The thrilling side of Tarlac!: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary

About 120 kilometers north of Manila sits the quiet city of Tarlac. When travelling to more popular cities like Ilocos and Baguio, Tarlac seems to be just the stopover place when you become tired and hungry from the long journey.

But what most of us do not know is that Tarlac offers various outdoor activities that can give you an adrenaline rush! From trekking and river rafting to trail biking and bird watching, Tarlac offers different flavors perfect for your adventurous palate.

Gear up and explore this humble side of the north!

How to get there?

It takes about two to three hours of leisure driving from Manila to Tarlac. Take the SCTEX or Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway for a hassle-free journey.

There are commuter buses plying from Manila to Tarlac. Prepare P250 for a one-way trip.

What to do?

Trek your way to the ANZAP (Asean New Zealand Forestation Project) Waterfalls


The grueling and challenging trail is worth it as you reach the 200 feet waterfalls. For beginners, it will take an overnight trip to reach the ANZAP falls. The best way to get there is through a private vehicle or rented van.

From the city proper it takes almost an hour going to the jump point, Barangay Nambalan. From there, cross the Nambalan river for 15-20 minutes and have a picnic lunch. After grabbing lunch, the trek begins.

From the Nambalan river, it takes about four to five minutes hike to the Kawayan campsite where you can sleep and rest.This will prepare you for the trek to the ANZAP falls for an hour where you can swim in the freshwater coming from the Matibya and Piccan rivers.

River kayaking with the Rapid Stream



Prepare to get wet while river rafting in the 7.2 kilometer long Nambalan River. The whole adventure lasts for an hour or two.

If you’re up for the thrilling rapids, go river kayaking during the months of July to December. Up your adventure ante too by going on a cliff diving side trip. All you need is a brave heart!

If you want to keep it chill though, visit Nambalan River during summer or the months of January to May. This season is also perfect if you want to go on a picnic as nipa huts are built along the riverbank.

If you want to go river kayaking, contact Rapid Stream. It offers water adventure activities for P2,500 per person for a group of 10. River kayaking is offered during the weekends only. The package includes roundtrip transfer from the city proper to the starting point of the activity and tour guides. Be patient though because it takes about an hour drive before you can reach the starting point in Barangay Maamot.

Outdoor fun at the Tarlac Recreational Park (TRP)



Few people know that Tarlac has a 78-hectare recreational park. It was built in 2009 to host the annual Palarong Pambansa in 2010.

The park houses an Olympic-size pool, an oval track, dune buggy, bird watching site, and a soon-to-open go kart track.

To get there, you can rent a private or public jeepney for P1,500-P2,000 roundtrip. If renting will go beyond your budget, you can commute all the way to the park. Prepare P30-P45 for your jeepney fare. A jeepney that travels from the city proper will take you to San Jose or San Juan de Valdes for 30 minutes. From there, ride a tricycle for P30 to bring you to TRP. Just be mindful that the jeepney only plies the area until 2 PM. However, you can rent a P100-P150 one way tricycle from the park going to the city proper.

Whole day trail-biking

Near the recreational park, the local tourism of Tarlac developed a trail which cycling enthusiasts can enjoy. Go up and down on the steep but bearable terrains of Barangay David, in front of Tarlac Recreational Park, Barangays San Jose and Gerona.

For a half day trek, you can take the trail inside the recreational park. For more information, contact Bryan David of the local tourism at (045) 493-2471.

Birdwatching

Act like Owen Wilson in the movie “The Big Year,” and join the Wild Bird Photography and Watching Congress, happening from October 17 to 18, 2014. Organized by the Wild Bird Photography of the Philippines or WWPP, the Wild Bird Photography and Watching Congress allows bird enthusiasts to vie for the most beautiful bird photo and the most number of birds spotted. This event is open for all, and the best part? It’s free!

For curious tourists who will not join the event, an ecopark beside the Monasterio de Tarlac is the main location of the birdwatching site. A member of the Abelling tribe may guide you throughout the ecopark. The birdwatching fee goes to their families. For packages, contact Bryan David of the local tourism at (045) 493-2471.

Where to stay?

La Maja Rica Hotel
Rates range from P1,470 to P4,300 per night with breakfast

For an affordable boutique-hotel, head to La Maja Rica Hotel. It has an outdoor pool and a cafeteria with al fresco dining. Their rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with a flat screen television and a hot and cold shower.

La Maja Rica is conveniently located at McArthur Highway corner Ligtasan Street. It is also near the city’s malls.

San Isidro Farm House
Rate starts at P600 per night for two persons

If you are on a tight budget, stay at San Isidro Farm House. The hotel houses two swimming pools, air-conditioned cottages, a beautifully landscaped garden, and a restaurant-bar. It is strategically located at Brgy. San Isidro and is 15 minutes away from SCTEX.

Where to eat?

Nay’s House Restaurant
Dishes range from P95 to P300




We all deserve a nice dinner after surviving the trails and braving the rapids, so head over to Romulo Boulevard where Nay’s House is located.

Nay’s House is a cozy, colonial house-style restaurant that offers Kapampangan dishes like ‘kilawin’ or pork intestine cooked in vinegar, ‘sinigang na samara’ or pork sour soup using guava as the main ingredient, 'sisig na puso' or banana heart cooked in vinegar and ‘bringhe’ or sticky rice dish topped with seafood and vegetables.

Victor’s Barbecue and Lechon Manok
Dishes range from P50 to P200

This hole-in-the-wall eatery located along McArthur Highway is famous for its fresh off-the-grill chicken, pork, and seafood dishes. It is also popular for sisig.

Feeling like Andrew Zimmern? Try their papaitan or bile dish made of goat’s innard.

Isdaan Floating Restaurant
Dishes range from P150 to P500


Have you heard of the word “tacsiyapo?” It is a popular local expression that means “shame on you!”

Now, the owners of Isdaan Floating Restaurant figured out a way to help customers in their “anger-management issues” as they have an area where you can shout “Tacsiyapo!” Throw mugs, plates, and vases on a red-painted wall with words that can serve as your “target” like ex-wife, magnanakaw or thief, and fling lover. Just pay for the things you wish to throw!

Once you are done venting out your anger, time to fill your tummy with their bestsellers: pinukpok na hipon or shrimp cooked in coconut milk, pinatolang baka sa buho or beef soup dish, and tacsiyapong gulay or chili vegetable plate.

Fiesta Island Seafood Hub (FISH)
Dishes range from P150 to P1,000

What you must try in this restaurant is their pansit buko or stir fried strips of coconut meat mixed with pork and vegetables. Other bestselling items on their menu include their garlic pepper crab, gambas ala pobre, and sizzling bulalo. Visit FISH at McArthur Highway, Estrada, Capas.

Camiling Public Market


Drive thirty minutes up north from the city proper and you will reach Camiling Market, a hub for local food, fresh meat, seafood, and vegetables. Tourists and locals search for their famous sticky rice delicacies such as tupig, pinipig or locally known as ‘inuruban,’ and Laza chicharon or crunchy fried pork belly. The Camiling Public Market is located right in front of the old parish church, the Camiling Church Ruins.

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--- Cielo Flores/BMS/ARP