El Nido, Palawan is known for its pristine white beaches, beautiful islands, amazing rock formations and water adventure activities such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, island hopping and scuba diving. However, did you know that in El Nido, it is also nice to go trekking and mountaineering. And one of the ever famous peak for trekking in El Nido is the Taraw Peak.

Taraw Peak as seen from downtown of El Nido, Palawan

Taraw Peak is just 230 meters above sea level and it is not highest peak in El Nido, Palawan but many tourists who happened to visit El Nido will always try to reach the peak. Why? Because on top, you will get to see the nicest view of Bacuit Bay. Moreover, the route has amazing landscape nice for landscape photography and the sharp limestone path also gives thrill to adventurers.

It was my second day in El Nido when I planned to reach Taraw Peak. But before heading to the its summit, I loaded myself with indulgence foods from the 99 PHP breakfast buffet in Austrias Resort.

After breakfast, I started my adventure trek in Taraw Peak. I was just wearing slippers when I trekked because I wasn't able to prepare a shoes for the climb and the path was not that steep but the limestone path was so sharp that it keeps hurting your feet when you step.

Climbing my way to Taraw Peak

Along the way, my guide told me amazing facts about the peak. He said that the current route was discovered by the locals who takes birds nest for soup. Moreover, there was an instance when an tourist had an accident in there while reaching the peak because he uses a different path and he falls down. I noticed that there were plants holding the limestone he explained that those plants will help the limestone not to scramble because its roots are holding the the stones together. And many other facts I forgot. ^_^

On my way to Taraw Peak

Tour guide escorted me to the top of Taraw Peak

We had a very fast pacing that on our halfway there, we passed by another tourists having difficulties in the path to Taraw Peak. There were instances when slippers got stuck in the sharp limestone. I also hit my knee while climbing a steep path.When we reached the top, the view of Bacuit Bay was just amazing! As in amazing! It was the most picturesque place in there. I was hard to describe but it was a pure beauty.

View of Bacuit while on top of Taraw Peak in El Nido, Palawan

We stayed in Taraw Peak for around twenty minutes chilling and enjoying the view before we headed back downtown. It was a lot on our way back since I already know what to expect from the path and there was no more climbing. It was easier to descend.

All in all, trekking in Taraw Peak is another option for adventure in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.

Many tourists here are seeking for an adventure in El Nido. This photo is taken before our island hopping. The rush of many tourists around Bacuit Bay for island tour is being portrayed in the picture above.  

When I booked a flight to Puerto Princesa, Palawan in the Philippines, it never occurred in my mind that I will do solo travel. It just happened because my friends weren't able to book during the promo period, thus making the plane ticket expensive. The day before my flight, I got these cold feet whether or not I should proceed with my adventure. I had a hard time sleeping at night because of the fear of what might happen to me while travelling alone and also because of the excitement and adventure it may bring.

At first, El Nido was not part of the option when I decided to go to Palawan for an adventure. My entire itinerary was all centered in the city of Puerto Princesa; however, a friend suggested that I should I go to El Nido which led me to Heaven on Earth of the Philippines.

When I arrived in Puerto Princesa, I didn't really have any idea on how to get to El Nido, and where I supposed to stay. At the airport, a lady offered a v-hire ride to El Nido for 600 pesos. It was quite expensive for me, but I had no choice. I had no idea about the place. So, I took the offer and headed to El Nido.

On our way to El Nido, not all part of the trip was a smooth ride especially from Taytay. Most of the road in that area was still under construction. It took us around 6 to 8 hours to reach El Nido from Puerto.

El Nido was worth all my effort and patience I exerted to get there. I instantly fell in love with the place. The locals were very accommodating and hospitable. I even got a free breakfast from one of the families there. The view from the seashore was just amazing. It felt like heaven.

Our first stop: Helicopter Island. The name of the island comes from its shape; it looks like a helicopter from afar. The beach in the island is actually nice to sit back and relax. Recently, the island becomes the backdrop for the film "Bourne Legacy".

Next stop was Hidden Beach. It is very beautiful beach in Matinloc Island. Unlike the previous beach, the boat couldn’t dock on the beach. You needed to swim to get there and it would be crazy to carry a DSLR camera there unless it was waterproof.

Third stop would be where we would be eating lunch and that was in Matinloc Island Shrine. There is a viewing area on top of the rock where you can get a nice view of the place.

After lunch, we headed next to Secret Beach. Our tour guide said that this beach became the inspiration for the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo diCaprio. The rock formations in this beach are just totally amazing and it looked man-made because it was comparable to a perfect cut of a blade. No boat can access to the beach, so you have to swim to get there. Unfortunately, I didn't have pictures in the secret beach because I didn't have a waterproof camera.

If given a chance and resources, I will totally go right away to El Nido.

Edited by Anjville.