"Bontoc is overshadowed by the adventures Sagada town could offer. The former is less publicized compared to latter."
BAYYO RICE TERRACES
[BONTOC] The village is adjacent to the rice terraces
BAYYO RICE TERRACES
[BONTOC] Bayyo Rice Terraces and Waterfalls - Highland Paradise Living
TEASER: "The presence of the rice terraces is an evidence of the engineering expertise of the Igorot ancestors..." in Bayyo, Bontoc is a worthy stop-over along the Bontoc-Banaue road. This breathtaking vista can be seen when going to Banaue from Bontoc. If you have your own car, much better, because you can stop anytime. This view can be seen along the road. No need to hike or trek.How to go here: From Bontoc, ride a Banaue-bound jeepney located near the Bontoc town hall. Then drop to Bayyo Rice Terraces. If you don't want to drop here, you can just enjoy the view from your window while on your way to Banaue since not all jeepney drivers will grant your request to stop here and wait for you. Good thing, our jeepney driver volunteered to have a quick stop over here when he saw I am struggling hard to capture a photo of this view. The other passengers did not complain! Lucky kid.
BONTOC MUSEUM
[BONTOC] Bontoc Museum has pointed roof
If you want to understand more the beauty of the Igorot culture, go to BONTOC MUSEUM
[BONTOC] Museum and the Traditional Bontok Village
TEASER: "It is a place where I found the authentic answers to my questions.", a 15-minute walk from the Bontoc town hall. This is a must-see place even if Sagada is your destination-of-choice because it provides interesting information about the way of living of the people in the province, their culture and heritage. It will make you appreciate the things you are seeing in this province -- the rice terraces, the burial caves, the people, etc.KADCHOG RICE TERRACES
[BONTOC] Chico River is at the foot of this mountain-turned farmland
Kadchog Rice Terraces is located across the Chico River in Bontoc. This towering rice terraces is located near south of the town center. You can also see this on your way to Bontoc via the Halsema Highway. It is just one of the many rice terraces you can see here in Bontoc.
MOUNT GOTONG
[BONTOC] Climbing Mt Gotong
MOUNT GOTONG
[BONTOC] Hiking the Mountains of Myths and Urban Legends
TEASER: ...there is still a little regret in me that I didn't just even notice the summit of the first real mountain I ever climbed." is a great leisure climb when you are in Bontoc. The mountain is located in Alab Oriente Village. The villagers require that you must have a guide when climbing this mountain. For newbie mountain climbers like me, this is a good start. There is a 1000-step stair that will lead you to the top. But of course, you also need to hike on dirty trails because that stairway is just a part of the whole trail.If you want more thrill, there is another trail going up without the stairway. But you will descend in the same stairway though. There's no way we can get rid of that stairway - talking about the safety of mountain climbers.
Moreover, Mt. Gotong is just a prelude for the great adventures you have to see in Alab Oriente Village. It requires that you have to climb this mountain first for you to see the best kept secrets of the Bontok Igorot's heritage.
PALALI RICE TERRACES
[BONTOC] Start of the planting season
This view is seen from the top of Mt. Data, another mountain you have to reach after the Mt. Gotong if you choose to ascend via the 1000-step stair (part of the 4-5 hours of trekking and hiking). Near the summit of Mt. Data is an awesome vantage point to see the PALALI RICE TERRACES
TEASER: "As I reach the peak, which is the climax of everything, my eyes bulged in pleasure brought by a feast-to-the-eye-destination with a little bit of brain clouding. I have just reached the point of no return.". If you have a guide, ask him/her how you switched from one mountain to another. I forgot to ask and until now I still can not figure out how.
First look at the photo you might ask what is this. Well, don't underestimate what you are seeing because these are rock carvings at the top of the mountain that have been carved sometime in 1500 B.C.!
ALAB PETROGLYPHS
TEASER: "It was carved inside a space of time from another dimension of civilization even far from the dawn of Christianity..." according to UNESCO: The other set of Petroglyphs are those found in Alab, Mountain province carved on boulders on top of promontories. The configurations are those of pudenda. The dating is relatively later and placed at not earlier than 1500 BC or even later.
[BONTOC] Palali Rice Terraces: Of First-time Penetration, Pain and Pleasure
TEASER: "As I reach the peak, which is the climax of everything, my eyes bulged in pleasure brought by a feast-to-the-eye-destination with a little bit of brain clouding. I have just reached the point of no return.". If you have a guide, ask him/her how you switched from one mountain to another. I forgot to ask and until now I still can not figure out how.
ALAB PETROGLYPHS
[BONTOC] Carvings that are hard to decipher
First look at the photo you might ask what is this. Well, don't underestimate what you are seeing because these are rock carvings at the top of the mountain that have been carved sometime in 1500 B.C.!
ALAB PETROGLYPHS
[BONTOC] Alab Petroglyphs: Prehistoric Etchings, Mind-Boggling Patterns
TEASER: "It was carved inside a space of time from another dimension of civilization even far from the dawn of Christianity..." according to UNESCO: The other set of Petroglyphs are those found in Alab, Mountain province carved on boulders on top of promontories. The configurations are those of pudenda. The dating is relatively later and placed at not earlier than 1500 BC or even later.
GANGA HOUSE
[BONTOC] Low-rise ceiling
GANGA HOUSE
TEASER: "Still, it is significant because it is an ancient mark, an evidence of prehistoric civilization. The trek continues..." is a mysterious stone house made up of massive stones with pointed top and a space of about 3 feet from the ground to the ceiling.
[BONTOC] Ganga House, the Ruined Pig Pen and Goodbye Mystical Mountain
TEASER: "Still, it is significant because it is an ancient mark, an evidence of prehistoric civilization. The trek continues..." is a mysterious stone house made up of massive stones with pointed top and a space of about 3 feet from the ground to the ceiling.
It is said to be the hiding place of the locals during the world war and an abode to ancient Igorots (prehistoric).
GANGA BURIAL CAVE
[BONTOC] Selfie inside the Burial Cave
GANGA BURIAL CAVE
TEASER: "I experienced goosebumps upon entering this area of dead bodies that made me feel I was in a different dimension." is probably the most interesting burial cave in the Cordilleras because of the presence of jars where the dead is placed.
[BONTOC] Ganga Burial Caves: Mystical Grave, Mysterious People
TEASER: "I experienced goosebumps upon entering this area of dead bodies that made me feel I was in a different dimension." is probably the most interesting burial cave in the Cordilleras because of the presence of jars where the dead is placed.
This burial cave is the grave of the Igorots' ancestors who died because of mass-poisoning according to legend.
SAMOKI VILLAGE
[BONTOC] The village as seen from the Halsema Highway
Samoki Village is located east of the Poblacion in Bontoc and can be reached through walking or riding on a jeep bound for Banaue.
This village is home to local weavers who make straps, G-strings, etc.
TRIBAL ELDERS IN TRADITIONAL CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES
[BONTOC] The Bontok tribe elders of Bontoc
While exploring the village, an ancient Igorot dwelling, don't forget to greet these Bontok Igorot elders and have your photo taken with them because they might probably be THE LAST GENERATION OF BONTOK TRIBES
TEASER: "Each second counts, and each second that has passed means losing another second of their generation." who still wear their traditional clothes and accessories at home.
[BONTOC] The Last Generation of Overt Igorots in the Cordilleras
TEASER: "Each second counts, and each second that has passed means losing another second of their generation." who still wear their traditional clothes and accessories at home.
CHICO RIVER
[BONTOC] Long and winding Chico River
The Chico River here in Bontoc especially in Alab Village has wide natural pools suitable for swimming. The children here love cooling down by swimming to one of the Chico River's natural pools.
ALAB ORIENTE VILLAGE
[BONTOC] Alab Oriente Village
ALAB ORIENTE
TEASER: "Prehistoric mountain dwellers inhabited this place leaving a mark that became an evidence of their existence." is an ancient dwelling of the Bontok Igorots and one of the evidences is the presence of the Petroglyphs. Enjoy the Burial Caves and the three sacred spots of the village. Ask your guide about it.
[BONTOC] Alab Oriente: An Ancient Village with Sacred Grounds
TEASER: "Prehistoric mountain dwellers inhabited this place leaving a mark that became an evidence of their existence." is an ancient dwelling of the Bontok Igorots and one of the evidences is the presence of the Petroglyphs. Enjoy the Burial Caves and the three sacred spots of the village. Ask your guide about it.
LANG-AY FESTIVAL
[BONTOC] The tribes of Mountain Province gather in Bontoc
LANG-AY FESTIVAL
TEASER: "...a lowlander can still witness their way of living, their traditions and everything a lowlander needs to know about their culture." is a province-wide cultural festival that happens in Bontoc every first week of April. The highlight of the festival is the street dancing and the cultural performances after the street dancing.
[BONTOC] Lang-ay Festival: Cultural Extravaganza in Mountain Province
TEASER: "...a lowlander can still witness their way of living, their traditions and everything a lowlander needs to know about their culture." is a province-wide cultural festival that happens in Bontoc every first week of April. The highlight of the festival is the street dancing and the cultural performances after the street dancing.
HALSEMA HIGHWAY
[BONTOC] Like the Chico River, the Halsema Highway is long and winding
The Halsema highway, a road that connects Baguio City and Bontoc, is in itself a tourist attraction. It winds through the Cordillera mountains and provides every voyager an astounding view of the highlands.
JEEPNEY TOPLOADING IN BONTOC
[BONTOC] Toploading from Sagada to Bontoc
If you are a thrill seeker, one of the adventurous things to do in Bontoc is to topload on a jeepney. This is the best way for you to enjoy the beautiful view of Mountain Province.
How to go to Alab: Ride on a Baguio-bound or Sagada-bound bus (25 pesos) from Bontoc and drop to Alab waiting shade or hire a tricycle from Bontoc town proper and pay 120 pesos.
Where to stay in Alab: There is no hotel or inn in Alab. You have to register at the Barangay Hall for arrangement.
Where to get a guide: There are guides at the Barangay Hall upon request. Me, I met Ofelia Lopez. If you want her contact number, send me an email at edmaration@gmail.com.
HOW TO GO TO BONTOC
From Baguio: Go to Dangwa Terminal. There are buses there bound for Bontoc. Remember to go there early. Buses that take the #BAGUIO
FAST FACTS: Due to it's high altitude and cool weather, Baguio is the Summer Capital of the Philippines. The city is also the home of the Ibaloi Igorots.
PHOTO: Wearing traditional Igorot clothes at the Mines View Park in Baguio.-Bontoc route include D' Rising Sun and GL Lizardo.
#BAGUIO
FAST FACTS: Due to it's high altitude and cool weather, Baguio is the Summer Capital of the Philippines. The city is also the home of the Ibaloi Igorots.
PHOTO: Wearing traditional Igorot clothes at the Mines View Park in Baguio.-Bontoc route include D' Rising Sun and GL Lizardo.
From Ilocos via Cervantes: If you want an alternative route you can use this route. This route is more practical when you are coming from Ilocos provinces, LA UNION
PHOTO: Trek to Intake Dam in Sudipen town, a WWII landmark. or to anyone who wants to get rid of Baguio traffic. Here's how:
LA UNION
FAST FACTS: This Ilocos province has coastline that garnered the title "Surfing Mecca of the North".PHOTO: Trek to Intake Dam in Sudipen town, a WWII landmark. or to anyone who wants to get rid of Baguio traffic. Here's how:
- (1) Drop at Bitalag Junction in #TAGUDIN
#TAGUDIN
FAST FACTS: This town, dubbed as the Pearl of the Amburayan River serves as your gateway to the Ilocandias.
PHOTO: Tagudin Sundial: The oldest surviving in the Philippines, ILOCOS SURILOCOS SUR
FAST FACTS: This province has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Sta. Maria Church and the Heritage City of Vigan.
PHOTO: Pinsal Falls (taken during dry season): Said to be the largest in Ilocos Region.. Be sure to be here by 7 am to catch the earliest van trip to Cervantes - 2 hours trip. Fare is 150 pesos.
- (2) From Cervantes, go to the Cervantes plaza and wait for a Bontoc-bound van. If you can not see a van there, ride on a tricycle and go to Bulaga rather after the Aluling bridge. Tell the driver you are going to catch the Bontoc-bound van. Fare is 40 pesos per trike (not per head) from #CERVANTES
#CERVANTES
FAST FACTS: Cervantes is Ilocos Sur's summer capital due to it's cool weather. The town is the last stronghold of the Japanese forces during WWII..
PHOTO: Aluling Rice Terraces in Cervantes plaza to Bulaga. Fare from Cervantes to Bontoc by van is 130 pesos per head. Trip is 2 hours.
- (3) In case you didn't catch the van from Cervantes to Bontoc (last trip is around 1-2 pm), you can stay overnight in Cervantes, available lodging houses have rates of 200/pax (Bessang Traveler's Inn), 300-500/pax (Greenfields Lodge) and 1000+/pax (Villa Maria Inn). While in Cervantes, catch the jeep at 5:30 am in Bulaga. You can ride a tricycle from the Cervantes plaza. The owner of Greenfields can also take you to Bulaga as early as 5am to catch the jeep bound for Bontoc. Warning: This jeep is not available on Thursdays.
Note: If you have your own service, you can cut the trip 2 hours shorter compared when you use the via Baguio route.
WHERE TO STAY IN BONTOC
There are a lot of places to stay in Bontoc usually ranging from 150-500pesos/pax. Tchapayan Hotel beside the Bontoc police station has 150/pax and 200/pax rooms. Not air-conditioned though, but Bontoc is cool, it was fine with me with the window open - with common CR. Meals are served at 80pesos per serving.
Alabama Hotel has 200/pax rooms. Located along the main road. Not air-conditioned. With common CR. They don't serve meals.
Walter Clapp has 300-500/pax rooms. This hotel is located at the parking area of Bontoc-Sagada jeeps.
Or if you want to look for more hotels that will fit your desire, just feel free to check all the hotels that line the main road in Bontoc. /end
Bontoc #TownExploration Series
.jpg "O[BONTOC] Of Old Age and Traveling: Meeting an 81-year-old Solo Backpacker")
Map showing the Location of #Bontoc
Click map to view latest articles covering Mountain Province
MORE POSTS FROM THIS CATEGORY: *TRAVEL GUIDES*
[Licuan-Baay] Abra: Points of Interest and Town Exploration Guide (Baay Side)
TEASER: "Just in case you are planning to visit this remote town for adventure or research purposes, I want to share this travel guide including points of interest that might awaken the curiosity in you."
[Daraga] Albay: Tourist Spots, Attractions and Things to Do in Town
TEASER: "Maximize your time in Daraga, Albay. The bustling town is more than just the Cagsawa Ruins. I have made this simple travel guide to give all types of travelers an idea what to do in the town of Daraga."
[Tagudin] Ilocos Sur: Tourist Spots, Attractions and Things to Do in Town
TEASER: "So you want to explore the town of Tagudin and you don't have any idea what this town has to offer? Let me help you based on my experience."
Ang baba nman nung Ganga house :) Ganda ng rice terraces photos bro!
ReplyDeleteTraveling Morion | Oo nga, ang baba at ang sikip hehe. Yes, maganda talaga yung place!
ReplyDeletenagadu met ti napanam! dami pala puwede puntahan dun! I should go back!
ReplyDeleteDingF | The Pinoy Explorer | Wen garud sir Ding, adu pay ngata, half pay lang eta. More reasons to go back! :)
ReplyDeletei think... han nga samoki village jay adda jay photo because that's my village... TALUBIN VILLAGE... old name- YAPYAPAN VILLAGE...
ReplyDeleteAnonymous | Agyamannak ti panangkorihir yo apo. Sukatak to diay letrato. Kitak to dagidiay files ko! Dios ti Agngina!
ReplyDeletetnx... a lot... :)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for exploring my hometown. I too, together with my family made a visit to Vigan April of 2013 via the newly built bridge connecting Cervantes and Tadian town. Kumbaga you came here, I went there. Mabuhay ka Edmar. Big thanks.
ReplyDeletejoel fagsao
mountainprovince.net | Wow! Great to hear po Mr/Sir Joel! I hope you enjoyed po Vigan! I am so happy Aluling Bridge in Cervantes is ok now. It has been a dream for me because I want to make Mt. Province as my playground. A lot of things I missed to see pa like Maligcong rice terraces, kaman-utek, can-eo village at marami pang iba! I will be back for sure via Cervantes. It cuts the trip shorter conveniently kasi eh!
ReplyDeleteCheers po and Agbiag dagiti umili ti Mt. province!
very nice place.. indeed the old traditions and the rich culture of Igorots rocks!!! :)
ReplyDeleteMLB
I didn't know it was this interesting history kind in Alab. I stayed there for 2 years when I was a kid. We enjoyed swimming under that bridge, climbed that mountain to "Uma" (where the stone carvings are) to plant/harvest in the rice field, and many more experiences. I'm not aware that these activities we do back then are being longed for by people living in the cities. And when I came here in the lowlands (Pangasinan and Tarlac to be specific) to work, I discovered that most lowlanders doesn't know about Igorot people. Maybe because they seldom hear about the Igorots or maybe during their history subjects, Igorot were not even mentioned. And now, through your awesome adventures, your effort of sharing your discoveries, our Kababayans are being acquainted about us, Igorots. So, Kudos to you Edmar!! Mabuhay ka, kabsat! ("Matago-tago ka" in Igorot term)
ReplyDeleteMia Begay
Anonymous | Undoubtedly :) The Igorot culture and heritage is just sooo rich!
ReplyDeleteLevis | Thank you so much for reading. You know what, the first time I was with these people and in Bontoc, I was comfortable and I feel good with the place and the people. Until 3 days ago, I just learned that I have an ancestry from Bontoc! It feels great to know about that! Oh well, my great grandparents (paternal) were from Bontoc!
ReplyDeleteThat is probably the reason why I feel so welcomed when I went there! I wish I could be back there, again :)
hi! thank you for this entry re vigan-bontoc route. i'm planning to do the same in the next couple of weeks. how early do we leave vigan so we can be in bontoc within the day, catch the van from cervantes to bontoc? and how many van trips are there? we don't have that much time to explore sagada and banaue, before going to manila, i was hoping to be able to visit sagada early morning the next day and be in banaue after. do you think that's possible? thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteDon and Ji Beloy | Hello there! Follow this instruction:
ReplyDelete1. Leave Vigan on or before 5 am for Bitalag junction, Tagudin (around 2 hours)
2. You must be in Bitalag Junction by 7am.
3. The earliest van going to Cervantes (from Bitalag) is 7am, or 8am. But better it you'll be here by 7am. Bitalag junction to Cervantes is 2 - 2.5 hours.
4. From Cervantes, ride on a Bontoc-bound van. I think the last trip to Bontoc is 1pm. Cervantes to Bontoc is roughly 2 hours.
Enjoy! It is roughly 6 hours to Bontoc from Vigan (waiting time in van terminals not included)
Thank you for this! I'm glad there are already vans going to Bontoc from Cervantes. Hope to get these on play by then... Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteDon and Ji Beloy | Yup! Goodluck and Happy travel!
ReplyDeleteYes, we made it! Thanks for the inputs... It was Vigan - Bitalag - Cervantes - Abatan - Bontoc - Sagada route. And my husband and I appreciated much the view along Bitalag - Cervantes road, magical! It was like being in a fairytale. :)
ReplyDeletedetails here:
http://donandji.blogspot.com/2013/09/2013-laoag-pagudpud-vigan-sagada-banaue.html
thanks again!
Don and Ji Beloy | Wow! Congratulations there! Well I scanned your post, then I learned that Cervantes-Bontoc van is non-existent na pala (though there is a jeep plying a direct Cervantes-Bontoc route that departs daily at 5:30 am except Thursday). So I have to update this post to be more helpful for other trip planners. Thanks din sa info on your post, I'll grab some tidbits ha? Hehe..
ReplyDeleteDon and Ji Beloy | By the way, you are the second couple to contact me about this route who successfully done it. I met the first couple in Vigan, sayang, sana nag-meet din tayo noon :)
ReplyDeleteyes, sure grab some... and maybe someday, we will... hehehe... thanks much!
ReplyDeleteDon and Ji Beloy | Welcome Don and Ji! See you in Davao maybe? hehe... follow me and I'll follow back, let's make connections :) @edmaration (twitter)
ReplyDelete