highest point, 1015 MASL), and another 30 minutes from Peak 3 to Peak 1. Overall, it took us a total of 4 hours from Kuya Mario’s tree house to Peak 2, Peak 3, and Peak 1 then back to the tree house. During the trek we passed by stream, slippery paths, dense foliage, and steep trails.

We drop by a nameless waterfalls before deciding to finally descend to Brgy. Talisay.

How to Get to Malarayat Jump-Off

The easiest way is catch a bus going to Lipa City or Batangas Pier, there are buses bound to those destinations near LRT Buendia. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you at Fiesta Mall. From there catch a tricycle going to Sulok, Brgy Sta Cruz, Sto Tomas Batangas (if you are taking Manabu-Malepunyo) or Sitio Talisay (if you are taking Malepunyo-Manabu). Drivers know too well where to bring you.

Projected Expenses

Aircon Bus to Sto Tomas	Php124 one way
Tricycle to Jump Off	Php30 per pax (should only be Php20)
Guide Fee	Php750 per day
Wash Up / Ligo Fee	Php20 per pax
Registration Fee	Php20 per pax (Manabu Entry) * New ordinance: The Barangay no longer ask for registration fees from mountaineers entering Malepunyo. Each climber is required to plant a tree instead.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 (September 28, Saturday)

0500 - Assembly at Jam Bus Terminal

0530 - ETD Manila

0800 - ETA Batangas (buy provisions)

0900 - Start Trek

1100 - Manabu Campsite (lunch)

1130 - Resume trekking to Biak-na-Bundok

1300 - Water source

1330 - Start assault to Malepunyo summit

1700 - Malipunyo Summit (overnight camp)

Day 2 (September 29, Sunday)

0600 - Wake Up call (breakfast)

0700 - Break Camp

0730 - Start descend

1100 - Jumpoff (wash up)

1300 - Lunch sa malupet na lomihan ng Batangas

1500 - Home bound

1800 - ETA Manila

Travel Tips

• During rainy season, the trail especially in Manabu can be very muddy and slippery. Make sure to wear the right footwear to prevent accidents from happening.
• Make sure to get reliable guide as the place can be dangerous due to booby traps, poison ivies, cliffs, etc.
• Wear proper climbing attire if you don’t want going home covered with rashes and cuts.

Interesting Facts

Sometime in 2011, we climbed Mt. Malepunyo but we failed to reach the summit as our guide fooled us. Story here -> Somewhere in Malarayat

Just after our recent Malarayat Traverse, then I realized that the place where the guide brought us last time is actually the Peak 1 of Malepunyo.

Contact Information

Kuya Mario (Guide)

0999-410-6990

MALARAYAT TRAVERSE PHOTOS

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Travel Guide: Caramoan

Gota Village. The most expensive resort in Caramoan

The Place

Caramoan was once an unknown to commercial tourism because of its remote location. However, because of consistent promotions from local and international media, it has now become a well-known and well-visited travel attraction. The French edition of the reality TV show “Survivor” had paved way to Caramoan Islands to its international recognition. Until now, the said place constantly draws a high percentage of visitors every year.

The tropical island beaches of Caramoan offers (1.) crystal clear waters which are perfect for swimming, (2.) colorful and beautiful coral reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving (3.) various charming rock formations, and (4.) beautiful islands. With its impressive exquisiteness and beauty, indeed the place deserves to be known world wide.

How to Get To Caramoan

Caramoan is located in the province of Camarines Sur, in the southern region of Luzon, Philippines (501 km from Manila).

BY LAND

• Private Transportation

1. Naga is roughly an 8-hour drive from Metro Manila. It is situated 380 km south of the Philippines’ capital.
2. From Naga you will pass by the towns of Pili, Ocampo, Tigaon, Goa, San Jose, and Sabang. Continue driving until you reach Sabang port.
3. There are several parking areas in Sabang Port. Rate is Php100 per day.
4. From Sabang Port take the boat bound for Guijalo Port, Caramoan. Earliest boat schedule from Sabang to Guijalo is 5:30 AM. The last boat departs around at 12NN or 1PM. Travelling time will be approximately 2 hours.

• Public Transportation
  
  

  1. If you are coming from Manila, you can take a bus bound for Nage from Cubao Bus terminal (near Ali Mall), Pasay Bus Terminals, or Sampaloc Bus Terminal (for Raymund Bus only). Travel time is approximately 9 hours but sometimes it can take to as much as 12 hours. You’ll never know how many unfortunate events you can encounter on the road e.g. flat tires, delays, road fix along Quezon province. I am wondering why LGU of Quezon Province can never finish this project. Their road fix program has been running since I was in grade school until now.
  2. When you reach Naga, you may walk or ride a tricycle to the Sabang Van Terminal just across SM Naga and take a van bound for Sabang Port. Van leaves only when full. Travel time is approximately 2 hours.
  3. From Sabang Port take the boat bound for Guijalo Port, Caramoan. Earliest boat schedule from Sabang to Guijalo is 5:30 AM. The last boat departs around at 12NN or 1PM. Travelling time will be approximately 2 hours.

BY AIR

1. Take a flight from Manila Domestic Airport to Naga City, the heart of Bicol Region.
2. From the airport you can either walk or take the pedicab to the highway and then take a jeepney or bus ride to Naga City Terminal.
3. The fastest way to reach Sabang Port is through a FilCab Van. Travel time takes least 1 and a half hour or less. The terminal is right across SM City Naga.
4. From Sabang Port take the boat bound for Guijalo Port, Caramoan. Earliest boat schedule from Sabang to Guijalo is 5:30 AM. The last boat departs around at 12NN or 1PM. Travelling time will be approximately 2 hours.

Getting to Caramoan is really time consuming and will test your patience. For the public transportation by land, the total travel time from Manila to Caramoan can take to as much as 16 hours! That’s 32 hours, way and back. That given, make sure to plan ahead in order to maximize your Caramoan trip.

Travel Tips

• The highlight of a Caramoan trip is the island hopping adventure so it is much safe and fun to visit the place during during dry season especially during summer months (March - May).
• Bicol Region is a pathway of storms update yourself regarding the weather on the said location before heading to the place.  The Northeast monsoon prevails from October to January and this can cause sea waves and thunderstorms.
• Book your accommodation ahead so you'll save time looking for one when you get to Guijalo. We didn't find any hotel but they have villas, resorts and affordable homestays, which are located downtown, and far from the beach.

Projected Expenses

Aircon bus bound for Naga - Php600

Van from Naga to Sabang Port -  Php 100.00

Raft to take you to the passenger boat - Php10

Sabang Port to Guijalo Port - Php 120.00

Environmental Fee in Guijalo Port - Php30

Tricycle ride from Guijalo Port to Caramoan Town - Php25 per head

Island Hopping - Php2,500

Accommodation - Php1500 - Php3000

Sample Itinerary

07PM - ETD Manila to Naga

05AM - ETA Naga City

06AM - ETD Naga to Sabang

08AM - ETA Sabang Port. Take breakfast

09AM - ETD Sabang to Guijalo Port

11AM - ETA Guijalo Port. Take lunch

12NN - Caramoan Town Proper (roughly 30 minutes away via tricycle from Guijalo Port)

You can either go on with island hopping or rest and wait until the next day to do all your preferred and prepared activities. If you have enough time try spelunking in Umang Cave.

Caramoan Tour Packages

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