Tinglayan Rice Terraces in Kalinga

Planning a trip? Those who love to travel know the essence of all travel is about you and your enjoyment. Travelers know that the destination is a major part in planning a trip, experiencing and delving deeper into an unfamiliar places, people and culture is paramount.

Expand your horizons and set your sight to the Philippines, an off the beaten path travel site! An undiscovered paradise made of thousands of islands and white sand beaches all around! A tiny dot in the map of the world, and yet a haven for travelers, backpackers, retirees and even passersby.

It offers awesome tourist attractions, magnificent beaches, hot spring resorts, colorful festivals, hundreds of scenic spots and world-class hotels and facilities. Not to mention the tropical climate, the affordable prices as well as the friendly and hospitable, English-speaking people! You will be glad you came, and we’re sure, you WILL come back for more FUN in the Philippines!

TINGLAYAN RICE TERRACES

Photo from: thekayumanggitrails.org

We did this trip in late December 2003 and can very highly recommend it. Just writing this article reminds me of the extraordinary experience it was to be in these remote communities for those few days. I will be back!!! It was made all the better for the friendliness and hospitality of the the the local people. I was warned by Filipino friends about the warlike nature of the ex-headhunters of this region and to be very careful around them. How completely wrong they were.

Photo from: travel-philippines.com

Tinglayan is about 40 Km north of Bontoc in Kalinga Province. We based ourselves in the Riverside Inn in the village of Luplupa, and stayed for three nights.

Photo from: travel-philippines.com

For this trip allow for lots of sightseeing stopping time. The road, which follows the Chico River, offers some of the most beautiful views we have seen in the Philippines. Valley after valley of extraordinary mountain terrain with rice terraces situated in seemingly impossible places.

Photo from: travel-philippines.com

The dirt road is good though narrow. The regular road users know where to pull over, so you won’t have any trouble if you are driving yourself. There are a few muddy patches so we would not recommend you do this in a standard sedan card. During the wet season, you will definitely need a 4X4. The jeepneys that ply these roads permanently lock their rear differential, which is why they can get through during almost any weather condition. If there are a few of you, consider renting a jeep to take you there at your own pace. We have a 4×4 Suzuki Vitara, so that is how we traveled. If you take a bus or jeepney, the best seats are on the roof – if you are game.

Photo from: travel-philippines.com

At a bend in the road about, 100 meters before the Butbut turnoff, there is an old open hut (GPS N17°12.038’ E121°05.281’). We made a fire and had lunch there while enjoying the great views from this shelter.

Photo from: spiritedthoughts.wordpress.com