Bukidnon: Nature, Culture and Experiences

Lake Apo, Mount Kitanglad, the Kaamulan Festival and the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association reveal different sides of Bukidnon: its landscape, nature, festival culture and Indigenous art. As you plan your trip, consider which of these themes you’d like to focus on. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, prioritizing these themes can help you clarify what you want your trip to center on.

Lake Apo and Bukidnon’s Mountain Landscape

Lake Apo is a 24-hectare crater lake surrounded by rolling terrain and green shrubs. You can camp overnight, have a barbecue during the day, kayak or ride a jet ski at the lake. These options offer different experiences: camping involves an overnight stay, barbecuing is specifically a daytime activity, and kayaking and jet skiing add two water activities. Depending on your travel plans, you can include Lake Apo as an overnight stay, a day trip or a destination for water activities.

Mount Kitanglad is one of the Philippines’ seven ASEAN Heritage Parks and reaches an elevation of 2,938 meters. Bukidnon’s mountain ranges provide habitats for the Bukidnon forest rat, the Philippine eagle and the Rafflesia. It’s important to distinguish what the details refer to: the elevation and designation apply to Mount Kitanglad, while the species are found in Bukidnon’s mountain ranges. The Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park and the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park are legally designated protected areas in the province of Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao.

Kaamulan and Indigenous Culture

Every year, the Kaamulan Festival brings together Bukidnon’s seven Indigenous groups in the province of Bukidnon, particularly in Malaybalay City: the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon. They celebrate harvests and give thanks. The annual festival runs from the second half of February through March 10; the exact dates may vary from year to year. If you’d like to include the festival in your trip, check the dates for that year in advance. Kaamulan offers a date around which travelers interested in Bukidnon’s Indigenous culture can plan.

In Casisang, Malaybalay City, the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association has promoted Indigenous art and cultural identity since 2012. Its goals also include passing traditional skills on to younger generations and empowering Tagolwanen women. The two cultural topics differ in form: Kaamulan brings groups together for an annual festival, while the association combines the promotion of art with passing on skills and empowering women.

Activities at Dahilayan Adventure Park

Dahilayan Adventure Park has a dual zipline with speeds of up to 90 km/h. Its rides include Dropzone, Mountain Coaster and Python Rollerzip. The zipline is described by its top speed, while the other rides are listed by name. Check current technical specifications and the availability of individual rides before your visit, as both may change. This can help you plan around the rides that interest you most.

Explore more destinations: Malaybalay City, Misamis Oriental.

Go to the regional travel overview: Northern Mindanao.