Montalban Things to Do

I visited Avilon Zoo in April 2005, and at this stage, it was only something like 70% completed but still had plenty of animals to see. It is open everyday, 8am to 5pm with the last tour starting at 3pm.

The Zoo costs PhP 200 per person and if it is your first visit, then a guided tour of the site to see the animals is obligatory. This is however a good way of seeing the animals since it means you do see everything, and the guides are very knowledgable about the animals.

The tour takes about 2 hours, although there is a break about halfway so that you can buy food and refreshments and rest your feet. Although it is all outdoor, the zoo is very well shaded, so even going on a hot summer's day (as I did) was still a plesant experience - although I recommend buying a cold bottle of water before your tour starts!

The animals included several types of primates, various big cats (including a tiger), several exotic birds and snakes. Have a look at the website (not official) I've linked to for photos.

Avilon Zoo is a good day trip out of Metro Manila (about 40 minutes out of Quezon City) and you should arrange your own private transport. I ended up striking a deal with my taxi driver to accompany me on the tour (paid by me of course along with some refreshments!) - paying for the return journey as well as the time spent in the zoo.

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Avilon Zoo is a 7.5 hectare wildlife breeding facility in Montalban, Rizal. For a more systematic tour to cover the whole area, you can hire the services of a guide. However, if you have all the time and would like to tour at a leisurely pace, you can go around the area by yourselves.

Avilon Zoo prides itself not only with a wide collection of animals; it also serves as a botanical garden. The place is well maintained, with clean restrooms and canteens in strategic areas. The zoo attendants are well-trained and informed about the animals in their care, are pleasantly friendly and hospitable. They handle the animals that you can hold for souvenir pictures (at P50 for 2 shots). Security guards roam the area, giving the guests a feeling of reassurance of their safety & security.

Inside the compound is the Avilon School of Practical Exotic Veterinary Management. I understand most of the zoo guides study in this school.

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1. It would be best if you will bring your own food to the zoo premises. Bringing food is permissible as long as you will eat only along the allowed areas. Food is available within the area but the price is tripled. A minimum corsage fee will be charged though if you will bring food from fastfood chains like mcdo or Jollibee. There is a dining area right after the entrance and the view is really nice and really good for having a picnic. It would be best to bring disposable utensils to lessen the bulk you will bring back home. It is also not allowed to wash dirty utensils in the area they will charge a fine of 1K pesos.
2. If you have your own car it is advisable to bring bulky foods and containers since you can leave them after you eat back in your car. But if you will just get there by commuting it would be best to pack your food in small containers or disposable containers to lessen the weight you will carry when you take your trip. There is no area to leave baggage.
3. Better to eat first at the dining area right after the entrance before you make the whole trip. Two hours of walking is not enough to cover the whole area. So at least make an estimate that you will do a four hour walk. But if you have a car you may want to take already half of the trip first then take a break, eat you packed food then go back again to take the trip. This is because you have your car to leave your things.
4. Photo taking of animals is allowed but there are some areas with signee that you can’t take pictures. Actually there are no guards or caretaker that will make saway to you if you take pictures on these restricted animals. But at least respect their rules as well as think of the bad effect to the animals if you will be pasaway.
5. Bringing water is allowed and would really be advisable to bring one. Its really tiring doing the long walks and having water on the side would be convenient especially if you have kids on the tour.
6. There are several restrooms along the premises just simply look at signs. Restrooms are really clean and very presentable.
7. If you will be just commuting to get to Avilon better ask already a tricycle driver in the Eastwood terminal to fetch you back. It is really hard to get a ride back on the main road, so already make an estimate beforehand on how much time you will spend inside the zoo premises so you may inform the tricycle driver on the time of fetching you.

1. Visit the Pamintinan cave
-Pamintinan is located at Sitio Wawa and this cave is very special to the Philippine history because in this cave were Andress Bonifacio declare the Philippine Independence which mean the Unang Sigaw ng Kalayaan was Happened at Pamintinan cave not in Kawit Cavite,also on this cave did the Blood Compact.(remember the old 5peso bills yung papel n green).

2. Visit Sition Wawa for Rock climbing.

3. Visit Cabal Bakery

- located beside the Rodriguez Ancestral house on this bakery you can buy the best pilipino delicacies like,halaya,bibingka,etc.

4. Ride on the PUV(Jeep)

-Montalaban Jeep is the best Jeep in the Philippines good quality of sound.

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Upon entry, one will be briefed with the things to do inside the zoo. You also have the option to hire a guide who'd show you around Avilon. Personally, I think it's more fun to go on your own... to explore the place just by yourself (or with you family). It took me a solid 2 1/2 hours to see all the animals in Avilon. They have a wide collection of birds and reptiles. I especially liked the arapaimas (the larger than life fishes). You can also feed them by buying chicken heads (10PhP/3 chicken heads). Witness the fishes battle for a piece of meat in the water, or, if you're lucky enough, you'll see them fighting for food in mid-air!