It’s my 3rd time going here, the first one was last year (2017), minalungao was not yet well built, 2nd and 3rd time was last month this year (2018) and there’s lot of improvements.
HOW TO GET THERE:
By public transportation:
Ride a bus bound for Gapan/Cabanatuan. There are buses that play the Manila-Cabanatuan route from Cubao and Pasay. Fare is about P150-200. Estimated travel time is 2-3 hours.
From Gapan, ride a jeep to General Tinio. Then ride a tricycle to Minalungao Park. Fare is about P50/person.
You can also rent a tricycle from Gapan going directly to Minalungao for P500-600/trike. Estimated travel time is 1-1.5 hours.
By private transportation:
Take NLEX traveling north and exit at Sta. Rita.
Proceed right and go along the Candaba-San Miguel Road. Continue until you reach Bucana, Gapan.
Estimated travel time: 4-5 hours, with some portions on a rough road. There is a parking area right next to the picnic grounds for all types of vehicles. The area is accessible to buses, vans, sedans, jeeps, tricycles and motorcycles.
WHAT TO DO IN MINALUNGAO NATIONAL PARK:
Cross the hanging bridge to get the best view of the limestone cliffs. Free.
Go Trekking/Hiking up 1000 steps to a grotto and glass cross. Free.
Try the zipline over the river. P50 (one way), P100 (two way)
Explore the different caves in the area. Free (Not available right now)
Ride a bamboo raft through Peñaranda River flanked by limestone cliffs. Price ranges from P100-600 depending on size of the raft.
Go swimming in the river. Free.
Have a picnic beside the river. Bring your own food.
Try Cliff Diving/Jump into the water from the rocks. Free.
Minalungao Before and After
First thing you will notice is the entrance fee, from 50 pesos to 100 pesos, maybe because there were a lot of improvements, and also last year (2017) they’ll ask you if you need a guide, but nowadays there’s no need for that.
First thing to do inside Minalungao is cross the hanging bridge to get the best view of the limestone cliffs, medyo mahirap mag take ng pictures dito, dahil madaming dumadaan, you need the patience to take a good shot of you in the middle of the hanging bridge, pero taking pictures of the limestone cliffs and others are fine.
Below was taken last year, so not everyday is a happy day, always check the weather before going, dahil baka umuulan sa nueva ecija or umulan sa nueva ecija specially in this place, because the water will turn into this color.
But, if the weather is good, below are the images you will see, the water is green and clear.
Second is trekking, you need a bottle of water and lots of energy for this type of activity. This was my favorite activity when I went to Minalungao
Below were the images taken last year (2017), looks old and scary right? but right now everthing were renovated.
Below are the recent ones, the modern 1000 steps.
After completing the 1000 steps, you will see the glass cross and also don’t forget to take a rest there or pray.
Below images are the old look of this place
and the below images are the new look of the grotto and glass cross
While resting we saw AT-AT and BB unit there and it was amazing hahaha
After this it’s time to swim and freshen up, make sure you wear your life vest for safety, it will cost you 25 pesos for the life vest, madami ng namatay sa minalungao, mga magaganda at gwapo daw kinukuha, that’s why if you are beautiful and handsome don’t go there, just kidding basta wag lang mag-magaling kung di sanay lumangoy ok? or dun kalang sa mababaw, parang kami sa mababaw lang 🙂
You can also try Cliff diving, just be careful make sure na di mauuna mukha mo.
Don’t forget na magdala ng foods, para di magutom! wag nyo kaming gayahin, tubig lang ininom namin kasi mahirap lang kami 🙁 hahaha
After mag “miming” umuwi na kami at natulog ng mahimbing…
THE END..
Total cost: 300 pesos