Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RAFTING THROUGH THE RICE TERRACES
The area around Tabuk offers excellent
rafting
opportunities on the Chico River, which snakes
its way through spectacular rice terrace scenery. The most reliable company is
Chico River
Quest
(
T
0917 750 2913,
W
chicoriverquest.com), which runs trips for all levels - they have
seven rafts and use one or two guides per raft. The prime rafting season is July through to
October; trips between October and December are dependent on rainfall.
The best run for
beginners
starts at the confluence of the Pasil and Chico rivers, and lasts
about two hours (P2000/person for a minimum of five people, including transport and food).
More experienced rafters should ask about a longer run which starts upriver in Tinglayan
(4-6hr; P6000/person for a minimum of five). This trip also allows you to stop off halfway down
for a one-hour canyon hike.
rudimentary hand looms. Ask at the
town hall
to arrange a visit, or for advice about
hiking routes and
guides
. You might also ask about the
cultural village
, around thirty
minutes from the town, where traditional dance performances occasionally take place.
3
Tabuk
While it has little to see, the agricultural town and provincial capital of
TABUK
, 50km
north of Tinglayan, offers a surprisingly decent choice of accommodation and the only
internet and banks in the region. The town serves as a base and jumping-off point for
trekking excursions, visits to tribal tattoo artists and
rafting
on the nearby Chico River.
Ryan's Farm
Mapaoay, Ipil, 6km north of Tabuk • P50 •
T
0916 755 7078 • A tricycle from Tabuk will cost around P70-100
While in Tabuk, take the time to visit
Ryan's Farm
, owned by Corazon and Jeremy
Ryan. They have a prawn hatchery and fishponds, and experiment with vermiculture
(worm composting) and organic agriculture, but most of all it's just pleasant to enjoy
their conversation - possibly over a glass of home-made
bugnay
(local berry) wine.
They can also prepare a meal and possibly even put you up for the night if you call
in advance.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION KALINGA PROVINCE
In the
dry season
Tinglayan, Tabuk and Lubuagan can be reached by jeepneys from Bontoc, although services in this
area are anything but regular and it's a bumpy road, so the trip can take many hours. In the
rainy season
(particularly
July-Oct) it may be impossible to travel between Tinglayan and Tabuk due to the road conditions, in which case Tinglayan
is best approached from Bontoc while Tabuk is reached via Tuguegarao.
from Bontoc and Tinglayan that pass through Lubuagan
in the mornings.
Services
There are no banks or internet access.
TINGLAYAN
By bus
There's one daily bus from Bontoc to Tabuk that
stops off in Tinglayan around 11am (2hr). Heading back
the other way from Tabuk to Bontoc, local buses stop in
Tinglayan around 11am and noon (2hr).
By jeepney
A couple of daily jeepneys run from Bontoc to
Tinglayan (2hr; P100) and a handful of jeepneys between
Tabuk and Bontoc pass through.
Services
There are no banks or internet access.
TABUK
By bus
From Manila, Victory Liner buses run to Tabuk
(12hr), while if coming from Baguio (10hr) you can catch
a GL Lizardo. There's also one daily bus connecting Bontoc
to Tabuk (6am; 4hr). Leaving town, Victory Liner (4.30pm,
5pm & 5.15pm) has regular services to Manila; GL Lizardo
buses to Baguio leave daily at 4.30pm.
By jeepney
Jeepneys from Bontoc stop off in Tinglayan
and Lubuagan before stopping at Tabuk.
Destinations
Bontoc (4hr; P220); Lubuagan (1hr 30min;
P80); Tinglayan (3hr; P120).
LUBUAGAN
By bus
A couple of local buses from Bontoc to Tabuk stop
off in Lubuagan between 11am and 1pm (2hr 30min).
By jeepney
Jeepneys connect Tabuk and Lubuagan (1hr
30min; P80). There are a couple of morning jeepneys
