T'was just last month when I got a chance to visit one of Rizal's town named TANAY. I got a slot to join a daytour featuring the town of Tanay, Rizal. In one day I visited 9 Tanay's popular tourist destinations for only P850.00. So here I came, I will be sharing my Tanay's daytrip. This is a less hassle trip for it only took an hour from NCR to reach this amazing town.
Almost everyone knows that Rizal is just an adjacent province from Metro Manila but only few are aware that one of its most visited town is Tanay because of its tourist destinations and any other places of interest. Only a few hours from Capital Region your quick escape from the busy city is so worth to experience. Thats why a lot of people visit this place during weekend, holiday, and those with special ocassions.
The place is very known for its outdoor activities like camping, hiking from the beautiful rocky mountains, swimming in a very cool-cold waterfalls, spelunking in their famous featured cave, visiting religious and holy sites and old churches, trying the best food in town in a very unique cafe, taking a bath in a Kawa (big bowl used for cooking) and so many others.
To sum up Here are the 9 Reasons why Tanay, Rizal is a must visit place in the Philippines
1..TREASURE MOUNTAIN Tanay is known for its mountainous landscapes. You can hike/climb mountains around Tanay's premises, but one outdoor site that is very accessible to everyone is Treasure Mountain which is officially named Treasure Mountain Educational Campsite. It is a large property which is privately owned located in Barangay Cayumbay in Tanay. The place doesn't require to go on trek but if you wish you could trek there gradually. Since the path is easily accessible for motor vehicles, only few do trekking.
At my back is the view deck of the campsite..
The entrance fee of the place is P150.00. Its always in queue going inside the camp during weekend. Better to go there on weekdays.
So after being marked, am ganno go inside. This is a passes to enter the camp.
Among the best feature of the Camp is witnessing the effortless stunning view of sea of clouds. A lot of people choose to visit this place to witness the sea of clouds, for this would be the easiest place to go without trekking. The place is also good for overnight camping, star gazing, and any outdoor activities. You could also take photos along the rock formations of the mountains. And since its location is highly elivated expect for a chilled weather esp. at dawn.
We departed early in the morning from Manila for a daytour trip. Then we arrived around 4:30am to catch up the famous sea of clouds of Treasure Mountain.
Too bad, I was not able to witness the Treasure Mountain's Sea of Clouds. This is suppose to be the place with Sea of Clouds. (Photo-CTTO)
Since there is no sea of clouds, this is just what I've got. Better to go back here again😢
2.EL PATIO RAZON Just a walking distance from Treasure Mountain or you could ride a motor vehicle/habal-habal for P30.00 from Treasure Mountain you will reach the formerly called Bahay Bakasyonan of a private owner Mr. and Mrs. Razon. Until they have decided to open it to the public and named after them El Patio Razon. The said resthouse offers a lot of activities and one of the best feature of this place which everyones main reason of visiting this place is their Kawa hot bath experience which was originated in the province of Antique in Tibiao.
Kawa Bath is named after a big bowl use for cooking called in tagalog as 'kawa'. This kind of large cooking bowl or others called it a big kettle use for bathing under a mild-fire. It takes 45 minutes to prepare the kawa hot bath. It is being used as a big hot tubs perfect for the cold and chilly weather of the place.
So this is the signboard of El Patio Razon upon going outside just took an immediate camera click.
The place has no entrance fee. Kawa hot Bathing ranges from P200-300.00 good for 1-4 heads. Other activities include Horse backriding P100.00/hour, overnight camping, etc.
Unfortunately, I wasnt able to experience the kawa hot both. I was not so lucky that day..no sea of clouds plus no kawa bath.what a sad trip😢😂
Since we are aftering our itinerary and we were absolutely running out of time we never try to experience that kawa hot bathing. What I did was just took a photo of what they called kawa which is used in bathing. So here it is..
The place has also an area where you can see the scenic view of mountainous Rizal. Photo taken early in a foggy morning.
Before we proceed to our next destination. We took an early breakfast in a restaurant along the highway. Check out guys this place is a must-visit.👊🏼
3.CAFE KATRINA It is one of the good Cafe in Tanay located in Marilaque Highway, Sampaloc, Tanay. It is situated along the highway having a unique scenic view of Sierra Madre mountains. The said cafe is known to be the best breakfast restuarant for most of their menus offers food for breakfast. They have that signature food that made their restuarant known to visitors. They also offers native foods that is best known by the Filipino.
So this is the signature mark of the Cafe. A big cup design being at a top of a layered rock.
So this is the look inside the restaurant.. As you observe, its early in the morning a lot of people were aftering breakfast in this restuarant. For most of the food offers were indeed made for breakfast.
So feel free to visit this place and try their signature Filipino foods.
4.REGINA RICA It is one of the popular pilgrimage place in the Philippines. RICA stands for Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia. It is found along Marcos Highway, Sitio Aguho in Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay and is a 14-hectare sanctuary of Dominican Sisters of Regina Rosarii.
It is a religious complex featuring the giant Virgin Mary situated in a hilltop that has 71-foot high statue. Along the way going to the Statue of Virgin Mary is a church and a wishing well that is believed to be so true.
So this is how big the statue of Virgin Mary being situated in the top of the hill.
Along the way going to the top of the giant statue of Virgin Mary is a beautiful chapel. Since it was raining that time I wasnt able to take photo outside of the chapel. So we just stay inside since in that time the mass was just ended. So here is the enterior design of the church.
For those travelers, pilgrims, religious devotee this is a wonderful place to visit that would really made you feel closer to God. The place is Open to public except on Tuesdays and has no entrance fee.
The place is not considered a park or a recreational site thats why everyone is obliged to observe silence and respect the sanctity of the area. A helpful tip for those who will be planning to visit the site, since it is a sacred place, please observe dress code. Long skirts and shawls are mostly being wore by women. Short shorts and any distractive/unobservable attire is strongly prohibited.
After visiting Regina Rica, we proceeded to the nearest destination place in the town of Tanay. Another place to visit in town..
5.PILILLA RIZAL WIND FARM It is one of the newest tourist destination in Rizal after being built in 2013. It is said to be the nearest windmills in Metro Manila. It is specifically built in Brgy. Hilayhayin in Pililla. The said Pililla Wind Energy Service contract granted to Alternergy Philippine Holdings Corporation covers 4,515 hectares under Department of Energy that composed a lane of 27 wind turbines built in hilltop at 300 MASL that the said entire farm can estimatedly generate almost 150-gigawatt hours of Electricity every year.
The I❤️Pililla landmark inside the Windfarm.
These are how big the wind turbines are. Consisting of 27 giant wind turbines in the farm to generate electricity and sustain electricity to the nearby places.
Who would have thought that you will no longer take a long ride just to reach the famous windmills of the North. It only differs in a way in which these windmills are being situated. Unlike in Ilocos, Rizal's Wind Farm is not located along the seashores but in the highland of Rizal for it is believed to be an ideal setting of a wind farm because it is part of the natural wind corridor created by a unique geographical features sorrounding the Laguna lake and capturing the along the line of Amihan that starts in the month of October to March.
This is the view on top of the hill where wind turbines are being put. Enjoying the view of Laguna Lake..
Along the way to the Wind Turbines, you can see also lots of stores for Pasalubong/souvenirs, foods, etc.
So no need to go to Bangui, Ilocos just to see these giant windmills.
Another place which would complete your Tanay, Rizal's trip is their amazing waterfalls and cave which is just a distant to the other.
6.CALINAWAN CAVE It is an enermous cave system composed of multiple levels and openings located in Brgy. Tandang Kutyo, Tanay. It is a dark, wet cave featuring dramatic formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
History speaks that wayback in World War II, according to tourguides and some locals in the place it is believed that this cave has been used by the Guerilla Warriors and Filipino Revolutionaries as hideout against their enemy.
Nowadays, Calinawan Cave is known for being a filming spot for international and famous local movies like ' Ang Probinsyano', 'La Luna Sangre', etc.
The cave is open everyday, its entrance fee is only P20.00 and ofcourse a guide is a must in exploring the cave for it gives the primary source of living of the locals in the place. P200.00 is the standard fee of the guide. Tip is optional.
The suggested day of visiting the cave is during weekdays for it is a bit too crowded during weekend and holidays.
Photo taken inside the Calinawan Cave featuring the stalagmites and stalactites inside.
So this is the signature view of rocks in the exit of Calinawan Cave..
We took pictures with the group I joined with, during our Tanay daytour..
7.DARANAK FALLS It is one of the most popular tourist destination in Tanay located along Daranak Road of the said town. It is a 14-meter high waterfalls situated in the foot of Tanay mountains. The said falls is being sorrounded by a lush forest featuring the amazing flora and fauna. Stunning view of ponds and rivers are also among the falls best features.
Upon arrival to the entrance of the park, for you to be able to reach the said falls needs bridge crossing and go for slight trekking in just a minute. Along the way to the falls you will see the beautiful view of rivers having a clear crystallin water on it.
The totality of the place is indeed so fascinating. From the good ambiance, the fresh air, and very relaxing place that is absolutely made your escape so defined. This is highly recommended for those adventure seeker and nature lover.
The place is open everyday but they don't allow overnight stays. For the entrance fee of the falls, its P50.00. Huts and sheds are available for rental that ranges from P200-300. There is a store inside the park and a souvenir corner yet the price of the foods and drinks are bit in a high cost. Liqour is strictly prohibited inside. Lifevest may also be rented for P100.00. For a crowdless visit be better to visit this place during weekdays.
So this the signboard upon entering the park.
Along the way to the huts and sheds is a bridge featuring the river view of the falls..
So this is the famous Daranak Falls of Tanay, Rizal having a stunning view of greeny placid sorrounding.
8.TANAY CHURCH It is originally known as Saint Ildefonsus of Toledo Parish Church. It is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the province located in the town proper of Tanay that was first built wayback 1773. T'was in the year 2001 when it was declared as a National Culture Treasure Chruch by the National Comission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Since upon our visit to the church mass was going on, we only took picture outside the oldchurch.. As you can see the look of the church is very old as it was built in the year 1700s.
Among the best feature of the church is its unique style having a triangular pediment and rounded belfry and a baroque type of architecture. The church has also a relic of a piece of bone of San Ildefonso housed in a monstrance came from Spain.
For those religious devotee who loves to travel here is one great old structure for you which is full of history to story.
And finally after ending up our daytour in Tanay, Rizal here is one last site that everyone visits in town..
9.TANAY LIGHTHOUSE Another interesting site in the town of Tanay is its lighthouse oftenly called by the locals as PAROLA located in the lakeshore of Brgy. San Isidro.
The said lighthouse used as guide for fishermen during their moonlight fish hunting. It also gives a grand view of the lake and mountains that sorrounds it.
The said Parola is not as high and unique as other lighthouse are, but it considers as a major landmark in town. Boats that are being parked near the lake/pier gives more color to the lighthouse site.
As you can see, Parola's lighthouse is similar to the other visited lighthouse in the Philippines. The only diffirent is the view around the site. Boats that are being parked however gives more life to the place.
So if you are in Tanay. Dont miss to visit this.😉
So this is how my Tanay Trip goes on. Hope you enjoy it and help you decide to go to this amazing town.
Just don't miss guys to visit this place.
Worth the time, the effort, the adventures and experience.
enjoying wandering
Xoxo,
TheWarayWanderer