WoW Minalungao: A Best Kept Treasure ~ NUEVA ECIJA

Aside from green fields, rich culture and friendly people, Nueva Ecija is home to one of the nature’s magnificent forms – the Minalungao National Park located in Barangay Pias, General Tinio. It was declared a National Park in 1967. 

The emergence of this unique landscape is a marvel to an onlooker. Two huge couple rocks with exquisite forms serve as refuge of crystal green water that runs serenely in the middle, offering not only a breathtaking view but also a perfect weekend getaway for family and friends.

The water is very clean and fresh

Visitors may fully enjoy this captivating view while traversing the river with bamboo rafts readily available from the locals. Boatmen (mostly children) will be glad to take visitors to a tour inside the dim-lighted cave and the 1,000 steps hike to a large cross atop the mountain. 

Here shows the boy pushing the paddle to propel the bamboo raft while his partners are pulling the rope connected to the raft. Photo Credit: Arlyn Bautista

Rents for bamboo rafts with cottage for one day usually ranges from P1,000.00 to P1,500.00 depending on the season. Maybe we are good enough to negotiate because we were able to bargained it to P700. 00. This can carry 8-10 persons. We are also lucky because we're the first visitors to enter the place so we were able to choose a good area to park our floating cottage. Cooking and grilling is allowed in the area, but you should be responsible with your garbage as they are strictly implementing CLAYGO (CLean As You GO) Policy. This is of course part of the Local Government of General Tinio's campaign is preserving Minalungao's natural beauty.

When we finally parked our floating cottage, we then planned our activities. And we wrapped up with this schedule:

       TIME                                 ACTIVITY                       
09:30-11:00am     food preparation (we already have cooked rice, chicken adobo & hotdog)
11:00-12:00nn      brunch (as we only ate egg sandwich & hotdog for breakfast on the way)
12:00-12:30nn      swimming
12:30-01:30pm     cave tour/swimming
01:30-03:30pm     hike of 1000 steps to see the cross atop the mountain
03:30-05:00pm     snacks/swimming
05:00-05:30pm     prepare to leave/change clothes
05:30pm               departure

Note: We arrived at the park at 9:00 am.

During peak season, the place is really jam-packed. So if you came late, rafts with cottage (or floating cottage) may have all been taken. The least thing you can do is to get one from the cottages lined-up near the shore of the oval-shaped portion of the park. Don't worry, it's not the catch basin of the river  (smiley). Water still flows somewhere. Rent for a non-floating cottage ranges from P300.00 to P500.00.

This is LIFE! The peaceful surroundings, the water, the bamboo raft with cottage and the extravagant meal that we shared really made our trip a blast. It was one of the best meals that we had.

Finished with the sumptuous meal, we dunk ourselves to the cool (and warm on some parts) fresh water and had so much fun.

Oh, that's me - trying to run the raft by myself but my friends are stopping me.. 

Stroll Around and Be Amazed

After cooling our bodies, we continued with our exploration. Next Activity: Seeing the enchanting cave. There are two ways to reach the cave: 1) ride a raft or 2) walk at the side of the lime stones. In our case, we chose to ride another raft as it was explained to us that this will cut our hike to the cave.

For the more adventurous kind, you may try the 2nd option but you have to be extra careful in passing through as the sides of the rock formation is slippery and sharp on some parts.

Locals made this bamboo makeshift bridge to make the hike safe specially on sharp edges.

The Enchanting Cave

Minalungao, according to the locals, got its name from two words: “mina” and “lungao” which literally mean “mine of gold in the caves”. However, the place is now a restricted area for mining to protect its natural being.





Trek to a bumpy and slippery trail to see the cave which locals believe the protectors of the area lives in.

Aside from camera flashes, be sure you have flash light as the cave is really dim. WATCH YOUR STEPS. Be extra careful when touring the cave as some parts are slippery.

The cave has many passageways so it is advisable to have a tour guide when you enter it. Inside the cave are limestone formations good enough to delight visitors and of course the cool ambiance that will reward you after the trek.

The boy is showing us the limestone that shines when exposed to light or camera flash.

ALAS, we found the light.

And we did it! Before proceeding to our next destination, we explore the rest of the surroundings and had fun, fun & fun..

1,000 steps, 1,000 more FUN!

1,000 steps? Who would care to count if it is really 1,000, less or more, when you know the best way to kill boredom is throw jokes with your friends or just simply appreciate the surroundings? 

After touring the cave, we proceeded to its couple rock for the 1,000 steps hike leading to a large cross standing atop the mountain. Locals made the hike easy for visitors as concrete steps were already built. Verdant surroundings will surely adore your way to the top.

Some people are really expressive of how they are feeling, but this writing is of no help to anyone aiming to reach the top without getting tired. Shame on you kind fella!

It is fulfilling when you reached the top as the large cross seems so happy that you made it. The cross has been built by the locals in keeping with their promise to take good care of this wonderful gift.

Be amazed with the panoramic view of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and the lush greenery of the province.

How did we Get There?

Getting there is actually very easy, but for first timers like us, of course it wasn't that easy. None of us knew how to get there and we just followed directions from Google Map. In fact, we were lost. The good thing is that, the person we asked directions from is very kind and accommodating (ow sad, I forgot the name). According to him, they (the whole family) are actually going to Minalungao that time, so he let his son rode with us and guided us on our way.

Special thanks to Mr. Dave Macariola, Gen. Tinio’s Municipal Tourism Officer who gave directions, tips and other information we needed through phone calls and sms. Of course we will not forget our bangkeros who also served as our tour guides: Manong Tacio and our four adings (kids). Cheers to the good and very accommodating people of Gen. Tinio!

By the way, here’s how we got there. We are from Urdaneta and we opted to hire a vehicle. Since we have read a lot of comments that the road going to Minalungao is really rough and bumpy, we decided take a jeepney instead of a closed van. And so we had Manong Jun Dyip (tagalog of Jeep). From Urdaneta, we took the Mc Arthur Highway going to Gerona (Tarlac). Before reaching Isdaan Restaurant, we turned left and passed by the Municipalities of Victoria & La Paz (Tarlac). We reached the jurisdiction of the province of Nueva Ecija and continued our way and passed by the Municipalities of Zaragoza, Santa Rosa, San Leonardo and the City of Gapan. From Gapan City, Minalungao is about 45 to 60 minutes. We drove ahead to Tinio St, Penaranda and reached the Municipality of General Tinio. Take note that Gen. Tinio is formerly known Papaya, so don’t be confused if you see Papaya signage as people are still used of using the former name. Then we reached Brgy. Pias, turned left and straight to the bumpy and rough Minalungao Trail until we reached the site.

It took us almost 4 hours to reach Minalungao, but the long and bumpy travel is all worth it. 

Printed route from Google Map that served as our guide. 2&3) Stop and Ask-as we felt we are lost. 4,5&6) The development of the bumpy and dusty road. It is good to see that the road is now being constructed and if I am right, up to this writing, the road going to the park is about 60% concrete. If this has been completed, it will shorten the travel time. During rainy days, one must expect muddy way.

1)      That’s Lady and Pam grilling pork and milkfish. 2) Raft riding is Fun. 3) Yellow & Blue. 4) At early age, these kids are being taught to be a good sailor. 5) It’s time to go.

With its distinct features, Minalungao is definitely a sight to behold. That is why it is hard to think and believe that for many years, it remains unknown to many and is yet to divulge from the probing eyes of backpackers from the city. For its own reason, this have been propitious to the park for its restoration for such a wonderful place worthy to keep for the next generation to see.

Date of Experience: April 14, 2013
With Pamela Mallorca, Sheryl Lorenzo, Anthony Lorenzo, Arlyn Bautista, Aileen Columbino, Jenny Lim & Lady Lutrania