Daranak and Batlag Falls

Daranak and Batlag Falls, the nearest waterfall from the Metro.  A 2-hour drive or less, depends on traffic and you get to swim in the cold water of the falls.  Perfect for a weekend getaway.  And besides, these falls are always a part of some television shows and movies.

Daranak Falls

Batlag Falls

We went to Daranak and Batlag falls after our lunch at Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant on a Monday, holiday.  From Scrapyard (where we bought our ice cream), we took a jeepney to Tanay for P35.  We asked the driver to drop us off at the tricycle terminal to Daranak falls.  He said that there are two options to drop us at.  First is where we can hire a tricycle for a special trip.  And second is the regular trip, where we would wait for other passengers until the seating capacity is full.  We opted the latter.  Before getting off his jeep, he told us to just look for the line of the tricycle bound to Daranak.

At the terminal there are a lot of tricycles bound to different Barangays of Tanay.  Some tricycle drivers offered to take us to Daranak for P300.  And even told us that there are no tricycles in the terminal that will bring us to Daranak.  We just said thank you and left.  We continued to ask for the right terminal.  Upon asking some barker's (men who's in-charge of the line) we found the tricycle bound to Daranak.  Since it's already 4PM, there are only few passengers.  We asked for a special trip to Daranak and it was only P150 one-way.  And so we agreed for a special trip.  The right fare is half the price or even lower ('cause some charge P400) if you hire the right tricycle.  Make sure you hire the right tricycles that are really bound to the area of Daranak to avoid over charges.

We asked Mang Onie (our tricycle driver), to pick us up at 6:30PM.  Enough time to take pictures and a short dip.  He said that Daranak is open until 5PM only and they might not allow us to get in anymore.  He gave us a tip to pretend that we are only doing an ocular inspection of the falls and we will get back the following week.

When we arrive at the entrance of the Daranak, Mang Onie was right.  Most of the visitors are leaving.  And so we followed Mang Onie's advice.  Entrance fee to Daranak is P25.  There are still a lot of swimmers when we reached Daranak falls.  But the lifeguard keeps reminding them that they close at 5PM.  We just took some pictures and head to Batlag.

Batlag falls is just above Daranak.  You need to get inside the park of Daranak to get to Batlag.  Cross a bridge made of bamboo and hike a cemented path.  At Batlag, we were told that we can stay until at least before 6PM,  because it gets dark after six.  And they do not allow overnight swimmers anymore.

Small bridge

Hike to Batlag

We thought that we wouldn't be long because we'll just take pictures and leave.  But when we reached Batlag, no one was there anymore (because most of the people are leaving).  The water is really inviting.   

Batlag stream

Raz and I just can't help to take a dip.  We didn't bother to go to the restroom to change our clothes (there was only us, hehe!).  And indeed, it was a good decision to take a dip.  After all the places we've been to in one day with the striking hot sun rays.  It was very refreshing to just stay right beneath the cold waters of the falls.

Sorry for the blurred pic.  Medyo pasmado ang picture taker namin dito.  Hehe!

Oh, to those who don't know how to swim like me, Daranak and Batlag has a rubber lifebuoy (salbabida).  I'm not sure if you need to rent them to be able to use them, but since no one was there, we get to use them for free.  It's scattered everywhere. ☺

Akala ko malalim pa din.. hehe!

It was really dark when we left the falls.  We got lock inside the park, the gate was closed.  I think the park administrator forgot that there were three girls who came in late, or maybe they thought that we already left.  Whatever it is, we had no way out but to climb a small hill and walk over the fence.  Good thing that Mang Onie was kind and patient enough to wait for us.

Over the bakod

Oh by the way, Batlag rates are shown in the picture below.

How to get there

By Private vehicle
From EDSA, drive through Ortigas Ext. road passing by KayTikling.  Make a U-turn and turn right up to the hills of Antipolo.  Follow the Antipolo road to Laguna.  At Tanay Junction, turn left.  Go straight until you see the sign that says, "To Daranak" on your left.  Turn left and you will see the Daranak gate on your right.

By Public Transportation
From EDSA-Crossing, take the Tanay bound FX or jeepneys.  Ask the driver to drop you off at the tricycle terminal to Daranak falls.  Ride a tricycle that are franchised bound to Daranak.


If you want to reserve a tricycle before going to Daranak and Batlag, here is Mang Onie's contact number:
Mang Onie:  0947-7610659




Read our Rizal Tour from Day 1 to Day 2.

You might also like:

• Church in the Sky
• Angono Municipal Hall and Park
• Blanco Museum
• Angono Petroglyphs
• Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant
• Scrapyard Restaurant
• Doña Aurora Street Murals
• St. Clement Parish
• Mystical Cave

If you like this post, please consider sharing it on Facebook and Twitter.  Or you may leave a comment to help my blog.  Happy reading, thank you! :)

Rizal Tour (Day 1)

Day 1:

After researching and planning for weeks, we finally pushed through with our Rizal Tour.  Our meeting place is at Melvin, Crossing at 6AM.  From there, we took a jeepney ride to KayTikling (P20).  At KayTikling, we decided to eat breakfast at a local fast food restaurant and bought some essentials at a nearby drug store.  After breakfast, we crossed the street and looked for a jeepney that will pass hi-way.  We asked the driver to drop us off at Christ the King Parish in Muzon.  (Along the hi-way, you should be able to see the old Christ the King church).  Tricycles going to the church in the sky is at the street before the old church.  It has a sign like in the photo below.  Fare is P35 per trip.  You may ask the driver to wait for you since there are no other public transportation at the church.

Christ the King Parish

From the hi-way, we took another jeepney ride to Scrapyard (P8.50).  This place is where the street to Thunderbird Resort is located.  But unfortunately, someone told us that the service van for guests is at the town proper.  So we took a tricycle to Angono town for P10 each.

While waiting for the 11AM schedule of pick-up, we decided to pass by Angono Municipal Hall and Blanco Museum.  My friends and I just can't resist to take pictures with the Higantes.  Angono, aside from being the Art capital of the Philippines, it is also known for their Higantes Festival celebrated every third week of November.

Higantes with Raina and Raz

We went straight to Blanco Museum after cam whoring at the park.  Blanco Museum is just two blocks away from the Municipal Hall.  Entrance fee for adults is P70 and P50 for kids.

A family of artist

We were amazed of all the paintings made by the whole Blanco family.  Specially the huge painting that took Pitok Blanco two years to finish.

The town fiesta

At exactly 11AM, the van for Thunderbird Resort guests arrive.  Please remember that it will wait for 3-5 minutes only.  The van will leave whether it is full or not.  You will have to wait for the next schedule of pick-up if you've been left behind.  The van is a free service transportation for hotel and casino guests.

At the Fiesta Casino, we hired a tricycle to take us to Angono Petroglyphs (P30 per trip).  Angono Petroglyphs is one of the oldest work of art in the Philippines.  Human and animal figures are engraved on rock walls dating back to 3000 B.C.

Angono Petroglyphs 

It was past 1PM when we decided to take our lunch at Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant.  Famous for serving exotic dishes and Minaluto.  Aside from their specialty restaurant, they also have an art gallery on their Mezzanine and 2nd floor.

Balaw Balaw Restaurant

After feasting ourselves with food and art, we were hurrying ourselves to get to Daranak and Batlag Falls before dark.  We took the Morong-Tanay bound jeepneys around 2:30PM (P35).  We asked the driver to drop us at the tricycle terminal bound to Daranak Falls.  We took the special trip for P150 since it was already past 4PM.  Don't forget to ask the tricycle driver to pick you up at your preferred time.

Most of the people are on their way out when we arrive.  The officer-in-charge told us that they will close at 5PM and they won't accept visitors anymore.

We can't risk going back to Angono without nothing so we told them that we are having an ocular inspection  only of Daranak and Batlag.  We didn't pay the P25 entrance fee of Daranak.  But when we reached Batlag, we were told that we have to pay the entrance fee of P50 even for an ocular inspection, so we paid.

Daranak (left) and Batlag Falls

It was really dark when we left the falls.  From Tanay, we stopped at Scrapyard Restaurant for dinner at around 9PM.  We were suppose to go overlooking the city before going to sleep.  But then we thought that we need to rest for another adventure the next day.

For the complete story, click on the links.

• Church in the sky
• Angono Municipal Hall and Park
• Blanco Museum
• Angono Petroglyphs
• Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant
• Daranak and Batlag Falls
• Scrapyard Restaurant
• Doña Aurora Street Murals
• St. Clement Church
• Mystical Cave

Click on Day 2 of our Rizal Tour.

If you like this post, please consider sharing it on Facebook and Twitter.  Or you may leave a comment to help my blog.  Happy reading, thank you! :)