Travel Guide : 3-Day Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino & Isabela - Summary, Things To Do, Accommodation, Itinerary and Expenses

This 3-day trip to Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Isabela happened last March 2-4, 2012. I travelled by land in going to these provinces and took a flight back to Manila from Cauayan City, Isabela on the 3rd day. Being a first timer in these provinces (except for Isabela), I got to experience a different adventure while learning a lot from the places I've visited. Here's how it went...

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF TOP-RATED HOTELS IN CABANATUAN! ]

DAY 1, March 2, 2012
At 4:00 AM, I rode a 5-star bus bound for Cabanatuan City. After about 2.5 hours, we reached the so-called ”Tricycle Capital of the Philippines”. I roamed around the city checking the different interesting sights. I went to the cathedral, to Plaza Lucero where the monument of Gen. Antonio Luna is erected and to the old provincial capitol building of Nueva Ecija. I also had bibingka for breakfast in the stores in front of the church and witnessed the “Mais Festival” parade of Nueva Ecija State University. It was a 3 hour tour around the city and I am so happy to learn a lot of new things while exploring Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.


At around 10 AM, I took a bus bound for Tuguegarao and alighted at Bambang Junction after 4 hours. I then took a tricycle going to Dupax del Sur where San Vicente de Ferrer Church, a "National Cultural Treasure" is located. I also saw what they consider as the "Oldest Acacia Tree in Luzon" standing proud just beside the church.


After about an hour I took another tricycle to the main hi-way. I then rode a jeepney bound for Bayombong and alighted at the fruit stands selling different citrus fruits. As the "Citrus Capital of the Philippines" they sell different fruits that come from different parts of the region. Don’t miss to bring home some!


From here, I took another jeepney to the town proper of Bayombong where I saw St. Dominic Cathedral.


Then I rode a tricycle to the Provincial Capitol Complex where I rested while munching on 2 pieces of tokneneng and a cup of gulaman.


Then I took another tricycle to my accommodation, 24/7 Inn and Resort located at Bayombong-Solano boundary. I had dinner, enjoyed the pool in the resort and called it a day at around 10:00 PM.


THINGS TO DO

• Tour around Cabanatuan City
• Visit San Vicente de Ferrer Church, a "National Cultural Treasure"
• Buy some Citrus Fruits in Bayombong
• Visit St. Dominic Cathedral in Bayombong
• Check out Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Capitol Complex
• Check-in at 24/7 Inn and Resort, an Affordable and Cozy Place to Stay in Bayombong-Solano

ITINERARY (DAY 1)

• Travel to Cabanatuan City
• Visit Cabanatuan Cathedral
• Breakfast at the stores that sells Bibingka and Puto Bumbong
• Check out Plaza Lucero and Gen. Luna’s Monument
• See the marker of Gen. Luna’s Death Place
• Take a glimpse of the old provincial capitol building of Nueva Ecija
• Travel to Nueva Vizcaya
• Lunch at the bus stop
• Arrive at Bambang Junction
• Take a tricycle to Dupax del Sur
• Visit San Vicente de Ferrer Chuch
• Check out the oldest acacia tree in Luzon
• Proceed to Bayombong
• Buy some citrus fruits in Bayombong
• Go to Bayombong town proper
• Visit St. Dominic Cathedral in Bayombong
• Proceed to Nueva Vizcaya Capitol Complex
• Have some snacks at the rolling stores
• Go to your accommodation

EXPENSES


DAY 2, March 3, 2012
I woke up early and took photos of 24/7 Inn and Resort. At around 9:00 AM, I checked-out and proceeded to the bus stop in Solano. I took a van bound for Ilagan, Isabela and alighted in Santiago City. Travel time from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya to Santiago City, Isabela is around 2 hours. Upon arriving in the city I saw this tall hotel building - The Amancio Hotel. I checked-inn and started my tour around the city with an early lunch at one of the eateries outside the hotel.



After having lunch, I took a tricycle to "Balay Na Santiago". Entrance fee to the museum is 5 pesos. It took me about an hour taking photos and touring around the museum.



Then I took a tricycle going to the van terminal bound for Madella. At around 12 noon, we travelled going to Quirino province. After about an hour, I alighted at the road leading to the Aglipay Caves. I walked for about 15 minutes to reach the entrance to the cave where I met my spelunking guide. The cave exploration lasted for about an hour.



At around 3:00, I left Aglipay Caves complex and walked towards the main hi-way. It took a while before I got to ride a van bound for Madella. Good thing, after about 15 minutes, a van arrived. I reached Maddella after 20 or 30 minutes. At the terminal in the town proper of Maddela, I hired a tricycle going to Madella Waterfalls and made an agreement with the driver that I will pay him 200 pesos including the waiting time. It took us about 20 minutes to reach Maddela Waterfalls and Forest Resort. I paid the entrance fee of 20 pesos and started the short hike to the waterfalls. Lush greens and thick forest greeted me as I walk as fast I can to get the waterfalls. It took me about 30 minutes exploring and enjoying the waterfalls.



I went back to the town proper just in time for the last van bound for Santiago City, it’s around 5:30 – 6:00 PM. Please take note of this since it will be hard to go back to Santiago City if you will be left behind. Nonetheless, you could ask around where you could spend the night in Maddela. Upon reaching Santiago City, I took a shower and had dinner at the hotel. They offer an "eat all you can" dinner buffet for only 150 pesos. But don’t expect too much on the menu, it's very limited. Then I went out to check the happenings around the city. At around 11:00 PM, I called it a day.

THINGS TO DO

• Check-in at The Hotel Amancio in Santiago City
• Visit Balay Na Santiago Museum
• Spelunking at the Aglipay Caves
• Explore Maddela Waterfalls and Forest Resort

ITINERARY (DAY 2)

• Travel to Santiago City
• Check-inn at your chosen accommodation
• Visit Balay Na Santiago
• Travel to Aglipay, Quirino
• Explore Aglipay Caves
• Proceed to Maddela, Quirino
• Enjoy the waterfalls
• Go back to Santiago City
• Check out the happenings in the city

EXPENSES


DAY 3, March 4, 2012
Nothing much really happened on the 3rd and last day of this trip. Since I am so tired, I ended up oversleeping at my room. I woke up at around 8:00 AM and had the complimentary breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant. Then I checked-out at around 10:00 AM. I took a van bound for Tuguegarao. I plan to visit the old brick Church in Alicia, but since I will be late for my flight going home, I didn't push thru with it and just proceeded to Cauayan Airport in Cauayan Isabela, around 2 hours away from Santiago. I arrived at the airport, just in time before the check-in counter closes.

ITINERARY (DAY 3)

• Check-out of the hotel
• Travel to Cauayan Airport
• Flight back to Manila

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF TOP-RATED HOTELS IN CABANATUAN! ]

EXPENSES


If you have any question, just leave a comment below and I will try to answer it as soon as I can. Thanks a lot and happy trip!