Hi guys! Get your bags packed for another hike! This is by far the most “dangerous” hike I have ever experienced. Still, our Mt. Daraitan climb is the HARDEST!

Who: 7 persons
What: Day Hike and camp out
Where: Mt. Batulao and Burot Beach
When: May 02, 2015
How?

• How much: approx. budget is Php 1,000.00/ea (maximum)
• How we get there: Public transport
• How long: 2 days and 1 night

The itinerary I have listed below consists of our Mt. Batulao climb and our side trip to Burot beach.

Day 1

05:00 AM | Meet-up at DLTB Terminal

The DLTB terminal that we chose was the one at Buendia, Gil Puyat. We rode the bus that travels to Nasugbu, Batangas (make sure that this travels the Emilio Aguinaldo Hi-way route) and paid the fair of Php 111.00/ea up to Evercrest.

Evercrest is a private property with few establishments inside like a Hotel and Golf Club and the Don Bosco Retreat House. You will see something like this from outside:


You would immediately see small shops and tricycles there. From the bus drop off, you would need to ride a tricycle to go in. The tricycle is about a 15-20min. ride that would take you to a small village along a cliff.

07:44 AM | Getting ready for the hike

We were dropped of at a shop where you could use the bathroom, buy water, stick and other things that you need for hiking if you forget to bring ‘em. Most importantly, you will be introduced with one of the locals there who will be your guide.

08:00 AM |Start the Climb

After we have our bottles refilled and sunblocks applied, we started the hike. It’s basically about an hour long walk out the village and to the start off point to the registration area. With this hour walk, we already saw what we are up to.


We reached the registration area by 09:15 AM. The registration fee is Php 30.00/ea. You can refill your bottles at the registration area too. We took a quick breather before we started the hike again.

09:35AM | Back with the hike!

We took the old trail first and traverse to the new trail. As I could recall, we were told that there were 12 peaks in total. As you could see at the photo above, it’s a very interesting mountain to climb. We saw few peak signs along the way but we didn’t exactly knew how each was numbered.


The blogs that we saw had photos with ropes and rappelling shots so we were expecting it. But we didn’t expect it to be THIS many! haha. Around 40mins from the registration area, we reached the what we now call the “selfie rock”. :P

It’s one of the spots where you could rest and buy refreshments. You have to be brave enough and climb few more steps to the top of the “selfie rock” but it’s really worth it! I think it is the perfect spot to take photos of the beautiful peaks.


Before we reach the best peak, we had to pass through this very steep peak! And I tell you, I haven’t felt my knees shake the way they did when we were there! I can’t even stand up with two feet. We were all laughing and scared at the same time and the strong wind was not helping.

10:51 AM | The 360° View of Batangas

At almost 11AM, we were able to reach the spot where it was said that you could take a 360° view of the whole province of Batangas and overlooking its neighboring provinces too.



It was a very picturesque moment. I’m so glad I was able to take home these shots and say I took it myself!

But this time, you will have the choice of getting back to the start point the same way you reached the 360° peak or you can traverse and rappel down and take the new trail. This is I think the highest rappel among the other ones.


We passed two camp sites as we continue the hike. The 2nd camp we passed through was the largest camp site where they have toilets too. There’s an official there who asked us to log our names and pay for a P10.00 fee before we continue the hike.

03:41 PM | Hike Complete

We got settled at the same shop we started. We drank as much water as we can, brought souvenirs (yey! They have PVC cards!), say goodbye to our sticks, took few photos and paid our friendly guide.


At the shop, there were tricycles waiting outside that dropped us off at the Evercrest entrance. The guide we had pointed us to a place inside the shops where we could take a bath and change clothes. We just washed our feet and changed to our slippers while one of our friends washed up.

One of us decided not come with us to Burot Beach, and so we were 6.

Day 2

04:52 PM | On to Burot Beach

We took a bus from Evercrest to Calatagan; then from there took a jeepney to Calatagan public market. While on our way, we contacted Kuya John, the same guy we contacted on our first Burot trip.

We bought the things we need at the public market, we were glad we were able to catch few open stores before they close and that the food stalls are serving 24 hours a day.

Two tricycles picked us up from the public market and dropped as off at Kuya Johns where we took a quick bath. We were able to fix our things here, borrowed few items and they even gave us a huge bag of unripe mangoes. :P

10:00 PM | Camp out at Burot Beach

We setup two tents to sleep at but ended up sleeping outside under the stars. The place was so crowded by the time we came and we were so lucky we were able to find a spot near the beach and away from the noisy ones.

We stayed up late talking about things and other stuff until one by one we dozed off with just scarves on our backs and with the moon glaring on our heads.

05:15 AM | Goodmorning Burot!

Amazingly, we woke up early! :D We strolled along the shore and checked out the magnificent view of the shoreline. While we were on our way back to our tents, we managed to negotiate with one of the locals and take the boat ride, the same one we had before.

We went to the same spots; (1)Mini Boracay, (2)snorkeling with the coral reefs and (3)Starfish island (photos below).




The cool thing about our boat ride this time is that Manong Bangkero took us around the cool yacht that was docked near the area. It was sooooo cool! Like a spaceship! AND from the huge yacht, Manong Bangkero let us sit at the thingy part of the boat as he dropped as off the beach. It was so much fun!


We were dropped off at a far side of the beach where we saw a perfect spot to chill. We stayed there for quite a while and decided to come back when we got hungry. :P

11:00 AM | Goodbye Burot

The same tricycle guys picked us up from Burot Beach and dropped us at the public market. Had a quick lunch then took a jeepney to Lian then a tricycle to the DLTB Terminal at Nasugbu.

From Nasugbu, we got back where we started, at the DLTB Terminal at Buendia. :D

Phew! That’s a long one!

Few tips for this trip (Mt. Batulao ):

• Because you are literally hiking through the peaks, there are NO trees. So make sure to wear long sleeves or apply a strong sunblock if you don’t want to get 5 shades darker. Seriously. :P
• It was very dusty during the hike, especially the spots with the ropes, so make sure to bring a mask or a handy hanky to cover half your face.
• Sunglasses! Definitely a must!
• If you don’t plan on camping, travel light. The trail is long one, few inclines but lesser weight on your back will make the hike easier.
• Make sure to bring your own gloves, for the rappelling parts of the hike.
• Lastly, wear your BEST pair of hiking footwear. Almost all of us had our shoes damaged during the hike. :P

For the Burot Beach camp out:

• It’s our second time to visit and going in at a late time is I guess much different. There are officers guarding the gate where you’ll pay the environmental fee which in return they’ll give you a trash bag.
• Once your tricycle driver drop you off at the beach proper, there’s another checkpoint with officials that will ask you for the per head fee. They will ask you if you how long you’ll stay and if you need anything else during your stay.
• Unlike before, aside for the wood for cooking/campfire; the store by the entrance now sells ice and alcoholic drinks.
• We felt there are more officials (we were told they were police officials) guarding the area, so security is not a problem.
• The shower rooms and sink areas are poorly maintained. If you are a neat freak, this might night be a place for you to visit. But we managed.
• It’s much more convenient to shower at Kuya John’s place. You can ride the tricycle back to their place with your swimming outfits.

I guess that’s it! Overall, our Mt. Daraitan hike I rate 4.5/5, only because our guide was not as enthusiastic as I would’ve preferred to. And for our Burot Beach camp out I rate 2.5/5 because the place is just not as adorable as I have seen it the first time. Let me know if you have questions. :D

As for my usual reminder, if you are planning to visit the place make sure to "Leave NO Trace". Thanks for reading!


More photos and clips **here:

• http://kristalynhazel.tumblr.com/tagged/batulao
• https://plus.google.com/101884070326475059260/stories/388cb738-852e-3101-9f5a-7b5d966ef28214d1a1abb37
• http://abrilrodeya.tumblr.com/post/118698324036/may-2-2015-mt-batulao-batangas-traverse
• http://abrilrodeya.tumblr.com/post/118959820616/may-2-3-2015-mt-batulao-traverse-burot

[UPDATE: 03.10.2016]

A video compilation made by Nix! Hooray! :D

**The photos used at this post are collectively gathered, grabbed and provided by me and the friends I had the trip with.