ECOTOURISM IN KIANGAN, IFUGAO, PHILIPPINES
The tourism industry in Kiangan are working through public-private partnership to capitalize on the unique experiences and provide customer satisfaction and enjoyment.
As one of the ecotourism destinations in the Cordilleras of Northern Luzon of the Philippines, Kiangan is known as the Heritage town of Ifugao, filled with countless natural and cultural areas which are ideal for sustainable ecotourism activities in the province.
The National Ecotourism Strategy says, “Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area where community participation, protection and management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors. Below is a glimpse of a typical eco-tour featuring the agricultural rice cycle. Other eco-tours are also available which features caves, waterfalls and treks.
Tour Interventions:
1. Brochures for information
2. Trek to Imbuliklik Rock
Local maps, umbrella, raincoats, hats, water
3. Wake Up call
4. Trek to Open air Museum
Water, umbrella/ hats, cane
5. Guest Departure
Simple tokens like baya (rice wine), woven bag
1. Museum and gallery tour
Ifugao Indigenous Peoples Education and Community Heritage Galleries
Ifugao Indigenous Peoples Education and Community Heritage Galleries
One of the highlights in visiting Kiangan the experience of the cultural and natural heritage of the town by exploring and visiting museums and heritage galleries and learn in depth of the history and culture through the displays of the work of local historians, local weavers and archeologists.
The Indigenous People’s Education (IPED) Center was established for young Ifugaos and visitors to learn about the Ifugao heritage. It features galleries that showcase the material culture of the Ifugao people, as well as a weaving center where visitors can observe how the threads are transformed into beautiful textiles.
Warping of cotton threads by the master weaver
Warping of cotton threads by an apprentice/visitor
Weaving is a very old traditional craft in Ifugao and because of heritage tourism, woven textiles are in demand thus it has promise of economic returns. Backstrap weaving is a complex process and the visitors are lucky to be able to try the basic steps on how to weave under the guidance of a master weaver.
Warping of cotton threads
Winding of yarn into balls for the weaving
2. Sites tour
At the top of Imbuliklik Rock, the visitor will be pleasantly surprise with a panoramic view of the rice fields and refreshing environment.
Atop this 25-meter high rock, the visitors will know more about the natural heritage of the indigenous peoples of Ifugao. The guide will share
the natural resource management practices and the indigenous way of maintaining the rice biodiversity of the place.
Imbuliklik Rock
A panoramic view of the rice fields and refreshing environment
3. Experiencing the Agricultural Rice Cycle Tour from rice field work to rice pounding and rice cake making at the Nagacadan Open Air Museum
A guided tour through the rice fields of Nagacadan is one-of-a-kind experience as the farmer tour guide walks with the visitors along the rice paddies, with stopovers in native houses and experiencing Ifugao agriculture and the Ifugao way of living. The trek goes through the rice terraces, woodlots and the villages.
Visitors will have a memorable experience of actually cleaning the rice terraces, as they join the farmers in removing the weeds and preparing the land for the next cycle of rice culture. The activity depends on the time of the year. During the months of July, August or September, visitors can experience harvesting. October to February are months for land preparation, and visitors can have the thrill of working and playing in the mud. February to June are the months for rice planting and maintenance of the rice fields, and visitors can experience transplanting rice seedlings.
After the rice field work, visitors have a chance to prepare rice cake.
4. FAREWELL PARTY with cultural performance and parlor games
A highlight of the tour is the farewell party when visitors experience the fun of indigenous games.
ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS
A must-try experience for visitors is a night or so to relax and experience a fully authentic Ifugao way of living through a homestay accommodation. The municipality of Kiangan do not have hotels and it offers only homestay accommodation. Homestays provide and offer local services to tourists and visitors.
Most of the Kiangan Homestays are along the road and are located in the center town of Kiangan. These are close approximately to historical, cultural and natural attractions. Some homestays depict local architecture which showcases indigenous arts and crafts.
How to reach Kiangan, Ifugao
From Manila:
Ø Bus transport services
Ø Land travel through the Maharlika Highway passing through the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya – Lagawe, Ifugao.
Ø Travel time: around 8 – 9 hours
1. CODA Lines (HM Transport Inc, Monte de Piedad, Corner Maryland St, Cubao, Quezon City
Quezon City-Lagawe/Kiangan
Departure time: 5:30PM, 6:00PM
http://www.facebook.com/codalinescorporation/
2. OHAYAMI Trans (Lacson Ave. Corner Fajardo St, Sampaloc, Manila)
Manila-Lagawe/Kiangan-Banaue
Departure time: 7:00PM, 8:30PM, 9:00PM
From Baguio City to Kiangan
1. CODA Lines (Channum St, cor Otek St., Baguio City)
Departure Time: 9:00PM
From Baguio City to Lagawe
1. OHAYAMI Trans (Beside Chowking, Burnham Park)
Departure Time: 9:00 PM
2. Terraces Van Transport (Otek St., Burnham Park)
Departure Time: 8:30AM to 6:30PM every 2-3 hours duration
3. ITTAG Van Transport (T. Alonzo St., Baguio City)
Departure Time: 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM every 2-3 hours interval
AGRICULTURAL RICE CYCLE TOUR (20 PAX)
PHP 4,500.00 – Minimum of 20 pax. (subject to change)
Inclusions:
® Registration Fees
® Environmental Fees
® Full Board (all meals)
® Homestay Accommodation
® Transportation during Tour
® Cultural Performance Night
® Bonfire / Barbeque
ITINERARY:
Day 1
4:30 AM Arrival at Poblacion, Kiangan, Ifugao
Homestay
6:00 – 7:30 AM Early Breakfast
8:00 - 12:00 PM Free Time
12:00 PM LUNCH BREAK
1:00– 1:30 PM Registration and Orientation about Kiangan Municipality by SITMo/KEHAA
1:45 PM Proceed to WWII Memorial Shrine
2:30 PM Cordillera Regional Museum Satellite Office / Ifugao Museum
Video Showing on Ifugao Cultural Performance
3:30 PM UCCP Church and Peace Museum
Photo Ops at the Informal Surrender Site of Gen. Tomoyoki Yamashita
4:00 PM Indigenous Peoples Education Center(IPED) and Community Heritage Galleries Ifugao Archeology, Weaving and Artifacts
6:00 PM Back to Homestay/ Dinner - Interaction with the Host Family
DAY 2
7:00 am Breakfast at Homestay
9:00 am Meet at Kiangan Tourism Information Center
9:30 am Proceed at Imbuliklik Rock
Orientation about Nagacadan Rice Terraces and Forest Management
Sight – Seeing and Picture Taking
12:00 pm Packed Lunch provided by the homestay
1:00 pm Proceed to Nagacadan Elementary School
1:30 pm Interaction w/ NES Pupils
2:30 pm Trek down sitio Bilong
3:00 pm Back to IPED
3:30 PM Rest
4:00 pm Reflection
5:00 pm Back to Homestay
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Rest
DAY 3
7:00 am Breakfast at Homestay
8:30 am Meet at Kiangan Tourism Information Center
9:00 am Proceed to Sitio Bilong, Nagcadan
9:30 am Orientation about the Agricultural Rice Cycle
10:00 am Trek down to the Nagacadan Rice Terraces/ Open Air Museum
Brief lectures along the trails
Identification of Indigenous flora and faunas along the trail
11:00 am Arrival at Sitio Onnop
Snack
Orientation and Inter-action with the Farmers
12-1:000 pm Lunch with the community serving local cuisines
1-3:00 Pm Rice Terraces Works (depends on what stage they come to)
3-3:30 pm River Bath
3:30- 5:30pm Rice pounding demo and binakle making
5:30 pm Back to Homestay
6:00pm Early Dinner at IPEd Center
6:30 pm Farewell party, Cultural Performance with Bonfire and introduction of Ifugao games for parlor games
Sharing of learning insights
9:00 pm Back to Homestay
