The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Mt. Kulis in Tanay Rizal Philippines | Attractions, Location, How to Get There, Tips, Costing, Video Review

Mt. Kulis became famous among hikers because of its proximity to Metro Manila. This mountain is perfect for beginners or for those who just wanted to be with nature. You also do not need to exert so much effort in climbing mountains - like those in Benguet - to experience sea-of-clouds. Rizal Province is a famous hiking spot in the Philippines and there are lots of hiking and eco-tourism recently developed in the area. Recently, famous celebrities joined in the hype making these places more intriguing. Julia Barretto uploaded a photo of her visit to Mt. Kulis in Tanay, Rizal on Instagram last November 29, 2020, Sunday. Meanwhile, Kristel Fulgar and Benedict Cua went together and took adorable photos with each other at the summit of Mt. Kulis. Truly, it is a perfect hiking destination for the beginners in Tanay Rizal. Tanay sustains its community through its abundant and diverse natural resources. 

Rediscover excitement and thrill in Rizal with just a short road trip from the city! Adventure has never been this close! Plan your next excursion and make the wait worthwhile by visiting.

Where is Mt. Kulis located?

Mt. Kulis is located in Sitio Maysawa Brgy. Laiban, Tanay, Rizal Philippines. Mt. Kulis and Fresno Agro-Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite are new destinations in Tanay, Rizal where you can experience camping and seeing a sea of clouds without the extreme effort of climbing a mountain - Instagram (IG) worthy at chill hike for beginners.

What are the main attractions in Mt. Kulis?

Rediscover excitement and thrill in Rizal with just a short road trip from the city! Adventure has never been this close! Plan your next excursion and make the wait worthwhile by visiting. 

1. Summit (Mt. Kulis) 

Where the famous house of Cardo Dalisay of ABS-CBN teleserye "Ang Probinsyano" is located. 

2. Spider web

This other stop is where you can have an Instagram-worthy photo. 

3. Heart Peak (or Sambong Peak)

There's a man-made heart-shaped pedestal where you can creatively take souvenir photos. 

4. Noah's ark

Probably the most iconic Mt. Kulis destination. It is a wooden banca/boat which sits atop rock formations. This is the best spot to take photos against the sea-of-clouds which gives an effect as if you are sailing on clouds.

5. Hanging Bridge

Scenic man-made hanging bridge for photo-ops

6. Lion's House Falls

Great for a quick hike and a refreshing dip at cold river waters.

7. Overflow swimming pool

A natural river built like a mini-daw to form a natural swimming pool. An added attraction here is the long high swing (duyan) beside the river. The place is good for family or barkada picnics since there are kubo or cottages for rent. 

What to Expect at Mt. KULIS in Tanay Rizal | Eco-Tourism Campsite [2021 Hiking & Camping Vlog]

Video Description: Mt. Kulis hiking & camping (Climb Guide) – LOCATION: Sitio Maysawa Brgy. Laiban, Tanay, Rizal Philippines. Mt. Kulis and Fresno Agro-Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite are new destinations in Tanay, Rizal where you can experience camping and seeing a sea of clouds without the extreme effort of climbing a mountain - Instagram (IG) worthy at Chill Hike for beginners. This video might give you an updated idea on what to do and things to consider when climbing Mt. Kulis - especially when you are doing a day tour/day hike. This place is one of the Tanay Rizal tourist spots, travel, and backpacking destinations. This travel/hiking destination is good for beginners. Just a few meters from the campsite, an unusual boat can be seen in the middle of the mountains. If you want to sail the sea of clouds, the Noah’s Ark got you. It sits atop limestone rocks and is located where the sea of clouds appears in the morning. Other destinations and photo spots are Bahay ni Cardo / Kardo, Sambong Peak or Heart Peak, Spider web, Lion's House Falls/waterfalls, Hanging Bridge, and natural river swimming pool. Mt. Kulis day hike hiking guide. Mount Kulis tanay rizal camping site in tanay rizal. Hiking in tanay rizal and Tanay Rizal travel destination tourist spot 2021.Tanay rizal travel guide, travel vlog featuring tanay rizal. Mt. Kulis adventure videos. Mt. Kulis guide 2021 - how they take photos at Noah's Ark. Mt. Kulis travel and backpacking hiking Philippines - campsite and camping near metro manila. Hiking trails in tanay rizal near Metro Manila. 

Timestamp:

0:00 Hiking Highlights 

1:18 Start of Hike

1:40 Noah's Ark

4:06 Sambong Peak or Heart Peak

4:44 Spider Web

5:13 Bahay ni Cardo

6:53 Jump-Off

7:12 Hanging Bridge

7:33 Lion House Water Falls 

8:23 Swimming Pool

9:40 4X4 Fun Ride

MY PERSONAL NOTES

Madilim pa ng magsimula kaming mag trek paakyat ng Mt. Kulis. Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong pag-ahon, nasilayan namin ang mga natutulog na ulap. Dito inabangan namin ang nakabibighaning bukang liwayway kasabay ng unti-unting pag-gising ng makapal na hamog.

Ang unang destinasyon namin ay ang Noah's Ark. Isa itong kahoy na bangka na tila ba sumadsad sa mga bato matapos anurin ng makapal na ulap.

Dahil weekend, medyo maraming tao. Kaya medyo challenging ang pagpapa picture. Kaya ang ginawa nila per group ang sasakay sa bangka. Tapos isa-isang magpapa picture habang nagtatago yung iba. Tiis-tiis kumbaga sa ngalan ng photo-ops.

Mahaba talaga yung pila, kaya kelangan mo talaga ng mahabang pasensya. Yung iba diskarte na lang sa mga katabing bato para makarami ng pictures.

Pagkatapos ng photo ops namin sa Noah's Ark, diretso na kami sa next spot. Along the trail ma eenjoy mo pa din yung magagandang view na may sea of clouds.

Sa ibaba, naabutan pa namin yung ibang mga grupo na nakapila at naghihintay para makapagpa picture dun sa Noah's Ark. Buti na lang maaga kami sa pila kaya naabutan pa namin yung sea of clouds. 

Dahil umulan nung nakaraang gabi, medyo maputik yung trail. 

Napaka sarap sa pakiramdam yung makapaglakad muli sa trail at masikatan ng araw pagkatapos ng mahabang quarantine.

Ilang minuto lang narating namin ang aming susunod na destinasyon- Ang Sambong Peak o tinatawag na Heart Peak. Katulad ng inaasahan, pila na naman sa photo ops.

Bumaba din agad kami pagkatapos ng konting souvenir photos at group pictures.

Next naman naming pupuntahan eh yung spider web. 

Sa area na ito merong mga cute na bahay kubo na pwedeng rentahan para sa mga gustong mag overnight. 

As usual blockbuster na naman sa pila. 

Kaya habang naghihintay, nagkaroon kami ng time na magtanggal ng makapal na putik na dumikit sa sandals at sapatos namin.

Ito naman yung tinatawag nilang Bahay ni Kardo - Si Kardo yung sikat na bida sa teleserye sa ABS-CBN na "Ang Probinsyano" Dito daw sila nag sho- shoot dati.

Ginawa na nila itong kainan ngayon. 

Pagkakain ng breakfast bumaba na kami papunta naman sa next destination - meron daw dun na waterfalls at swimming pool. Sakto dahil parang kelangan na talaga namin mag swimming.

Napadaan ulit kami sa jump-off. Nandito yung ibang mga kainan at mga sari-sari store. So kung nakalimutan nyong magbaon ng mga snacks, sabon or shampoo, meron kayong mabibilhan dito. 

Pagdating namin sa may hanging bridge - napa idlip na muna kami dahil sa sobrang haba ng pila. Marami talagang nagpupunta dito kapag weekend - sabi nung guide namin, mas ma eenjoy mo talaga yung place kung pupunta ka ng weekdays.

Next destination - Lion's House Falls. 

Medyo matarik yung hagdan pababa at may konting trekking papunta dito pero kayang kaya naman.

Sa may waterfalls nakaka relax tumambay, sakto pagkatapos ng nakakapagod na lakaran. Swerte kami dahil medyo konti lang yung tao, siguro marami ng tinamad mag trek papunta dito.

Hindi na kami nakapag swimming dito dahil dun na lang kami mag swi swimming sa last destination namin - yung natural swimming pool.

Ito yung last destination namin - yung natural river na ginawang swimming pool - para syang mini-dam. May mga kubo dito na pwede nyong rentahan. 

Sakto makaka-ligo na din. Yung iba naming kasama hindi na naligo dahil malabo daw yung tubig. Sa mga pictures daw bakit ang linaw. Well, expectation versus reality talaga. 

Natural flowing naman yung tubig kaya hindi naman sya talaga madumi. 

Masaya talaga kapag nagagawa ulit natin yung mga simpleng bagay na ginagawa natin nung mga bata pa tayo - katulad ng pag duduyan. Kaya syempre hindi maaring hindi namin susubukan ang duyan dito. 

Pag uwi nag decide na kami na sumakay sa 4x4 kasi mainit na mag trek pabalik at medyo nakakapagod kung lalakarin yung daan paakyat. Masaya yung 4x4 ride lalo na sa mga pababang parte. 

Masayang pumunta dito kung daytour lang kaya lang kelangan mo ng mahabang pasensya sa pila sa mga photo spots. 

Kung gusto nyo na mas ma enjoy ang lugar na ito, much better siguro kung overnight camping or pumunta dito kung weekdays para hindi masyadong crowded. 

That's it. Sana nagkaroon kayo ng idea kung nag pa plano kayong pumunta din dito. 

Kung nakapunta na din kayo dito, pa share na lang yung mga experiences nyo sa comments section. O kung may mga gusto kayong idagdag na updated na information, paki sulat na din sa comments section.

Keep on exploring!

Ang ganda ng view sa Mt. Kulis!

Video Notes: #MaineGoals | Hindi kami maka-get over sa sobrang ganda ng Mt. Kulis, pati na rin ang view mula rito! Kaya naman narito ang maiksing behind the scenes video nina Maine Mendoza, Chamyto Aguedan, at Chi Chirita mula sa first episode natin kagabi!

Reporter's Notebook: Mt. Kulis sa Rizal, bukas na muli sa mga turista matapos ang quarantine

Biyahe ni Drew: Biyahero Drew explores Tanay, Rizal | Full episode

Top 5 Tips Before You Start Hiking Mt. Kulis

Here are the hiking tips and advice for a beginner's hike for a perfect weekend at this mountain.

1. Prepare your basic hiking gear essentials

Although this is just a minor easy hike, you still have to prepare your essential gear for hiking, such as proper footwear and dri-fit clothes. Also, you must bring other backpacking gear like tents, sleeping bags, etc. especially if you decide to have overnight camping.

2. Start the hike with the right mindset

Since Mt. Kulis is now a popular hiking and camping destination near Metro Manila, expect a crowd and a very long wait on photo spots especially on weekends and holidays. Bring a lot of patience. 

3. Stay hydrated.

Always make sure to stay hydrated and bring your own water bottle with you. A minor easy hike can be frustrating if you will get dehydrated along the trails. Mt. Kulis has an open trail along cogon grass and has very few trees. 

4. Pack more snacks than you think you'll need.

Waiting in line to get your IG-worthy photos and selfies can be terribly long. So better bring extra snacks. Also, sharing your snacks with other hikers (if you are joining a group) or with your guide can gain you more friends.

5. Check out updates on travel restrictions and requirements. 

Traveling nowadays is especially challenging due to pandemic restrictions and the government and LGUs can suddenly change travel requirements - so better check out updated travel requirements, lockdowns, or restrictions before going.

Routes and Ways to Get to the Mountain

These are the best way to get to Mt. Kulis and how to get there.

If you are traveling with your own private car:

Just check on Waze or Google Map the "Fresno Agro Forestry & EcoTourist Campsite (Tanay,Rizal)" 

Private Transportation Via Marcos Highway

1. Pass over Masinag, Cogeo, Boso-Boso Resort, Palo Alto and Garden Cottages. 

2. Follow the road reaching Maysawa Circuit,     (jump-off point for Mt. Sapari and Mt. Binutasan)

3. From the waiting shed, head straight up then turn right when you see the signage for Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite.

Private Transportation Via Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal

1. Take  Sampaloc Road and pass the street to Daranak Falls.

2. Drive straight until you reach the junction then turn left. Along the way, you'll pass by Sierra Madre Resort, Ten Cents to Heaven then Pico de Pino. 

3. Continue driving until you see the jump-off point Maysawa Circuit. 

4. From the waiting shed, head straight up then turn right when you see the signage for Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite.

Guide for commuters

Option 1

- from Cubao ride a jeep or van going to Cogeo (Gate 2)

- at Cogeo, ask for the jeepney terminal going to Sampaloc (beside City Mall)

- tell the driver to drop you at Maysawa intersection. Fare is from P60 to P70

- then ride a tricycle going inside Fresno Agro Forestry & EcoTourist Campsite. Fare is around P40/head or P160 for special trip

Option 2

- from Starmall Shaw Blvd. Terminal, ride a van going to Antipolo Church

- ask directions going to Cogeo. Then tell the driver to drop you at City Mall

- ask for the jeepney terminal going to Sampaloc 

- tell the driver to drop you Maysawa intersection - P60-P70 fare

- ride a tricycle going inside Fresno Agro Forestry & EcoTourist Campsite - (P40/head P160 special trip)

Option 3

- from Starmall Shaw Blvd. Terminal ride a van going to Tanay proper. Fare is around P80-P100

- in Tanay hire a tricycle going up Maysawa 

- tell the tricycle driver you are going to Fresno or Mt. Kulis (P500 special trip with maximum 2 passengers per tricycle as per IATF protocol).

Sample itinerary for commuters: (weekdays itinerary Kasi pag weekend tumatagal sa pila)

4:30am meet up @ Cubao Aurora ride jeep to Cogeo Gate 2

5:00 Cogeo Gate 2 ride jeep bound to Sampaloc 

6:30am ETA Sitio Maysawa/ride tricycle to Mt. Kulis registration

6:40 Registration/ register/ secure guide/ briefing

7:00 Start Hike

7:15 Summit/phot opt/ 360 Sierra Madre Mountain Views/ sea of clouds

7:30 Spider web (pila system)

8:00 Heart Peak

9:30 Noah's Ark

10:30 Hanging bridge

11:00 falls

12:00 swimming pool

12:30 lunch

1:30 back to Jumpoff

2:30 Jumpoff/wash up

3:00 ride tricycle to hiway

3:30 antay kayo jeep dadaan pabalik sa Cogeo

4:30 ETA Cogeo / ride jeep to Cubao

5:30 ETA Cubao depende sa traffic

Para sa may mga sariling sasakyan mas maagap mas maganda para abutan ang sunrise at sea of clouds kung meron tapos adjust lang sa itinerary sa taas.

Ang itinerary sa taas ay average at basehan lamang pero depende pa rin sa inyong magiging pacing o bilis pwede kayo mapaaaga pwede rin matapos ng lampas sa oras..

Ang itinerary kapag weekdays ay magkaiba sa itinerary kapag weekends dahil maraming tao asahan na may mga pila sa mga atraksyon for photo opt.

Things to Bring:

1. Water

2. Trail food (biscuit/candies/chocolate/jelly ace)

3. Hat/payong/kapote in case uulan

4. Sunblock kung mainit

5. Powerbank

6. Extra clothes

7. Slippers

8. First aid kit / Personal Medicines

9. Trash bag (bawal na bawal magkalat may multa)

Sample Costing / Budgeting

Please take note that this is a DIY trip and on a weekday to avoid crowd as much as possible. For some, they do dayhike, but it is suggested to spend an overnight instead. Here are the breakdown of sample expenses within the campsite excluding food, toll and gas and others not mentioned.

Registration: 500 per person

Tent Pitching Fee: 200 per tent

Guide Fee: 500 (that's visiting all the attractions) 

4x4 Ride to the campsite: ₱150 per way. 

For updated rates, please contact 

Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite

FB Page https://www.facebook.com/fresnoagroforestryandecotouristcampsite/

Website https://fresno-agro-forestry-and-eco-tourist-campsite.business.site/

Additional Information and Tips:

1. For best shots, request a good tour guide. Guides are mandatory when you are visiting Noah's Ark and all the other attractions except for Mt. Kulis. 

2. You may directly contact Fresno Agro for reservation, additional questions, and anything alike. They will provide you options either for day hike or overnight and options to whatever attractions you want to visit. Also if you will be renting tents and mats or if you are renting their cottage instead. 

3. No drinking water available so bring your own. They have toilets with water only good for basic washing and flushing. Taking a bath is not allowed at the campsite. 

4. Please LEAVE NO TRACE. Make sure to bring with you your trash and do not throw your garbage anywhere. DO NOT LITTER. 

5. Bring your jacket and blankets with you if you are spending an overnight, it's damn cold there! Brrrrr!!

6. If you want to experience the sea of clouds, start your trek as early as 4am to surely witness it. Noah's Arc and Sambong Peak are both the best places to witness it. Trek to Noah's Arc from the campsite is 30-45 minutes, and Sambong Peak will be another 30-45 minutes from Noah's Arc and 5 minutes from the campsite. All these depend on your pacing.

Mt. Kulis Contact Details

Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite

FB Page https://www.facebook.com/fresnoagroforestryandecotouristcampsite/

Website https://fresno-agro-forestry-and-eco-tourist-campsite.business.site/

For booking reservation kindly fill up the booking form and advise Fresno once done.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwabcrGmPro4uWoWlbTARt3BQeA4agsGdzeFsl1h4ECJBddQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Fresno Campsite in Tanay Rizal is your perfect teambuilding, family outing site and tree planting destination. We have available seedlings ready for you. Enjoy our waterfalls, hanging bridge, spiders web, noahs ark, and many others. Our farm assistants will help you complete your tree planting advocacy while you enjoy nature, trekking, swimming, camping, stargazing and many more

Tourist Spots In Rizal For Adventure-Seekers

Rediscover excitement and thrill in Rizal with just a short road trip from the city! 

Adventure has never been this close! Plan your next excursion and make the wait worthwhile by visiting https://philippines.travel/safetrip for the latest travel advisories.