Mt. Maynoba and Mt. Cayabu make an appealing pair: you get a mountain hike, a chance to see a sea of clouds, and a planned stop at eight waterfalls in one full day in Tanay. The outing starts at 1 a.m., so the first challenge is getting yourself out the door.
I like the mix of two peaks and cold-water falls, and the package includes round-trip transport, trail fees, a guide, and a travel video. The trade-off is that this is a long, early start, and the waterfall portion may change with conditions.
- A 1 a.m. departure gets the group to Mt. Cayabu before dawn, with registration and a short wait before hiking.
- Two named peaks make this more ambitious than a single-mountain outing, though the route details are not spelled out.
- Eight waterfalls are planned after breakfast, with time for waterfall visits and lunch.
- A sea of clouds is possible, not promised, at Mt. Maynoba’s summit.
- Transport, guide, environmental fees, and a travel video are included, while food, drinks, shower fees, and tips are extra.
- Join-in and private packages are available, with the per-person cost dropping as a private group grows.
- Before Dawn, From Manila to Tanay
- Mt. Cayabu and the Twin-Peak Plan
- Breakfast Before the Waterfalls
- The Return From Mt. Cayabu
- What the Price Covers
- Pack for Darkness, Rain, and a Long Day
- Who Will Get the Most From This Tour
- Should You Book the Mt. Maynoba and Cayabu Hike?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour depart from?
- What time does the tour start?
- What time is the return?
- Which mountains are included?
- Are all eight waterfalls guaranteed?
- Are meals included?
- What should I bring?
- What is included in the package?
- Can I cancel or change my booking?
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Before Dawn, From Manila to Tanay
The day begins at 1 a.m. with departures from Quezon City, Mandaluyong, or Pasay. You are asked to arrive 15 minutes early, and the operator will reconfirm your pickup time in advance. Exact pickup addresses are not provided in the tour details, so check your confirmation rather than assuming a familiar meeting spot.
The drive takes you to Mt. Cayabu in Tanay, Rizal. It is a practical way to reach the trail without arranging your own transport, and the package includes round-trip transfers with a professional driver and insurance. The early departure is also the main test of your enthusiasm: bring a light layer for the ride, and try to sleep before you leave.
The schedule gives the group time to register at Mt. Cayabu before hiking. The hike is listed as starting about 30 minutes after arrival and registration, so do not expect to step out of the vehicle and immediately hit the trail. The guide speaks English or Filipino, and a photographer and videographer are included as part of the package.
Mt. Cayabu and the Twin-Peak Plan
The tour is promoted around Mt. Maynoba and Mt. Cayabu, often described together as Rizal’s twin peaks. Mt. Cayabu is the stated starting point, while the highlight is the chance to reach Mt. Maynoba’s summit and see a sea of clouds. That possibility depends on the conditions that day. Treat it as a welcome bonus, not a view you can count on.
There is a small but useful point to clarify before booking: the tour name and highlights refer to both peaks, while the timed schedule names Mt. Cayabu and does not give a detailed route or summit timetable for Mt. Maynoba. Ask the operator what the planned trail covers on your chosen date, especially if reaching both summits is the main reason you are booking.
The available details do not give trail distance, elevation gain, terrain, or a difficulty rating. I would not assume this is an easy stroll simply because it is a day trip. You should be comfortable with a full day outdoors and arrive with suitable footwear, water, and food. Hiking shoes or sandals are recommended, along with gloves, sun and rain protection, and a headlamp or flashlight for the pre-dawn start.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tanay.
Breakfast Before the Waterfalls
Breakfast is scheduled for 5:30 a.m., after the early hike begins. Meals are not included, so pack breakfast and lunch, plus trail snacks. It is worth having food ready to eat without fuss: the schedule is tight, and the next planned stop is the waterfalls at 7 a.m.
The falls are the day’s second big draw. The plan allows free time for visits to eight waterfalls, with lunch included in that stretch of the day. The water is described as clear and a little cold, which sounds especially welcome after hiking. Bring a change of clothes and a bag to keep wet items separate.
Do not read the eight-waterfall plan as a guarantee that every stop will happen. The schedule can change because of traffic and weather, and the overall trip is organized around a fixed return time. If waterfall time is your priority, ask the operator how conditions affect the route and whether all eight falls are expected to be accessible on your date.
One practical detail is easy to overlook: shower fees are not included. If you want to rinse off before the return drive, bring extra money. A small trash bag is also on the packing list, which makes sense for carrying your own rubbish rather than leaving it along the trail.
The Return From Mt. Cayabu
The schedule places the group back at the Mt. Cayabu jump-off at 1 p.m., with return transport at 2 p.m. The drop-off is described as your hotel or personal address. That final hour gives the day some breathing room, though actual timings can shift with traffic and weather.
The full outing is not simply a short hike with a quick photo stop. You leave in the middle of the night, hike, eat, spend time around waterfalls, and travel back in the afternoon. The listing does not specify a return arrival time, so avoid making tight evening plans. A flexible schedule is the sensible choice after a day that starts at 1 a.m.
The tour includes a photographer, videographer, use of a GoPro, and drone coverage when available. You also receive a travel video and personalized bag tag. These extras add a keepsake element, but drone footage is subject to availability, and the video should be treated as a bonus rather than the main reason to book.
What the Price Covers
The advertised starting price is around US$29.55, while the package choices show different rates by group size. Join-in seats are listed from US$27.65. Private options start at US$213.20 for one person and fall to US$25.69 per person for a group of ten. Prices can vary by package, so compare the option you select rather than relying on the lowest figure alone.
For a solo hiker, the join-in option is the lowest listed entry point and gives you shared transport and a guided outing. A private booking costs more for one person, but the per-person price comes down as you add people. If you have a group of friends, the ten-person option offers the lowest stated per-person rate. Check what the private package includes before you book, since the listed details identify the ten-person package as the basis for the package information.
The package includes admission to attractions, environmental fees, registration, round-trip transfers with insurance, and a professional driver. You also get an English- or Filipino-speaking guide, photographer, and videographer, plus a personalized bag tag, travel video, and use of a GoPro. Drone coverage is possible but not assured.
Meals and beverages are on you, as are personal expenses, tips, and shower fees. Add the cost of breakfast, lunch, snacks, water, and any post-hike rinse to your budget. That is the main reason the headline price is not the whole cost of the day.
Pack for Darkness, Rain, and a Long Day
Bring a valid ID, one to two liters of water, trail food, packed breakfast and lunch, and extra cash. The suggested footwear is hiking shoes or sandals. Add gloves, a headlamp or flashlight, sun and rain protection, spare clothes, personal medication, and a trash bag.
The headlamp matters because departure and the first part of the schedule are before sunrise. Rain protection matters because weather can affect the timing and route. Extra clothes are useful if you spend time in the water, while a small amount of cash covers costs that the package excludes.
You are also advised to bring personal medication. The tour information does not provide details about medical support or the trail’s facilities, so plan around your own needs and ask the operator any health or safety questions before booking. Keep essentials easy to reach, rather than buried in the bottom of a bag.
Who Will Get the Most From This Tour
This outing suits you if you want a full day outdoors and like the idea of combining mountain views with waterfall stops. It is especially appealing if you are based in or near Manila and prefer a package that handles transport, registration, and guiding. The included video and photo support may also appeal if you want a record of the day without organizing your own camera setup.
It is less suited to someone seeking a relaxed morning, a guaranteed summit view, or a carefully timed return. The departure is at 1 a.m., the day includes hiking and multiple stops, and the schedule can shift. If you are unsure about the physical demands, ask for the trail distance and difficulty before you commit; those details are not specified here.
The operator, Juan-Faith Adventure Travel & Tours, has 45 total reviews and a 73 percent good-review rate. The small set of direct feedback available includes strong praise for organization, an accommodating coordinator, and attention to safety. One account also describes missing the planned eight waterfalls. That makes the practical takeaway clear: organization is a strength to expect, but the waterfall schedule can be vulnerable to the day’s conditions.
Should You Book the Mt. Maynoba and Cayabu Hike?
Book it if the draw of a pre-dawn mountain outing, two named peaks, and a cold-water waterfall stop outweighs the early alarm and uncertain timing. The package provides useful basics: transport, a guide, insurance, fees, and video support. For a group, the private rates may offer good value; solo hikers should compare the join-in and private prices closely.
Before paying, confirm the pickup point, the precise route for your date, and how the operator handles the waterfall plan if conditions change. Pack every meal and enough water, and keep your return evening open. If you go in expecting a strenuous, changeable day rather than a guaranteed cloud show and eight falls, you will be better prepared to enjoy what the mountain gives you.
Rizal Mt. Maynoba & Cayabu Twin Peaks Full-Day Hiking Tour
“Very organized. Tour guide and coor was very helpful and accommodating. We also got freebies and certificates. :)”
FAQ
Where does the tour depart from?
Departures are listed from Quezon City, Mandaluyong, and Pasay. The operator will reconfirm your pickup time in advance, and you should arrive 15 minutes before departure.
What time does the tour start?
Departure is scheduled for 1 a.m. The hike begins after arrival at Mt. Cayabu, registration, and about 30 minutes of preparation.
What time is the return?
The schedule lists a return at 2 p.m., with drop-off to a hotel or personal address. Traffic and weather may change the timing.
Which mountains are included?
The tour highlights Mt. Maynoba and Mt. Cayabu. Mt. Cayabu is named as the starting point, and Mt. Maynoba’s summit is associated with the chance to see a sea of clouds. Confirm the exact route with the operator.
Are all eight waterfalls guaranteed?
The tour plans time for eight waterfalls, but the schedule may change depending on weather and traffic. The available details do not guarantee that all eight will be visited.
Are meals included?
No. You need to bring breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks. Shower fees are also excluded.
What should I bring?
Bring a valid ID, one to two liters of water, hiking shoes or sandals, gloves, sun and rain protection, extra clothes, extra money, trail snacks, packed breakfast and lunch, a headlamp or flashlight, personal medication, and a trash bag.
What is included in the package?
Included items are attraction admission, environmental and registration fees, round-trip transfers with insurance, a professional driver, an English- or Filipino-speaking guide, photographer and videographer, a personalized bag tag, a travel video, and use of a GoPro. Drone coverage is subject to availability.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, based on local time. Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity, subject to the stated restrictions, including bookings made with Klook Pass, pre-sales, certain freebies, or specific cultural passes.
