Contributed by The Shoestring Travel
Nueva Ecija, a province in Central Luzon, is tagged as the Philippines’ rice granary. The majority of its area is covered with rice fields, putting the province at the bottom of a traveller’s bucket list. But a mystique river may turn that list upside down.
Unknown to many, Nueva Ecija has a river surrounded by some 16-metre towering karsts. This protected area is known as the Minalungao National Park, which is under the municipality of General Tinio (previously named as Papaya).
If you are coming from Cubao, there are several transport terminals (e.g. Baliwag, Five Star, and ES Transport) with buses bound to Nueva Ecija. Hop on and ask the driver to drop you in Gapan City. From there, you can hire a tricycle to bring you straight to Minalungao. It takes a total of three to four hours to reach the national park.
Also read: 10 Beginner-Friendly Hiking Trails in the Philippines
Minalungao resembles different tourist spots in the country. Its Peñaranda River seems like the Tinipak River of Rizal, while the karsts look similar to those in Palawan. There is also a part where it appears to be the Biri Island’s rock formation of Samar. Minalungao is definitely your one-stop shop for great sceneries.
Seeing this national park is so calming, but if you want some adrenaline rush, you may explore Minalungao’s cave for free. Tour guides are available to assist you with no charge. Tips are highly appreciated though.
After exploring the cave, why not rent a raft and cruise the river? The price for a raft ranges from PHP 300 to PHP 800 depending on its size. The bigger ones have tables where you can eat your lunch. They also come with a roof, too.
The short river cruise allows you to relax and cherish the beauty of Minalungao even more. Your guide can also bring you to the cliff diving spot if you wish to.
Also read: 5 Easy Weekend Destinations Outside Manila, Philippines
Other activities to try in the area include riding a zip line, climbing the 1,000 steps to reach a holy cross, and camping. Hope Minalungao has convinced you to reconsider Nueva Ecija as your next travel destination!
Also read: Seven Lakes in a Single City? Only in the Philippines!
Itinerary and Budget Breakdown
| Time | Activity | Expense |
|---|---|---|
| 05:00 AM | Meet up in Baliwag Bus Terminal (Cubao) Ride a bus bound to Gapan City |
PHP 150 |
| 07:30 AM | ETA in Gapan City Hire a tricycle going to Minalungao |
PHP 500 per head |
| 09:00 AM | ETA in Minalungao National Park | PHP 20 – Entrance fee PHP 10 – Parking fee |
| 10:00 AM | Explore the park and the cave Swim the river |
PHP 100 – Guide tip |
| 12:00 NN | Rent a raft and eat lunch Big raft costs around PHP 800 to PHP 1000 while smaller one costs PHP 300. |
PHP 400 – Share for raft PHP 100 – Food |
| 03:00 PM | ETD from Minalungao to Gapan | |
| 04:30 PM | Back to Gapan City Take a bus bound to Cubao |
PHP 150 |
| 07:00 PM | Back to Cubao | |
|
Total Amount: PHP 1,430 per head
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