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Climbing Taraw Cliff, El Nido

Posted on January 30, 2013 by journeyingjames 17 Comments
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I guess I have 1,000+ things to experience yet. Having stepped on all the 80 provinces of the Philippines is no joke and as I continue to travel and read travel blogs, I keep on adding on my list of things I want to do or experience.

One of them, climb Taraw Cliff in El Nido.

Taraw Cliff, El Nido Bay and Cadlao Island

Taraw Cliff, El Nido Bay and Cadlao Island

“Taraw” is a Cuyunon (Palawan’s dialect) word for mountains. These “taraws” you see in El Nido are actually limestone karst, inside those you find the ingredient or the most expensive food in the world- Nido Soup or locally known as “Balinsasayaw.”

taraw cliff guide

My guide, a former balinsasayaw nest hunter

Anyway, let’s go to the main business.

I hired a local guide when I arrived at El Nido. I have been itching to be on top of that taraw for the longest time and finally I will be doing it. We started ascent at 3:00pm and arrived exactly 4pm on the top after navigating the steep rocks by holding on to small crevices of the stones. I was just wearing a flipflops so it was hard for me to step on pointed rocks. Adding to the discomfort when I began to feel the mosquitoes feasting on my blood right at the start.

Traipsing dangerous sharp rocks on the way up

Traipsing dangerous sharp rocks on the way up

I know in myself that I can do it, that I’m fit for the climb but I said it alot of times during the hike that this is not for everyone. Its very dangerous and must be done with a knowledgable local guide.

View of El Nido bay from the mid-part of the hike

View of El Nido bay from the mid-part of the hike

My mantra “the most tiring is the most satisfying” keeps running on my head as we traipse the steep rocks to the top. After an hour, I planted my butt on the sharp rock and smiled at the spectacular view on the east. I did it!

The lush El Nido forest is one of the sights that will stun the visitor

The lush El Nido forest is one of the sights that will stun the visitor

My smile from ear to ear with my signature “shaka handsign” on both hands. I didn’t waste any time to take photos. The El Nido bay, the boats docking to shore after island hopping the whole day, the sun slowly setting on the west, the lush green forest on my south, the Cadlao island and the town center. I even saw Nacpan beach on the horizon.

Double shaka hand sign. Stoked on top!

Double shaka hand sign. Stoked on top

The wind blowing on my face while my knees are trembling a little. I took a deep breath and for some minutes I just sat their (my butt still planted on the shard rocks) breathing slowly, watching El Nido from the peak of Taraw Cliff. I love it on top, who doesn’t?

After a good 30-minute, I decided to tarry down. Going down is harder than going up. A wrong step means danger or could even spell death. Slippery and punishing to the knees. After about an hour again, we arrived from where we started.

Whew! What an experience! Glad I survived!

fb cover el nido

Getting your tour guide: 

Please contact Karen: 0906-443-2488. She is a friend who can arrange for a tour guide. One tour guide can accommodate 2-3 climbers. How much? Php500/climb

How to go to EL NIDO?

El Nido can be reached by taking a 6-hour van or bus from Puerto Princesa City. For more info, you can read my previous guide: Puerto Princesa City to El Nido Travel Guide

Cebu Pacific Air flies to Puerto Princesa City from Manila, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo. For bookings and inquiries, go to www.cebupacificair.com or call (02)7020-888. The latest seat sales and promos can be found on Cebu Pacific Air’s official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook pages (/cebupacificair).

I just tried their Davao-Puerto Princesa route (DVO-PPS) and we arrived 15 minutes ahead of schedule yesterday (January 19). Now getting around the country is much more easier with Cebu Pacific.

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This entry was posted in Luzon, Philippines, Uncategorized and tagged Climbing Taraw Cliff El Nido, Hiking Taraw Cliff El Nido, How to get to Taraw Cliff El Nido, Taraw Cliff El Nido, Taraw Cliff El Nido Climb, Taraw Cliff El Nido Guide, Taraw Cliff El Nido Palawan, Taraw Cliff El Nido Tour. Bookmark the permalink.

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17 thoughts on “Climbing Taraw Cliff, El Nido”

  1. killerfillers said:
    Reply
    January 30, 2013 at 2:45 am

    One hell of an experience tong pag-akyat sa Taraw Cliff. Madali lang ung pag-akyat pero don ako sa pababa nadulas.

  2. Kaiye Pallarco said:
    Reply
    January 30, 2013 at 2:46 am

    I.WANT.THIS.

    I just don’t know if they’ll allow me to climb! Haha parang fulfilling lang makaakyat jan!

  3. Dennis said:
    Reply
    February 1, 2013 at 3:29 am

    Astig! naka-tsinelas ka lang to the summit. Naka-sandal naman ako hehe!
    Lots of bugs nga out there, kaya di lang sunblock, pati inset repellent isinabay ko na.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      February 20, 2013 at 5:27 am

      sakit nga sa paa, wrong move yung tsinelas

  4. Mary Cris said:
    Reply
    February 1, 2013 at 6:31 am

    Wow. ..i’ve been to el nido last jan.27, 2013.
    Maybe next time i’ll try this TARAW.

  5. Wends of Journeys and Travels said:
    Reply
    February 1, 2013 at 10:52 am

    This is amazing James. I know I can’t do this so this scenes I saw here is just a breather to a dream too. I wished I can see this (kahit nasa baba lang ako) when I get myself to El Nido too 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      February 20, 2013 at 5:25 am

      hope you gte to see el nido bosing docwends

  6. Missy l Sole of Missy said:
    Reply
    February 2, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    Exciting adventure you had there! I will definitely do that too! Cheers!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      February 20, 2013 at 5:24 am

      ikaw pa, mahilig ka din sa mga akyatan eh. enjoy the sight there missy

  7. John Christofer said:
    Reply
    February 4, 2013 at 6:10 am

    El Nido trip won’t be complete without climbing Taraw Cliffs. I went here during my birthday and concluded my trip by climbing Taraw. After 2 attempts (because we could not pass the first route, went back down and tried another route), I reached the peak with shaking limbs and lots of mosquito bites (which i didn’t mind, because I’d rather think of how to get down alive) LOL.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      February 20, 2013 at 5:24 am

      nice to now that you went to taraw too. belated happy bday john

  8. Lakbay Diva said:
    Reply
    March 5, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    whoooaaaaa, i never dared climbing that cliff, despite a guide prodding me doing it. ang pala hirap talaga!

  9. dewi said:
    Reply
    May 1, 2013 at 5:47 am

    How long would the climb take? we already have a planned trip sometime in August and I really want to do this.

    Thank yoU!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      June 19, 2013 at 12:43 pm

      2 hours up, 2 hours down or faster depending on your sense of balance

  10. Prinsesaness said:
    Reply
    December 6, 2013 at 7:00 am

    I was there last monday (dec.2) with 2 other friends. 🙂

  11. mareone said:
    Reply
    September 9, 2014 at 10:54 am

    kakayanin kaya ng bata na akyatin ito? 12 years old”?

  12. Eventbrite.com said:
    Reply
    April 7, 2019 at 4:10 pm

    Thanks , I have just been looking for information about
    this topic for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve found out till now.

    However, what about the bottom line? Are you positive concerning the supply?

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