Bontoc & Sagada: Mountain Province Tourist Spots
Looking to escape the heat, noise, and endless sounds of the city? Welcome to Mountain Province, where adventure is quiet, sacred, and oh-so-stunning. This place feels like another country... except it's all within the Philippines.
About Mountain Province
Mountain Province is a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in Northern Luzon, Philippines. Nestled in the heart of the Cordillera mountains, it’s famous for its dramatic rice terraces, misty pine forests, rich indigenous culture, and sacred burial traditions, like the iconic hanging coffins of Sagada.
Map of Mountain Province
The province is composed of 10 municipalities: Barlig, Bauko, Besao, Bontoc (the capital), Natonin, Paracelis, Sabangan, Sadanga, Sagada, and Tadian.
Despite its name, Mountain Province doesn’t have cities; only peaceful, culture-rich towns with cold weather and warm people.
Mountain Province Tourist Spots
Mountain Province is a hidden gem packed with natural wonders, cultural treasures, and cool highland charm. The tourist spots in Mountain Province promise a scenic and unforgettable adventure.
When people say “Mountain Province,” two names usually come to mind: Sagada and Bontoc, and for good reason. Let’s explore the top tourist destinations in Mountain Province.
Bontoc
Before heading to Sagada, we suggest that you head to Bontoc first. Here are the top Bontoc tourist spots you should visit:
Maligcong Rice Terraces from Mt. Kupapey
Forget Banaue for a moment. Maligcong in Bontoc offers equally stunning terraces with fewer tourists and more tranquility. Surrounded by pine-covered mountains, these rice paddies are sculpted like art into the landscape by the local Igorot community.
A sunrise trek to Mount Kupapey gives you a bird’s-eye view of the entire valley below. It’s peaceful, jaw-dropping, and surprisingly underrated. A must-visit for nature lovers and photographers.
It is a 1.5 to 2-hour hike going up and another hour to go down. Good for beginners.
Bontoc Museum
Then, head to the local museum. Located right in the heart of Bontoc town, this underrated museum gives you a crash course on the Igorot way of life, from tribal warfare and tattooing to traditional housing and agriculture.
The open-air section even has a replica village complete with rice granaries and tools. It's the perfect starting point if you want to understand the culture behind the sights you’re seeing. Short visit, but deeply enriching.
Where to Stay in Bontoc
After visiting these two places, you can either travel to Sagada or stay the night in Bontoc. If you choose to stay in Bontoc and travel the next morning to Sagada, try these Bontoc accommodations:
■ Suzette’s Maligcong Homestay
■ Archog Hotel & Restaurant
■ Ridgebrooke Hotel & Restaurant
■ Samoki Valley Inn & Restaurant
Sagada
Bontoc is often the warm-up act before Sagada. After Bontoc, it’s time to explore Sagada. Sagada is known for its silence, soul-searching charm, and chilly weather. Here are the top tourist spots in Sagada you need to visit once in your lifetime:
Hanging Coffins of Echo Valley
Tucked in the cliffs of Sagada, the Hanging Coffins are one of the most iconic and mysterious sights in the Philippines. This centuries-old burial tradition of the Igorot people involved suspending coffins on limestone walls to bring the dead closer to the heavens.
Reaching the site requires a short hike through Echo Valley, where your voice literally bounces off the mountains, perfect for shouting out your feelings (or your ex's name). It's spooky, sacred, and stunning all at once.
Sumaguing Cave
Often called the "Big Cave" of Sagada, Sumaguing Cave is a spelunker's paradise. Inside, you’ll find massive chambers, cold underground pools, limestone formations, and slippery rock slides you’ll need to scramble down.
It’s an intense experience that requires courage, a strong grip, and a good guide, but the thrill and the beauty inside are worth every muddy step. Bring a flashlight and wear grippy shoes or hiking sandals.
Lumiang Cave
This sacred site is deeply rooted in local beliefs and is part of a cave connection route that includes Sumaguing. While smaller and darker, Lumiang offers a rich, eerie sense of history and mystery. It’s not for the claustrophobic, but if you're into adventure and culture, this cave hits both.
We suggest that you enter from Lumiang Cave and exit through Sumaguing Cave or vice versa.
Blue Soil Hills (Kaman-utek)
Day 2 in Sagada. After a day filled with spelunking, it’s time for another day of hike. Blue Soil Hills is one of Sagada’s most visually unique spots. The trail takes you from the grassy highlands of Marlboro Hills to bright bluish terrain that looks like something out of a fantasy movie.
The soil’s unusual color comes from high copper content, creating a rare natural spectacle you won’t find anywhere else in the country. If you’re lucky, you can even get a glimpse of the sea of clouds when you arrive before sunrise.
After the Blue Soil hike, you can also visit the Blue Lagoon if you’re up for more walking.
Bomod-Ok Falls (Big Falls)
Next, head over to Bomod-ok Falls, the tallest waterfalls in Sagada. Located in Barangay Fidelisan, Bomod-Ok Falls is a thundering beauty standing over 200 feet tall.
Getting there is a bit of a trek, around 30–45 minutes through rice fields and village paths, but the reward is a majestic waterfall with icy cold water perfect for a swim. Locals call it the “Big Falls” for a reason. It’s raw, powerful, and refreshing after the hike.
Other Sagada Tourist Spots
If you have more time, feel free to visit these tourist destinations in Sagada:
■ Sagada Pottery
■ Ganduyan Museum
■ Sagada Weaving
■ Sagada Underground River
Where to Eat in Sagada
Sagada isn’t just about sightseeing. It's also about flavors. Expect home-cooked meals, local ingredients, and a vibe that makes food taste better.
■ Yoghurt House
■ Gaia Café
■ Sagada Brew
■ Shire of Sagada
■ Piitik Bugnay Wine
Also, drop by Sagada Lemon Pie House for pasalubong. There’s also a public market and roadside stalls for locally grown arabica coffee, heirloom brown or red rice, mountain tea leaves, fresh vegetables, and even Sagada oranges (seasonal) along South Road and near the tourism office.
Where to Stay in Sagada
You need at least 2 days to explore Sagada. Here are the top hotels and accommodations in Sagada, Mountain Province:
■ Blue Mountain Cabins Sagada
■ Sagada Heritage Village
■ The Lalouette Inn
■ Ligaya's House and Cottages
■ Sagada Homestay Inn and Restaurant
Note: Most of the accommodations in Sagada are homestays or inns. Bring your own travel essentials and portable bath towel because these budget stays don’t usually provide these.
How to Get to Mountain Province
Let’s start with the basics: how do you even reach this mountainous paradise? Here’s how.
From Manila to Bontoc or Sagada
You can take a direct bus to Sagada or Bontoc from Cubao or Sampaloc. Coda Lines in Cubao offers night trips to Sagada via Banaue or Bontoc. These are comfortable buses with reclining seats and A/C. Travel time is 10 to 12 hours.
From Baguio to Mountain Province
This is the most popular route if you want to take a break or a side trip to Baguio City. From Baguio, ride a GL Trans or Lizardo Bus to Sagada or Bontoc via Halsema Highway. Travel time is 5–6 hours from Baguio to Sagada.
From Banaue to Bontoc or Sagada
If you're coming from the famous Banaue Rice Terraces, take a van or jeepney to Bontoc (1.5–2 hours). From Bontoc, hop on a jeepney or bus to Sagada (45 minutes to 1 hour)
By Car or Motorcycle
Up for a road trip? There are 2 routes you can take to reach Mountain Province:
■ Route 1: Manila → Nueva Ecija → Nueva Vizcaya → Ifugao → Mountain Province
■ Route 2: Manila → Baguio → Halsema Highway → Bontoc/Sagada
Estimated travel time is 10 to 12 hours, depending on your route, speed, weather conditions, and number of stops.
Roads are mostly paved, but expect sharp curves, fog, and occasional landslides. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and bring road trip essentials because hills can be steep!
Explore Mountain Province Today
Craving cool weather, rich culture, and heart-pumping adventures? Mountain Province is calling your name. It’s not just about ticking off tourist spots; it’s about reconnecting with nature, learning from local traditions, and soaking in views that make you pause and say, “Grabe, ang ganda ng Pilipinas.”
If you're hiking up Mount Kupapey, yelling into Echo Valley, spelunking through Sumaguing Cave, or sipping mountain coffee in a quiet Sagada café, this province will leave you breathless (sometimes literally).
Start your Mountain Province adventure today. Your soul (and your camera roll) will thank you!
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Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Tourist Spots
Mountain Province Tourist Spots