Kalinawan Cave and Daranak Falls

This trip was irresistible for one main reason - the estimated expenses was only P250. Besides, it was summer, I had nowhere to go and I was dying to take a dip somewhere.


We arrived at Tanay, Rizal swarmed by trike drivers who barraged us into taking their ride. We were offered P50, which we haggled down to P30. Our guide at Kalinawan Cave would later tell us that the fare from Tanay, Rizal to Kalinawan Cave is only P25 if we took a trike from the designated terminal.

The ride was awful bumpy. The trike careened across a rocky road and for almost 45 minutes I grasped whatever part of the trike I could hold on to. My hands were numb when we got to Kalinawan Cave.

Kalinawan Cave

An interesting rock formation, resembling a face in sideview

The cave is interesting for two reasons. First, it was the site of an agreement (hence, "kalinawan") between Spaniards and Filipinos and is therefore an important historical landmark. Second, much of the cave is underground; outside, the cave looks like a small, rocky mound.

Cave Exit

A baby stalactite

Our next stop was Daranak Falls which, according to locals, was just a short walk away. It took us about 20 minutes to reach the resort where the falls is located, and we had to descend the a 365-step staircase. As I expected, the place was a bit crowded.

Daranak Falls. Just beautiful.

How to get there
1. Take a jeepney bound for Tanay, Rizal at the terminal beside Worldwide Corporate Center in Shaw, at the back of Starmall. Duration: One hour, Fare: P53. Suggested ETD: 6:00 AM
2. Ask where the tricycle terminal is. Tell the driver to take you to Kalinawan Cave.  Duration: 45 min, Fare: P30.
3. Guide fee at Kalinawan Cave is P100 for a group of 5 people. Entrance fee is P20/head. Cave exploration usually lasts for 30 minutes.

4. From Kalinawan Cave, just ask the locals how to get to Daranak Falls. It's a short hike, a descent from the stairs of grotto and another short hike. Duration: 20 min.
5. Entrance fee at Daranak Falls is P20.

Alcoholic beverages are confiscated.

6. From Daranak Falls, you can take a trike to the jeepney terminal in Tanay.

Tips
1. Bring water and protection from sunlight. The trail from the cave to the falls hardly has any shade.
2. Bring flashlights or headlamps are available for rent but you can also bring your own.
3. There are lifeguards at Daranak Falls. Floaters - actually rubber tubes from old tires - may also be rented.
4. You may also head to the nearby Batlag Falls. It's inside private property though and entrance fee is a bit a pricey (P100).

Other Sites in Tanay (snapshots of a poster inside the Daranak Falls)

Masungi Rock Formation

Daraitan River

Kinabuan Falls

Tinipak Rock Formation

Mayagay