NOTE: This journey information was initially written in December 2016 and up to date in September 2023.
Whenever you consider vacationer locations within the Philippines, Abra shouldn’t be 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 aura surrounding the place.
Those that have traveled right here know that the province is dwelling to many lovely pure points of interest. In recent times, Kaparkan Falls has boosted the province’s reputation, 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 info on learn how to get there offered by George Anthony Lalin of #Abramazing Excursions
By non-public automobile
- For these travelling in non-public automobiles, Bangued is 408 kilometers from Rizal Park or Kilometer Zero.
- It’s a 7-8 hour drive through NLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX and the Manila North Street.
- Flip proper on the Manila North Street and Abra-Ilocos Sur junction 4 kilometers after Narvacan city correct in Ilocos Sur, to go in the direction of Tangadan Welcome Tunnel, the gateway to Abra.
- Different entry/exit factors are the Abra-Kalinga Street within the east which traverses from the city of Malibcong, Abra to Balbalan, Kalinga and, Abra-Ilocos Norte Street within the west which passes by means of the cities of Danglas, Abra and Nueva Period, Ilocos Norte. Public transportation on these highways aren’t but obtainable.
By public transportation
- From Metro Manila, there are a number of bus firms plying the Manila/Cubao/Pasay-Bangued route, together with Partas Bus Firm, Viron Transit and Dominion Bus Traces.
- 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.
Numerous 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 dust bikes or 4 x 4 automobiles or army vehicles due to the terrain. For those who’re simply going to stay to the capital Bangued and close by cities, you possibly can rent a tricycle or habal-habal motorbike 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 one of the crucial in style locations within the province. Also referred to as Mulawin Falls, this beautiful terraced waterfall within the interiors of Tineg solely reveals its magnificence through the wet season.
Throughout my first go to in late November 2016, the street going there was nonetheless below development and we had been informed 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 good friend Ferdz of Ironwulf through the tail finish of the waterfall season. Kaparkan is likely one of 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 completely admire this waterfall, you’ll wish to schedule your go to through the wet months, from August to September. In line with locals, there’s not a lot to see through the dry season from November to Could. 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 by means of tough roads.
Examine 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, mountain 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 phenomenal 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 price to go to the Piwek Rock Formations. Nonetheless, the world shouldn’t be accessible to common automobiles. Getting right here requires renting a 4×4 jeepney (30 pax max): P4,000. Information price (Piwek): P200/5pax. Allot a complete day to your go to.
Apao Rolling Hills
On our manner 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 may 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 by means of 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 plenty of dry waterfalls on the best way right here. I can think about the entire place would look much more spectacular through 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 stated to be one of many Philippine’s longest bridges, because it stretches virtually a kilometer.
From the bridge, you may get an ideal view of the rugged countryside. You can even 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 might be fairly harmful through the wet season.
Don Mariano Marcos Bridge
The Don Mariano Marcos Bridge is one other metal bridge positioned alongside the Abra-Kalinga Nationwide Street between the boundaries of Tayum, Langangilang and Dolores in Abra. It’s stated 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 fits by means of the mountain alongside the Abra-Ilocos Sur Nationwide Street.
Gabriela Silang Shrine
Proper subsequent to the Tangadan Tunnel is a small park with a statue of Gabriela Silang using 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 Lodge & Restaurant in Tayum close to Bangued, which provides fundamental rooms in addition to 24/7 Videoke rooms. The resort is positioned alongside the freeway and offers safe parking for automobiles. Rooms include air-con, small desk and fundamental however non-public restrooms. For inquiries, contact Ms. Miriam Tanedo-Carino at 0906-1467078.
Different bloggers suggest Abra Valley Grand Lodge 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 automobiles can mix day journeys there with in a single day stays in Vigan, for extra lodging and night time life choices.
Abrenian delicacies is just like plenty of the dishes within the North, together with some related to the Ilocos area. One of the distinctive dishes to the province is Abra Miki, a Filipino noodle soup dish fabricated from 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 shade from annato seeds (atsuete). It’s just like the Ilocos Miki, however the soup shouldn’t be as thick as that of Ilocos variant.
Warek-Warek is the native model of dinakdakan, an Ilocano dish produced from pork’s liver, tail, tongue, ears and jaws that’s seasoned with mayonnaise or pig’s mind.
On the best way dwelling, we stopped to purchase packs of Abra Longanisa or native sausages. The Abrenian variant could 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 bunch to save lots of 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 staff 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, electronic 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 provided an all-in van tour to Kaparkan + Vigan facet journey departing from Manila. You possibly can comply with his web page on Fb to test upcoming skeds.
These are simply the highlights of my journeys to Abra, specializing in the unspoiled pure points of interest. 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 points of interest within the province, please get in contact straight with AbrAmazing Excursions on Fb or electronic mail them at abramazingtours@gmail.com.
For a complete information of different points of interest in Abra, try this useful put up by Vigan-based journey blogger Edmar Guquib, who has lined Abra extensively: ABRA: 65 Sights and Should-See Locations
