As solo traveling is becoming a hype for Filipinas, many are wanting to try but they just don’t know if they can do it and how. I say, OF COURSE YOU CAN DO IT! And this is one of the ways on how: Start in Cordillera.
Cordillera is probably one of the most accessible and easy to navigate backpacking destinations in the Philippines. Early last year I did a solo backpacking across towns and provinces in the Cordillera Region, primarily Banaue-Batad-Sagad-Bontoc-Kalinga for 6 amazing days in the cheapest way I could.
This is my DIY 6-day itinerary and expenses in. I hope this helps you guys! In the parentheses are the most updated fares/fees, but I had to be frugal so I did a lot of haggling. In the last part I listed my exact expenses all throughout this travel. I got lots of freebies and freeloads, thanks to amazing humans I have met!
TIP: DO NOT BE AFRAID TO BE SPONTANEOUS, but let your family know your whereabouts. Also, have some decent itinerary. Trust your guts and be vigilant all the time!
NOTE: Crimes reported by media are isolated and do not necessarily speak for the entire region.
Day 0
2200 – ETD to Banaue via Ohayami Bus (P450)
Day 1 Banaue to Batad (You may explore Banaue and take the 3PM public jeepney to Batad or follow my itinerary)
0700 – ETA Banaue/ Register (Reg fee P50)
0730 – Breakfast (P120)
1000 – ETD to Batad (Public Jeepney – P150/ Trike – P300)
1200 – ETA Batad (Reg fee 50)/ trek/ Look for homestay (I suggest Mang Ramon P250/night)
1400 – Explore Batad/ Trek to Tappiyah
Falls
1700 – Back to Mang Ramon’s homestay (You may or may not have dinner, bring emergency food para tipid)
Day 2 Batad to Sagada
0600 – Wake up call/ Breakfast and talk to the locals
0800 – ETD Batad to Banaue (Public Jeepney P150)
1000 – ETA Banaue
1030 – ETD to Sagad (Public van P300)
1300 – ETA Sagada/Secure a map in the tourism office (Reg fee P50)
1330 – Check in at Tinagtago Inn (Ask around P300/night)
1400 – Explore Sagada (Catch sunset at Lake Danum and try their lemon pie and yogurt)
1800 – Back to homestay
Day 3 Sagada to Bontoc to Buscalan
0400 – Sunrise at Kiltepan
0600 – Explore Echo Valley
1000 – ETD to Bontoc (P40) (This is crucial as you need to catch the 12pm trip to Tinglayan then catch a trip to Buscalan/Take the 2pm trip direct to Buscalan)
1200 – ETA Bontoc/Take lunch/walk around
1400 – ETD to Buscalan (P100).If you’re coming from Manila you may take the Manila to Tabuk Route
1600 – ETA Bugnay/ Secure guide (P1000/group)/Take a habal habal to Buscalan (P50)
1630 – Buscalan Jump off/start trek to Whang-Od’s house
1730 – ETA Reg house (Reg fee P70)
1800 – Settle in the homestay (P250/night +Unli rice)
1900 – Dinner + Socials
Day 4 Whang-Od Day
Cultural Immersion + Getting a traditional tattoo (tattoo starts at P200 and Whang-Od’s signature dots is P100)
Day 5 Kalinga to Bontoc
1000 – Start descend to jump off
1100 – Take a habal habal to Bugnay (P100)
1130 – ETA Bugnay/Take brunch
1300 – ETD to Bontoc via bus (P80)
1500 – ETA Bontoc
1600 – ETD Bontoc proper to Maligcong (P20)
1630 – ETA Suzette’s homestay (P350/night)
*Feel the vibe of Maligcong/try ate Suzette’s oatmeal cookies (P100)
Day 6 Explore Maligcong
0400 – Start Trek to Kupapey to catch the sunrise (Guide P500)
0600 – Traverse to Maligcong Rice Terraces
0900 – Back to homestay/Breakfast (P120)/Relax
1400 – ETD Maligcong to Bontoc proper (P20)
1500 – ETD Bontoc via bus to Baguio (P180)
2100 – ETA Baguio/Dinner/Shop at night market/ buy pasalubong/Secure a ticket to Manila
2300 – ETD Baguio via Victory liner (P450
Day 7
0500 – ETA Manila (Home sweet home)
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Expenses
Manila – Banaue – Batad
450 – Manila to Banaue
50 – Banaue Eco Fee
120 – Food (Breakfast)
FREE – Banaue to Batad
FREE – Guide
50 – Batad Eco Fee
250 – Room (Ramon’s House)
50 – Water
10 – Hot water
20 – Donation
= 550
Batad – Banaue – Sagada
165 – Breakfast
100 – Batad to Banaue
250 – Banaue to Sagada
200 – Homestay
50 – Sagada Eco Fee
90 – Lunch
25 – Museum
20 – Cookies
= 900
Sagada – Bontoc – Bugnay – Buscalan
200 – Breakfast and tour
40 – Sagada to Bontoc
150 – Bontoc to Kalinga
75 – Environmental Fee
250 – Homestay
25 – Jake
120 – Porter
50 – food
= 910
Buscalan – Bugnay – Bontoc – Maligcong
100 – Buscalan to Bugnay
80 – Bugnay to Bontoc
350 – Homestay
150 – Load
30 – Fit n right
100 – Cookies
120 – dinner
120 – lunch
= 1050
500 = Tattoo
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20 – Maligcong to Bontoc
212 – Bontoc to Baguio
455 – Baguio to Manila
Total Estimated Expenses for 6 day = Php 4000
You are welcome! Blog write up soon!#PinayWanderess
