Buscalan Travel Guide: Cultural in Immersion in Tinglayan

Buscalan

About Buscalan

Immerse with the unique culture and tradition of the mountain people and be awed with the natural beauty of one of the least explored provinces of Cordilleras – Kalinga!

An off-beat travel destination, the province of Kalinga offers beyond what most expect. And where’s best to experience the place aside from its provincial capital Tabuk? Tinglayan is one!

Buscalan
Sunrise over the rice terraces of Buscalan

A sleepy town southwest of Tabuk, Tinglayan is dotted with panoramic rice terraces and surrounded by verdant mountains including the legendary Sleeping Beauty, a mountain range consisting of Mount Patukan, Mating-oy Dinayao and Mantingoy. The range is called as such because its silhouette resembles that of a sleeping woman.

Tinglayan is also home to tattooed women and warriors that are common in all of Kalinga, particularly the tribes of Bangad, Basaso, Botbot, Dananoao, Tinglayan and Sumadel. There are 20 villages or barangay that make up the town and the most prominent is the village of Buscalan where the great Whang-Od (Fang-Od), the the oldest and last surviving hand-tap tattoo artist lives. Tourists endure the one-hour trek to this village to meet and/or get a tattoo from this legendary woman.

But more than Whang-od, there are more in Tinglayan that will surely delight nature and adventure lovers. Check out the rice terraces of Buscalan-Loccong, Bugnay, Tulgao, Dananao, Luplupa, Padjao and Ambato Legleg; trek to Palan-ah falls and Hotsprings in Tulgao West; bike the trails of the town; or hike the great Sleeping Beauty.

Choose the road less traveled. Explore Tinglayan and bring home a whole new Cordillera experience!

Buscalan
Most villages of Tinglayan are accessible only by foot, bicycle or motorbike

How to Go to Buscalan/Tinglayan

The town of Tinglayan can be reached from either Tabuk in Kalinga or Bontoc in Mountain Province.

Via Tabuk

To date, the Tabuk route is the most convenient since there is no direct trip from Manila to Bontoc.

From Manila, Victory Liner has daily trips to Tabuk from Kamias Terminal. It is a 10 to 11 hours ride via NLEX – Maharlika Highway passing through the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela, fare is around P680 (as of 2014).

From Tabuk, catch a jeep or bus to Bontoc or Tinglayan across Saint William’s Cathedral. The ride passes through Tinglayan, travel time takes approximately three (3) hours and fare is around P130 (as of 2014). Get off at Bugnay if you take the Bontoc jeep, otherwise you will have to transfer to another jeepney going to Bugnay if you take the Tinglayan jeepney.

If you are coming from Tuguegarao, there are jeepneys and vans available in the city for an hour ride to Tabuk, jeepney fare is around P60. Last trip is around 4PM.

If you are going to Buscalan, proceed to the junction to Buscalan and trek for an hour to reach the village.

Buscalan
Bird-eye-view of the village of Buscalan

Via Bontoc

If you are coming from Bontoc, jeepneys and buses are available to Tabuk that pass through Tinglayan. First trip is at 7 AM and last trip at 11AM. This is a scenic route, passing by the rice terraces of Sadanga, Betwagan and Bugnay.

If you are going to the village of Buscalan, ask to be dropped off to the junction to Buscalan and trek for an hour to reach the village.

Coda Lines Corporation has a daily trip from Cubao HM Terminal to Bontoc. The bus leaves daily at 8PM, 9PM and 10PM, arriving Bontoc after eleven hours of the next day, regular fare is P760. For more inquiries, contact +639771860548 and +639394677863, or visit their Facebook page.

Tinglayan
The rice terraces of Tulgao

Going Around and Away

Public buses and jeepneys from Tabuk to Bontoc and vice versa pass through the town of Tinglayan via the Tabuk – Lubuagan – Tinglayan – Sadanga – Tocucan – Bontoc Road. The road is in good condition. The trips though are limited with the last trip at around noon for both route.

From Poblacion, there are double track trails going to the villages of Dananaw, Tulgao, Butbut and Ngibat that are accessible mainly to two-wheeled vehicles. The other villages including Buscalan can only be reached through human trails.

Buscalan
Apo Whang-od, the last “mambabatok”

Where to Stay in Tinglayan

There is no big hotel or resort in Tinglayan, only small inns and lodges that offer basic accommodation and homestays. To date there are only three commercial accommodations, one in the village of Luplupa and two in Poblacion.

  • Luplupa Riverside Inn Luplupa, Tinglayan, Kalinga Rate: P250/person/night Contact: +639177501204
  • Sleeping Beauty Inn Poblacion, Tinglayan Rate: P200/person/night

Homestay is the only accommodation option in the village of Buscalan. Just ask around and the locals will direct you to one. Rate is as low as P175/person/night.

What to Do in Tinglayan

  • Get a tribal tattoo from Whang-od in Buscalan Village, tattoo rate varies and usually starts at P300 for a small one
  • Visit the only surviving Kalinga warrior Fa’wad Accad in Luplupa
  • See the rice terraces of Buscalan-Loccong, Bugnay, Tulgao, Dananao, Luplupa and Ambato Legleg
  • Don’t miss their coffee!
  • Trek to Palan-ah falls and Hotsprings in Tulgao West
  • Take home some local products such as coffee, local wine and knives
  • Go mountain biking
  • Hike the great Sleeping Beauty, trekking usually takes eight (8) hours
  • Go white water rafting in Chico River
  • Explore Tabuk, Balabalan and the other towns and attractions of Kalinga
  • Head to the neighboring Mountain Province and visit the attractrions in Bontoc, Maligcong and Sagada
Buscalan
The rice terraces of Padjao, Buscalan

Sample Overnight Itinerary and Budget in Buscalan (Via Tabuk)

Day 0 Manila to Tabuk

1930H: Departure from Victory Liner Kamias to Tabuk

Day 1 Tabuk to Buscalan
0600H: Arrival in Tabuk, heavy breakfast
0700H: Catch a jeep or bus to Bontoc or Tinglayan
1100H: Arrival in Bugnay, trek to Buscalan
1230H: Arrival in Buscalan, find homestay, lunch
1330H: Free time, tattoo session, see the rice terraces, etc
1800H: Dinner, socials, lights out

Day 2 Trek down
0530H: Call time, see sunrise in Padjao Rice Terraces
0630H: Breakfast
0700H: Trek back to Bugnay
0830H: Catch a jeep back to Tabuk or Bontoc then Sagada

*Estimated budget P2500

Buscalan
Chico River and the rice terraces of Bugnay

Other Tips

  • In compliance to the new municipal ordinance, all tourists are now required to pay eco-cultural fee of P75 per person
  • Relative to the new ordinance, all tourists are also now required to have a guide with fee as follows:
    • P1,000 per day for one guide (1 to 5 tourists)
    • P2,000 per day for up to two guides (6 to 10 tourists)
    • P3,000 per day for up to three guides (11 to 15 tourists)
    • P4,000 per day for up to four guides (16 to 20 tourists)
  • No ATM in town
  • Best time to go is during dry months from December to May
  • Mobile signal is weak to non-existent
  • There is no restaurant in Buscalan but you can order food from where you are staying
  • Tattooing schedule is on first-come-first-served basis

Updated: 05-Nov-2015; 15-Jan-2016; 25-Mar-2018

Comments

  1. anton

    Hiiii, I’m planning po na pumunta this January 24-26 (or 31-2 ) 18yo solo traveler po ako baka gusto nyong makisabay or baka gusto nyo akong isabay 😁 :)) here’s my Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000903493976

    1. bianxmej

      Dude sabay ako sayo please hahaha – solo traveler din hahahaha

      1. Cj

        Baka po gusto nyo join samin? para lang makatipid! hehe…
        January 29-31….Thanks
        09982300645

    2. Cj

      Hi Anton, were going to Buscalan this coming january 29-31.. baka gusto mo magjoin 🙂 Thanks!
      Beep me up! 09982300645

  2. stalking philippines

    Planning to go tomorrow aftershift at around 6am or 7am. A lil bit scared though pero kaya yan! Haha just wanna ask, do you think i would be back to manila on friday night? Thanks

  3. Skin

    Jan 21-24 pupunta ako (21 night alis) then if maaga matapos, ang sidetrip sa maligcong. anyone who wants to tag along? text @ 09494940623

    1. Rikku

      Ako, naka reserve na ako ng Jan 21 night 7pm trip sa Victory Liner. Solo rin. Kaso, di ako magtatagal sa Buscalan. After ng tattoo akyat kasi ako ng Baguio. Kung kaya na matapos lahat sa Jan 22, at may byahe, alis ako agad, else Jan 23 ng umaga, Baguio trip na.

      1. Skin

        ikaw ang nag text right? same tayo ng alis hehe. see you!

  4. Dais Buccat

    Hello po,

    Im planning po na pumunta sa Buscalan to get a tattoo from Apo. sa April or May.
    I don’t know how to get there. Meron po bang site or place sa Baguio na pwedeng kuhanan ng tour guide papunta doon. or may numbers po ba kayo ng mga good tour guides based on experience. Salamat po sa magrereply.

    1. Hi, eto po number ni Charlie, sya yung kapit bahay ni WhangOd

      0998 1888 697

    2. Carla

      Hi Sir/Maam Dais, 1st week of April kami pupunta weekdays para hindi siksikan, baka gusto niyo sumabay para half tayo sa guide. 09228044907 text me 🙂

  5. Daki

    Hi! im planning to go buscalan-sagada-baguio trip this January 10-17. Sino po same itinerary?

  6. Nicole

    Hi! Planning to go there ng january 6, 7 or 8. Sino po pwede kasabay? Via Baguio po,
    add me on facebook Nicole Balariz then let’s talk there. Thank you!

  7. Hi, cno po sasabay January 2 3 4??
    Text/Call me 09988647080 with my friend lng so dlwa lng kmi..anyone? Para makatipid po for the guide..

  8. Keene

    Hi! Baka po may gustong sumama dyan, 2nd week or 3rd week of january kami pupunta! Para makatipid! Dalawa lang kami ng girlfriend ko eh.

    1. Gino Rivera

      Hi. May I know if matutuloy kayo? I am planning to go there kaso Jan 2 to 6 ako.

      1. Hi Sir, pwde po mksabay Jan. 2 3 4 para tipid tayo 🙂

      2. Nicole

        Hi, sure ka ng January 6?

      3. Hi sir sure po tuloy ka ng Jan.2-6? I’ll be there on jan.2-4 lang.. u can contact me 09988647080

    2. Martin

      Plan ko umalis ng January 8. Solo lang ako haha kelan niyo plano pumunta? 🙂

      1. Hi sir when po iyan?

      2. Jan. 2 3 4 na lang po sir

      3. Danica

        Hello po! Pwede po makisabay this january 8?

    3. Hi, possible Jan. 2 3 4 pwde? With my bf din

    4. Loverizza

      3rd week of January. Dalawa kami husband ko. Pasabay naman. 09162689849.,,para makatipid

    5. JD

      hi… keene.. tulOy kaba this january 3 week if yOu want we may schedule it ng January 4 week..

    6. Cj

      Jan29-31 po! 🙂 My slots pa po kami!Thanks..
      Beep me up! 09982300645 😀

  9. Juiccyy

    Hi! planning din po ako pumunta maybe this january pa baka kasi madaming pupunta this december..anyone planning to go this january next year??text me nlang po 09279855937 para maka tipid tayo 🙂

    1. Jam

      Hi, were also planning this january actually im looking for a travel agency pero wala pa silang sched for next yr,

  10. Happy Feet

    Hi..im planning to go there probably weekdays of mid December or January..walang mayaya lahat di pwede so im going alone baka may interesado maybe we can plan out and go there in group? here’s my number..09284601771 🙂

    1. charm

      I might go there alone din this dec. Hindi pa din kasi sure yung mga inaaya ko. What’s your target date? Para kung same tau sabay na lang. Mas tipid. 😃

      1. Happy Feet

        Hi Charm..january ako pupunta with 3 others pero unsure yung dalawa.. yung date probably between jan 18-23..

      2. Skin

        Hello! planning to go back there on Dec 10-13 (thurs night alis) then possible sidetrip is Mt.kofafey in Maligcong, Bontoc then baguio or banaue. 09494940623

    2. Mhen

      Gusto rin namin thia december.. Dec. 26 to 29 sana..

      Tx me if you want to join us..
      09366966266

    3. Martin

      Hi, I’m also planning to go this January. Interested rin ako to go there with a group. 🙂

      1. Cj

        Baka po interested kayo magjoin sa group namin! 🙂 Jan29-31 po…
        heres my number 09982300645.. Thanks!

  11. Yhanee

    Hi, my friend and I are going to Buscalan on the 26th, and also do a hike in Mt. Kofafey at Maligcong. You can join us in para tipid! hahahah. 0906 951 6266

    1. angel

      Hi am going there on 26Nov, first timer here 🙂 – 09279856525

  12. phie

    Hi guys, kakagaling lang nmin dun, yesterday.
    I suggest, you get a guide na taga Buscalan mismo like Kuia Charlie, kung di cia pupuede, ire reassign nia kayo.But kung ngayong weekend kayo pupunta, goodluck, napakarami na pong tao sa Buscalan, masyado ng crowded.
    kawawa nman si Apo Whang-Od at yung mismong mga taga Buscalan, kasi as much as possible gusto nila kayong/tayong ma accomodate, pero nagkakagulo po, kasi ung ibang guide, pagkahid dun, iiwan ang mga guests nila, with the belief na matatatuan sila, which is not the case.
    I suggest you choose a date, na hindi holiday, or mas maganda Monday or Tuesday, less po ang crowd.
    Wala pong kasiguraduhan na mata tattooan kayo mismo ni Apo, sobrang exhausted na po cia, but still determined to accommodate lahat.Kawawa naman. Nagstart cia ng around 7am and matatapos ng 7pm din, sa dami ng guest. Super pagod na cia pag-uwi and even skip meals.
    She’s 98, let’s be considerate.
    if you are going there, mas better option po na bumaba kayo sa Bugnay, ride a motorbike, worth 50-100 isang ride, look for Kuya Mindo or Kenad, maingat sila magdrive, yung iba, nagmamadali din, just to get more passenger. Ihahatid nila kayo hanggang dun sa babaan, from there mag trek na kayo 45mins to 1 hour depende sa phase ng lakad nio.
    Magdala na lng din po kayo ng sarili niong ulam, like canned goods.
    I suggest not to bring candies anymore for the kids, nagkakagulo lng sila.

    1. cez

      hi, plan namin ng husband ko na pumunta from 25Dec to 27Dec pero isasama po namin yung 11 yr old daughter namin . safe naman po ba yung dadaanan pag nag trekking? o sobrang delikado. thanks!

    2. Geraldine Jacinto

      Hi po..ask ko lng kng advisable magdala ng sariling sasakyan.kng pwede po hanggang saan lng ang sasakyan?san po mas maganda dumaan.from baguio or from tabuk?di po ba delikado s treking?may nakita kasi ako may dadaanan n maliit n tulay na walang railings…..ilan hours po ang treking?thanks…

    3. Gino Rivera

      Thanks for the advise. May itinerary ka? Can I have a copy of it? Thank you.

    4. hazel ocampo

      hello po pwede po malaman number mo? madami po akong questions eh or kahit thru fb nalang po? https://www.facebook.com/popping.rubberbands

  13. Jun

    Pkiusap wag nyong kukunin si francis pa-in na tour guide.pepresyohan kayo ng mahal.800 lng ang singil.sa knya 1000.tapos iiwan din kayo dun sa buscalan.di kayo aalalayan hbang umaakyat kayo.bhla kayo kausapin si wangod.mabuti kung magkaintindihan kayo.ngmamadali siya para makababa kagad sya at makasundo ng ibang guest nya.pati pbaba bhala kayo sa buhay nyo.di nya kayo iguide.wag na din kayo pumunta sa sleeping beauty.dun na kayo mghomestay sa buscalan.mas mura pa.pgdating nyo ng tabuk or bontoc,sa bugnay na kayo bumaba.kumuha kayo ng motor bike papanik.50 lng.malayo kung lalakarin.unless umuulan.mjo makipot kasi ang daan kaya delikado.si francis ipipilit na mghike kayo.suggest ko si charlie ang kunin nyo.manloloko yan si francis.manyak pa.maawa kayo sa sarili nyo.

    1. David Gamboa

      Is this true? We’ll be going there on Nov 28 – 30. Siya ‘yung kinuha namin

      1. Aivell

        pero suggestion Lng din po.. wag po kay kua francis kc po taga baba sya, hndi sya tga dun s viLLage.. iiwan nya po tLga kau after kau mahatid, den baba po uLit pra magaccomodate ng ibang guest nya.. maybe kay kua charLie po or oLiver.. been there Last week.. and si oLiver po guide nmin.. he’s nice po and kenkoy, d po kau iiwan s ere.. Lhat po kmi ngkaron ng chance mabatok ni Apo Whang Od.. such a wonderfuL experience indeed.. 🙂 goodLuck po! 🙂

    2. Aivell

      1k po tLga ang guide good for 1-5 persons.. 6-10 po 2k

    3. Gino Rivera

      Thanks for the advise. May sample itinerary ka? Thanks in advance.

  14. Aivell

    for a soLo traveler or s hndi po aLam how to get there.. u can contact mr. oLiver. our guide.. 09397741477! we’LL be there on 19-20.. kita kits backpackers! 🙂

    1. Solo

      Pwedeng sumabay?

    2. EL

      Hi. Were you a solo traveler? How much was the guide fee? 😉

      1. Aivell

        1k po per day for 1-5 persons..

  15. isang

    Hi im going to buscalan with my bf this coming Dec. 4 via manila. Anyone who want to join us our plan is buscalan sagada and Baguio. We are first timers. Thansk

    1. Baki

      Sayang, December 3 ang alis naming papuntang Buscalan, same pa pupuntahan natin.

  16. Kimmy1414

    Wala ba pupunta dto pag tapos ng apec?2 lang kasi kami. Prang mas mura ata pag backpacker o mas mura pag sa mga package tours?

    1. Led Nicolas

      Hi! me and my 2 friends are planning to go there this weekend. Are you willing to join us? we plan to leave on friday (Nov. 17 evening). You can text me if you’re interested 09273919006. Thanks

  17. Gilbert

    Will be going to Buscalan as well. Nov 17-19. Then to Baguio on the 20th. Solo as well. Pasabay na rin. 09088102750 Thanks!

  18. kingbboi

    kitakits sa mga ppunta next week. around 19-20 kmi sa buscalan.

    1. Aivell

      we’ LL be there too from 19-20! kitakits! 😁

  19. Nik

    hello! i’ll go there too from nov 17-20. same itinerary buscalan-sagada-baguio

    and a solo traveler as well 🙂

  20. Good day po! anyone travelling to Buscalan this weekend?… we are planning to have a tattoo there (Whang Od).. any suggestion on what to do and where to stay will be a big help or maybe you could join us.. Thank You.. 🙂

    1. Sasha

      Hi! I would like to join you. I’ll be going there on November 17. Ang original plan ko eh Buscalan-Sagada-Baguio November 17-20. Sino po pwedeng makasama? Solo traveler kasi ako. Thanks! Here’s my number in case you’re interested. 09159446930

      1. Melai

        gusto ko din pumunta.. kaya lang Nov. 17 & 18 lang ako pwede.. ang balak ko sa buscalan lang ako pumunta..

      2. phie

        november 17 din kmi punta, 3 pax kami. kita kits tayo dun 🙂

      3. kingbboi

        sa buscalan lang kmi 19-20. parang solo na din ako. since wala ako kilala sa group na sasamahan ko. 🙂

        1. ill

          Bro, may slot pa ba dyan? Baka pwede sumabay 😉 Solo traveler lang din. :))) Text me. 09052242313

Comments are closed.