Long overshadowed by its more famous neighbors – Banaue and Sagada, Bontoc is now carving out its own identity on the tourist map.  If you fancy the outdoors and off-the-beaten track, this sleepy village located in the municipality of Bontoc – the capital of Mountain Province, will surprise you with its wealth of attractions concealed in its towering mountains draped by verdant wilderness.

Just 30 minutes away by land from downtown Bontoc is Maligcong, made famous by travel blogs who were looking for something new to explore in this region. So when my friend Kirk asked me to join him on his long weekend trip to Maligcong, I packed my bags right away.   This largely uncharted village is far from the tedious trappings of commercialism, and you will learn a lot from your encounter with the locals.  For a province-dweller like me, visiting such place is like journeying to the core of my being.

Here is a travel guide blog to help you plan your trip to Maligcong in Bontoc, Mountain Province:

MALIGCONG PRE-TRIP PREPARATION

When is the best time to visit Maligcong: May, June and July are the best months to visit as the Maligcong Rice Terraces are most likely green. Planting season in Maligcong begins in April, and the harvest season is August.

Money in Maligcong: There’s no ATM in Maligcong, best to stack up cash. Withdraw before you leave Manila, as everything is on cash basis in Maligcong. There’s no money exchange center either. There are 3 ATMs in Bontoc (Landbank, BDO, and Pinoy Coop ATM), but cash maybe limited as most locals withdraw here. Let’s give way to them, just withdraw your trip budget before leaving Manila.

Internet in Maligcong: Internet signal in Maligcong is quite intermittent and weak. Some homestays have internet. If you’re using data on your mobile phones, Globe has reportedly better signal than Smart/TNT. If you need to work online, you can do it in downtown Bontoc where PLDT fiber is available.

Safety in Maligcong:  Maligcong is tourist-friendly and  is pretty safe for solo travelers.

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HOW TO GET TO MALIGCONG:

There are 3 ways to get to Maligcong from Manila:

• Manila to Maligcong via Bontoc (recommended)
• Manila to Maligcong via Baguio
• Manila to Maligcong via Banaue

ROUTE 1: MANILA TO MALIGCONG (VIA BONTOC)

1. Take a Coda Lines Bus to Bontoc or Sagada. CODA Lines Bus has daily trips to  Bontoc and Sagada (via Bontoc), travel time is roughly 6-7 hours.  Their bus station is at HM Transport Cubao Terminal. See CODA Lines bus schedule below. Make sure you arrive early at the bus terminal, I suggest an hour before your scheduled trip.

2. Get off at Bontoc.  If you’re taking the bus to Sagada via Bontoc, tell the conductor that you are alighting at Bontoc.

3. At downtown Bontoc, look for the terminal of jeeps bound for Maligcong.   It is along Capitol Road beside the market, however during market day/weekend, they are parked on another street. There’s a shortcut near Landbank. If you can’t find it, just ride a tricycle and tell the driver to take you to the jeepney en route to Maligcong.  Tricycle fare is about ₱15 ($0.24) per person. Travel time to Maligcong proper from Bontoc is roughly 30 minutes and jeepney fare is around ₱35 ($0.57). First trip is around 8:00 AM. 

4.Ride the jeepney to Maligcong. Jeepneys to Maligcong depart daily around 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM, and 5:30 PM.

5.Alight in Maligcong. Travel time is 30 minutes.

6.Check-in at homestay. Look for your homestay in Maligcong. Use Google Maps or ask the local for directions.

7.Hire a local guide for Mt. Kupapey. You need a guide for your safety as you will leave at in the wee hours of the morning when it’s still dark. Ask your homestay for referral. They would usually provide a tour guide. We got our from our homestay – Suzette Homestay. You can reach him through the phone number below in advance. He is a true local and was very helpful and kind during our trip.

Maligcong Tour Guide Fee:

Mt. Kupapey Tour Guide Fee – ₱600 ($9.75), good for 5 pax, additional person ₱100 ($1.62)

Mt. Fato Tour Guide Fee – ₱600 ($9.75), good for 5 pax, additional person ₱100 ($1.62)

Environmental Fee – ₱60 ($0.98) per person

Maligcong Tour Guide:

Marcelino Erigio – Mobile #: 0975 417 9231

CODA LINES BUS SCHEDULE

I highly recommend buying your bus ticket in advance as this is a popular bus route with limited buses, so it’s almost always fully booked.  Your best bet is to make an online reservation or booking. Click the link below.

I highly recommend buying your bus ticket in advance as this is a popular bus route with limited buses, so it’s almost always fully booked.  Your best bet is to make an online reservation or booking. Click the link below.

CODA LINES MANILA TO BONTOC SCHEDULE

 Trip Schedule: (Departure) Daily 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, (Arrival) 1:44 AM and 2:44 AM

Travel time: approximately 6 -7 hours

Bus fare (terminal):

Deluxe ₱ 1,020 ($17)

Super Deluxe – ₱ 1,140  ($19)

Bus Fare (online):

Deluxe – ₱ 1,122  ($18.21) – ₱ 1,189  ($19)

Super Deluxe – ₱ 1,254 ($20.35) – ₱ 1,329  ($22)

MANILA TO BONTOC BUS TICKET: RESERVE HERE OR RESERVE HERE

Important: Print your online ticket bookings and hand it over to the staff at the ticket counter to exchange to an actual Coda Bus ticket.

 How to get to Coda Lines Terminal in Cubao (Manila):

• Coda Lines
• Address: HM Transport Inc. Monte de Piedad
• Corner Maryland Cubao, Quezon City
• GPS: 14°37’25.2″N 121°02’55.1″E
• Open Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Ticket counter), departures/reservations – open 24/7

 Via MRT

1.  Make your way to MRT 3. Take the MRT.
2. Get off at Cubao Station and exit the station.
3. Walk to HM Transport Terminal where Coda Lines is located. 8-10 min walk.

Via LRT

1. Make your way to LRT 1. Take the LRT 1.
2. Get off at Doroteo Jose Station. Exit the station.
3. Walk over to LRT 2 Recto Station.
4. Buy a ticket and board the LRT 2.
5. Get off at Araneta Center – Cubao Station.
6. Walk to HM Transport Terminal where Coda Lines is located. 10-15 min walk.

BONTOC TO MALIGCONG JEEPNEY SCHEDULE

• 8:00 AM
• 2:00 PM
• 12:00 PM
• 4:00 PM

MALIGCONG TO BONTOC JEEPNEY SCHEDULE

• 6:30 AM
• 7:30 AM
• 8:30 AM
• 1:30 PM
• 3:30 PM

Route 2: MANILA – BAGUIO- BONTOC-MALIGCONG

1.Take a bus to Baguio such as Victory Liner in Cubao and Pasay.  Travel time is roughly 6.5 hours.

MANILA TO BAGUIO: CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE

2. Upon arrival in Baguio, take a cab to  either Dangwa or Slaughter House. Both terminals have daily buses en route to Bontoc. Travel time is roughly 5 hours.

3. In Bontoc, look for the terminal of the jeep to Maligcong.  There’s a shortcut near Landbank. Travel time is roughly 30 minutes and fare is ₱35 ($0.57)

First trip is around 8:00 AM. 

ROUTE 3: MANILA-BANAUE-MALIGCONG

1.Take the Ohayami Bus to Banaue. Manila to Banaue bus trip schedule is daily around 10:00 PM. Bus fare (without CR) is roughly  ₱740 ($12). and bus fare (with CR) ₱840 ($ 14). Travel time is roughly 6.5 hours depending on traffic.

2.In Banaue, ride a jeep or van bound for Bontoc.  Travel time is approximately 1 – 1.5 hours. Fare is  around ₱200 ($3.25).

3. Get off at downtown Bontoc and look for the terminal of jeep bound for Maligcong.  Jeepney fare is around ₱35 ($0.57) and travel time from Bontoc to Maligcong 30 minutes. First trip is around 8:00 AM. 

MANILA TO BANAUE BUS TICKET: RESERVE HERE

BANAUE TO MANILA BUS TICKET: RESERVE HERE

• Ohayami Trans
• Address: Fajardo Street Corner Lacson Sampaloc, Manila
• GPS: 14°37’11.5″N 120°59’56.3″

 GOING BACK TO MANILA FROM BONTOC

At Bontoc, there are buses to Baguio or you may take a Coda Bus Line to Cubao, Quezon City. See the CODA Lines bus schedule above.  Or take a jeepney to Banaue from Bontoc and at Banaue, ride the Ohayami Bus to Manila that leaves at 6:30 PM and 6:45 PM.

BONTOC TO MANILA BUS TICKET: RESERVE HERE

MALIGCONG, BONTOC TOURIST SPOTS

1.Maligcong Rice Terraces

Maligcong Rice Terraces, an age-old man-made stone-walled rice terraces, is looming with brooding power over pine-fringed mountains.  And like other rice terraces in the Philippines, it is great testament to the creativity and indigenous engineering skills of its residents. Maligcong Rice Terraces  was declared as a Natonal Cultural Treasure (NCT) by the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA).  According to the declaration, the stonewalls of the Maligcong Rice Terraces are exemplary examples of vernacular reinforced slope protection systems paired with practical irigation systems of the Cordillera. These structures is an embodiment of the folk architecture of the Bontoc ethnolinguistic group. It also mentioned that the rice terraces have historically been a cornerstone of sustenance for the local families and clans thereby fostering a deep connection to the land.

If you wish to see the rice terraces  in their greenest state, visit around May to July.

2. Mt.Kupapey/Mt.Kofafey

Do not leave Maligcong without climbing Mt.Kupapey at sunrise, the view here is mesmerizing.  It is the highlight of our trip. If you visit in December, you might chance upon the sea of clouds before sunrise covering the rice terraces below.  The climb to Mt.Kupapey is good for beginners, difficulty level is rated 3/9 by mountaineers, but as the trail is not that well established yet, be prepared to scramble on some rocks and fallen branches.

• Mt. Kupapey
• Elevation: 1,647 MASL
• Difficulty: 3/9
• Hike: 1.5 – 2 hours

3.Mt. Fato

Mt. Fato photo by Kar Joseph

Travelers visiting Maligcong can also hike Mt.Fato, but Kirk and I failed to do this as we arrived quite late.  But according to the other group of hikers we met (Karl Joseph and her group), the trail to Mt. Fato is more difficult than that of Kupapey’s because of the steep trail.  There is a rock formation at the summit of Mt. Fato that offers affordable 360 view of Maligcong village.

• Mt. Fato
• Elevation: 1,438 MASL
• Difficulty: 3/9
• Hike: 1.5 – 2 hours

WHERE TO STAY IN MALIGCONG

There are homestays in Maligcong,  but best to book in advance to secure a bed, especially if you’re traveling there on a weekend or public holiday.

1.Suzette Homestay

Contact#: 0915 546 3557 / 0945 546 5902

We stayed at Ate Suzette’s house with a veranda  offering dramatic view of Maligcong Rice Terraces while you sip your free home-made tea!  They have three rooms, one with bathroom inside and two with shared bathrooms (with hot and cold shower).  Overall, the house is clean with spacious lawn.  If you like dogs, they have plenty and they will even join you in your hike. But they can get annoying when they beg for food, so  Ate Suzette instructed us not to feed them while we were eating. 

Shared/Dormitory Room: ₱500 ($8.13) per person

Private Room – ₱1,500 ($24.39)

Towel – ₱40 ($0.65)

WiFi – ₱50 ($0.81)

2. Mavy’s Maligcong Homestay

• Location: Maligcong, Bontoc
• RESERVE HERE

*Don’t forget to use my promo codes: SOLOAGODA (Agoda Hotels) and SOLOKLOOK (Klook).

TOUR GUIDE IN MALIGCONG

Hiring a guide when climbing Mt.Kupapey (Mt.Kofafey) and Mt.Fato is recommended. ₱600 ($9.75), good for 5 pax, additional person ₱100 ($1.62).

Maligcong Tour Guide Fee:

Mt. Kupapey Tour Guide Fee – ₱600 ($9.75), good for 5 pax, additional person ₱100 ($1.62)

Mt. Fato Tour Guide Fee – ₱600 ($9.75), good for 5 pax, additional person ₱100 ($1.62)

Environmental Fee – ₱60 ($0.98) per person

Maligcong Tour Guide:

Marcelino Erigio – Mobile #: 0975 417 9231

MALIGCONG RICE TERRACES FEES

*₱ 100 ($1.62)  is collected for each additional person.

MALIGCONG BONTOC ITINERARY WITH BUDGET/EXPENSES

Here’s a sample Maligcong Rice Terraces Itinerary for 2 days 1 night, perfect for a weekend trip from Manila to Maligcong via Bontoc.

MALIGCONG RICE TERRACES TRAVEL TIPS 

• Bring jacket as the weather can get pretty cold at night and lightweight t-shirt/base layer.
• Bring windbreaker or raincoat for unexpected rain,
• Bring headlamp and flashlight.
• Bring waterproof hiking backpack.
• Bring drinking water and trail food. Stay hydrated.
• Bring hiking pole.
• Wear proper hiking shoes especially during rainy season as the trail can get muddy and slippery.
• You can cook your food at the homestay or order a meal in advance.
• Strictly lights out at 9:00 PM for the entire village.
• Hire a guide when climbing Mt.Kupapey (Mt.Kofafey) as it is easy to get lost there.
• Guide dogs owned by the guide or the homestay might join you on your trek.  But we were told that this is not encouraged by some local farmers as some dogs run after their carabaos and they end up falling from the cliff or to the rice terraces destroying the crops.
• To shorten your hike to Mt. Fato, you can catch the jeep from Maligcong that can drop you off the jumping-off point.
• Overnight camping is not allowed.
• The jeep back to Bontoc is usually full, so be prepared to climb and sit on the roof.
• Please do not leave trash on the mountains or anywhere on the village.

Special thanks to Kar Joseph and her group for sharing their food to us. And of course, to my travel buddy Kirk (IG :@kirkacebron) for tagging me along.

MALIGCONG SIDE TRIPS

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