I promised myself I won’t leave El Nido without climbing it. If there was one souvenir I would like to bring home from this trip, it would be my own photograph of a breathtaking view of El Nido town and its beach cove from up the Taraw cliffs.
The guide fee was P300 for a single person, and P500 for a group. Jason, our guide during the Tour C island hopping, agreed to take me there. I was also scheduled to join Tour B on the same day so I asked Jason if we had sufficient time to complete the climb and be back on time for the scheduled island hopping. He told me that if we start at 6AM, we should be back at 8AM.
The climb seemed to be easy at first, but dangerous. I found myself passing through a jagged, sharp and irregular rock trail all the way up. To keep up with Jason’s pace, I moved as quickly yet very carefully as I could, always checking on footholds to make sure they stay put before I completely step and put pressure on them. At some points during the climb, I had to hold on to rock edges to pull myself up along vertical walls. I was sweating big time!
I was conversing with Jason the entire time. This made the climb easier for me as it prevented me from imagining horrible things that could happen if I made just one mistake. He told me that our pace was excellent, and after a few more climb, we reached our destination. The view from up there was breathtaking, even more beautiful than what I’ve seen in photographs.
After taking several pictures of the amazing scenery, I handed Jason my camera so he could take pictures of me with a view of El Nido town and Bacuit Bay as background- my perfect souvenir from my El Nido trip.
After a few more minutes, we decided to go down. We met a group of climbers on their way up and wished them the best of luck. We were back at the hotel before 8AM. I felt a sense of pride when Jason said it only took us approximately an hour and 40 minutes to complete the climb.
Looking up at the Taraw cliffs from the beach later that morning, I couldn’t help but smile – feeling very happy and contented. I was up there….I did it!
Wow friend! I’m so proud of you! Ang layo na ng narating mo…keep enjoying your life with nature!!!
thanks friend. I hope we could do these things together again, someday 🙂
I would love to climb elnido taraw when I get back next year God Willing…what a spectacular view of the Bacuit Bay and the town from above…splendid indeed! Kudos for your achieving your wish….
thanks, eva. i hope you would, too. it would be a great experience, for you.
Very nice view!
May i know is taraw cliff is hard to climb? For those who din’t have exercise foundation also can climb?
it could be difficult. my guide said there were others who tried but they stopped midway. some felt tired, others were afraid of the sharp limestones and went back. one needs to really be determined and extra careful to reach the top. it’s definitely worth a try though. good luck 🙂
Just back from El Nido.
I spend 4 hours up & down Taraw Cliff.
Very amazing place.
Wow! You did it! Congratulations. I’m sure it was a tough climb, but it was all worth it, right? 🙂 Cheers!
carpe diem! It was a chance of a lifetime that you grabbed and no regret at all. it feels like you have brought me up there too. whoooooa.
carpe diem! i sure did, yoej 🙂 i hope you’d be up there too, someday.
wow…
yan ang di ko nagawa..nagkatamaran..
karaniwang problema pag kasama ang barkada..hehe
kung sinolo trip ko cgro yan..bka naakyat ko pa..
ganda ng view..
sa ground pa lang.. manghang mangha na ako.. dyan pa lalo..oh well
naku sa akin, ayaw din ako samahan ng kaibigan ko. iniwan ko sya, lol!
…….yan ang malaki kong panghihinayang ng di ko naakyat yan, ill always look up and plan to hike that taraw…..best view on top…
Kahit ba inexperienced like me pwede umakyat? what d’you think? in a slower and careful pace, okay lang? Like in Matukad ba yung stones?
Yes but much higher and steeper. Kaya mo naman siguro. But you need to be careful. Ingats
Thanks much .. you too .. 🙂
Been there last Saturday, parang feeling ko super woman na ko. Ayos ang view. 😀 now i’m nursing 4 scratches and one bruise sa legs ko .. pero worth it! Will do it again pagbalik ko El Nido.