Mt. Banoy via Talumpok East | Batangas City

It was Friday that I received hiking invites from my regular climbing buddy Arisse. At first, plan was to hike gulugod baboy. But after some deliberation, we ended up choosing Mt. Banoy because of its anonymity to us and its hidden falls. Our group consists of 4 members and all of us are a first timer in this mountain.  

According to our research, Mt. Banoy or Banoi can be hike by 2 routes: One is via brgy. Lobo (which is more forested) and the other is via Talumpok East (characterized by paved road). We choose the latter since it is easier, direction wise, and the falls lies in this path.


How to get to Mt. Banoy via Talumpok East:

1. Take Batangas City bound Bus (Buendia or Cubao) and alight At batangas grand terminal. Take the Calabarzon (via startoll) bus for faster way.
2. Ride jeep with Balagtas signage and tell the driver to drop you at dagatan terminal.
3. Ride another jeep plying brgy. Sico and get off at Talumpok East.
4. Trek or hire tricycle up the paved road (just straight ahead, no left/right turn). At the end of paved road comes rough/rocky road, continue trekking until you reach the towers and wooden cross.


Our meeting place is Jam terminal in buendia at 3am. We plan to start early so we have lots of time to burn in this trip. We were able to board the first bus trip to Batangas City. Once the bus is full, it immediately left the terminal. Travel time is approximately 2hrs in normal trip, but our bus takes it in 1hr and 15mins only. Wew fast! that's why I prefer traveling at this hour to avoid traffic congestion.  

Its still dark when we arrive at grand terminal, my time reads 5:10am. Passenger jeepneys that can get you to all direction in Batangas were already lined up right in front of the terminal. We just freshen up first in the nearby CR before boarding one of the lined up jeep. With a splash of water in our face, our spirit just woken up for this day trip ahead.

House in front of the Dagatan Terminal (Dagatan signage)

We're the first passenger of this Dagatan bound jeepney.

We took the Balagtas jeep and alight at dagatan terminal. There, we transfer to another jeep to get to Mt. Banoy's jump-off. The rides were swift. Cold breeze of air charge in face whenever I looked out the window. We passed by many sitio from left and right of the road. We were just called off by the driver when we reached our destination. Good thing we tell the driver early where we heading.

Sitio Sico junction.

Tryk were present in the junction charging 60 per pax up unto the end of the paved road - a bit over priced for us budget traveler (specially for me). We prefer to hike all the way to the summit, so we just ignore their offer and proceeded our trek. Our relaxed trek started around 6:30am. We passed by the bridge, welcome sign of Talumpok East, a barangay hall and several sitios and sitio's waiting shed along the way. Community houses are also present up to the last part of concrete road.

We also bumped to a (not so) old lady heading up the concrete road and later accompany our group. She was very polite and talkative. She also tells us trivia why the sitio was called Talumpok Silangan. According to her, Talumpok was based from "dalawang bundok na magkatumpok" referring to Mt. Banoy and Mt. Lobo (?). She knows also the way to the falls and promised to direct us there. However due to her age and the difficulty of the uphill trek, she resorts to hitch hike and left us on the road.

 

Barangay hall

We continued trekking until we reach the end of the paved road. From there, rough road follows. This leads to the vast camp site below the summit. This is where beautiful landscape views of verde island, mindoro, rest of batangas, and other mountain peaks comes into picture. Its the best part in hiking, its when harvesting the result of your perseverance - views of nature frees my mind of stress and troubles.

Trail after the paved road.

First campsite below the summit.

The towers indicates the summit of Mt. Banoy

What we see in the summit!

Male restroom (left) is far from the female (right).

(L-R) Arisse, Elmo, Reagan & me.

 

Towers of GMA7, Meralco and ABS-CBN

Not so far is the so called summit. From the jump-off, it took us around 3 hrs to reach it. The so called summit is indicated by the towers and a wooden cross. Further at the back was a trail going to other towers such as of GMA7, meralco, and ABS-CBN. A more elevated peak was also seen in this part. It is referred to as the true peak of Mt. Banoy. However, according to a tower personnel we asked, trail is not yet established. So we opted not to proceed, and since we wanted to visit the falls on our way back. We just rested for a while in the kubo just beside the tower station. An opportunity for power nap. Hehe :)

Mt. Banoy more elevated peak.

Times up for resting, we started trekking down at 10:40H. Backtracking our way down. We managed to find Amatong labak falls by simply asking locals for directions. There were 4 boys already taking a splash when we arrived - they later on became our guide to the other falls upstream (amatong pisi).

After taking our lunch, we allotted almost 1 and 1/2 hr exploring and enjoying the Amatong labak. Diving, splashing, pictures here and there, another diving, video-ing. The Amatong pisi on the other hand is a smaller version of labak and not too good to take a dip compared to pisi. But the trail to the falls is still scenic, with addition of river crossing.

After our falls hopping. We decided to trek back to barangay hall. From there we took our refreshing drinks on a store in front of the barangay hall. Cold soft drinks is always a heaven for mountaineer. Thanks to the store owner, she also allows us to wash in her water hose for free. Then, we took tricycle down the road and wait for jeepney going to Batangas proper. Btw according to store owner, there is still jeepney plying batangas proper until 8pm. But it will took a long time to arrive one (unless you are very lucky). Safe hours is until 5pm. Just like we did - just a 10 minute waiting time. Though the jeep is almost full, so "sabit".

As addition to our side trip. We tried jocas lomi near the dagatan terminal. Their special lomi is in big servings. However, I didn't like it (no for ATAY) - a bad choice for me. Also we visited plaza Mabini and Immaculate Conception (Batangas Cathedral) which are just walking distance from the terminal.

Special lomi @ Jocas

Immaculate Conception Basilica | Batangas City

Plaza Mabini | Batangas City

In this trip, I've experienced:
1. Encountered the forest ranger along the trail
2. Had my longest nap in the summit (approx 30 mins)
3. highest falls plunging (approx 5m)
4. "Sabit" sa jeepney ride.



Budget Breakdown (in php):

Buendia to Batangas Grand terminal (Jam) - 157
Balagtas jeep (to Dagatan terminal) - 12
Dagatan jeep (to sitio sico) - 25
Amatong falls guide fee - 30
Tryk from b.hall to h.way - 15
Sitio Sico to Dagatan terminal jeep - 25
Special lomi - 40
jeep to grand terminal - 12
Batangas to Cubao Aircon bus (Alps) - 164
Food and refreshments - 100

Grand total - 580



Special thanks to my climbing buddies for this adventure - Arisse, Reagan and Elmo. And to the one above for giving us a great weather. Travel more!