DINGALAN

Dingalan is a town in the Province of Aurora home to majestic landscapes, stunning waterfalls, and beautiful caves. Often it’s called “Batanes of the East” as it imitates the rolling hills and blue waters of the islands of Batanes. It is also known as the “Window to the Pacific” due to its location along the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

Below are the attractions that we visited in Dingalan:

• Abungan Falls
• Butas na Bato and Matawe
• Dingalan Lighthouse
• Dingalan Adventure Park
• Grotto
• I Love Dingalan Marker
• Laktas Falls
• Mountain View Deck
• Suah Rock Formation
• Tagpuan ni Irog
• Tanawan Falls
• Bonus Tour Package
• Itinerary

Let the Journey Begin…

This escapade is a 2-night 3-day adventure. We started our journey from Pasay and arrived at around 11 am. After lunch, we made our way to Laktas Falls. It’s a 20-minute tricycle ride from our transient in Paltic, the premiere north Barangay of Dingalan where you can find plenty of transient, hotels, and where the Feeder Port is located. We reach the Municipal Extension Office in Barangay Ibona after a few stops in Matawe and Butas na Bato mostly for picture taking on their signage. However, if you have spare time you can go down to the beach, take photos of the Rock Formation in Matawe, and enjoy some vitamin SEA.

      Butas na Bato and Matawe

How do we get to Laktas Falls?

At the Municipal Extension Office, we rent a Farmall or a Tractor. The person in charge told us that the Tractor would take us both to Laktas and Abungan Falls. A single tractor is good for up to 12 persons. On this tour, it’s just the two of us along with our guide, so we have ample space to soak in the stunning views on our way to the falls. We first visited Laktas, which was approximately a 30-minute ride away. Buckle up it’s going to be a bumpy ride. With a breathtaking view of lush green fields, and clear blue skies you will surely enjoy the view going to Laktas and were warmly greeted by local farmers along the way. We drove to muddy and rough roads and crossed multiple rivers to reach Laktas. We also noticed the ongoing road construction along the way. Kuya Sendong, our tour guide, explained that the construction aims to connect the provinces of Bulacan and Aurora known as the DRT – Dingalan bypass road. Also, you can add going to Lipit Picnic Ground via tractor to this tour.

      Road to Laktas Falls

Here is the picturesque scene of crystal-cold water gracefully descending from the Sierra Madre mountains. A perfect rest after the electrifying ride. You could receive a relaxing massage by sitting or standing under the waterfall. As they say, Nature is the best therapy. It gets even better when we get to enjoy it on our own. We stayed here for about an hour.

      Laktas Falls

Now, let’s talk about Abungan Falls. It’s a 10-minute ride from Laktas courtesy of the tractor. Then, a 5-minute walk to reach the falls. When we arrived it was a bit crowded, loads of people were chilling and having a great time by the cool water. The area is a bit smaller compared to Laktas and it’s surrounded by big rocks. Abungan Falls, with its impressive height of approximately 98 feet, is situated in Barangay Ibona at the base of the Sierra Madre mountains. It is a highly recommended destination for nature enthusiasts.

      Abungan Falls

So what happened after our Waterfall adventure?

We decided to have dinner at Tagpuan ni Irog one of the recommended restaurants to visit in Dingalan. We can’t help but be in awe just watching the view of the restaurant from the outside. Tagpuan ni Irog has a cozy instagrammable ambiance that offers a variety of choices. They also have coffee and pastries during the day. On our table: Pork Sisig, Sotanghon, Chicken Fajitas, and Mango Shakes.

      Tagpuan ni Irog

2nd Day

First on the list was the Grotto, located at Dica Road, this road will soon connect the two towns of Dingalan and Baler in Aurora. We arrived about 6:45 in the morning a bit early for its opening hours of 8 AM. Luckily, we bought hot pandesal and brought some biscuits to eat while we waited. We’re pleased that we arrived early, giving us plenty of time to explore and enjoy the area at our own pace. It’s a hundred steps to the top and you will reach the statue of La Nuestra Señora Dela Paz Y Buen Viaje built in September 2022 the Patron of Dingalan. Here, you’ll be blown away by the sights of the mountains bordering the Pacific Ocean.

        Grotto 

We return to the Feeder Port to rent a boat and head to the White Beach. According to our tour guide, the sands in White Beach were originally white until 2004 when three consecutive typhoons hit the town of Dingalan, where landslides happened and the white beach has now mixed with soil. The beach continues to enthrall visitors with its captivating beauty and is a well-known tourist attraction, plus it also offers beach huts and cottages for travelers. I completely forgot to take a photo of the beautiful white beach because we went straight off to start trekking. From the beach, we trek to Mountain View Deck about 30-45 minutes trekking. The trail was somewhat challenging because it had rained the night before, but don’t worry, there are ropes to help you reach the top. Don’t forget to take a moment to stop and snap a photo of that huge tree. You can even sit on its elevated roots for a cool picture!

Photos courtesy of Mariel

When we reach the peak, the rain drops with strong winds. Yet, you can still see why they call it Batanes of the East and Window to the Pacific. You are standing in front of the vast Pacific Ocean, where its waves crash against the large rocks and the rolling hills. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s worth the climb!

     Mountain View Deck

From the View Deck, we walk towards the Lighthouse. The trail is much easier to follow than the first one, and it’s just a 15-20-minute walk. You will stroll amidst towering grass, with a breathtaking backdrop. A captivating panoramic view of the rolling slopes of the mountains, the blue ocean, and the green scenery of the Siera Made Mountains. As of today, climbing the lighthouse is strictly prohibited.

    Lighthouse

We journey back to a different trailhead, a bit tricky cause it’s slippery and beware of mosquitoes. We rested at one of the cottages on the white beach while waiting for our boat. Lamao Cave was supposed to be our next stop however, due to the strong waves, we decided to skip it and instead, we went to the Suah Rock formation and enjoyed swimming. Here, you can capture stunning images of the Dingalan coastline and explore the fascinating intertidal pools.

      Suah Rock Formation

Our last stop for this Tour is Tanawan Falls located in Barangay Tanawan. It’s within the Dingalan Adventure Park which offers activities such as Zipline, Spider Web, Giant Swing, and Hanging Bridge. We tried the thrilling zipline soaring through treetops and the incredible view from above. Included in our zipline package are the hanging bridge and monkey head.

      Zipline, Hanging Bridge

We reach the falls through a small trail under large beautiful green trees. There’s this awesome waterfall with ice-cold water cascading down from the verdant forest. Tanawan Falls offers a bigger place for swimming for its visitors. You’re welcome to go cliff jumping if you’re feeling brave!

      Tanawan Falls

Before heading to our transient we went to the famous sign of Dingalan. We didn’t get to visit Pacific View another famous destination here in Dingalan, since it’s currently closed to tourists.  If you have some spare time you can also visit Dingalan Seawall, enjoy the breeze and view of the Pacific Ocean, and watch the boats going back and forth. We stayed in Trenchtown Chalet great transient for a budget traveler. And kudos to our highly recommended tour guide Kuya Rosendo “Sendong” Antalan you may contact him via messenger if you plan to visit Dingalan.

      Dingalan Marker

Here is the Tour Package for this trip

Transient – Php 1,300.00 per night

Tourguide – Php 1,000.00 per day

Eco fee – Php 50.00 / person (good for the whole tour)

Laktas and Abungan Falls – Php 1,500.00 (Tractor included)

Tricycle Rent –  Php 500.00 / person (good for the whole tour)

Boat ride/ Island hopping – Php 1,200.00 for less than 5 persons

Additional 500 if you like to visit Lamao Cave

Entrance fee

Laktas Falls – Php 20.00 / person

Abungan Falls – Php 20.00 / person

Grotto – Php 20.00 / person

White Beach – Php 20.00 / person

Zipline – Php 350.00 / person (inclusions Tanawan Falls Entrance fee, Monkey Head, and Hanging Bridge)

Essentials:

• Sun Protection
• Trail Water
• Trail Food
• Toiletries
• Water-resistant bag
• Extra clothes
• Extra pocket money
• Trekking Shoes/Sandals
• Camera
• Powerbank 

Commuter’s Journey

To Dingalan

1. 4AM bus travel from Pasay to Cabanatuan courtesy of Five Star.

• Travel Time: 4-5 HRS
• Bus Fare: 270.00 PHP / person via Bulacan

2. 9AM bus travel from Cabanatuan to Dingalan. (At the bus station look for buses with signs Dingalan or Umiray)

• Travel Time: 1-2 HRS
• Bus Fare: 110.00 PHP / person

3. 10:55AM from Dingalan bus station to transient.

• Travel Time: 5-10 Mins
• Tricycle Fare: 30.00 PHP / person

To Manila

1. 12PM from transient to Dingalan bus station.

• Travel Time: 5-10 Mins
•  Tricycle Fare: 30.00 PHP / person

2. 12:45PM from Dingalan bus station to Cabanatuan. (Take note that the last trip from Dingalan to Cabanatuan is 2PM).

• Travel Time: 1-2 HRS
• Bus Fare: 80.00 PHP / person (ordinary bus)

3. 3:15PM from Cabanatuan to Pasay

• Travel Time: 4-5 HRS
• Bus Fare: 230 PHP / person via Sctex

Here is the Itinerary for this trip

Day 1

4:00AM – ETD Dingalan Aurora

9:00AM – Cabanatuan Bus Station
11:15AM – arrived at Dingalan Aurora (Transient Check-in)
12:45PM –Tricycle going to Brgy Ibona Municipal Extension Office
1:30PM – ETD to Laktas Falls
2:00PM – Laktas Falls
3:05PM – Going to Abungan Falls
3:30PM – Abungan Falls
4:10PM – Going back to Municipal Extension Office
4:40PM – Arrived at our transient
6:30PM – Dinner at Tagpuan ni Irog
8:00 PM – Roam in Dingalan Seawall

8:20PM – Back at our transient

Day 2

6:20AM – Going to Grotto

6:45AM – Arrived at Grotto (opens at 8am)

8:00AM – Start walking to the top

8:45AM – To Feeder Port

9:05AM –  Boat ride going to the White Beach

9:20AM – Start hiking to Mountain View Point

10:25AM – Going to Dingalan lighthouse

11:15PM –  Descent back to the White Beach

11:50PM – Boat ride to Suah Rock Formation

12:50PM – Going back to Feeder Port

1:10PM – Going to Tanawan

1:40PM – Arrive at Dingalan Adventure Park

2:35PM – Dingalan signage

2:50PM – Late Lunch

3:45PM – Back at our transient

Day 3

7:30AM – Wake up call

7:45AM – Stroll through the streets of Dingalan to buy breakfast.

9:30AM – Start packing up

11:45AM – Check out

12:10PM – Dingalan Bus station

12:45PM – On our way to Cabanatuan City
2:15PM – Arrival at Cabanatuan City Central Transport Terminal, ride a bus bound to Pasay
7:30 PM – Arrival at Five Star Bu Station, Pasay

Reminders and Tips:

• If you want to do a Dingalan day tour, leave your house early in the morning to catch the first boat trip to White Beach around 6 or 7 am. Take note that a tour guide is required to go to any desired Dingalan destination.
• Make sure that you wear strong and comfortable hiking sandals when exploring Mountain View Deck and Suah Rock Formation.
• Depending on the wave conditions, the boat ride to Lamao Caves may be optional, so you can decide based on the waves on the day of your visit.
• It’s best to go on weekdays instead of weekends to avoid crowds and long waiting times. Consider joining an organized tour to Dingalan to reduce your expenses.
• The trail to the view deck and lighthouse can be quite slippery, especially during the wet season. Visiting Dingalan in the summer is highly recommended for convenience and safety.
• There are mini-stores near Laktas, Abungan, and Tanawan Falls where you can buy food and souvenir items.
• There is a street in Dingalan that offers cheap and home-cooked meals. Don’t miss their special halo-halo drinks if you visit during the dry season.
• Always adhere to the Leave No Trace principle. Carry out all your trash and dispose of it properly.

Take Away

Sometimes, all we need is a quick breather in life. On that note, I hope this travel guide and reference will be a great help when you decide to visit Dingalan. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I Hope to see you on my next adventure. #Amping!