Whole Day Tricycle Tour Around Baler, Aurora

Tricycle drivers in Sabang Beach told me that what I wanted was impossible. I just wanted to go to all the tourist spots around Baler, Aurora in only a day. According to one of the tricycle drivers, the tourist spots are far away from each other and going to each places takes a huge amount of time. I would only be able to visit all the spots if I stay at each place for 3 minutes which is impossible since I still have to walk up to Ermita Hill and trek to Ditumabao Falls.

I then asked them regardless whether it was possible or not, how much would it cost for me to be brought to all the places on the list? They all paused and thought for about 30 seconds then a tricycle driver spoke 1,000 pesos. That long pause made me doubt the price, it was not in the standard rates that I heard from the Tourism Office of Aurora. I then decided to take a Tourism Accredited Tricycle Driver/Tour Guide to tour me around. Thanks to June Samano’s Homestay Lodge for giving me the number of a Tourism Accredited Tour Guide.

Getting around and exploring tourism destination would be much more convenient if you avail of a local tourism accredited tour guide. – Tourism Aurora Pocket Guide.

I called the number and surprisingly he agreed to my idea and told me that he will go to my lodging about 7am the next day so we can start the tour early and talk about the prices.

Here are the prices we agreed upon

P800 РHistory trail(Baler church, Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon, Museo de Baler and Quezon Park)and Eco Strip(Ermita Hill, Dimadimalangat Islet, Diguisit Beach and A̱ao Islet)Ditumabo falls and Balete Tree.
P200 – Ampere Beach, Dipaculao Tour
———————-
P1,000 – TOTAL

In truth it was 500 pesos more expensive than the ones offered to me by the tricycles lined in Sabang Beach but what I liked about them is that when I asked them about the price they did not have a pause and they said that this are the rates that were given by the Aurora Tourism. Plus they attended trainings on how to handle tourists, what places to go and basic first aid.

Below is the summary of my whole day tour around Baler, San Luis, Maria Aurora and Dipaculao.

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Start of Tricycle Tour 7:49 AM

The driver then parked his tricycle in Ermita Park and told me that he was going to accompany me to the peak of Ermita Hill. How about my bag? He answered he will bring it. Two thumbs up! That’s a Tourism Accredited Tour Guide for you.

Arrived Back at Ermita Park – 8:53 AM

Start Tour San Luis, Maria Aurora and Dipaculao – 11:32 AM

Ditumabao Falls jump-off – 12:08 PM

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Back at Ditumabao Jump-off – 1:27 PM

Kuya then asked me if I still wanted to go to Ampere Beach since it was about an hour of travel away and he was doubtful if we would reach my goal to be at the Baler Public Market around 5PM. I told him, that we will never know unless we try and off we went to Ampere Beach in Dipaculao at 3:17 PM.

Had some snacks at Ampere Beach and went back to Baler at 4:15 PM.

Safely Arrived at Baler Public Market at around 5:05 PM. Yahoo!

That was a long trip around 4 municipalities of Aurora and it was worth it so I gave my tour guide a 100 Peso tip since he was brave enough to give in to my challenge of going to almost all the tourist spots in a day.

Will I do this type of challenge in Baler, Aurora willingly again?

That would be a big NO! I did enjoy the fast paced tour around the Aurora, but I did not get to savour each place nor explored every inch of their great Tourist Spots nor a simple dip into the waters. Next time I will be slow.

How do I get in touch with a Tourism Accredited Tour Guides?

There are 2 ways,

1. You can contact the Aurora’s local Tourism Aurora Tourism Office
   Address: Provincial Capital Compound, Brgy Suklayin, Baler, Aurora 3200
   Mobile: 0921-320-7015
   E-mail: [email protected]
   Facebook: Tourism Aurora
   Website: http://www.aurora.gov.ph/
   
2. You can ask your lodging to give you the number of a accredited tour guide. But sometimes you have to insist on getting a Tourism Accredited Tour Guide since some have preferred contacts.

P. S. I will not disclose the name of the tricycle driver who toured me to give all the accredited tricycle drivers equal chance when you get to Baler, Aurora.

Read the other post in my Baler, Aurora series

1. Baler, Aurora Backpackers Budget and Itinerary (Helpful)
2. Baler, Aurora’s Do-It-Yourself Travel Guide (Helpful)
3. Baler Accommodation List (Helpful)
4. 8 Must Do Activities in Baler, Aurora
5. Participating in a fishing tradition in Baler
6. Whole Day Tricycle Tour Around Baler, Aurora
7. Sunrise Walk at Sabang Beach, Baler
8. Baler’s PAGASA Weather Station
9. Cleaners of Baler