Discover Cordillera

The Cordillera Administrative Region is home to the Cordillera Central mountain range. Those planning a hotel stay in Cordillera will find a range of reasons to visit: mountain landscapes and hiking destinations sit alongside museums, cultural sites, festivals and regional cuisine. Choose places and experiences that match what interests you most on your trip.

Mountain Landscapes and Hiking Destinations

At 2,926 meters above sea level, Mount Pulag in Benguet is the highest mountain on Luzon. Its four major trails are the Ambangeg Trail, Akiki Trail, Tawangan Trail and Ambaguio Trail. Mount Ulap, also in Benguet, is a hiking destination with scenic trails, rolling grasslands, pine forests and views of the Cordillera mountain ranges. If you are choosing between the two destinations, Pulag is distinguished by its named trails, while Ulap is known for the landscape features described here.

In Kalinga, Balbalasang Tourism Village is an ecovillage within the Banao Protected Landscape, formerly known as Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park. The Chico River in Kalinga is also a destination for travelers interested in outdoor activities: it is considered a major white-water rafting destination.

Museums, Art and Traditions

The National Museum Cordillera is an ethnographic museum in the historic Kiangan (World War II) Memorial Shrine Compound, in the town center of Kiangan, Ifugao. It also serves as a site museum for the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras. The visitor program includes guided tours and lectures.

In Baguio, Tam-awan Village is dedicated to preserving and showcasing Cordilleran heritage. Exhibitions, workshops and performances introduce visitors to art, history and Indigenous traditions. Another work of art can be found in La Trinidad, Benguet: StoBoSa is a hillside art installation created by painting selected houses in Stonehill, Botiwtiw and Sadjap.

The private BenCab Museum is located in Tuba, Benguet. It houses the extensive art collection of Benedicto Cabrera, known as BenCab, a Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts. In Kalinga, the traditional tattoo art of Batok is still practiced by Apo Whang-Od and her apprentices. These examples offer different ways to experience art and cultural heritage, from a museum collection and decorated houses to a living tradition.

Festivals and Activities in Baguio

The Adivay Festival is an annual cultural event in Benguet. Its program includes street dancing, cultural performances, agricultural and trade fairs, and community events. Panagbenga is Baguio City's flower festival and features lively street performances. The two festivals have different focuses: one combines cultural and community events with fairs, while the other is known as a flower festival.

Parks also offer different ways to spend time outdoors. Burnham Park in Baguio is a place for walking, cycling and boating on its man-made lake. The Baguio Botanical Garden is a landscaped park with a wide variety of native and ornamental plants, themed gardens, and cultural displays inspired by Cordilleran heritage.

Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Events in Benguet offers, among other things, a Glass Walk, trade and exhibition facilities, an open-air theater, and a range of entertainment and outdoor activities. When making your choice, you can consider the different highlights: the park and lake activities in Baguio, the cultural displays in the botanical garden, or the offerings mentioned at Mt. Camisong Forest Park.

Cuisine and Seasonal Activities

The cuisine of Apayao is deeply rooted in Isnag traditions. It is known for its bold, spicy flavors and the distinctive use of fresh bamboo tubes for cooking. This offers another insight into regional traditions, alongside the museums, festivals and cultural sites.

Strawberry picking in La Trinidad is a particularly popular activity for visitors to Benguet. It is seasonal, and the timing may vary by farm and season. If you would like to include it in your travel plans, check the best time for your visit.

Discover more destinations: Benguet, Banaue, Sagada, Central Visayas, Soccsksargen, Mimaropa, Metro Manila, Ilocos.

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