Minalungao National Park
General Tinio, Nueva Ecija
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| Minalungao National Park at 7:00 in the Morning |
I have been reading a lot of articles about this place, different stories, different versions... I was enlightened and attracted to visit this beautifully crafted Stone-park, I never thought that in just a week of dreaming, I will be able to make it into reality. First I was hesitant to visit as I was running out of budget already if I will go solo, good thing I have a friend who also planned an overnight vacay with his friend, so expenses got divided.
Minalungao National Park is a protected area of the Philippines, established in 1967 by virtue of R.A. No.5100. This park is 2,018 hectares centered along the scenic Peñaranda River bordered on both sides by up to 16-meter high limestone walls part of the Sierra Madre mountain range.
Because of its breath-taking scenery of green pristine river and stunning rock formations, many were attracted. Reasons why the local government promote this as an ecotourism destination.
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| Stunned by the Towering Stone Along the River |
Saturday at 9 in the morning, we met each other at Market-Market mall in Taguig City, from Market-Market we rode a jeepney going to guadalupe then hopped on a bus EDSA North bound and Dropped off at five Star terminal. We didn't expect that heavy lines inside the terminal so we decided to ride a Golden Bee Bus bound to Cabanatuan City at Baliuag Terminal. Exactly 10 AM when the driver started to heat up his bus engine and by 10:10 AM, the road trip began.
It took us almost 6 hours on the road before we get into our destination, 4 hours and 35 minutes instead of 3 hours before we reached Gapan City due to ongoing road-works, long traffic was established that day. From Gapan City we rode a jeepney bound to Papaya (old name of Gen.Tinio) and we're stuck again because of Meeting de Avance (election rally) took us 45 minutes instead of 25 and it's almost 3 in the afternoon when we reached Gen.Tinio. We were so hungry that time already so decided to eat our late lunch and together bought some foods and other stuffs for our overnight stay. At 3:40 PM we then hired a tricycle going to Minalungao for 250.00 one-way only.
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| StopOver. Road to Minalungao |
Asking a little favor from your tricycle driver is not too much, right? lol...
Had a chance to stop in the middle of the trip going to Minalungao from Gen.Tinio and took some good shots, hopefully.
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| A Welcome Sign Tens of Meters Away from the Park |
Finally setting-foot at 4:05 PM, Amazing! That's all I can say.
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| Few Walks and Be Mesmerized by this Pretty Cool Place |
Exploring and walking the Park is not difficult for pathways were made already on one side of the towering limestone formation for easy trail.
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| Limestone Bordering Penaranda River |
Well, I was wondering how could I get a picture of this beautiful creations without people on the background. Our decision to stay overnight was Excellent. Was Able to take photos before visitors' arrival and that's between 6:00 to 8:00 in the morning.
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| The Morning View, Sunday at 6:00 |
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| Just Wow |
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| Lovely, Isn't it? |
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| Far End of the Park |
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| Enjoying the Fresh Water from the Mountains |
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| Wondering how deep the river is...One of the deepest parts, more or less 10 ft. |
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| Hooray to the World! |
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| See No People |
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| The Rock |
There are activities already taking place, that includes: caving, fishing, cliff diving and zip-lining...
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| Bamboo Raft with Cottage |
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| The Cave |
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| Before we left at 10 in the morning of Sunday, Visitors flocked already to experience the beauty and fresh water brought by Sierra Madre. |
How to get there!
>Ride a bus (Five Star, Golden Bee...etc.) bound to Cabanatuan City (make sure that there's no SCTEX written on Signboard, as they don't enter Bulacan area going to Gapan City) and just tell the Bus assistant to drop you off at Bucana (Gapan City Proper). Travel time is almost 3 hrs.
>From Bucana, ride a jeepney bound to Papaya (Old name of Gen.Tinio). That's just beside Mercury Drug Store, there you can see a Jeepney with a big signage "PAPAYA", tell the driver to alight you at Papaya Market. This will take you 20-30 minutes.
>From papaya, rent a tricycle going to Minalungao and they'll be charging you 250.00, 500.00 back-and-forth but you may haggle it down depending on your haggling skills.
>You can also hire a tricycle from Gapan City to take you directly to Minalungao 400.00.
Notes:
>No mobile signal at the park.
>there are numbers of stores inside the park.
(better to buy your food and other stuffs before you go there as prices are bit expensive - some only, like half kilo of rice it's 100.00 but they will be the one to cook for you).
>there are toilets and baths but Do not expect too much.
>No Vandalism please!
Minalungao National Park
Visited : April 30 - May 01, 2016
