Overview

Bontoc is the capital of Mountain Province. Towering peaks and sharp ridges characterize this part of the province. The town also features a museum built by nuns, the rushing Chico River and stone rice terraces in the village of Malegcong. The place is settled among pine woods and countless terraces. The place is frequented by back-packers for it's varrying terrains.

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Map

Cordillera Map

Bontoc Map

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Transportation
-> Bontoc
Origin
Company
Schedule
 Route
Location
Baguio
Dangwa Tranco
Daily 0500 - 1200
 Halsema Road
18 (Baguio Center)
D' Rising Sun Trans - do - - do - -
Banaue Immanuel Trans Daily 1000 - 1100 - -
Jeepney Daily 0700-0730 - 23 (Bontoc)
Sagada - do - Daily 0600-1200 - -
Tabuk - do - Daily 0600 - 1330 Tinglayan -
Bontoc ->
Destination
Company
Schedule
 Route
Location
Baguio
Dangwa Tranco
Daily
 Halsema Road
18 (Baguio Center)
D' Rising Sun Trans - do - - do - -
Banaue
Immanuel Trans
Daily 0700
 -
-
Jeepney Daily 0730 - 23 (Bontoc)

For complete info, see Jens Peters' Philippines Travel Guide @ www.travelphil.com

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Accommodation
Establishment
Cost
 Contact Number/s
Point in Bontoc Map
Bontoc Hotel
P100 - P200
-
19
Chico Terraces Inn
P100 - P250
(6374)-4623099
17
Happy Home Inn
P100 - P200
(6374)-4623021
28
Lynda's Guesthouse
P100 - P350
(6374)-6031053
22
Mountain Hotel
P100 - P175
(6372)-4623018
23
Pines Kitchenette & Inn
P100 - P500
(6374)-6021509
9
Ridge Brooke Hotel
P150 -P600
(6374)-6021071
12
Village Inn
P100 - P250
(6374)-6021141
18

For complete info, see Jens Peters' Philippines Travel Guide @ www.travelphil.com

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Dining
Establishment
Point in Bontoc Map
Beautiful Dreamer Cafe
29
Bontoc Diner's Restaurant
27
Country Restaurant
24
New Double Eatery
13
Pines Kitchenette & Inn
9
Rendezvous Cafe
20
Zander's Cafe
18

For complete info, see Jens Peters' Philippines Travel Guide @ www.travelphil.com

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Amenities
Site
Point in Bontoc Map
All Saints Mission Elementary School
14
Church
2
Hospital
1
Landbank
5
Market
11
Philippine National Bank
3
Plaza
4
Police Station
21
Post Office
8
Provincial Capitol
3
Tourist Information
15
Town Hall
21

For complete info, see Jens Peters' Philippines Travel Guide @ www.travelphil.com

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Activities
Activity
Site / Description
Point in Bontoc Map
Massage
Massage Center
6
Museum
Bontoc Museum
10
Biking
Barlig / Natonin*
A rugged 26km trip to a remote municipality of Natonin, passing through pine and mossy forrest of Barlig. Not for novice bikers.
Kalinga*
Starting from Bontoc/Kalinga road north of Bontoc to Bugnay (35 km), pressing on to Tinglayan (10 km), then to Tulgao and Butbut.
Hiking / Trekking
Malegcong
Offers a view of Bontoc's rice terraces different from that of Ifugao's. The rice terraces were carved from mountainside and were reinforced by stones. It's a 3 hr walk from the town center. You can also reach the village by jeepneys leaving the town at 7am and 2pm. Guides are available in Bontoc for P700.
Mainit
A village noted for its hot springs and small-scale gold mining. From Malegcong, it's a 3hr trek to Mainit passing through a sulful spring. There's an alternative route to Mainit via a jeepney ride from Bontoc to Guinaang, and a 45 min downhill trek from there,
Kalinga*
This trek will take you to Tinglayan, 2 hrs north of Bontoc. You can take jeepneys from Bontoc leaving for Tabuk via Chico river, the largest river in Cordillera and the longest in the country. You can stop at night at the Sleeping Beauty Canteen at P75.
Southern Kalinga
This trek offers an exciting glimpse of the remote villages of kalinga. From Tinglayan (refer to previous item), you can take the occasional jeepney to Tulgao where you can get a glimpse of Bunog River and its adjoining waterfall, the Palan-ah Falls.Dananao and Sumadel, where you can see hot springs, can be found on the other side of Tulgao.South of Bontoc are Butbut, Loccong and Buscalan, which are noted for their native houses and traditional iron work. The journey demands some serious effort, you will climb 600-1000 over 5-7km.
Tanudan
A full-day trek to east of Tinglayan, you will find the village of Dacalan near the Tanudan river.From there, Mt. Vinaratan is a full-day hike through a dense jungle. Proceed to Egress, north of Dacalan. From Egress, it's a 6hr walk to Lobo-o, either 3hr jeepney ride to Tabuk or 8-hour walk through Angacan and Taluktok plus a short ride to Tabuk. In the wet season, watch out for leeches and diseases. Guides can be found in Tinglayan.
Balbalasang
An undeveloped national park where you can see gorges, dense forrest, caves and clear rivers. From Tinglayan, you can take up jeep bound for Tabuk and disembark at Kagoloan junction. Balbalan is an hour up the road while Balbalasang is another 2 hrs past that. This area is unexplored but offers great trekking possibilities. Bandits have been holding up private vehicles so be wary.
Mt. Amuyao
At 2700m outside of Barlig, this mountain offers a stunning view of the surrounding area. The trail would lead you through rice terraces, pine forrest, virgin rain forrest and stunted upland shrub forrest. The climb is around 1000 vertical meters ranging from steep to very steep. But the trail is quite established. Guides can be found in Barlig for P250 (negotiable).
Hungduan-Tinoc-Kabayan
Hungduan is 25km from Banaue, you can take jeepneys from there. Inquire at Halfway Lodge for accommodation. Hungduan offers spectacular rice terraces not unlike Batad's. From there, walk an hour down to Ahin, the 2 more up to Tinoc. Tinoc to Kabayan goes up 1000m and down around the same, and is slippery. Mt. Pulog, 2nd highest peak in the country and highest point in Luzon, is at the foot of Kabayan.

For complete info, see Jens Peters' Philippines Travel Guide @ www.travelphil.com &

*Robert Houston's Action Asia Adventure Travel Guide to the Philippines

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Please see site info for references