NOTE: This journey information was initially written in December 2016 and up to date in September 2023.
Once you consider vacationer locations within the Philippines, Abra just isn’t usually on the high of most traveler’s bucket lists. In actual fact, it stays one of many least visited provinces within the nation. For outsiders, there’s nonetheless an air of secrecy surrounding the place.
Those that have traveled right here know that the province is residence to many stunning pure sights. Lately, Kaparkan Falls has boosted the province’s recognition, and drawn in new vacationers. Past the beautiful waterfalls, there’s rather a lot but to find on this underrated province within the North.
Abra is a landlocked province within the Cordillera Administrative Area within the Philippines. The province is bordered by Ilocos Norte on the northwest, Apayao on the northeast, Kalinga on the mid-east, Mountain Province on the southeast, and Ilocos Sur on the southwest.
Detailed data on methods to get there supplied by George Anthony Lalin of #Abramazing Excursions
By non-public automobile
- For these travelling in non-public autos, Bangued is 408 kilometers from Rizal Park or Kilometer Zero.
- It’s a 7-8 hour drive by way of NLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX and the Manila North Highway.
- Flip proper on the Manila North Highway and Abra-Ilocos Sur junction 4 kilometers after Narvacan city correct in Ilocos Sur, to move in the direction of Tangadan Welcome Tunnel, the gateway to Abra.
- Different entry/exit factors are the Abra-Kalinga Highway within the east which traverses from the city of Malibcong, Abra to Balbalan, Kalinga and, Abra-Ilocos Norte Highway within the west which passes via the cities of Danglas, Abra and Nueva Period, Ilocos Norte. Public transportation on these highways aren’t but accessible.
By public transportation
- From Metro Manila, there are a number of bus corporations plying the Manila/Cubao/Pasay-Bangued route, together with Partas Bus Firm, Viron Transit and Dominion Bus Strains.
- A typical bus journey from the nation’s capital, Manila, lasts about 9 to 10 hours.
- Fare is about P880 to 900. All bus terminals are positioned within the capital city of Bangued.
Tricycles are the primary mode of transportation inside Bangued and adjoining localities. The minimal fare is P10.00. Going to different municipalities would require a jeepney trip. Terminals of all passenger jeepneys are likewise stationed in Bangued. Upland travels have just one journey per day, whereas the lowland journeys go by the hour.
Loads of the extra fascinating sights in Abra require lengthy land journey to get to, so it’s finest to have your individual automobile. Some areas in Tineg can solely be navigated by filth bikes or 4 x 4 autos or army vehicles due to the terrain. In case you’re simply going to stay to the capital Bangued and close by cities, you’ll be able to rent a tricycle or habal-habal bike taxi to take you round.
Some locations are positioned far-flung areas with out business lodging and common public transportation. It’s finest to coordinate with the tourism workplace of Abra on the Provincial Capitol in Bangued earlier than your go to.
Kaparkan Falls
Kaparkan Falls is presently some of the standard locations within the province. Also referred to as Mulawin Falls, this beautiful terraced waterfall within the interiors of Tineg solely reveals its magnificence in the course of the wet season.
Throughout my first go to in late November 2016, the street going there was nonetheless below building and we have been instructed that the park wouldn’t reopen till August 2017.
After the pandemic closures and schedule conflicts, I used to be lastly capable of revisit Abra and hike to Kaparkan Falls on September 2023 with journey blogger pal Ferdz of Ironwulf in the course of the tail finish of the waterfall season. Kaparkan is among the most original and uncooked pure waterfalls I’ve been to within the nation, with its beautiful tiered swimming pools and terrace-like formations.
To totally admire this waterfall, you’ll wish to schedule your go to in the course of the wet months, from August to September. Based on locals, there’s not a lot to see in the course of the dry season from November to Might. From the jump-off level, it’s doable to get right here by a 2-3 hour hike or 1-hour lengthy monster truck trip via tough roads.
Test schedules and journeys of monster vehicles at AbrAmazing Excursions.
Piwek Rock Formations
Piwek Rock Formations is a scenic pure rock formation in a river in Tineg. Getting right here and again concerned a tough jeepney trip, river crossing, climbing and scrambling down the rock surfaces.
The entire place resembles Tinipak River in Daraitan, Minalungao in Nueva Ecija, and Siitan River in Quirino. It’s a stupendous pure spot. Visiting this was the spotlight of my first journey to Abra in 2016.
On the time of our go to, there was no entrance/environmental payment to go to the Piwek Rock Formations. Nonetheless, the world just isn’t accessible to common autos. Getting right here requires renting a 4×4 jeepney (30 pax max): P4,000. Information payment (Piwek): P200/5pax. Allot an entire day in your go to.
Apao Rolling Hills
On our method again from Piwek Rock Formations in Tineg, we stopped alongside the tough street within the mountainous space of Apao to see this view. The lookout level alongside the street provides a dramatic panorama of rolling hills. Due to the excessive elevation, it could get actually chilly and foggy right here.
Pagting Falls
Instead to Kaparkan Falls, we visited Pagting Falls in Bangued, Abra. Getting right here required a nice hike via rural communities following a riverbed earlier than we reached the primary two-tiered waterfall with a deep basin the place we took a dip.
We handed quite a lot of dry waterfalls on the way in which right here. I can think about the entire place would look much more spectacular in the course of the wet season.
The enjoyable half is scrambling on the facet of the falls to get to the higher tier.
Calaba Bridge
Calaba Bridge is a 900-meter lengthy modular bridge spanning the Abra River. It’s mentioned to be one of many Philippine’s longest bridges, because it stretches virtually a kilometer.
From the bridge, you will get an amazing view of the rugged countryside. You can too see the Sleeping Magnificence mountain from right here.
Earlier than the bridge was constructed, locals had to make use of a ferry to cross the river, which may very well be fairly harmful in the course of the wet season.
Don Mariano Marcos Bridge
The Don Mariano Marcos Bridge is one other metal bridge positioned alongside the Abra-Kalinga Nationwide Highway between the boundaries of Tayum, Langangilang and Dolores in Abra. It’s mentioned to be the third longest bridge within the nation.
Tangadan Tunnel
Probably the most accessible and photographed landmark in Abra is the Tangadan Tunnel, which serves a welcome arch to the province. There’s a seal of the province above the 40-meter lengthy tunnel, which works via the mountain alongside the Abra-Ilocos Sur Nationwide Highway.
Gabriela Silang Shrine
Proper subsequent to the Tangadan Tunnel is a small park with a statue of Gabriela Silang driving a horse. Gabriela Silang is a heroine of the Philippine revolution in opposition to Spain, who occurs to be a local of Abra.
Throughout our go to in 2016, we stayed in Abrassi Resort & Restaurant in Tayum close to Bangued, which provides primary rooms in addition to 24/7 Videoke rooms. The lodge is positioned alongside the freeway and offers safe parking for autos. Rooms include air-con, small desk and primary however non-public restrooms. For inquiries, contact Ms. Miriam Tanedo-Carino at 0906-1467078.
Different bloggers suggest Abra Valley Grand Resort in Bangued.
Different locations to remain in Abra:
- ORIGINES HOTEL & RESTAURANT – Calaba, Bangued
- ADTEMPCO HOTEL – Zone V, Bangued
- OVAL ERA HOTEL – Zone V, Bangued
- ABRA VALLEY GRAND HOTEL – Calaba, Bangued
- HOLLANDIA HOMESTAY – Calaba, Bangued
- TERRENCE HILL RESORT – Poblacion, Bucay
Due to Abra’s proximity to Vigan in Ilocos Sur, these with non-public autos can mix day journeys there with in a single day stays in Vigan, for extra lodging and evening life choices.
Abrenian delicacies is just like quite a lot of the dishes within the North, together with some related to the Ilocos area. One of the vital distinctive dishes to the province is Abra Miki, a Filipino noodle soup dish product of miki noodles cooked in a pork broth. It’s usually served with a tough boiled egg, shredded pork and bits of chicharon. The soup will get its orange coloration from annato seeds (atsuete). It’s just like the Ilocos Miki, however the soup just isn’t as thick as that of Ilocos variant.
Warek-Warek is the native model of dinakdakan, an Ilocano dish constructed from pork’s liver, tail, tongue, ears and jaws that’s seasoned with mayonnaise or pig’s mind.
On the way in which residence, we stopped to purchase packs of Abra Longanisa or native sausages. The Abrenian variant may be very garlicky and savory.
Different specialties of the province embrace Pinakbet with Chicharon toppings, Abra Chicharon (Dried bagnet), Abra Lechon filled with karimbuaya (soro-soro leaves), Dinaldalem (Abra Igado), Dinardaraan, Lomo-lomo, Abra Sinanglao, Imbaliktad (Beef Kilawen) and Dinengdeng/Inabraw.
Different eating places in Abra:
- Rooftop Grill & Chill – Zone V, Bangued
- Kubo Ni Zek – Poblacion, Bucay
- Doming’s Pansitan – Patucannay, Bangued
- Mikimoto Pansitan – Zone III, Bangued
- Putar Pansitan – Zone I, Bangued
- MK4 Pansitan – Zone III, Bangued
- Tina’s Refreshment – Zone I, Bangued
- Mc Donald’s – Bangued City Plaza
- Jollibee – Bangued City Plaza
- Chowking – Bangued City Plaza
- Mang Inasal – Bangued City Plaza
- Struts Artwork Café – Zone II, Bangued
- Noah J’s Pizzeria – Zone VI, Bangued
- Mayana’s Restaurant – Patiao, Penarrubia
- Greenfields Restaurant – San Ramon, Manabo
- Calaba Fiesta Restaurant – Calaba, Bangued
Due to the transportation difficulties reaching distant locations, it’s finest to hitch a gaggle to avoid wasting on prices.
In 2016, I joined as a solo traveler in an open journey organized by PH First, an accredited journey company managed by husband and spouse crew Ralph and Karla Yadao. Apparently, the couple met when Karla joined an open journey organized by Ralph. They’re now married and co-managing the tour firm. 🙂 For inquiries, e mail: contact@phfirsttravel.com.ph or go to their Fb web page: PH First.
For the hike to Kaparkan Falls in 2023, I joined together with a bundle tour organized by SerVentures, who supplied an all-in van tour to Kaparkan + Vigan facet journey departing from Manila. You may observe his web page on Fb to examine upcoming skeds.
These are simply the highlights of my journeys to Abra, specializing in the unspoiled pure sights. I do know there are many different extra accessible vacationer spots in Bangued together with church buildings, museums and eco-parks.
For cultural websites and different new sights within the province, please get in contact instantly with AbrAmazing Excursions on Fb or e mail them at abramazingtours@gmail.com.
For a complete information of different sights in Abra, try this useful submit by Vigan-based journey blogger Edmar Guquib, who has coated Abra extensively: ABRA: 65 Points of interest and Should-See Locations
