Quirino Province Travel Destinations and Itinerary
All about Quirino Province
Named after the sixth President of the Philippines, Quirino is a land-locked province in the Cagayan Valley Region in Luzon. The province borders Aurora to the Southeast, Nueva Vizcaya to the West and Isabela to the North. In the past, Quirino (pronounced as "KIRINO") used to be part of Nueva Vizcaya until it was separated in 1966. Quirino is one of the country's youngest in terms of foundation.
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| Quirino Sign infront of Quirino Province Museum & Library Spot the Difference |
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| Quirino Provincial Capitol Model : VinVoyage Photo By ExKarlsions |
First thoughts
If people ask me where's Quirino, I wouldn't even know it was a province in Luzon (sorry my Hekasi/Araling Panlipunan teachers for forgetting the Philippine Geography). I would associate it readily to the President, to Quirino Grandstand or Quirino Hill (Baguio City).
This quiet province of 180,000+/- people boast a great deal of travel destination for the thrill seekers after my experience there. Rolling hills that may rival those in Batanes, waterfalls, caves for spelunking, trekking areas are still unexplored, lakes and rivers for canoeing and water rafting. These natural wonder need to be conserved and promoted (yes, in that order) for the onslaught of fellow adrenaline junkies. It is one of the most underrated places in the country for tourism, but has so much to offer once discovered. This province of 6 Municipalities can be a haven for non stop adventure and nature tripping experience.
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| Quirino's Landscape Photo By: GetShotByMe / Hulagway_ |
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| Siitan River, Rock Formation |
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| Baguio Village, Diffun, Quirino |
Going there
I think one of the reasons why it is underrated is the how to get there portion and how accessible the province is from Metro Manila. There’s no easy way to access Quirino Province from Metro Manila. We went there via a Private vehicle (ehem a.k.a kiri/hilti haha). It took us almost 10 hrs. from Makati to Cabarroguis, Qurino's provincial capital. Travel time 12:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Take note, numerous road constructions and repair projects were under way at this time (September 2015) so, it could be less than 10 hrs.
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| Chasing the Sunset! Pan-Philippine Highway |
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| Macro on a Highway |
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| It wouln't harm you to stop and enjoy the view outside! Sunrise Carrangalan, Nueva Ecija |
Other alternatives:
1. Take a late overnight bus from Metro Manila and arrive at the town of Maddela.
2. Take a one-hour flight from Cebu Pacific Air to Cauayan Airport in the neighboring town of Isabela. From there, ride a one and a half hour van ride to Cabarroguis (Province Capitol)
3. One can also ride a one-hour flight to Tugeugarao City via Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines, then board a three-hour van ride to Quirino.
VIA METRO MANILA
There are bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City and Sampaloc, Manila that goes directly to Quirino Province. Most have a daily schedule to the province and usually rides out at night, arriving the next morning. Ticket fares are usually at around Php 500.00, give or take, for a one-way trip. Please call the numbers provided for their respective bus schedules.
- Five Star – Cubao | (02) 851-6614 | Twice Daily | Fare Php500.00+/-
- GV Florida – Manila | (02) 743-3809 & (02) 781-5894 | Fare Php500.00+/-
- Nelbusco – Manila | (02) 712 5902 & (02) 743-1332 | Fare Php500.00+/-
- Northern Luzon Bus Line – Manila | Fare Php500.00+/-
Cebu Pacific Air - (02) 7020-888
Flies four times weekly to Cauayan, Isabela (plus 1.5 hours van to Cabarroguis, Quirino)
Flies daily to Tuguegarao (plus 3 hours van ride to Cabarroguis, Quirino)
Philippine Airlines - (02) 855 8888
Flies daily to Tuguegarao (plus 3 hours van ride to Cabarroguis, Quirino)
Going Around and Getting the "Much needed Thrill"
There are currently no packaged tours available for Quirino Province. What we did was contact the local tourism office, Kuya Orly (093591410075) and allow them to make the best itinerary for the activities we want. Our guide and our all around guy was Manong Tony Misagal. Tour guide Fee is 500 per day.Tony Misagal
Contact Number: 099 258 0860
Facebook Account: www.facebook.com/tony.misagal
Manong Tony assisted us with all the nitty gritty details in staying in Quirino and gave us the best possible experience there.
We stayed for the night in Community Forestry Foundation of Quirino (CFFQ) near the Provincial Capitol of Cabarroguis. 1000 per room good for 4 - 6 people with bathroom.
CFFQ Contact : 093 515 18732
Ask for ate Gemma
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| Community Forestry Foundation of Quirino |
Here are the places we've seen, we've explored, and we've experienced!
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| Welcome to Quirino! We painted the Sign into this.. (look below) |
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| Painted it Orange, because we can! (just kidding) |
The festival is an amazing display of the heritage and culture of its people and the ethnic groups within after Quirino has been separated from Nueva Vizcaya in 1966.
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| Pinagdadapun Festival 2015 |
Even though simple in many aspects, the festival is characterized by civic events, business fairs, a street dance competition which is in the capital, Cabarrroguis, tree-planting events at its mountain ranges especially within the Sierra Madre, and sports and entertainment events inclusive of song and dance contests. We came a week before the main celebration which is every 10th of September. Despite that, we already felt the festival as events and stalls are being put up in preparation for a Grand celebration on the coming week.
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| Quirino Provincial Capitol - Cabarroguis |
Provincial Capitol
Location: San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
I've regretted not seeing this Capitol Building in person. "It is the best among all those I've been to" said by exkarlsion.
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| Quirino's Capitol Ceiling Photo By: Hoovs07 |
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| Quirino Provincial Capitol Model : VinVoyage Photo By ExKarlsions |
Siitan River Cruise
Bimmapor Rock Formation
Location: Siitan River Brgy. Ponggo, Nagtipunan, Quirino
Expense: 175 per person
We got the chance to river cruise and cliff jump in the timid yet magnificent Siitan River.
Imagine the beauty of Tinipak Rock Formation and Minalungao Rock formation in a grander version with More adventure and epic scenery. Its the perfect backdrop for a movie about romance and adventure!
There is a rapid section of the river that will make you hold on firmly to the boat.
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| By the River Banks Photo By: Octobersky26 |
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| River Cruise in Siitan River Photo By: GetShotByMe / Hulagway_ |
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| Unli Cliff Jumping! |
Imagine the beauty of Tinipak Rock Formation and Minalungao Rock formation in a grander version with More adventure and epic scenery. Its the perfect backdrop for a movie about romance and adventure!
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| You See! PERFECT BACKDROP FOR A MOVIE! Model: ExKarlsions Photo By: GetShotByMe / Hulagway_ |
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| That Big A** Rock dangling above you |
You need to get out of the boat and walk 500 meters or so to the next boat to take you further in the river.
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| On to the next leg of the River Cruise Siitan River Nagtipunan Quirino |
Take time to breathe in the awesome view of the canyon-like feel of the rock formations surrounding you!
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| Rock Formations around Siitan River Nagtipunan Quirino |
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| Dimmapor Rock Formation on the Right side of Siitan River |
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| Dimmapor Rock Formation |
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| Rock Formations around Siitan River Nagtipunan Quirino |
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| Canyon Feel of the Rock Formation, Siitan River, Nagtipunan Quirino |
Diamond Cave
Expense: 100 per guide plus 100 environmental fee
In February 2015, Diamond cave was opened to the public with the project still on going to improve the park. It was still in the process of constructing pools and sheds for tourists and visitors.
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| Entrance to the Diamond Cave, Gibien Nagtipunan, Quirino |
Difficulty of spelunking the cave was fairly easy compared to Pamitinan Cave. Plenty of stalagmites and stalactites along the cave channels. It was clean with no visible trace of human waste (see also some of the spelunking guides here).
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| Diamond Cave |
Hopefully the project under way to promote Diamond Cave will take into consideration the strict implementation of preserving the minerals found in the cave and also stricter policies for tourists and the like to enter with proper gears with supervision of the management. Sayang naman ang ganda kung pinabayaan dahil sa pagiging gahaman sa pera
Ganano Falls
Location: Brgy. Baguio Village, Diffun, Quirino
Expense: 200 for guide fee, 100 environmental fee (inclusive of the Nantugaw, Sinipit and Sabarang Falls)
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| Entrance to the Falls at Baguio Village Diffun, Quirino Pabebe Pose |
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| Path going to Ganano Falls is laid out with this plant Photo by Xenxei |
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Serenity at its Best! Photo by Octobersky26 |
The trail going up the Ganano Falls can be accessible via heavy duty vehicle like 4x4, or pickup only up to some point.
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| Sights and Scenes trekking to Baguio Village Falls |
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| Sights and Scenes trekking to Baguio Village Falls |
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| Sights and Scenes trekking to Baguio Village Falls |
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| River Trekking to Ganano Falls |
Arriving the vantage point, my jaw dropped and upon recovering, I shouted "Ang Ganda!!!". It was a grand view! Until now, writing this blog post, I am at awe looking at the pictures of the Falls. Ice cold water cascades into crevices of small rocks at the top then finally split by a big boulders of rock at the bottom.
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| WOW! GANANO FALLS! |
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| Glorious Ganano Falls, Baguio Village, Diffun, Quirino Photo By: GetShotByMe / Hulagway_ |
Some notes, although it seem like an easy trek going to bottom layer of the falls, it is not. Slippery rocks, fast current of flowing water, big rocks to leap to and a little rock climbing were the obstacles we needed to endure and go thru. But it was ALL WORTH IT! (cue in Worth It song of Fifth Harmony).
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| On the Foot of Ganano Falls |
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| Rainbow Anyone? |
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| Saan Ka Pa? |
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| The Geek Approves Ganano Falls! |
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| Our Guide in Ganano Falls, Manong Jerry assisting us going back. |
The following falls are found on the lower section of the river of Baguio Village in Diffun. Captured and experienced by ExKarlsions, VinVoyage and Hoovs07
Nantugaw Falls
Location: Brgy. Baguio Village, Diffun, Quirino
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Location: Brgy. Baguio Village, Diffun, Quirino
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| Sinipit Falls Photo by VinVoyage |
Location: Brgy. Baguio Village, Diffun, Quirino
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THE TEAM
This wouldn't have been a blast without these exuberant people!
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| Team Macro (Made it up) lol |
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| IG Handles (L - R) Xenxie , LadySamson, VinVoyage, I_Bkf, GridPhotoPh, GetShotByMe, ExKarlsions, MoreDanTravels, Hoovs07, Octobersky26 |
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| Some Candid Shots? |
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| Thanks Hilti / Kiri For Safely Carrying us to our destinations! But more importantly thanks to our great Tandem Race Car Drivers (I_Bkf and GridPhotoPh)! |
P.S.
We only have seen a fraction of what Quirino can offer. I suggest for a 4 day trip, 1 day allotted for travel back home.Here is a list of the known tourist attraction of Quirino.
AGLIPAY CAVES
Address: Barangay Villa Ventura, Aglipay, Quirino
MABO FALLS
Address: Sitio Mabo, Brgy. Nagabgaban, Aglipay, Quirino
PENSAL FALLS
Address: Brgy. San Benigno, Aglipay, Quirino
MOTOCROSS MOUNTAIN TRACK
Address: San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
PROVINCIAL CAPITOL
Address: San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
WAKEBOARDING COMPLEX
Address: San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino
NAGBUKEL CAVE
Address: Cajel, Diffun, Quirino
NANTUGAW FALLS
Address: Baguio Village, Don Mariano Perez, Diffun, Quirino
SINIPIT FALLS
Address: Baguio Village, Don Mariano Perez, Diffun, Quirino
GOVERNOR’S RAPIDS
Address: Barrio Bisangal, Divisoria Sur, Maddela, Quirino
MADDELA WATERFALLS
Address: Brgy. Dumabato Sur, Maddela, Quirino
BIMMAPOR ROCK FORMATION
Address: Sitio 1, Barangay Ponggo, Nagtipunan, Quirino
GIBIEN CAVES
Address: Landingan, Nagtipunan, Quirino
JUNUAN FALLS
Address: Brgy. Dissimungal, Nagtipunan, Quirino
LANDINGAN VIEWPOINT
Address: Brgy. Landingan, Nagtipunan, Quirino
MACTOL FALLS
Address: Brgy. San Pugo, Nagtipunan
SIITAN RIVER
Address: Sitio 1, Barangay Ponggo, Nagtipunan, Quirino
TAPAO VIEWDECK
Address: Nagtipunan, Quirino
VICTORIA FALLS
Address: Brgy. Sangbay, Nagtipunan, Quirino
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