Montalban Trilogy version 1 Dayhike Guide (Itinerary + Tips)

Introduction

Three mountains in one day. That’s insanity. First is Mt. Hapunang Banoi, second is Mt. Pamitinan and third is Mt. Binicayan. These three mountains are also known as the Montalban Trilogy version 1.

Name: Montalban Trilogy
Difficulty: 6/9
Jump-Off: Barangay Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
Features: limestone formations, panoramic views of Rizal province, a sea of clouds, and Wawa River.

My trip to Montalban Trilogy

It was March 5 when I decided to join an organized trip going to Montalban Trilogy in Rizal province. I grab the seat sale posted in the hiking group and I am a last-minute solo joiner. Also, I have never done climbing three mountains in one day so I give it a try.

The climb proper for Montalban Trilogy version 1 is March 6. For this reason, I followed the itinerary sent by the tour coordinator in the chat. I leave the house at 12:25 am and ride a taxi going to the meetup place because the call time in Greenfield, Mandaluyong is 1 am. Then I arrived at the assembly place at the Greenfield parking area around 12:50 am. When everyone in the group chat already arrived at the assembly place, our van left Greenfield at 1:13 am.

Along the way, I wanted to sleep in the van but the bumpy road going to Montalban makes it harder for me to sleep. Nevertheless, after one hour of road travel, we arrive at the jump-off point and parking area in Montalban at 2:30 am. Since we arrive too early at the jump-off point of the Montalban Trilogy we slept in the van. Then after one hour and thirty minutes, we have our breakfast at 4 am at the small store near the parking space. We ordered some bottled water and food and later we drink coffee.

After we take our breakfast, we have a short orientation and briefing of the mountain trail. Then Allan and Roberto our tour guide named was introduced to us. Before starting the Montalban Trilogy dayhike we have a short prayer at 4:23 am. After that Roberto told us that the Montalban Trilogy dayhike version 1 is much easier compare to Montalban Trilogy dayhike version 2. Then he explained that the trail in Montalban Trilogy dayhike version 2 is much longer and exposed to the sun. Even so, we start the climb at 4:28 am.

Our group walk on a paved road for several minutes. Then we turn left passing some residential houses. At 4:30 am we pass by a long hanging bridge that is 32 meters long. After that our group pass the 100 steps upstairs trail leading to the trailhead of Mt. Hapunang Banoi forest section. At this point, I can hear the bark of the dogs and chicken crowing. As we go up the mountain, some of the members are already tired. So we take our first rest at 4:55 am near the big rock formation.

While we rest we can see the hundreds of stars in the night sky and city lights of Rizal province. It is so mesmerizing to behold. After several minutes of hiking, we take another rest at 5:16 am in the small store at the junction of Mt. Hapunang Banoi. As a result, we buy coconut juice, egg, banana and we have a short talk about our local guide. Then our group continues the climb at 5:26 am.

We do uphill bouldering with a long steep ascent at 5:30 am. Also, we need to watch our footsteps and heads because there’s a big pothole below us and a sharp rock above us as we go up to avoid any injury. We rest at 5:50 am after a tiring continuous uphill bouldering. Then we wait for the other members to come in.

After that, we continue hiking. Then we pass the bamboo native forest trail. Later we have our first group picture taken at the risky spot of Montalban Trilogy. Then at 6:35 am we reached the summit of Mt. Hapunang Banoi at 6:35 am. For this reason, we have our group pictures again at the top of the mountain. After done taking pictures and enjoying the beautiful view for forty minutes, we start to descend at an average pace.

We reached the junction at 7:55 am. Therefore our group takes a quick rest. After that, we continue the ascent going to another mountain at 8 am. Then after thirty minutes of climbing, we reached the viewing deck of Mt. Pamitinan. As a result, we take many individual pictures there and we can see the whole municipality of Montalban. Undoubtedly, our group stays for thirty minutes in the viewing deck of Montalban Trilogy. Then at 9:13 am we reached the summit of Mt. Pamitinan where we have our group picture taken at the summit marker. 

At 9:20 am we start going down the mountain. Furthermore, after thirty minutes of descending, we reach the junction of Montalban Trilogy at 9:50 am where we bought food and cold drinks to refreshen our tired bodies. Then we continue to descent going back to the jump-off point at 10:10 am. Moreover, our group reached the jump-off point of Montalban Trilogy at 11 am.

We leave in the van some of the things that we don’t need in the climb. However, two members of the group didn’t want to continue climbing the third mountain. Nevertheless, we start the uphill assault going to the summit of Mt. Binicayan, the last mountain in our Montalban Trilogy dayhike version 1.

After one hour and thirty minutes of continuous uphill assault and bouldering with minimal rest, we finally reached the summit of Mt. Binicayan at 12:37 pm. We have a group picture at the last mountain in our Montalban Trilogy dayhike.

Then after staying for one hour at the summit, we start our descent going back to the jump-off point. We reached the jump-off point at 3 pm. Then we eat our afternoon meal at the small store near the barangay hall. After that, we tidy up and forty minutes later our van left Montalban at 4:28 pm. We arrive in Manila at 4:28 pm.

Praise God for guiding all of our footsteps and making the climb successful. Also, I want to thank our guides, Allan and Roberto, for assisting us throughout the climb. Indeed we finished the Montalban Trilogy dayhike in 11 hours of hiking.

I will never forget this Montalban Trilogy dayhike version 1 because this is the first time that I climbed three mountains in one day. Without a doubt, it was such a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. Special thanks to Joe and to GalaYver Adventure group for organizing this event. For more hiking-related and travel adventure events, please visit their Facebook page.

Overall my adventure to Montalban Trilogy sums up this wonderful quote “Only the brave, tough and with guts survive.”

Things to bring on your visit to Montalban Trilogy:

2 to 3 liters of drinking water
Gloves
Trail food like biscuits, eggs and fruits, snacks
First Aid Kit for emergency purposes
Flashlight, headlamp, penlight
Plastic bag or garbage bag
Camera
Powerbank
Toiletries
Towel
Cap or scarf
Handkerchief
Personal medicine
Umbrella
Sunblock, off lotion
Alcohol
Valid ID for emergency purposes
Ziplock
Extra clothes
Extra slipper and cash
Packed lunch (optional)
Gatorade (optional)
Jacket (optional)
Arm sleeves (optional)
Raincoat or rainjacket during the rainy season

Sample itinerary to Montalban Trilogy Dayhike Version 1

Option 1:

1AM – Assembly at a designated location, preferably at Greenfield parking area
2AM – ETD going to Rodriguez, Rizal
3:30AM – ETA at Wawa, registration, orientation, and briefing, take breakfast and final preparation
4:30AM – Start of Montalban Trilogy dayhike
6AM – Summit of Mt. Binicayan, sunrise viewing, and photo-ops
7AM – Descent going to the junction
9AM – Arrive at the junction, quick rest, resume hiking going to the summit
10:30AM – Summit of Mt. Hapunang Banoi, take pictures
11:30AM – Take lunch at the junction
12PM – Resume hiking going to Mt. Pamitinan summit
1PM – Summit of Mt. Pamitinan
1:30PM – Descent to Wawa
2PM – Arrive at Wawa, End of Montalban Trilogy dayhike, tidy up, take an afternoon snack
4PM – ETD going back to Manila
5:30PM – ETA Manila

Option 2:

1AM – Meetup
2AM – Departure going to Montalban, Rizal
3AM – ETA at Wawa, register and secure guide
4AM – Start of Montalban Trilogy dayhike
6AM – Mt. Binicayan Summit, sightseeing and rest
7:30AM – Descend
9AM – Junction
9:30AM – Summit of Mt. Hapunang Banoi
10:30AM – Descend
12PM – Lunch at the junction
1PM – Summit of Mt. Pamitinan
2PM – Start to descend
2:30PM – Junction, take rest
4PM – Jump-off point, End of Montalban Trilogy, wash up
5PM – ETD going back to Metro Manila
7PM – ETA Metro Manila

Sample itinerary to Montalban Trilogy Dayhike Version 2

1AM – Call time and meetup at Cubao, Quezon City
2AM – Departure going to Rodriguez Rizal
3:30AM – ETA at Wawa, register at DENR station or barangay hall, secure guide and final preparation
4AM – Start hiking going to Mt. Susong Dalaga summit
5AM – Arrive at Mt. Susong Dalaga summit
6AM – Start to descend going to the junction
7AM – Junction, start trekking to Mt. Lagyo
9AM – Mt. Lagyo summit
10AM – Descend
11AM – Junction, take lunch
12PM – Start trekking to Mt. Parawagan
2PM – Mt. Parawagan summit
3PM – Descend
4PM – Back to the jump-off point, End of Montalban Trilogy dayhike, wash up
5PM – Departure going to Cubao
7PM – Arrive at Cubao

Note: this sample itinerary is just a basis and not absolute or will not be 100% perfect due to many factors such as the actual pacing, delay, weather condition, emergency, etc.

How to Go to Montalban Trilogy

By commute

1. From Cubao van terminal, ride a UV express going to Montalban and tell the driver to drop you off at the tricycle terminal in Eastwood, Rodriguez, Rizal.
2. From Eastwood (Montalban), ride a tricycle going to the barangay hall of Wawa or the registration site at DENR station.
   
   
   
   

Reminders and Tips:

• Montalban Trilogy dayhike is not recommended for beginners. It is not your average dayhike mountain. It has long and challenging rocky trails with a long steep assault so better prepare yourself physically and mentally to last the climb. On the other hand, the Montalban Trilogy dayhike is highly recommended for experienced and seasoned hikers. 

• Wear appropriate and comfortable hiking sandals you can rely on. Also, wear long sleeves and hiking pants during the dry season.

• Bring gloves for a safe climb and to protect your hands from sharp rocks. Gloves are highly required before doing the Montalban Trilogy dayhike. It is very essential.

• Bring a cap or hat to protect you from the heat of the sun.

• There are small stores at the junction and at the jump-off point where you can buy sufficient water and food.

• Bring enough water, trail food, and a packed lunch if you want to lessen your expense.

• Practice the LNT (Leave No Trace) principle. Do not leave your trash anywhere. Put it in the proper place. Respect the mountain, the locals, and fellow hikers at all times.

• It is highly recommended to start the Montalban Trilogy dayhike as early as 4:30 am.

• Before you start the Montalban Trilogy dayhike, you will go first to the barangay hall of Wawa and DENR office for registration and paying the necessary fees.

• Montalban Trilogy dayhike version 2 consists of three mountains namely: Mt. Susong Dalaga which has a height of 325 MASL, Mt. Lagyo which has a height of 396 MASL, and Mt. Parawagan which has an elevation of 480 meters above sea level. The guide fee for each mountain cost 800 pesos. If you want to climb these three mountains in one day you have to pay 2400 pesos. On the other hand, the guide fee for Montalban Trilogy dayhike version 1 is 500 pesos for each mountain. If you want to climb these three mountains in one day you have to pay 1500 pesos.

• Last but not least, if you think you cannot finish the Montalban Trilogy dayhike informed your local guide and tour coordinator.
  
  
  

There you have it. Sometimes life will test you to the point that you feel just like giving up. When that happens, remind yourself why you held on for so long and look back at the reason why you want to achieve your goals. Overall, I hope this Montalban Trilogy dayhike guide and reference has been helpful to you and inspired you to try hiking. Moreover, don’t forget to share this with your friends, groups, and companions if you ever plan on doing the Montalban Trilogy dayhike too. Hope to see you on the trail. Thanks for reading. God bless us all.