Kalinga Introduces Village Hopping Tour Package
A new tourism package promoting at least five cultural villages in three towns in the province is in the offing
Provincial Tourism Officer Lorraine Ngao-I said the tour package dubbed as “Kalinga Village Hopping” showcases the villages of Naneng in Tabuk City; Awichon, Dangoy and Mabilong in Lubuagan, and Buscalan in Tinglayan. It features cultural and historical communities, traditional industries, local arts, foods and sites.
The Village Hopping tour also offers visitors a ‘scenic drive’ featuring the picturesque and historical Chico River, a profile view of the famed Sleeping Beauty, road tunnels, glimpses of small communities and their rice terraces as a bonus.
Ngao-i said guests should arrive early in Tabuk City for the tour after an early breakfast.
This tour starts in Tabuk City where the visitors could get a ride to the first Village which is the culturally- rich Barangay Naneng. Here, visitors will go to a coffee plantation to observe how the organic Kalinga coffee is grown traditionally, processed and packed. They could also get a glimpse of how the civet coffee are picked and processed.
Next to see is the village where old Kalinga houses and one of the oldest Catholic churches in the province still stands. Lunch could be served in the village or as a picnic after a short trek at the Guilom Spring where tourist could also take a dip in the cool and picturesque pools and falls. Food includes the ‘Inandila’, a popular local delicacy.
Depending on the package, visitors could opt to go white water rafting at the Chico River.
From Naneng, visitors will proceed to the Awichon Village dubbed as the province’s ‘Center for Culture and the Arts’. Here visitors may choose to be accommodated in one of the village’s featured traditional houses or homestay with the locals. Rate per night for lodging is P250.00.
Coffee Plantation
At the Awichon Village, visitors would have an opportunity to meet in person Alonzo Saclag, the only National Living Treasures or Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) in the province while they are shown how the brewed coffee is processed from roasting until it is served steaming hot. Visitors will be served native food.
The next day would be a short trek or ride to Barangay Dangoy to see how the traditional bongor (beads) are molded, designed and threaded into patterns.
In Mabilong, visitors could meet with traditional weavers and watch or try how the Kalinga tapis (wrap around), bahag (g-string) and clothes are patterned and designed.
“Woven clothes and souvenirs could be bought from the locals and never leave the place without a photo wearing the native attire and taking home a pair,” Ngao-i said.
Experience also a taltallak (small wooden truck replica) ride in Mabilong with the children who use said ‘small trucks’ to haul fire woods and other heavy stuff , she said.
The third day will be a visit to the legendary traditional tattoo artist Whang-od (pronounced Fang-od by the locals) in her home at Buscalan, Tinglayan known as ‘Batok (tattoo) Village.’ Fee for her services depends on the design of the tattoo.
Along the road, a profile view of the Sleeping Beauty could also be seen.
According to Ngao-i, eco-fees of P30.00 each visitor would be collected in the villages with P1,000.00 fee for every tour guide.
Package prize she said depends on visitors’ preference if it would include ride, food, and cultural presentations.
“Since this package is still being introduced by the provincial government through an arrangement with the Provincial Tourism Service Office, guest are advised to coordinate with us to ensure proper coordination with the communities,” she said.
Tabuk City, Tinglayan and Lubuagan are the most visited towns in the province by both international and national tourists.
For more information visit / message the Kalinga PTO through its facebook account ‘Kalinga Tourism.’ (JDP/Geraldine G. Dumallig- PIA-CAR, Kalinga)
