Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HIKES AROUND BONTOC
There are a number of
mountain trails
around Bontoc, snaking their way through beautiful
rice paddy scenery. Most places are far off the tourist radar, and you probably won't see any
Westerners in any of the towns; accommodation is basic, but it's worth heading this way if you
want to really get a taster of life in Mountain Province.
MALIGCONG
Nearly 7km north of Bontoc, the stone-walled rice terraces around
Maligcong village
are at
their best in June and July immediately before the harvest. From the point where public
transport stops, a path descends into a valley and follows the contour of the terraces to
Maligcong. There's a friendly homestay (see p.172) and a sari-sari store here, but no café so
it's best to bring your own food. Jeepneys to Maligcong from Bontoc (8am, noon, 2.30pm,
4.30pm & 5.30pm; 30min; P20) leave from behind the commercial centre; the last return
journey is at around 4pm.
MAINIT
From Maligcong it is a three-hour trek northwest through scenic rice paddies to
Mainit
(“Ma-i-nit”), a village known for its hot sulphurous springs, where you can also overnight (see
p.172). You could also get to Mainit on a jeepney from Back Street in Bontoc (daily 1pm & 3pm;
1hr 15min; P35); the return trips are at 7.30am and 8am.
ALAB PETROGLYPH AND GANGA CAVE
A huge rock etched with drawings of humans with bows and arrows, the
Alab Petroglyph
is
at the end of a two-hour hike uphill from the barangay of
Alab
, 9km south of Bontoc on the
Halsema Highway. Although it was declared a national cultural treasure in 1975, little is known
about who created these carvings or why. An hour further along is the
Ganga Cave
, a burial
cave containing co
ns and jars of bones. You'll need to find a guide in Alab for either
destination - ask around for Ofelia Lopez, a reputable tour guide. Regular jeepneys to Alab
(hourly; 25min; P25) leave from in front of Bontoc's market.
BARLIG, KADACLAN AND NATONIN
Three villages east of Bontoc are well off the normal tourist route, but their wonderful rice
terraces are certainly worth the trip. The closest village to Bontoc is
Barlig
, 40km east, which is
also the starting point for a trek up Mount Amuyao (2702m). The trek can be done in a day
(guides P1500), or you can continue on to Batad (see p.182), 12km south, making it a two-day
trip (guides P3000) - ask about guides at the Barlig town hall. There are two no-frills lodges in
town (see p.172). Rarely visited by tourists,
Kadaclan
, 44km east of Bontoc, and
Natonin
,
74km east of Bontoc, are situated among beautiful scenery and are ideal for getting away from
it all for a day or two; both have basic accommodation (see p.172). Jeepneys to Barlig (daily
1pm, 2pm & 3pm; 2hr; P80), Kadaclan (daily 1pm & 2pm; 5hr; P140) and Natonin (daily 11am;
6hr; P200) leave from Loc-ong Road beside the Episcopal Church in Bontoc.
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ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
BONTOC AND AROUND
By bus
GL Lizardo buses arrive at Circle Station in Bontoc
beside the commercial centre, while D'Rising Sun buses
stop behind the Municipal Hall and Florida Cable Tours
leave passengers halfway up the main drag. Local buses
to and from Tabuk and Tinglayan stop at Lower Caluttit
opposite Bontoc's Polytechnic College.
Destinations
Baguio (GL Lizardo: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am,
1pm & 2.30pm; 5hr 30min; D'Rising Sun: hourly 6am-4pm;
5hr 30min); Manila (Cable Bus: 1 daily; 12hr); Tabuk (daily
9am; 5hr); Tinglayan (daily 9am; 3hr).
By jeepney
Jeepneys for Sagada (hourly 8.30am-
5.30pm; 45min; P45) leave from outside the
Walter
Clapp Inn
just off Bontoc's main drag. A daily jeepney to
Tabuk (daily 1pm; 5hr; P230) stopping off at Tinglayan
(2-3hr; P120) leaves from Lower Caluttit opposite the
Polytechnic College.
By van
Vans from Bontoc to Banaue (hourly 7.30am-
1.30pm; 2hr; P150) leave from beside Cooperative Bank.
Tourist information
The municipal tourist o
ce is by
the Municipal Hall in Bontoc (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm;
T
0907
489 7663,
W
bontoctourism.com), while the provincial
tourist o
ce is in the Provincial Capitol Building (Mon-Fri
8am-5pm;
T
0930 652 5598,
E
mtprovtourismo
ce
@yahoo.com).
