Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 45
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip

    Hi all, last weekend a friend and I joined a tour/hike group and we hiked to Mt Sawi in the town of Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija (took 4H from Manila/ EDSA Shaw Station at night). Then after the hike, we proceeded to the town of Dingalan in Aurora province for a short beach outing. Pics to follow in the next post. Cheers!

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    For those who like maps, here's the location of the jump off point for Mt. Sawi, which is Barangay (village) Malinao, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija (4H north of Manila). From there, it took less than 1 hour to get to Dingalan port.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-screenshot_20190526_102543-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-screenshot_20190526_102515-jpg

    Many thanks to anyone who will repost the pics!

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Palace Far from Worries
    Posts
    14,393
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    For those who like maps, here's the location of the jump off point for Mt. Sawi, which is Barangay (village) Malinao, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija (4H north of Manila). From there, it took less than 1 hour to get to Dingalan port.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-screenshot_20190526_102543-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-screenshot_20190526_102515-jpg

    Many thanks to anyone who will repost the pics!
    Katie is showing the way ...

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    Some pics of the hike up. Mt Sawi is classified as a minor hike, 3/9 difficulty and a relatively low mountain at 594m above sea level.

    Details from Pinoy Mountaineer site
    Mt. Sawi (594m) in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_051759-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_052025-jpg

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Palace Far from Worries
    Posts
    14,393
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Some pics of the hike up. Mt Sawi is classified as a minor hike, 3/9 difficulty and a relatively low mountain at 594m above sea level.

    Details from Pinoy Mountaineer site
    Mt. Sawi (594m) in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_051759-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_052025-jpg
    Some pics of the hike up - looks like a shaky start

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    Thanks David, happy Sunday to you and yours!

    More pics
    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_055210-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_104409-jpg

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    Quote Originally Posted by David48atTD View Post
    Some pics of the hike up - looks like a shaky start
    LOL. Yes, it was a blurred pic, sorry for that. It was what I felt too - a shaky start. I hadn't hiked in 2 months and was a bit out of shape. I jogged the prior week but still had difficulty during the first 20 min of the trail. After that, I found my pace and it was a breeze.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    Some views
    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_063051-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_063034-jpg

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    Our group was composed of 24 ppl and we occupied 2 minivans. During the hike, I was in the lead group, composed of 4 hikers + guide, and was the only girl in the first group. So yay! I gave myself a pat on the back upon reaching the summit with the lead pack.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_111546-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_111736-jpg
    ^one for the pointing thread.

  10. #10
    R.I.P. Luigi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Abuja
    Posts
    26,213
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Thanks David, happy Sunday to you and yours!

    More pics
    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_055210-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_104409-jpg
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Some views
    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_063051-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_063034-jpg
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Our group was composed of 24 ppl and we occupied 2 minivans. During the hike, I was in the lead group, composed of 4 hikers + guide, and was the only girl in the first group. So yay! I gave myself a pat on the back upon reaching the summit with the lead pack.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_111546-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_111736-jpg
    ^one for the pointing thread.
    Very nice K-Pop.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    The province of Nueva Ecija is part of Region 3, Central Luzon, which is also called the "rice granary of the Philippines" since there are wide plains and lots of rice fields. At Mt Sawi summit, you get views of the fields.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_064413-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_064416-jpg

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    Mt Sawi is named as such because it originally was named Mt Sawing Balete after the dead balete (Ficus) tree at the summit which was struck by lightning. "Sawi" means failed/failure in Tagalog. Legend says that there was also someone who failed in love and took his/her life using the branches of the Ficus tree. The shorter name, Sawi, stuck. Here's the tree.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_064601-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_113158-jpg

    BTW, thanks Luigi for the repost!

  13. #13
    R.I.P. Luigi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Abuja
    Posts
    26,213
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    The province of Nueva Ecija is part of Region 3, Central Luzon, which is also called the "rice granary of the Philippines" since there are wide plains and lots of rice fields. At Mt Sawi summit, you get views of the fields.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_064413-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_064416-jpg
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Mt Sawi is named as such because it originally was named Mt Sawing Balete after the dead balete (Ficus) tree at the summit which was struck by lightning. "Sawi" means failed/failure in Tagalog. Legend says that there was also someone who failed in love and took his/her life using the branches of the Ficus tree. The shorter name, Sawi, stuck. Here's the tree.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_064601-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_113158-jpg

    BTW, thanks Luigi for the repost!


    At your service miss.


    Looks like a great hike.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    @Luigi - yes, it was a great hike, good for beginners. Lots of newbies in the group and they took loads of rest stops & photos for social media. (heh) My ascent was 1.5H, descent was 1H.

    After the hike, it was back to the jump off point at the barangay/ village hall for a quick rest/ freshen up then rode van again to travel to Dingalan.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_075727-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_101704-jpg

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    We reached the "I love Dingalan" marker in less than 1 hour.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_095944-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_101329-jpg

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Palace Far from Worries
    Posts
    14,393
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    @Luigi - yes, it was a great hike, good for beginners. Lots of newbies in the group and they took loads of rest stops & photos for social media. (heh) My ascent was 1.5H, descent was 1H.

    After the hike, it was back to the jump off point at the barangay/ village hall for a quick rest/ freshen up then rode van again to travel to Dingalan.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_075727-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_101704-jpg
    After the hike, it was back to the jump off point at the barangay/ village hall for a quick rest/ freshen up then rode van again to travel to Dingalan.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Palace Far from Worries
    Posts
    14,393
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    We reached the "I love Dingalan" marker in less than 1 hour.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_095944-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_101329-jpg
    We reached the "I love Dingalan" marker in less than 1 hour.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    After that, the port was ~10 min away

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_142708-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_104317-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_142704-jpg  

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Palace Far from Worries
    Posts
    14,393
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    After that, the port was ~10 min away

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_142708-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_104317-jpg
    After that, the port was ~10 min away

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    Tourism fees. It's good they have fixed rates and you don't have to haggle re: boats or tour guides. The local govt has required one tour guide per boat. No foreigner pricing.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_104131-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_143209-jpg
    ^Sites to visit

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Palace Far from Worries
    Posts
    14,393
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Tourism fees. It's good they have fixed rates and you don't have to haggle re: boats or tour guides. The local govt has required one tour guide per boat. No foreigner pricing.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_104131-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_143209-jpg
    ^Sites to visit
    Tourism fees.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    After registering and paying the fees, it was off to the boats for a ~10 min ride to the cove.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_110057-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_130610-jpg

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Palace Far from Worries
    Posts
    14,393
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    After registering and paying the fees, it was off to the boats for a ~10 min ride to the cove.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_110057-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_130610-jpg
    10 min ride to the cove

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat
    katie23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    PI
    Posts
    6,590
    Dingalan is being touted as "Batanes of the East". Batanes is a group of islands up north which have lots of hills and sea views.

    You'll have to hike a hill, ~30 min, then you are rewarded with these views.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_095345-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_115920-jpg

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Palace Far from Worries
    Posts
    14,393
    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Dingalan is being touted as "Batanes of the East". Batanes is a group of islands up north which have lots of hills and sea views.

    You'll have to hike a hill, ~30 min, then you are rewarded with these views.

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190526_095345-jpg

    Mt Sawi + Dingalan, Aurora day trip-img_20190519_115920-jpg
    ... you are rewarded with these views

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •