CAR: Stairways to the Stars

Details

Category: Destination

Published on Sunday, 22 January 2012 17:31

Abra • Apayao • Benguet • Ifugao • Kalinga • Mountain Province • Baguio City

About the region

Nestled in the Cordillera mountain range in the heart of the Northern Philippines, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is comprised of the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Baguio City. The region has always been a popular tourist destination because of its relatively cooler climate and its unique cultural heritage.

How to get there and go around

While there are no international flights to any of the locations, Baguio City has an airport serviced by small aircrafts from other cities such as Tuguegarao City. There are also bus companies which have routes to major towns such as Bangued (Abra province), Tabuk (Kalinga province), Bontoc (Mt Province), Banaue and Lagawe (Ifugao rovince), La Trinidad (Benguet province), and Baguio City. Some of these companies are Dangwa Transit, Autobus, Partas, Genesis, and Dominion. The public transportation in the region is mostly by jeepney or van.

There are also some inter-provincial bus lines coming from Ilocos or Cagayan Valley. Travelers will experience an exhilarating ride through winding and inclined roads as the road network and infrastructure follow the region’s mount

To learn more, see www.philippines-travel-guide.com.

Where to stay

Most of the bigger hotels are located in Baguio City, which is the regional center. Some popular hotels include Hotel Elizabeth, Camp John Hay, and the Baguio Country Club. For smaller towns such as Banaue, Sagada, and Bontoc, there are more inns and pension houses which cater to both foreign and domestic tourists.

To learn more, see:
www.hotelscombined.com/City/Baguio_City.htm
http://www.travbuddy.com/Banaue-hotels-874280
sagada.org/inns-and-hotels

What to eat

The region is primarily an agriculture-based economy with the diet consisting mainly of upland rice, corn, sweet potatoes, yams, meat, and poultry. Benguet province is also known for growing vegetables which are then brought to Manila’s wet markets, thus earning for itself the moniker, “The Salad Bowl of the Philippines”. A popular delicacy of the region is tapuey, or rice wine.

What to buy

The region is known for its wood products, some of which are found in stores in Manila. These woodcarving products range from the practical to the decorative. But whatever the purpose, Cordillera woodcarvings are works of art. Likewise, clothing accessories with the distinct Cordillera patterns can also be bought. From bags, scarves, or wallets, the products are a testament to the ingenuity of Cordillera weavers.

Some popular food products can be bought in Baguio City, namely strawberry jam, ube (purple yam) jam, peanut brittle, and chocolate brittle. Most of these can be bought at the Good Shepherd Convent; the proceeds are used to support scholars of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.

What to see and do

Baguio City

Designed by the American architect who designed the Washington Mall, Daniel Burnham, Baguio City was originally envisioned as a summer getaway for residents of the lowlands wishingto escape the sweltering summer heat. The city has many attractions most notable of which are the Burnham Park, Botanical Garden, Tam-awan Heritage Village, Baguio Cathedral, and Camp John Hay. For those who wish to get away from it all but still enjoy the comforts of urban living, Baguio City is for them.

To learn more, see:
www.baguio.gov.ph
www.gobaguio.com

Banaue Rice Terraces

The world famous rice fields manually carved alongside the mountainside of Banaue is an example of Filipino ingenuity and adaptability. It has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is both an engineering and agricultural marvel. Despite the onslaught of modernization and commercial progress, the rice terraces are still a sight to behold.

To learn more, see:travel-philippines.com/locations/central-luzon/1-banaue.htm

Sagada Mountain Province

Starting out as an Episcopalian missionary outpost during the early years of the American colonization, Sagada is one of the few, if not the only town in the Philippines with a predominantly American influence not only in architecture, but also in religious influence. Not only is it a quaint highland town in Mt. Province, but it is also a cultural and eco-tourism destination, where travelers can go spelunking or explore the “hanging coffins” used by the native Igorot tribes who originally inhabited the area.

To learn more, see:www.visitsagada.com

Mt. Pulag National Park

Straddling the provinces of Benguet and Mt. Province, Mount Pulag is the second-highest peak in the Philippines and the highest in the major island of Luzon. It is a must-climb for both local and foreign mountaineers as the sights from the summit are truly breath-taking. On some days one can even be “above the clouds”.

To learn more, see:UNESCO Tentative Lists.

Relevant Contacts

PH Department of Tourism CAR
DOT Complex, Gov. Pack Road, Baguio City
Tel. No.: (+6374) 442-7014 / 619-1127
Fax No.: (+6374) 442-8848

Abra Provincia Tourism Council (APTC)
Office of the Governor
Abra Provincial Capitol
Tel. No. (+6374) 7528118

Provincial Culture & Arts Council
Benguet Corporation, Balatoc, Benguet
Tel. No.: (+6374) 447-2611

Download this brochure.

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