My First Solo Travel to Mt. Kupapey featuring Maligcong Rice Terraces

              Looking for something new to do this start of the year that would change my life completely, I decided to embark on a solo backpacking journey. And yes, my first trip is going North somewhere in the verdant mountain ranges of Mountain Province. A blog post (thanks to @thepinaysolobackpacker) had totally made up my decision to go explore Bontoc and witness its exquisite beauty. It was a spontaneous decision. It was scary specially for an introverted person like me. But my urge to go out beyond my comfort zone and explore what's out there made me push through. I had so many doubts and worries of what might go wrong during the trip. But I successfully achieved it anyway. It was amazingly overwhelming. Arriving at my travel destination, I felt proud, accomplished and happy. The whole trip was worth it.

Maligcong Rice Terraces

           Upon arriving at Bontoc at around 7:00 in the morning, I immediately rode a tricycle up to Bontoc Museum being the first stop in my itinerary. I came a bit early as the museum is still closed the time I arrived. To make the most of time, I strolled back down at the main plaza to eat breakfast and feel that fulfilling moment being in a naturally beautiful place. Since it's early in the morning, I saw locals taking their jog around the area. The chill and cold weather is perfect for a morning stroll around the town. Some young students, whom I presumed were athletes, are doing their morning exercise routine. It was a normal morning to everyone. But I treat it as special given the fact that it's a new place for me and the place's backdrop setting is truly breathtaking.

Bontoc Public Plaza

             By the time I went back to Bontoc Museum, it was a few minutes before 8:00 in the morning just in time for the museum to open. I logged into the record book and payed for the entrance fee. Entrance fee is 60php and you can tour all you want around the area. Schedule of museum is Mondays - Saturdays, 8am-12pm then 1pm-5pm. The first thing you could notice inside is the sign saying that taking pictures and videos are not allowed inside which is eventually reminded to you by the museum staff.

Bontoc Museum

            Inside the museum are ancient historical relics and artifacts used by our Igorot ancestors years ago. Some were said to be originally recovered, kept and preserved. Also found inside are old classic photographs of Igorots. Through the pictures, once can learn what has been their culture and traditions being practiced several years ago. Overall, the museum experience is interesting and at the same time educational. Upon going out, the staff will guide you at the backyard and there you will find more and be oriented with Igorot history.

Native Igorot Hut

           At the backyard of the museum is a setup of a little Igorot village. There were few Igorot houses installed and a garden that adds grandeur to the place. It was a simple village scene where you can reminisce how Igorots lived as well as their lifestyle.

Kadchog Rice Terraces

          The whole museum visit was educational. It's a good way to recall the life and history of our ancestors and at the same time, the quiet and peaceful vibe of the museum is an ease to the ears. (A cool ethnic tune is played softly inside the museum). I stayed for an hour at the museum and then left to catch a jeepney bound to Maligcong. This time I just walked my way down the road enjoying the view and  the cool wind breeze. Along my way, I asked a few locals as to where the jeepney terminal is located. It just took me a few minutes to get there. Unfortunately, the next schedule of the jeep to Maligcong is 12pm (first trip schedule is 8am). I still have three hours to wait for the jeep. So I looked for something to do to kill time. I informed Ate Suzette, my homestay contact in Maligcong, with the situation and thankfully, she suggested that I drop by Kadchog Rice Terraces since I still have a few hours. It was out of the itinerary but still I found myself walking down to the tricycle terminal bound to Kadchog Rice Terraces. The spot is just 10 minutes away from the town. It was a quick trip but the view was truly amazing. I took a few pictures and selfies then went back to town again.

Downtown Bontoc

           I took my lunch at the town plaza, bought some personal supplies in the nearest store and spent the remaining few minutes waiting at the jeep. It was exactly 12 noon when the jeep left for Maligcong. During the ride, I have known that there were also three travelers in the jeep bound to Maligcong and it happened that the two of them will be staying at the same homestay that I have booked and arranged. I get to talk to them when we arrived at the place.

                The view going to the town of Maligcong is beautiful, I suggest you go topload when riding the jeepney. It was around 12:45 in the  afternoon when we arrived at Suzette's homestay. I, together with two fellow travelers, dropped by Ate Suzette first to acquaint ourselves. Her homestay is fully booked that time that is why she referred us to another good homestay owned by Ate Euli, just a few steps away from Suzette's. The name of Ate Euli's homestay is Chen Sacyaan's HOME. We had a short conversation then we made our way to their house to unpack, clean ourselves and rest for a moment. Our tour guide for the trekking arrived few minutes later. To fully enjoy the Bontoc experience, we decided to start the hike at Mt. Fato for that day, then Mt. Kupapey the following day with sidetrip to Maligcong Rice Terraces. It was a great fun filled itinerary and certainly the best way to start my solo backpacking journey.

Summit at Mt. Fato

            We started trekking to Mt. Fato at around 2:30 in the afternoon. We had a short walk going to the jump off point and then the trail started. A beginner-friendly mountain, as they say, the first few minutes were light and easy. Good thing the trail is already clean and established making it helpful to anyone who will trek the mountain. Several minutes later and the trail went steep with little to no flat surface to pause and breathe. Our tour guide also got a fast paced climbing that is why we have to catch up quick while trying to catch our breath in between. Now I understand why that part of the trail is called an assault. It literally was. But we managed to survive and made it to the top. Still, the whole ascend to the summit was not totally hard even for a beginner like me. (Maybe mountaineers would definitely take it as an easy one). It took us almost an hour to reach the Mt. Fato summit. It was totally worth it. With the breathtaking view at the top, you'll surely feel refreshed and enlightened.

I survived Mt. Fato

View at the Mt. Fato summit

            After taking photos at the summit and staying for a while just enjoying the view and unending green mountain ranges, we then started descending. We decided to not wait for the sunset as the sky went cloudy giving signs of rain that could pour any minute. Our descent was quick and took us less than an hour. Luckily, a rainbow appeared right before us below giving us that accomplished feeling. Yes, I survived my very first hike. I am proud of what I have just achieved.

Rainbow after descending Mt. Fato

         We arrived at Chen's Homestay at around 6 pm, washed up then spent the rest of the day glancing at the view overlooking from the balcony. It was a serene moment. A fulfilling experience only Mountain Province could give. Just us and the untouched beauty of Maligcong.
    We originally planned to trek Mount Kupapey the next day as it was one of the highlights of my solo trip. My two companions decided not to pursue so I was the only one to do it. I would not want to miss this chance to get atop Mount Kupapey and experience the majestic sunrise with the sea of clouds above it. I immediately set arrangements with my guide for the hike, Ate Tina and we agreed to start early in the morning to catch the sunrise. The next day, I woke up at 4 am, quickly put on a layer of shirts because it was freezing cold that morning. I got chills all over but I liked the feeling. I was excited as this will be another first on my bucket list. Trekking on cold early morning with my guide and her son as my only companion. We started trekking at around 4:30 am. The trail started smooth and easy. Walking on a concrete road, then passing by a rice terraces and getting into the forest of pine trees. It was dark so it added a little to the challenge. With our flashlight to guide us, the trail now started to go steep. But since the weather is cold, I managed not to get tired and sweaty that quick. So far, I'm enjoying it. Later, I noticed that we were on a quick pace, with little to no rest in between. I started breathing heavily with my heart throbbing fast, when my guide decided to take quick rest to catch our breath. After a few minutes, we continued trekking. We were really fast that time that we easily reached the assault part of the trail and qucikly climbed past it. An hour later, we met a group along the way, expressed some greetings, and trekked past them. That group started earlier than us but we managed to get past them. Ate Tina, my guide, together with her little son, said that we were really fast. It's fine with me. I liked that adrenaline rush pumpnig inside my body. I liked it. Just a few minutes more and we reached the summit. There is already a group ahead of us who had set up a bonfire on top. We quickly went close to it to get warm and feel the heat. After a few talks and greetings, me, Ate Tina and her son, proceeded down close to the edge of the summit to find a good place while waiting for the sunrise. It just took a couple of minutes and we got rewarded. The beautiful sunrise, right before my eyes. The sprawling sea of clouds, playing with the mountains. It was surreal. I can't remember the last time I felt like this,

Mt. Kupapey sunrise

Another shade of Mt. Kupapey sunrise

      For all of us, there's something about sunrise that we always look forward to witness every morning. The different shades of purple and red gives us a warm and satisfying feeling. Sunrise at Mt. Kupapey never failed me. It was magnificent and for me, was extra special as it was my first time to do it atop a mountain. After the sun has finally risen and the amazing rice terraces view has been revealed, we enjoyed ourselves living the moment. 

Mt. Kupapey summit overlooking rice terraces

Mt. Kupapey summit

One of the guide dogs

           We started descending from Mt. Kupapey after an hour with the Maligcong Rice Terraces as our next stop. Our descent from the summit was also quick and in less than an hour, we already found ourselves walking on the rice terraces itself. Since the town is preparing for the planting season, the rice terraces were bare and clean. That did not spoil our amusement anyway as we were welcomed by a glassview from the terraces. With some sea of clouds sprawling and slowly disappearing every minute, I enjoyed walking along the trail together with my guide.

Maligcong Rice Terraces

Maligcong Rice Terraces

             The whole trek took approximately four hours and we arrived in our homestay at past 8 in the morning. I was happy. I felt accomplished. I've had the most adventurous weekend. And I promised myself this marks my beginning. A whole new step to exploring the Philippines and someday, the world. A big thanks to Ate Suzette for willingly referring to Chen's Homestay which gave me the chance to meet Ate Euli. My first homestay experience was great. Two thumbs up to them. Thanks to Ate Tina for guiding me in trekking Mt. Kupapey and to the boy (I'm sorry I forgot the name) who was our guide in trekking Mt. Fato, who took some of my wonderful photos. My first ever solo backpacking experience was successful and I'm seeing more trips to come. Cheers to all the new people I have met.