Rizal is my mother province. It was my first ever trip with my friend who introduced me to backpacking and this very same waterfall ignited my wanderlust as an adventure artist in 2011. And I would never trade that experience for the world. 📍Batlag Falls
🇵🇭DARANAK FALLS AND BATLAG FALLS ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭
✈️🛳🚌 How to get to Daranak Falls and Batlag Falls, Rizal:
⏺ Ride a van or jeepney from EDSA Crossing-Shaw to Tanay, Rizal (travel time: 2 – 3 hours depending on traffic condition).
⏺ Hire a tricycle that will take you to these waterfalls (travel time: 20 – 30 minutes).
⏰⏳ SAMPLE ITINERARY:
5:00 AM ETD for Tanay
7:00 AM ETA Tanay / breakfast / buy packed lunch
8:00 AM ETD for Daranak Falls
8:30 AM Daranak Falls
11:00 AM Batlag Falls
3:00 PM Wash up
4:00 PM Head back to Tanay town proper
4:30 PM ETD for Manila
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler): Php 1,200 – Php 1,500
***Expenses may vary depending on personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the transfer rates via tricycle.
I actually couldn’t remember how many times I have visited these two waterfalls. Every time I am on a tight budget and I want to go out of town to take a break from the chaotic city life, these falls are on top of the list of my go-to places near Manila. 📍Batlag FallsThe town of Tanay is definitely among the best destinations near Manila when you want to go on a day tour. This waterfall known as Daranak Falls has already been a popular tourist destination when I started traveling in 2011.Aside from the inviting turquoise water of Daranak, its swimming area is also huge enough for quite a number of visitors. There are available cottages for picnics and stores where you can buy snacks. Being a mainstream family-friendly destination, you should expect Daranak Falls to get extremely crowded during weekends and holidays.If facing Daranak Falls, this spot will be on your right. The cascade of water here usually appears every rainy season.You are probably wondering why it seems like I got the place to myself in these photos. My friend and I were at the registration area by 8:00 AM which just opened upon our arrival. We’re actually the very first visitors. However, you should still expect loads of people to start arriving at 9:00 AM even if it’s a weekday.From Daranak Falls, just cross this river and you will reach a small store on your left where an entrance fee for Batlag Falls will be collected.Walk uphill to reach the cottages. At the end of the row of cottages, you will find a trail leading to this waterfall, Batlag Falls.
📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:
📌Once you arrive at the gate going to Daranak Falls, pay the entrance fee then walk for a few minutes to reach Daranak falls.
📌Batlag Falls is just a few meters away from Daranak (there is a separate entrance fee if you opt to visit this waterfall).
📌There are available cottages that you can rent.
📌The place gets crowded during weekends, holidays and summer vacation.
📌You can ask the tricycle driver to wait or just come back for you at the agreed time.
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
One thing that visitors will like about this place is that they won’t need to brace themselves for muddy trails and trek for so long to reach the waterfalls. I also prefer staying at Batlag Falls because I’ve never seen it jam-packed with tourists on several occasions that I have visited it. The only downside is that its facilities such as toilets are not well-maintained compared to Daranak’s.The color of the pools of Batlag Falls where you can swim shifts from light blue to turquoise to emerald depending on lighting conditions. Even if it’s overcast, this waterfall remains photographic.Batlag Falls has two main cascades next to each other. This natural pool is the deeper one. I was just standing on a huge rock which made the illusion as if the pool was shallow.Who could even resist swimming in this natural pool of azure color? This really is a piece of paradise near the metro.These natural wonders of Tanay actually remind me of the waterfalls that can be found in Southern Cebu.This other plunge basin of Batlag Falls is much wider as the water flows down this stone wall.The waterfall then streams into this shallow basin.Back in 2011, this swimming area was actually much deeper. I could still remember my ordeal when I swam against the current just so I could get closer to the rock formation. But flash floods brought about by typhoons throughout the years must have filled these pools with soil and rocks.If you trace the direction where the water flows and trek down the river, you will find this refreshing spot where you can chill out as you listen to the hymn of cascading water. I really find the sound of rivers therapeutic.This photo was taken in 2016. I’ve been to these two waterfalls countless times and it’s always a fun experience every time I visit. There’s no doubt that these two natural attractions are among my most favorite if we’re talking about beautiful destinations near Manila.Before ending this blog post, I would like to rant for a sec. I’ve been seeing posts from people in the travel community whining about “reality vs expectations” photos of these waterfalls. They are bloody disappointed because they believe that other people are deceiving them. They are claiming that the color of the water was edited and it was brown during their visit. But why would you chase waterfalls when the monsoon is at its peak in the first place? Why would you plan your visit right after a typhoon? Of course you cannot expect Batlag Falls to look like this after a flash flood. I could no longer remember how many times I’ve seen Daranak and Batlag Falls but I’ve only seen them brown and muddy in color once due to the northeast monsoon rains. It has been a habit of mine to always check the weather and read blogs online for the best time to go to a specific place. In all my years of traveling, I make my research first before diving in.
***For other destinations in Rizal and CALABARZON, you may visit this link.
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