More tourists coming from all over Metro Manila and nearby towns in the province are expected to flock to campsites located in the mountainous villages in Tanay, Rizal this coming Independence Day long weekend.
The office of Mayor Rafael “Lito” Tanjuatco told Manila Bulletin that the number of visitors coming to Tanay usually increases during holidays and long weekends as they can spend more time to enjoy the natural scenery in the upland villages of the town without worrying of getting back to work on Monday since it falls on June 12, which is Independence Day, a regular holiday in the entire country.
Municipal Administrator Jeff Pino said during long weekends, most of the mountain campsites are among the popular attractions in the town’s upland villages because of its many picturesque view of nature.
One scenic rich spot in the town’s upland areas is the Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite located at Sitio Maysawa, Barangay Cuyambay in Tanay, which has campsites with nipa huts and lodging areas for a day tour and overnight accommodation.
From the campsite, hikers including beginners may opt to hike to Mount Kulis, which is 620 meters above sea level. Going up further, climbers also go to “Sambong Peak”, also known as “Heart Peak”, which is some 628 meters above sea level.
Among the attractions at the summit of the mountain are the “Spider Web” and “Noah’s Ark”, all located at Camp A of the Tanay campsite.
(Photo from Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Toruist Campsite's Facebook page)
Its Camp B has Lion’s House Falls, a hanging bridge, the river pool, the Twin Rock formation, the Malaw Falls and a cave.
The Fresnos, the owner of the campsite, remind the visitors to be mindful of the facility’s policy on maintaining cleanliness in the surroundings, which is part of the Sierra Madre mountain range.
The so-called “sea of clouds” or the cloud formation that resemble waves when viewed from the mountain, and the cold breeze during the early morning and late evening are among the reasons why visitors flock to the upland resorts in Tanay, according to the town’s Tourism Office.
(Photo from Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite's Facebook page)
The campsite also advocates for a sustainable ecotourism that provides livelihood to the Indigenous People in the area.
Other campsites in Sitio Maysawa area also offer unique attractions that make tourists come to those sites again and again.