Minalungao National Park
- nicolecordoves
- Jan 1, 2015
- 4 min read
There are three things you need to bring on this trip:
1. A very adventurous group of friends
2. A friend who is very eager to drive
3. A healthy lunch meal and fruits to munch on
The road to Minalungao National Park is 5 hours worth of travel (totally worth it and enjoyable with the view of fields and Mt. Arayat, as you can see on the photos above) where we brought our own car and used the phone app Waze (I set my directions to General Tinio) to take us there. We asked around a lot for directions and got lost a few times but when you're near, you'll see signs leading you to this hidden gem.
The route, basically: NLEX>Gapan>General Tinio>Minalungao National Park
The route, specifically:
1. Take the Sta Rita exit. Turn right, that's Pan-Philippine (Maharlika) Highway.
2. Keep going straight all the way where you will be passing by these barangays, I might miss some but these are the major barangays: Plaridel, Pulilan, Baliuag, San Ildefonso, San Miguel (Bulacan), Gapan.
3. Once you reach Gapan, you will turn right at Tinio. The landmark is a petron at your left followed by a school at your right, turn right on that corner.
4. By that time you would have seen numerous Petron stations and schools so you have to ask someone in Gapan where you have to turn right, specifically, where Minalungao National Park is.
5. Once you're in Tinio, you just follow the main road and somewhere along the way Tinio will be Gapan-Peñaranda road but it's still the same road. It's about a 30min drive then you will turn right at Pias Barangay Road. It's a narrow street but you will see a sign on your right "Minalungao National Park". It's a small sign but you won't miss it.
We left Manila at 6:30am from our Cubao meeting place and arrived Minalungao at around 11am. From the entrance, we paid P20 environmental fee per person. There were cottages where we could eat our lunch (you could rent it for P200 for the whole day) although we regret doing so because we only used it for lunch and other people were occupying it when we got back.
Minalungao didn't look like much but once we got on the bamboo raft, oh boy.
Just look at that beauty. To be towered over these huge rock formations felt like the world was loving me right back. It's one of those moments where everyone understands that silence is the best form of communication, not amongst your friends but between you and the world.
But of course you NEED to take your cameras out after that!
The good thing about Minalungao National Park is, it isn't just swimming. The first activity we did there was CAVING.
Note: Please bring your own flashlights! Also, since the National Park has not been developed/privatized yet, caving here is quite dangerous so you have to be careful.
This is the entrance of the cave and the guy in red is our tour guide. You could hire a tour guide at the entrance point of the National Park. The tip you give them is based on your own discretion. As for our group of 6 people, we gave him P250.
It's my first time caving and I didn't expect it to be as thrilling as it is. It looked really dangerous so we helped each other out. Every muscle in your body would be utilized in this activity! You'll end up really sweaty and sticky but in some parts of the cave, air would suddenly rush in and it's like the best oxygen you've ever inhaled. EVER.
You must be wondering what wonders you'll expect to see in a dark cave. Well, much to our surprise and amazement (we so didn't expect this either), there were stalagmites GLITTERING everywhere! It was like looking at stars in a cave. Like we had our own night sky.
Climbing up and down to get to the cave was really slippery so there were times when I'm on all fours. But the best feeling in the world is washing your muddy hands and splashing your face with fresh running water.
Speaking of running water, it's time to go swimming! But! stay close to your raft because the current is really strong. I am a trained swimmer but I couldn't swim against the current!
This is how clear the water is, plus it tastes SO GOOD! And it kind of really moisturizes your hair unlike how saltwater makes your hair all sticky and stiff. So we didn't need a shower after swimming, duh. #GirlSpeak
If you're an instagram addict like I am, there are a lot of picturesque rock formations around where you could take minimalist-style snaps of your adventure.
'Til the next time, Minalungao! You are such a beauty. I'll be bringin new guests to you soon.
Budget Travelers that's what we are. So for a group of six, we spent a total of P413.00 only!
Gas Expense (Diesel, Innova, the diesel price was P26.00 then, and we only consumed half a tank for a 10 hour drive back and forth)= P800 (so that's P133 each)
Cottage Rental=P200
Bamboo Raft Rental= P250
Tour Guide Tip= P250
Toll Fees= About P250
Environmental Fee=P20
KFC Dinner=P120
If you'll be going to this adventure, I'm sure you'll have fun!
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