What makes Dingalan, Aurora a must visit place in the Philippines?

The province of Aurora is popularly known for its surfing spots particularly in the town of Baler. Yet, another emerging hotspot in the province is slowly creating a big name in the field of tourist destinations. From the unblemished beaches, amazing rock formations, stunning mountain views , freezing waterfalls, unique caves and watersalt pools and a little glimpse of mini-Netherland farm type would really made your visit so defined. This place is indeed offers a total package of all aspect of outdoor adventures. This is the pristine town of Dingalan, Aurora

This is the most photographed place in Dingalan, dubbed as Batanes of the East

Where it is Located?
Dingalan is one of the municipality of Aurora located in the Southern most part of the province, moreover situated at the east coast of Cental Luzon fronting the Philippine Sea and Sierra Madre mountain range to the east.

Dingalan is just 4-5 hours drive from Manila. You gotta chance to unwine and make your quick escape from the busy city so worth the travel and experience.

In order for me to elaborate more about this place, I will be sharing to @steemit my daytrip in Dingalan, Aurora that was indeed made my trip so indelible.

To simplify my rundowns here are the
Dingalan Top Tourist Destinations that would really made your trip so Unforgettable:

I ❤️Dingalan Marker and Mini-Farm
The said marker will welcomes you upon arrival to the town of Dingalan. This may not be as special as other markers but to the locals and travelers it gives them a full satisfaction the moment they take photos in here being a primary proof that indeed they have visited and conquered such place.

The marker is just simple as that but it seems so many people taking pics in here. Me? Ijust waited my turn. After an hour of waiting. Finally got some😅 patience lang po.

In front of the area where the marker situated is a very serene farm that has an amazing landscape that would really made you think that you are in a foreign land.

This is the mini-farm infront of the Dingalan Marker. The area was so clean, green and quite.

Shades, comfortrooms are also available inside the farm.

Cows are the common animals in farm.

After a short drive from the marker we arrived in the town proper of Dingalan, we took some rest and have some breakfast in the carenderias located along the Plaza area. After which, we proceeded to the Feeder Port for our next destination and is going to the white beach being the jump-off of our adventures.

At the Feeder Port, the guests needs to sign in for registration and pay an Environmental Fee of P50.00. The queue going to the beach was indeed so defined. Waiting for the motorboats that will be using as a means of transpo going to the beach. So be better to catch the early trip especially during weekend to avoid hassle trip.

At the Feeder Port of Dingalan, photo taken with the group I've joined.

He was our tour guide Kuya M-jay , we're having a brief orientation before riding into the boat.

This is the mode of tranpo going to the beach and nearby places in Dingalan.

This was the boat we used going to the beach. Boat capacity is for 15 heads only.
Wearing lifevest is a must whenever riding in any boat.

For those in a skimpy budget, another alternative way to reach the beach is to go on trekking that would take lessthan an hour. (pls. see more details below on how to get there?)

We took picture while in the boat. With my new friends. The Team Doubletime.

Going there through motorboat only takes 10-15 minutes. So there we are.

The White Sand Beach It is known to be a white beach because of the white sand. However, as you can see it, it is already a color beige due to recent typhoons and erosions happened in that area. Still, the water is cold and clear. You could still enjoy beaching because of the stunning views of mountain landscapes that sorrounds the area.

So this is the white beach. Many people still go on swimming because of the clear water.

As we reached the beach we immediately go on trekking before swimming, for we were avoiding the scorching sun when we go late on trekking. So the beach is the jump-off going to the Mountain view. After ascending for 30 minutes, through a rope trail. We have finally reach the hilltop and it is called: 👇🏽

Its a lil'bit slippery that time. Be better to wear hiking shoes or sandals with good spike.

Among the photo taken during our ascend to the mountain view.

The advantage of the trail going to the top is that it is being supported by a rope along the path.

Good to see someone was selling an ice candy and ice cream along the way to the top😂

Mountain View: Batanes of the East
The mountain view features the famous Batanes of the East which considers the highlight of all Dingalan destinations. You can see the fascinating cliff of the amazing mountain landscapes that is similar to that of Batanes, the roaring sound of the winds and waves from the ocean and lushy hills of Dingalan.

This is the beautiful mountain landscapes of Dingalan which is being dubbed and consired that of Batanes.

In the top, you could also see a viewdeck that would give you a full credit of a rugged and rustic view of the famous Batanes of the East. But what made it so unique is that its actually different from that of Batanes. Dingalan is still known to be of its own.

This was going to the viewdeck. So crowdy, lots of people were waiting just to go to the viewdeck and see the stunning view up there.

After a half an hour of waiting, despite the heat from the scorching sun. I've finally at the viewdeck😍

Another stunning view from the left side of the viewdeck. It was indeed worth to go there.

After taking pictures with my group, we took an abrupt rest and immediately descend the hilltop. After a half an hour of trekking we went back into the beach. And took another route going to the Lighthouse.

Photo taken during our descend from the hill top. With my groupmates.

Dingalan Lighthouse It is used as one of the travel destinations in Dingalan that will lead you another a half an hour of trekking. Lighthouse, as all we know give guides and directions to the fishermen of Dingalan especially during fullmoon while they used on catching fish, etc.

The overview of Dingalan's lighthouse.

Some of my photos at Dingalan Lighthouse view. I was not able to take a little closer that of Dingalan Lighthouse since I was too tired that time.

We just made few minutes of stay at the lighthouse, then back to the beach and went to the Rock Formations.

Rock Formations through a motorboat we reached and witnessed the beautiful Rock formations of Dingalan. It took us to rove morethan an hour via motor boat just to see the amazing rock formations from the uniqe mountain landscapes of the Batanes of the East.

On our way to the rock formations, was a glimpse of the stunning rocky mountains landscapes.

Among the rock formations with the lushy grass at the top of the rocky mountains.

Some of my groupmates tried to go climbing the rocks. It was indeed worth the view.

Lamao Cave we also visited caves. Dingalan has a lot of caves, but the most familiar is that of Lamao Cave. It was just too scary that time, since our attempt to go to the cave was indeed in a dying out situation because of the big waves that bumped into our boat. And by chance, due to bad weather and for our safety, we didn't reach the cave. We just took photo as near as our boat can to the opening of the cave.

As we passed by going to the cave, we saw lots of mini-caves on th side of rock formations.

These are among the cave openings we have passed by as we rove around the beach and rockformations.

Natural Saltwater Pool*
Another view, that made me so wow is that the known watersalt deathpool. T'was indeed so enchanting as if it is so deep and dangerous to jump because of the strong current of the waves. All we can see was the blue sea and the rocks that sorround it.

So this is the amazing pool at the back of these rocks. It is called deathpool because of scary water color that seems so deep. Not everyone is advisable to go on swimming in that area. Please be safe😉

After an hour of roving the place we went back to the beach to have some rest and take our lunch which was indeed very exciting since it was a boddle fight type of eating. Very good timing, since everyone were really hungry..

They are the lovely couple of Dingalan who helps maintain and takes care the Beach.

They are our kitchen personnel. Haha. Our organizer and tourguide preparing our lunch.

So the food was ready to eat. Ready for a boodle fight.

Since everyone were hungry, it was indeed a beautiful fight. Hahaa

Since we have still time roving around the beach and rest site, we gotta chance to go to the shore abruptly. So this was the scenario.

After an hour of break, others went swimming, got a chance to be acquainted by other members of the group tour sharing each others travel experiences, then we went back to the Feeder Port and went to our last destination. For washing up and have some fresh ambiance far from the sun, sand, and sea we used to go to Dingalan's amazing Falls.

Tanawan Falls* this falls is not grand as any other famous falls but it gives you the coldest water ever. As if you have been freezing for a longer period of time. Alot of people visit this place after go on trekking, caving, etc. for a good site of relaxing the body because of the cool cold water from the falls.

Going there from the jump-off takes 15 minutes wrecking ride in a habal-habal because of a rocky road. But if you go on trekking it is just a walking distance from the jump-off.

My cam was very empty bat that time, so I was not able to take many more photos.

Along the way to the falls is there pasalubong stations in which you can see many stores selling various types of souvenir and native delecacies and homemade especialty sweets and coockies for pasalubong. T-shirts, keychains, etc. are also available.

The houses in the jump-off also offers Banlaw or washing-up. You can change clothes in there. For only P25.00 an unli shower is very affordable.

That escaped was indeed so unforgettable for I visited another place again and got a chance to interact with the residents/locals of the village. It was indeed a very tiring day, but it was all worth it because of the amazing experience and adventure that imparted to me through traveling.

For Rundowns, Way to get there, Payables, helpful tips and Itineraries are available below:

How to get there?

📌From Manila you may ride a bus bound to Cabanatuan City. Five Star buses and Genesis Transport offers daily trips. Travel time takes 3-4 hours. Fare is P185.00.

📌From Cabanatuan City take a bus or van going to Dingalan. Travel time takes 1:30- 2 hours to reach the town proper of Dingalan. Fare is P80.00.

NOTE: Buses going back to Cabanatuan is only up until 2:30 pm and vans last trip is until 3:00pm.

📌From Dingalan town proper to the Destination places around the town.

▪️OPTION-1: From Dingalan Proper, you may hire a tricycle for an all-in ride around the town. This include going to Dingalan Marker, infront of it is a mini-farm, going to feeder port or tanawan falls. Fee is around P300.00 depending on the transaction you ganno deal with the driver.

NOTE: This only depends on how you lay down your IT, but I suggest to go first to white beach and have an early trek to Batanes of the East and lighthouse.

▪️OPTION-2: From the town proper ride a tricycle going to Dingalan Feeder Port. Travel time takes 10-15 minutes. Fare is P20.00. (This would be the best Option😜 based on my experienced)

Upon arrival to the Feeder Port, Register at Tourism Office. Fee is P50.00.

📌From the Port you may have 2 Options to reach the white beach as a jump-off going to Batanes of the East and Lighthouse.

▪️OPTION-1: If you are in a skimpy budget, You can take a trek going to the white beach for around 30-45 minutes depending on your speed capacity to walk.

▪️OPTION-2: For a less hassle trip, and if you guys have plans in exploring the rockaformations, death pool and caves, you may take a boat going to the white beach. Fare is around P800.00- 1,000.00 depending on the number of joiners or travelers who are going there. The more, the lesser cost. So better to go there with your barkadas.

Payables upon arrival in the white beach:

*Entrance Fee - P50.00
*Cottages rate - P200-500.00
*Tourguide going to Lighthouse and Batanes of the East - P200.00

NOTE: hiring a guide is a must to access the lighthouse.

▪️Going to Rockformations, Death pool, caves depends on the weather condition and waves.

📌Going back to the Feeder Port, Ride a tricycle going to Tanawan Falls. Travel time takes 20-30 minutes.

📌From the Jump-off of Tanawan Falls you may trek going to the falls for 15-20 minutes, or ride a habal-habal worth P50.00.

*Entrance Fee - P20.00
*Parking Fee - P10.00
*You may take banlaw at the jump-off of the Falls. For P30.00 you have unli water, plus freebies a slice of bathing soap and shampoo.

▪️Pasalubong Center/Souvenir Station is available along the road going to the falls or at the town proper near plaza.

THINGS TO BRING:*
-Foods
-Water
-Extra Clothes
-Camera/cam. waterproof protector
-Extra Money

As far as the signal/ internet connection is concern, the place has a good signal/ coonection, but there are just portion of the place where connection is a lil'bit poor.

This is my SUGGESTED ITINERARY:

Day-0
11: 30 PM - ETD to Cabanatuan

Day-1
3:00 AM - ETA Cabanatuan Terminal
4:00 AM - ETD to Dingalan Town Proper (First trip is 4:00am)
6:00 AM - ETA Dingalan/ ETD to Feeder Port
6:30 AM - ETA Feeder Port/ Register/ ETD to Rock Formations/ Caves/ Death Pool/ Exploring the island..
8:00 AM - ETA whitebeach/ start trekking to Dingalan's Lighthouse
8:20 AM - ETA Lighthouse/ photo ops/ rest
9:00 AM - Descend back to Whitebeach
9:20 AM - Start trekking to Batanes of the East/Mountain View
10:00 AM - ETA Batanes of the East view deck/ Mountain view/ Photo Ops/ Rest
10: 30 AM - Descend back to white beach
11:10 AM - ETA white beach
11:30 AM - Lunch/ swimming
12:30 PM- ETD white beach
12: 40 PM - ETA Feeder Port
1:00 PM - ETD to Tanawan Falls
1: 20 PM- ETA jump-off Tanawan Falls/ start trekking to Falls
1:30 PM - ETA Tanawan Falls/Photo ops/ Rest
3:00 PM - ETD to Cabanatuan Terminal
5:00 PM - ETA Cabanatuan
5:30 PM- ETD to Manila
9:00 PM - ETA Manila

For tourguide:
MJ Gorrez- 09758206468

If guys are looking for an all-in adventure. Just feel free to visit Dingalan, Aurora.

Enjoy Wandering🤗