MALIGCONG RICE TERRACES AS PART OF MY MALIGCONG PENTA CLIMB

Location: Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines 

Highly intimate encounter with Maligcong Rice Terraces

The first time, I experienced to set foot in Maligcong Rice Terraces was when I have my 2-day Twin Hike tour package of Mount Kupapey Climb and Mount Fato Climb.  On the first day, I saw this terraces at a distance while in our Chen's Homestay accommodation and while at the summit of Mount Fato.  But it was during the second day that after viewing the terraces from an elevation 1,647 MASL summit of Mount Kupapey, in our descent back to the jump-off point, we really experienced walking on its massive terraces.

Just descended from the jump-off point of Sitio Fang-orao

Walking through the terraces heading to Sitio Favarey

After our Twin-Peak Climb of Kupapey and Fato, I asked our guide, David Rome Chumacog if there is a possibility that I can have more climbs in Maligcong for a solo climb where I will get him as my guide.  He offered to me the Maligcong Penta Climb to include:  Mount Kupapey, Mount Lakipan, Mount Matuon, Mount Chumanegcheg, and Mount Amfungotngor, which we did and this post is just a part of that Penta climb.

Approaching Sitio Favarey

While I stayed in Sitio Favuyan of Barangay Maligcong where Chen's Homestay is located, David Rome has to drove me Sitio Fang-orao where the jump-off point of Maligcong Rice Terraces is located.  All transport vehicles stop there since the road ends there.  And visitors have to do the trekking to go to Sitio Favarey and beyond.  Sitio Fang-orao is one of the sitios of Barangay Maligcong, a rural community of mountain village.  It has 235 households who rely on primary farming and rice terrace agriculture.  It is connected via community footpaths and communal irrigation projects linked to Padkil Creek.  Its area is just a part of the 1,500 hectares total land area of Barangay Maligcong.

The view of Maligcong Rice Terraces before ascending to Mount Matuon

After passing thru Sitio Favarey, I had a 45-minute trek heading to the jump-off point of Mount Matuon.  This time, I am closer the rice terraces on the mountain slopes.  Sitio Favarey is one of the oldest upland settlements and sitios comprising the Maligcong Rice Terraces.  It has no direct road network and is accessible only via foot trails from neighboring sitios like Favuyan.  Its precise headcounts of households are unavailable, but travel and local documentation note that the population is small and gradually declining as younger generations migrate to urban centers for work, leaving a tight-knit community or traditional Cordilleran households and elders.

Another captured scenery before ascending to Mount Matuon

It took us more than 3 hours to complete our trek and summiting to Mount Matuon and Mount Lakipan.  We did these two climbs on the second day of my Maligcong Penta Climb.  I also have separate blog posts for Mount Matuon and Mount Lakipan climbs.

The view as we ascend Mount Lakipan

As I descended closer to the terraces base

Countdown of terraces to the base

The base of deception

I thought that we are heading to the base of terraces, but I was wrong since from there, we still have to trek down and even have to trek longer back to Sitio Favarey.  So, it was just like a circuit.  Coming from the jump-off point of Sitio Fang-orao, a trek to Sitio Favarey then to the foot of Mount Matuon then to Mount Lakipan and on the descent, the trail is going back to Sitio Favarey and back to Sitio Fang-orao.

Heading back to Sitio Favarey

With my guide, David Rome Chumacog heading back to Sitio Favarey

From Sitio Favarey, we can now see the Sitio Fang-orao, but don't be misled as it still takes a long trek strutting and balancing on top of narrow terraces which are wet and at times slippery.

Getting closer to Sitio Favarey

Still a 15-minute trek to Sitio Favarey

This is already close to Sitio Fang-orao

From Sitio Favarey to Sitio Fang-orao is an 20-minute trek.  The slippery trail of terraces slowed my motion.   From Sitio Fang-orao, we boarded a motor cycle back to my accommodation at Chen's Homestay.  I was back at the accommodation at around 9:15 A.M. just timely to clean-up and had an early lunch.  I checked out at 11:00 A.M. as it is their policy.  It took me more than an hour to have a jeepney down to Bontoc town proper, since the jeep has to be filled with passengers before it leaves.  My bus trip to Manila was at 3:45 P.M.

TOUR GUIDE RATE

The guide is P500 per destination for a ratio of 1 is to 5 pax.  So, if for one day, there are 3 destinations visited, then, it will be P1,500.

ACCOMMODATION,  MEAL RATES AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEE

The accommodation at Chen's Homestay is P500 per person for a day, while kids is charged at half or P250 per person.  Meal per order is P250.  However, the guests can cooked their food and they charge P500 per day using all the cooking, dining wares and all cutlery items.  Coffee is free.  There is an environmental fee of P60 per head.

HOW TO GO TO BONTOC AND CHEN'S HOMESTAY (PUBLIC TRANSPORT)

1. Take a Coda Bus Liner from Cubao (Quezon City of Metro Manila) to Bontoc of Mountain Province for a fare which varies from P900 or US$14.69 to P1,200 or US$19.59 one way with a travel duration of 10-11 hours.  The final destination of this bus is to Sagada, but you need to alight in Bontoc town proper.
2. From Bontoc Commercial Center, usually parked along Capital Road behind the public market or in front of Pines Kitchenette and Inn, take a jeepney to Maligcong where your drop-off point is Favuyan (the lower/main area near most homestays) for P50 or US$0.81.  The travel time is roughly 30 to 45 minutes along scenic, uphill road.   Jeepneys leave when full, with standard intervals typically scheduled around 8:00 AM, 12:00 NN, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.

THANKS FOR READING!

MOUNT KUPAPEY CLIMB: CAN BE A TWIN-PEAK DAY CLIMB WITH MOUNT FATO

Location: Barangay Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines
Jump-off Point: Sitio Favuyan, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province

Elevation: 1,647 MASL (5,403.54 feet)

Days Required / Hours to Summit: 1 day / 1 - 1/2 hours

Specs:  Minor Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1

Features: Trail covered with pine forest where its first 30 minutes is a continuous but gradual assault; the first 15 minutes cuts through a few village houses along rice terraces; it passes through the summit of Mount Angtungfao; and it is overlooking the century-old wonder of Maligcong Rice Terraces.

Maligcong Rice Terraces as captured from Mount Kupapey summit

This post is the continuation of my Mount Fato Climb tour package, since it is a twin-peak climb tour package with John Lester Belardo and Kristine Capistrano as our tour provider.  This serves as the Day 2 of this trip.

My clean, warm and comfortable bed at Chen's Homestay (upper deck)

Our group had a wake-up call at 3:30 A.M., since we need to prepare for our climb and take hot beverage to warm our bodies from freezing cold.   We started our trek at 4:15 A.M. equipped with headlight, thermal outfit, enough bottled water and trail food.  It was really dark then and the only path visible to us is the light coming from our headlight.  As far as I can recall, we have been continuously ascending gradually. In the midst of pitch black and freezing cold dawn, I can only hear the very loud, distinct buzzling, clicking or whirring sound of the cicadas.

Arriving at the summit at 5:25 A.M.

Our pacing was so slow, since some has to take a rest every few minutes of trek.  Maybe, they have not conditioned themselves before they climb.   The other day climb at Mount Fato was not at all strenuous with no assaults.  It was already 5:25 A.M when we arrived at the summit, but it was still dark.

Everybody was excitedly waiting for the clearing of clouds

This time for Day 2, our guide was still David Rome Chumacog.  He was busy keeping the bonfire light up and boiled water for the morning tea drink from local wild tea plant.   At this point in time, it was still dark and the terraces were not as grand as they are when viewed with the rays of the sun.

Still waiting for the clearing at 5:45 AM

While at the summit marker

While there was no complete clearing yet, most of us were seated at the slope facing the rice terraces patiently waiting for the best view to unfold.

The terraces as captured at 5:56 AM

Gathering around the warm bonfire at the summit

With an approximate climbers of 250, few of us except for the tour provider knew each other well.  We came from different tour providers as joiners.  But the good thing for climbers, everybody seems to be polite, nice and welcoming.  Our common goal is to witness the beauty that awaits our eager eyes.

We started to grind our cameras as second by second the majestic view unfold

While others were busy capturing the view, others were totally in spell bound, but with wide eyes open in complete amazement.  I learned that some of those who were here have been here for more than once.  They just simply wanted to witness again the beauty of the scenery.

The scene at at 6:23 A.M.

The sun was up already at 6:23 AM and with this, the sun's rays defined well the contrasting line of colors of the terraces became more visible and vibrant.  Despite others having captured so much of the scenery, they still remained not wanting to leave.

Not even me wanted to leave

A drone shot of our group

Our group was the last to leave the summit, since we wanted to have an exclusive drone shot.  One of our joiners,  Jhaytom Altobar Pineda had the drone, which we also used in our drone shots in our previous day Mount Fato Climb.

Another drone shot of the summit

Finally, leaving the summit

The above picture is still a part of the summit.  The summit has such a magical view and good for pictorials like the prenup wedding.  The slopes on the other side is even more magnificent densely grown with pine trees.

David Samson Perio Palubon

The above picture was just one of those who had pictorials at the summit using high powered camera and I grabbed this with his permission just to show how spectacular is the view of the summit.

My pictorials at the summit

The descent from the summit

From the summit, we descended trekking to another route.  It was not the same trail that we trekked at dawn.  This time, we are going to walk on the rice terraces, with this, the distance will be longer.

The trail heading to the rice terraces

Most of the trail heading to the terraces is gradual descents and flat.  It was like walking at the mall.  The trail is quite established.

The clearing of Mount Angtungfao Peak

According to our guide, this part here is another mountain halfday called by the locals Mount Angtungfao with an elevation of 1,493 MASL or 4,898.29 feet above sea level.

Approaching the rice terraces

After 15 minutes of trek from Mount Angtungfao, we descended to a slope leading to the rice terraces.  It was a sharp drop, but the view was really rewarding.

Intimately close to the rice terraces

At this point, I am almost at the rice terraces, compared when I was at the summit that I was only capturing an overlooking view of the terraces.

Finally, setting foot at the rice terraces

Then, walking on the rice terraces

At a distance, one will see the rice terraces as small stairs, but when we were already walking on it, I have witnessed that they are massive and each terrace is even taller than the height of an average person and the terrace walls are hand-carved mountain slopes, sturdy stacked stone walls with intricate irrigation channels.

Walking thru the narrow terraces

Me, being dwarfed with the size of the terraces

I arranged with the guide that we trekked fast so that we will be at the lead pack and there will be no distractions while taking pictures and videos.

With the company of climbing buddies

A group drone picture while on the terraces

Another drone picture of the expansive rice terraces

Still another drone picture

Last drone picture heading to the regular trail

Back to the jump-off point

We arrived in our accommodation at 9:35 AM.  We had time to clean up and took our lunch.  The check-out time is 11:00 AM, but the check-in time is any time.

TOUR GUIDE RATE

The guide is P500 per destination for a ratio of 1 is to 5 pax.  So, if for one day, there are 3 destinations visited, then, it will be P1,500.

ACCOMMODATION,  MEAL RATES AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEE

The accommodation at Chen's Homestay is P500 per person for a day, while kids is charged at half or P250 per person.  Meal per order is P250.  However, the guests can cooked their food and they charge P500 per day using all the cooking, dining wares and all cutlery items.  Coffee is free.  There is an environmental fee of P60 per head.

HOW TO GO TO BONTOC AND CHEN'S HOMESTAY (PUBLIC TRANSPORT)

1. Take a Coda Bus Liner from Cubao (Quezon City of Metro Manila) to Bontoc of Mountain Province for a fare which varies from P900 or US$14.69 to P1,200 or US$19.59 one way with a travel duration of 10-11 hours.  The final destination of this bus is to Sagada, but you need to alight in Bontoc town proper.
2. From Bontoc Commercial Center, usually parked along Capital Road behind the public market or in front of Pines Kitchenette and Inn, take a jeepney to Maligcong where your drop-off point is Favuyan (the lower/main area near most homestays) for P50 or US$0.81.  The travel time is roughly 30 to 45 minutes along scenic, uphill road.   Jeepneys leave when full, with standard intervals typically scheduled around 8:00 AM, 12:00 NN, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.

THANKS FOR READING!

AN EXECUTIVE CLIMB TO MOUNT FATO

Location: Barangay Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines
Jump-off Point: Sitio Favuyan, Barangay Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province

Elevation: 1,438 MASL (4,717.85 feet)

Days Required / Hours to Summit: 1 Day / 1 to 1 1/2 hours

Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1

Features: Trail covered with pine trees, the summit offers a vast panoramic view of the mountain of Bontoc and overlooking the massive Maligcong Rice Terraces; and it passes through the peak of Mount Podlak.  On its summit is a big limestone rock, summit boulder, or part of the Fato rock formation.  In fact, the name "Fato" is the local Kankana-ey pronunciation of the word bato, which means rock.  Its mostly flat or gradual  elevation pine tree-lined trails and cool mountain breeze can be categorized as a beginner-friendly hiking destination.

While at the summit boulder of Mount Fato

Day 0

This post is actually packaged tour as a 2-day twin-peak climb of Mount Fato and Mount Kupapey in Bontoc, Mountain province.  Our tour package provider was John Lester Belardo and Kristine Capistrano.   The tour chartered van drove us from the Mayflower Parking lot of Greenfield District of Mandaluyong City in Metro Manila leaving at 9:00 P.M. of a Friday.  Tours and climbing group joiners usually assemble in this area.

Day 1

Samoki Bridge leading to Bontoc town proper

It was really cold when we arrived in Ifugao, but it was more colder when we arrived in Bontoc town where the temperature is 18 degrees Celsius.  While in Metro Manila, the average temperature is from 31 to 34 degrees Celsius.

Driving thru an access road to our accommodation

After an 11.5 hours van travel from Manila, we arrived in Bontoc town at around 8:30 A.M. From the town, our van had uphill drive heading to our accommodation in Barangay Maligcong.  Bontoc town proper has an elevation of around 1,173 meters or 3,848 feet above sea level, while Maligcong is approximately 1,383 meters or 4,537 above sea level.  So, driving towards Maligcong leads to a high elevation thru an access or village road.

  

Arriving at Chen's Homestay

Chen's Homestay is located in Sitio Favuyan, Barangay Maligcong, Municipality of Bontoc, Mountain Province.  It is a bed and breakfast accommodation.  Tired from an overnight road travel, our organizer gave us the opportunity to rest in our bed.   They can be reached at Chen's Homestay or 0956-280-5628.

The dining section of our homestay

As far as I can remember, it was our service provider who cooked for our meals and lunch was our first included meal in the tour package.

The pine-covered trail of Mount Fato

At exactly 1:00 P.M. after a relaxing rest from our cold bed, we started to trek to Mount Fato.  Our highly abled and reliable guide was David Rome Chumacog, where he can be reached at 09066243602. He can speak well both in English and Tagalog.  The pine-forested path trail with stead ascents made our trek so easy.  No sweat at all plus the fact that it was cold though the sun was up at 1:00 P.M. and beyond.

A view deck near Mount Podlak peak

Our guide told us that, halfway to the summit of Mount Fato, we will pass thru the peak of Mount Podlak with an elevation of 1,274 MASL or 4,179.79 feet above sea level.  From this peak, there will be a minor descent to continue the trail to Mount Fato summit.

A group photo at the summit boulder

Honestly, none of the climbing joiners were known to me.  It was my first time to meet them.  However, it was my second time to avail the services of the tour provided proven to be reliable and have good service.  Food servings are great not rationed.   Kristine Capistrano is a good chef.  Her aromatic cooked meals are always packed with rich, deep flavor.

Exploring the heights of the summit boulder

We were given ample time to have solo pictures and video recordings at the summit boulder.  Good enough that by that time, there were only two groups climbed the mountain.   All were so friendly and accommodating.  On my part, I arranged all my pictures and videos with our guide, David Rome.

The rock formation at the back of the summit boulder

At 1,438 MASL or 4,717.85 feet summit, I enjoyed a lot of it ranging from its iconic gigantic rock formations for a 360-degree panoramic view, taking dramatic photos above the clouds, and soaking in the cool breeze and peaceful atmosphere overlooking the stunning Maligcong Rice Terraces.

Playing along with the rock formations

Each joiner has been given time for any pose and video capture he/she wanted.  We believe that climbing this can only be once since we want for more new climbs.

A drone shot capturing the expansive summit boulder

We were also lucky that one of the joiners shared his drone shots with the whole group in the person of Jhaytome Altobar Pineda.  In fact, he shared all drone pictures and videos to us.

Overlooking Maligcong Rice Terraces at the summit

Those who would like to climb this mountain has to note that there are also grassy paths, minor rock scrambling near the summit.   And I was so amazed that there was a local mountain dog who joined us during this climb from the jump-off point to the summit and back to the jump-off point.

Another drone shot of the summit boulder

Actually, the jagged stone stacks and large boulders are really ideal for great photo capture.  From this point also, is the best location to watch the sun dip below the rolling Cordillera ridges.  Had only we had an early morning trek, then we can also witness rolling mists hugging the surrounding peaks and valleys.

We really enjoyed to stay at the summit that it took us more than 80 minutes there.  Descending the mountain took me 40 minutes, since we were racing down to the jump-off point.  It was indeed a great climbing experience.  After dinner, we had an evening socials in the midst of a freezing cold night until 10:00 P.M.  The following day or Day 2 was another climb that of Mount Kupapey in a separate blog post.  You can read it also with gusto.

TOUR GUIDE RATE

The guide is P500 per destination for a ratio of 1 is to 5 pax.  So, if for one day, there are 3 destinations visited, then, it will be P1,500.

ACCOMMODATION,  MEAL RATES AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEE

The accommodation at Chen's Homestay is P500 per person for a day, while kids is charged at half or P250 per person.  Meal per order is P250.  However, the guests can cooked their food and they charge P500 per day using all the cooking, dining wares and all cutlery items.  Coffee is free.  There is an environmental fee of P60 per head.

HOW TO GO TO BONTOC AND CHEN'S HOMESTAY (PUBLIC TRANSPORT)

1. Take a Coda Bus Liner from Cubao (Quezon City of Metro Manila) to Bontoc of Mountain Province for a fare which varies from P900 or US$14.69 to P1,200 or US$19.59 one way with a travel duration of 10-11 hours.  The final destination of this bus is to Sagada, but you need to alight in Bontoc town proper.
2. From Bontoc Commercial Center, usually parked along Capital Road behind the public market or in front of Pines Kitchenette and Inn, take a jeepney to Maligcong where your drop-off point is Favuyan (the lower/main area near most homestays) for P50 or US$0.81.  The travel time is roughly 30 to 45 minutes along scenic, uphill road.   Jeepneys leave when full, with standard intervals typically scheduled around 8:00 AM, 12:00 NN, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.

THANKS FOR READING!