I recognised Mt Tagapo and Talim Island from the window of my Cathay Pacific flight as it came into land at Manila airport. This was to be my first adventure in 2015 in the Philippines and to test my fitness for some hiking i had planned. Mt Tagapo seemed like the ideal trek and climb.
Talim Island can be seen from the air jutting out into Lake Laguna
Day Trip to Talim Island
As i was staying in Taguig i thought that the 23 km trip to Binangonan, across the top of Lake Laguna, to take the boat to Talim Island would be straight forward. How wrong i was !!!!! Â In the end it took around five hours as we couldn’t find any transport to take us to Binangonan directly. We had to travel up to Pasig by bus and then take a van from Ortigas down again to Binangonan….. a long way.
Entrance to Binangonan Port, Rizal
We eventually arrived at Binangonan Port just after 12.00 and with the next boat leaving at 13.00 I was a bit worried that we may not make the climb and be back down again for the last boat back at 18.30 from Brgy Janosa on Talim Island. We had some lunch in a nearby eatery and then boarded the boat to Brgy Janosa. The fare was P30 one way.
Makati skyline seen from Lake Laguna
Out on the water there was a clear view of  the skyscrapers of Makati which emphasised to me how close the city and province had become. It was an hours journey along the shoreline of Binangonan to Brgy Janosa, passing small fishing villages, fishpens, houses on stilts and many other boats using the lake.
View of Mt Tagapo from the boat
There were also good views of Mt Tagapo, which is 438m and is known locally as Susong Dalaga ( the maidens breast ), as the boat neared Talim Island.
Mt Tagapo rises above the houses
Heading towards Mt Tagapo
Arrival on Talim Island
Somehow we jumped off the boat one stop too early, but after sitting for an hour it was good to walk  for 10 minutes to the Barangay Hall near the church where we had to register and pay P20 entrance fee. Since it was also our first time to climb Mt Tagapo we took a guide for P300,  and he explained alot about the history and culture of Talim Island along the way.
Resting in the shade of the Mango tree
The hike was quite easy at first, passing through the streets of the barangay and along the riverbed. Then we started to climb and on reaching a Mango tree the guide told us that we were now 1/4 of the way. A quick rest then we continued up through the forest, which was quite humid. The trail wasn’t that difficult, but for me coming straight from England i found that i was very unfit and easily got out of breath and had to stop many times for a rest.
Taking a rest to admire the view through the trees of Lake Laguna
Hiking through the humid forest
There were a couple of plants that i recognised that also grow in Bicol. One called Langaton which if it touches your skin can cause severe itching. Another called “hagupit” which has a rough underside and is used for cleaning pots and pans.
hagupit leaf used to clean pots and pans.
Langaton can cause severe itching if touching the skin
I was glad when we reached a bamboo tunnel, took time for a photo shoot and rest, and knew that we were almost at the end of the humid forested section of the trail. The last part of the trail passes through grassland. Cogon grass grows here and in places was even taller than me. Cogon grass is used to make thatched roofs. Bamboo is also harvested by the local people and is made into furniture.
Bamboo tunnel
Bamboo on its way down to be made into furniture
As we neared the summit of Mt Tagapo there was quite a strong wind blowing, which was a welcome change from the humidity of the forest. Views opened up all around the island and once at the summit  we had a 360 degree view of Lake Laguna and the surrounding mountains with Mt Banahaw to the south.
hiking up through the cogon grass of Mt Tagapo
Down on the lake we could see the pens of the tilapia fish farms and through the afternoon haze in the distance we could even see the skyline of Makati. I was really happy i had packed my Globo Surf sunglasses to help with the afternoon glare of the sun.
The guide told us that Mt Tagapo was still an active volcano which had a side vent and steam could sometimes be seen on its eastern side near Brgy Tuna.
Fish pens of Brgy Tuna, Talim Island, Rizal
There is a legend that at the summit of Mt Tagapo lies some buried treasure and you can see a huge hole that was dug by local people hunting for it. This has now been cordoned off and any further digging has been banned on Talim Island.
At the summit of Mt Tagapo, Talim Island, Rizal
With the guide at the summit of Mt Tagapo, Talim Island, Rizal
After enjoying the view it was time to go down again. We had 2 hours until the last boat left at 18.30 for the trip back to Binangonan. We arrived back at the port with time to spare and watched as the sun set over the Lake and  the moon rose over Mt Tagapo and Talim Island on our way back to Binangonan.
Sunset over Lake Laguna from Brgy Janosa, Talim Island
How to get to Talim Island and Mt Tagapo
Find your way to Binangonan, Rizal and head to the port. Once there ask where to board the boat to Brgy. Janosa, Talim Island. Â The boat will leave when full usually. Fare is P30
On arrival at Brgy Janosa head to the Barangay Hall to register, pay P20 and hire a guide if you need one. Cost for guide is P300 for up to 6 people.
What to take
At least a litre of water
You can stock up with trail snacks at the sari sari store opposite the Barangay hall or bring from Binanongan with you.
small day pack
Hiking sunglasses
comfortable shoes or sandals
camera and spare batteries
hat and sunblock
Coming back into the Barangay i noticed this cockerel with his own clock…………..
Is the clock to wake the cockerel ?
Related Post you may like to read Climb Abra | Mt Bullagao
I WILL BE STAYING IN Manila , Is it worth travelling for a day ??
Yes it makes for a good day out of the concrete jungle 🙂
I will be staying at Binangonan this August and was looking for something interesting aside from the usual what to see and happened to come across your blog. It’s amazing and now planning to climb Mt. Agapo with my children. Thanks a lot!
Happy you were ableto find the post useful. Enjoy the day with your kids. I am sure they will enjoy the long Cogon Grass on the summitv:)
hi.. I’m from Brgy Habagatan… one of the last brgy of the island. thanks for making this blog.
Some of the people didn’t know Talim Island.
I really enjoyed my day there on the island and the climb to the summit of Mt.Tagapo.
omg im dying hahaa the rooster has its own clock to wake himself! HAHAHA
Thank you for this post .. we’ll got there on Dec. 18.
Thank you silverbackpacker. This is quiet helpful.
Im happy you found it useful.
it was great to know you made a trip to our beloved mountain and island . you should visit some baranggay too like lambac . near baranggay tuna . its a three mountain hike to travel but its a worth it one . i also climbed the peak twice . on a hard way climb coming from baranggay lambak (another way than bry.janosa) every april many hikers go there coming from diff.baranggays and city too. hope youll come back for more ! 🙂
Thankyou for the information. I hope to get back oneday and climb the route you suggested.
It is a good blog since we are conducting an Outreach this coming Saturday at Brgy. Janosa.
We are giving school supplies and will do a feeding program at the same time.
Thanks for the detailed blog for the place 🙂
Glad you found the post useful. Its good your trip was worthwhile an are giving back to the community there.
Thank you for your blog. We will visit the island later this month 🙂
Thankyou. I hope you enjoy your trip to Talim Island.
What a fascinating adventure! Beautiful photos!
Those views look awesome, looks like a really worthwhile trip. Will definitely consider doing this when we visit the Philippines as we love to have a good hike.
What a great hike! I simply loved the bamboo tunnel and especially the cogon grass. It looks so serene!
Amazing is also the photo of the fish pens!
This looks a great hike even with the effort it involves in getting there. Looks like you had a great time!
So much nature. I need a trip like this 🙂
Philippines is already on my list so this post comes in handy! . Good one!
Its an easy climb close to Manila and well worth the effort. Hope you manage to get there.
That’s a great hike! We should try it out sometime; the only problem is the logistics since we’re from Cebu. Do you have contact details of your guide?
A clock for the rooster. That’s hilarious and a huge WOW! Hehehe!
A guide is not compulsory as it is quite straight forward.They can be found at the Brgy Hall or at the Mt Tagapo Basecamp hut near the pier.
Contact numbers i found on this site :- http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-tagapo-438.html so do not know if they are still correct.
Henry Arambulo (Brgy. Captain) -+639435440524
Archie (Guide)- +639216530089
Jose (Guide) – +639465331573
Yes that Rooster clock was a good laugh.
I plan on hiking this on my own.. Is the trail easy? Or a guide is necessary?
The trail is quite easy to follow as it is well trodden and not very difficult if you are fit. You can quite easily manage to reach the summit without a guide. There will probably be others there as well as yourself if hiking at a weekend.
About the tour guide, Php 300 each person?
Hi Sarah…… No it is 300 for up to 5 persons. You register at the Barangay Hall and the guide will be assigned to the group