The One Month Weekend Travel Plan Challenge (Part 1)

The One Month Weekend Travel Plan Challenge (Part 1)

One trip for every weekend of the month!
by Gene Loves Acosta | May 02, 2016

Here’s the deal—take each weekend off this month and get your butt to these beautiful nearby places for a dose of serious adventure.

WEEK 1 – Minalungao National Park

General Tinio, Nueva Ecija | Travel time is around 1.5 – 2 hours

Take a break from the city life to see the breath-taking scenery in Minalungao! Here you’ll be captivated with staggering limestone formations and the pristine emerald waters of Peñaranda River. You can also rent a bamboo raft and swim at the shallow part, or take the 1,000 steps going to the top of the Minalungao Cross to see the spectacular view of the Sierra Madre mountain range. If you want an adrenaline fix, there are safe spots where you can do cliff diving and there’s a cave located at the foot of the Minalungao hill where you can go spelunking.

Getting There (by public transportation)

Take the Cabanatuan bound bus and hop off Gapan City, Nueva Ecija
From Gapan, you can either ride a jeep bound to General Tinio and then take a tricycle going to the park, or just rent a tricycle to take you straight from Gapan to the Minalungao National Park.

A photo posted by Brian Angelo (@briantanangelo) on Apr 24, 2016 at 6:51am PDT

A photo posted by ian roger poral (@ianskyianized) on Mar 27, 2016 at 10:08pm PDT

WEEK 2 – Pinto Art Museum

Grand Heights, Antipolo | Travel time is around 1 hour

A gateway for modern art, Pinto Art Museum is definitely a visual treat. Everything here is so picturesque, making it the perfect place to visit if you want to satisfy the inner shutterbug in you. While you’re around the area, you can either have lunch at Pinto Art Museum overlooking the artful scenery, or you can check out 8 restaurants that will make your road trip absolutely worth it.

Getting There (by public transportation)

From Araneta Center, take the FX with a signboard going to Antipolo.
Hop off at the Ynares Center and ride a tricycle going to Grand Heights (the subdivision where Pinto Art Museum is located).

A photo posted by Diosie Marie Abellar (@dyowsey) on Apr 23, 2016 at 9:20pm PDT

A photo posted by Mojito Monologues (@mojitomonologues) on Apr 30, 2016 at 11:43am PDT

WEEK 3 – Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex

Brgy. Paowin, Cavinti, Laguna | Travel time is around 3 hours

When we talk about underground rivers, the first location that pops up in mind is the one in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. But do you know that Laguna also have an underground river in one of their eco-tourism sites, Cavinti? It also has cave chambers that are friendly to explore even for beginners. The caves even have a lot of bell-like formations similar to the ones in Sagada.

Getting There (by public transportation)

Take the bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna and take a jeepney going to Cavinti.
Proceed to Bumbungan Eco Park so you can book your tour. It’s also the take-off point to the cave.

A photo posted by JDB (@southernmidlifebyj) on Jun 12, 2015 at 4:44am PDT

A photo posted by JDB (@southernmidlifebyj) on Jun 10, 2015 at 4:46am PDT

WEEK 4 – Masungi Georeserve

Tanay, Rizal | Travel time is around 1.5 hours

Conquer your fear of heights and get a remarkable view of Laguna de Bay from a web-style viewing platform in Masungi. There’s also a cactus garden, an air house, a valley-like area with a reflection pond, and two limestone peaks. Book the tour here for a PHP1000/person (Feb-March 2016) and PHP1400/person (April onwards) for a group of 7-10 persons.

Getting There (by private transport)

Course through Marcos Highway.
You will pass through Masinag, Cogeo, Boso-boso Resort, Foremost Farms, and Palo Alto. Garden Cottages, the entrance to Masungi, will be on your right.