Daraitan is a barrio nestled within the great Sierra Madre in Tanay, Rizal.  The place has some peaks to conquer, river system to trek and a cave system to explore.

Daraitan itself is a quiet, peaceful town in the midst of the mountains.  The ride to Daraitan seems to take forever, making you wonder how remote the place is.  During the rainy season, the roads are so muddy that jeeps plying this route attach chains on the wheels of their vehicles to add traction and is the determining factor if you can reach the place or not.  Once in the village, a leisurely stroll is already an experience.  To the left of the village lies mountains and marble walls.  To the left is a river system, a cave with a subterranean river and some more walls.  The place is not yet fully explored by outsiders particularly mountaineers but is very promising as an adventure destination which can offer river trekking, kayaking, rock climbing, rappelling, and spelunking, hiking and climbing.  The place though is not a national park and most lands are privately owned.  There were also signs that the place was once a marble quarry, which may also be the precursor of the small village.

WHEN AND HOW TO GO

To get there, you have to ride a jeepney to Tanay, Rizal, which is very accessible via Araneta Center in Cubao, Crossing in EDSA Mandaluyong or via transfer ride from the Rizal towns of Cainta, Antipolo, Angono and Taytay.  Then from the Tanay public market, get a ride going to Daraitan.  Once you are there, you can ask for directions from the hospitable residents along the area.  It’s advisable to trek Daraitan during the summer months since the place becomes muddy during the rainy season.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Near the vicinity of Daraitan but not directly along the trail is a popular local tourist attraction, the Darnak Falls.  Sembrano in Pililia is also within the vicinity of Tanay as well as Susong Dalaga in Baras, Rizal.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Stores are situated a walking distance from the destination spots. Permits are not required. You can contact the Barangay Captain to assist and help you go around the place.