Minalungao National Park
Visiting Minalungao National Park? How to get there? Things to do in Minalungao? I hope this Minalungao Nation Park Travel Guide blog helps!
Minalungao National Park! Yahoo! Summer has always been my favorite season. Except for the hot weather, almost everyone likes this exciting part of the year. Thus, the hot summer season led us to explore one of the few remaining natural environment in Central Luzon. It was one of those days that I just want to leave and be somewhere. So I invited my friend to explore one of Nueva Ecija's hidden gems - Minalungao National Park in the town of General Tinio. It is one of those places that only a few have been to. I've been wanting to visit Minalungao since I saw photos of it from friends. Since then, I was enticed that I should see it for myself.
Minalungao National Park, Nueva Ecija
From Manila, we hopped on a bus bound for Cabanatuan City and reached Gapan, Nueva Ecija after 2 hours. Since it was still very early in the morning, we had our breakfast first in one of the fast food chains at the town center. After which, we hired a tricycle going to Papaya. Please note that Papaya is the old name of General Tinio, that's why locals more often than not, still call it Papaya. The tricycle ride costs 150 pesos, travel time is about 45 minutes.
Papaya Municipal Mall
Upon arrival in Papaya, we went to the municipal hall to ask for some information on getting to Minalungao National Park. We wanted to know the easiest way to get there and how much should it cost. Thanks a lot to the very accommodating staff at the information desk for helping us with the information that we need.
Gen. Tinio Municipal Hall
At the tricycle terminal, we hired one tricycle. He asked for 250 pesos for a 2-way trip to the Minalungao. We're okay with that, considering the place is far from the town proper. It took us 45 minutes on bumpy and unpaved road to reach the park. It made me realize that it's best to go here on a sunny day, as muddy road maybe your greatest obstacle in getting there. I've heard from the locals that the road here had greatly improved. I could see newly concreted roads, but there's still long kilometers of unpaved road. I guess it will be improved through time.
Arriving at Minalungao National Park
Minalungao National Park is a protected area enacted on 1967 by virtue of Republic Act No. 5100. It is known for its clean flowing river, towering rock formations, and clean and peaceful environment. One of the most distinguishable features of the park are the high limestone walls on both sides leading to a cave. One must be extra careful in traversing the side of the limestone walls as it is slippery and a single mistake can lead to accident.
Minalungao National Park
Rock Formations at Minalungao National Park
Me @ Minalungao National Park
Minalungao National Park
Beautiful isn't it?
Minalungao National Park
Along the way, we passed by the cave but we didn't enter it. We just took some photos from the outside.
The Cave
We went all the way to the far end of the river where the water is shallow, which is perfect for swimming. I had an awesome time enjoying the cool water and savoring the lush verdant environment.
Minalungao National Park
Shallow part of the river
Swimming time!
Bamboo raft @ Minalungao National Park
Refreshing!
Going back, we climbed the concrete stairs leading the top which leads all the way down to the cottage area.
Super enjoy!
Locals residing at the park are easily available to guide any visitor wishing to explore the place. I highly recommend our guide, Mang Tacio. He is fun to be with as he gives a lot of information about the place. He doesn't have any standard rate for his guiding service, just give him any amount you wish to give. I don't have his contact number, just ask for him when you get there.
Mang Tacio, our guide
Cottages for picnics are available. There are also stores where you could buy snacks and refreshments. But it is best that you bring food and drinks when you visit the place.
Picnic area at Minalungao National Park
Swimming, hiking, camping, raft riding, spelunking and cliff diving are just some of the activities that can be enjoyed in Minalugao.
Minalungao National Park
The awesome geological features characterized by stunning rock formations, serene environment and clean flowing river are just some of the reasons you must visit this place. Truly, Minalungao National Park is one of Nueva Ecija's well-kept secrets.
WHERE TO STAY?
The nearest town would be Gapan, Nueva Ecija. You can check the hotels and resorts in Gapan or you may go to Cabanatuan City for your hotel accommodation.
[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF HOTELS IN CABANATUAN CITY ]
HOW TO GET TO MINALUNGAO NATIONAL PARK?
From Manila, take a Cabanatuan-bound bus and get off at Gapan, Nueva Ecija, tell the bus attendant to drop you in Bucana. Fare is 160 pesos and travel time is 2 hours. From there, hire a tricycle or take a jeepney going to Gen. Tinio (Papaya), fare is 150 per tricycle (1-way), travel time is 45 minutes. In Papaya, hire a tricycle to Minalungao, fare is 250 pesos minimum (round trip) per tricycle depending on how long you will be staying at the park (please do additional payment if you will be staying longer), travel time from town proper to the park is 45 minutes.
Going back to Manila, take a jeepney in Papaya going to Cabanatuan. Fare is 47 pesos, travel time is 1 hour. Then take any Manila-bound bus. Fare is 185 pesos, travel time is about 2.5 hours.
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES
Bus Fare (Manila-Gapan) - 160Breakfast - 100
Tricycle to Papaya (150/2) - 75
Tricycle to Minalungao (250/2) - 125
Guide (200/2) - 100
Snacks - 30
Jeepney (Papaya-Cabanatuan) - 47
Lunch - 70 pesos
Bus (Cabanatuan-Manila) - 185
TOTAL - 892 PHP each
NOTE: This is the estimated expenses for a group of 2 persons on a day tour to the park.
More photos on Pinoy AdvenTurista's Facebook Page, click here.
*This trip happened on March 20, 2013. Some photos used in this post were grabbed from my friend, Gil Lian
Who would've thought that there's something like that in Nueva Ecija?! Nice discovery.
ReplyDeletewow... you've been here in papaya. so glad to see our very own minalungao park in your page. thanks man.;)
ReplyDeleteCan we go fishing in the park?
DeleteCan we go fishing in the park?
DeleteIs it possible to hike from the municipal hall to the park?
ReplyDeleteCan we go fishing in the park?
ReplyDeleteayos ah! pwedeng balikan! 24hrs ba ang bus back to manila? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! Ima go there and visit this summer! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! Ima go there and visit this summer! :)
ReplyDeleteQuestion lang po,,allowed po ba mag overnyt sa place,,,yung by tent lng,,
ReplyDeleteHello! Anyone going on May? Would want to tag along. Solo Traveler here. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen do you plan to go? A colleague asked me to check this page if I am interested. I'll ask her as well on her plans. Catch you later...
DeleteWhen do plan to explore this? A colleague asked me to check out this page. I'll ask her as well on when are her plans.
DeleteToo bad I'll be in Mindanao next week till end of May. Maybe June? :) Lemme know.
DeleteMervs, i'll try this one. :-)
ReplyDeleteI lived in nueva ecija for a long time but never have I heard of this place. Next time I come home I should definitely look into going to this place.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I'm from Penaranda and we call the place irrigation. It's part of the river at the back of my house. Must have missed something. Will check it out this summer.
DeleteGood thing you have featured one of the secret places in nueva ecija, looking for other undiscovered spots here in phils.
ReplyDeleteHi! Meron po bang mabibilhan ng pagkain sa area apart from snacks? Plan ko kasi namin mag-overnight pero travel light kasi commute lang. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen you visit the park, do you already have prior contact driver or you just hire when you arrive in Gapan or Gen.Tinio? By the way, beautiful pics!
ReplyDeletewala kaming contacts... naghanap lang kami dun... Thanks Ian! :)
DeleteRoadtrip n ako... just waiting for the storm to pass and ill bring my scooter..
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a beautiful place to explore. Just be prepared though. The terrain is dangerous especially cliff diving and swimming at the deeper portions of the river. Sadly, there are no first aid stations around the area so make sure that you bring your own first aid kit because the nearest hospital is more than an hour away. I'm saying this becase a colleague of mine from the US had an accident while swimming in the river. He got a laceration because he hit a limestone formation which he wasn't able to see when he jumped in. He stayed at the hospital for more than a week because of the bacteria in the water that infected the wound.
ReplyDeletePwede po kaya ang overnight dito ??
ReplyDeleteHi, pwede po ba mag overnight dito?
ReplyDeletehow long is the rafting time?
ReplyDeletehow long is the rafting time?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your website and we reach the minalungao Eco park last April 22, 2017
ReplyDeleteAll I can say nice place for recreational activity and family outings. Kaya lamang nakakalungkot lang sabihin sa aking mga naobserbahan:
1. Vandalism - lalong lalo na sa kuweba.
- sa taas ng thousand steps na may tinayong mga pahingahan / station area.
- sa mga tabi ng bundok/ white rock formation
2. No orientation by tour guide - a tour guide must orient or give some information about the
Place at kung ano ang dapat gawin at ano ang dapat iwasan
Ng turista tulad ng pag-iingay sa loob ng kuweba at pagputol
Ng mga bato.
3. Entrance fee.- before they said php 20.00 but now php 100.00.
4. Although the water is clean and clear because of running water. Tourist must avoid also
Their garbage in a right place. Nasa kasarapan ka ng paliligo mo when suddenly makikita
may lumalangoy din na buto ng manok at spaghetti noodles.
5. Using restroom paying php 10.00 to 20.00. Take note, it is operated by DENR especially in
their office. Sad to say wala pang tubig.
6. Foods are very expensive. Advise ko lang magbaon talaga ng pagkain.
More on that isa sa mga nagustuhan namin ay yung nagtitinda ng ice candy, na mabait, at nagbigay impormasyon ng lugar at kung saan galing ang tubig, at mga kwento ng lugar.
Sana makatulong yung comment ko. Sana mapanatili ang kalinisan, discipline at respeto sa kalikasan.