Things to see and do Bontoc

Founded in 1911, by the Belgian missionary mother Basil Gekière, the museum houses a collection of objects that give a glimpse of the way of life of the 7 tribes of the Cordillera. Photographs, relating the indigenous customs are exposed. The traditions of the Igorots, the Bontocs, the Kalingas, the Kakaneys of Benguet, the Ilongots, the Aetas and the Ibalois are examined in detail. Replicas of traditional houses in the museum's garden showcase ancient tools, jars, porcelain, antique jewelry and traditional costumes.

They are among the most beautiful rice fields in the archipelago! They can be reached on foot, in 3 hours, above Bontoc. They are built in staircases, with low stone walls to support them. The trek must be undertaken with a guide. Once up there, preferably early in the morning, a breathtakingly beautiful view opens up, often with a gradually dissipating sea of clouds, over the mountains, the village of Bontoc and the Chico River. It's absolute calm, a place that seems frozen in time, untouched by the frenzy of modern life.

In Alab, in the municipality of Bontoc, there is a huge rock covered with engravings of arrows, bows and human representations. These rocks would symbolize the warriors buried in the caves at the foot of the rock. These petroglyphs, of more than 3 000 years, would have been carved by the first inhabitants of Bontoc and would date from at least 1500 B.C. They are the most important rock engravings of the Mountain Range and the second of the country.

The hot springs in the village of Mainit(mainit means "hot" in Tagalog), on the heights of Bontoc, are a pleasant expedition, off the beaten track. Legend has it that the village of Mainit is located on a dormant volcano. There are several hot springs and the inhabitants have built artificial pools to enjoy them. You can dip your feet in the pool of sulphur water, which is known for its therapeutic and relaxing properties.

The village of Buscalan is famous among Filipinos and international travelers as it is the homeland of tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od. A true legend in the country, she was even on the cover of Vogue in April 2023! She belongs to the Kalinga tribe and is the last and oldest traditional tattoo artist. At the time of writing, she is 107 years old. She still tattoos with a pick and ash. A beautiful souvenir for the most adventurous, a unique experience for the others too!