Easy Getaway: Daranak Falls, Tanay

This was like a "spur of the moment" trip that we didn't even think of preparing an itinerary since the trip won't be consuming more than 5 hours of our whole day. Just packed and went there!

Well, Daranak is a park/resort open to public and is nestled quietly at the foot of the Tanay mountains. Complemented with lots of flora and other small falls and ponds. As per locals, this refreshing site is 14 meters high and a short walk to the top of the falls is Batlag Falls.

Getting there was quite easy. Since my place is just along [...]
 BGC Taguig, jeepney's heading to Antipolo/Tanay were just around the corner. So once you get to the town proper you can just rent a tricycle and tell the driver to take you to the falls. They normally charge P150 one-way, but if your haggling skills's that powerful, chances are -- you may suade the driver to give you at least some discount or just get yourself embarrased for all the effort. Ha ha.

The one-way trip would use up at least an hour and 30 mins to 2 hours (without traffic) of your precious time. And when you get the deal with the driver, make sure you close a back and forth agreement. Otherwise you would end up walking back to the main highway, which is a 3 km off-trail walk. Goodluck with that!

The road leading to the falls is rough and quite beaten up, though it is passable by car, expect one bumpy ride. Just to give you guys a heads up, when nearing the falls, phone signals go weak or totally out for some networks. But then again, you went there to relax and relieve yourself from the city stress. A day or even hours of NO social media won't hurt.

Food and drinks... bring your own chow. Period. You can't really rely on the canteen in the area. You're lucky if you get your drinks cold and if the canteen's open. Again, bring your goodies. Picnic huts are up for rent, but if you wanna get really close.. closer to nature, you can just lay your sarong or lie on the rocks. Since it's summer, water seems to be thinner. The catch basin was still deep enough for us to swim though.

Don't expect to get the comfort you enjoy in the city. There are no fancy hotels, restaurants and uber clean restrooms.

Lastly, you go there to see and experience the falls... not the garbage. But you have no choice, coz in every nook and cranny, there it is... Trash. Trekking further upstream, there's more. More people, more garbage.

I hope people (those who litter) would realize how they are destroying every bit of this place. Let's preserve the beauty of #Daranak Falls. Keep it filth-free!

It's still a great place for photo ops, day trip or just cool yourself from the scorching summer heat.

How to get there: Mega Easy!!!

You may take either the GTXpress Van or a jeepney to Tanay town proper.
The van normally cost around P70 and jeepney is for P55-P60, both located in EDSA cor Shaw blvd. lined up near Starmall. Then from the town proper take the tricycle going to Daranak falls which costs  P150 good for 4 people ONE-WAY.


2014 Daranak Update:

* Entrance is P20 for adults and P15 for kids


* Table rent P200 while the picnic shed/kiosk is P300.
* Restroom has a fee of P5.00 per use

* No ATM - so make sure to bring enough cash

* No pets allowed

* There's a LOT OF MOSQUITOES especially in the afternoon. Make sure to bring your insect repellant.

* The resort is open from 8 am to 5 pm and tends to be very crowded on weekends. Make sure to visit on a weekday and as early as possible.

* There are stores downhill where you can buy food/ softdrinks and other goods, but not ice.
* WiFi/ Data Plans and Hotspots still won't work here