For the longest time, it was unusual to hear about side trips from Baguio or La Trinidad. provided the sheer number of Baguio vacationer attractions that can quickly fill any type of provided traveler’s itinerary, it was tough to envision needing to go out in browse for a lot more locations to visit. Along came Atok.
This rustic town has been a preferred day trip destination among lots of Baguio locals however barely observed by tourists. Suddenly, when the buzz surrounding its flower parks resonated on social media, this bucolic town was unexpectedly catapulted into fame.
Located about 48 kilometers north of Baguio, Atok can be reached after a two-hour drive. getting here, the road is paved all the method however the drive isn’t always easy. It zigzags consistently and, since of the altitude, exposure is often an issue. however those who take on the winding road as well as steep cliffs get rewarded with an idyllic, commonly unforgettable, escape.
If you are planning to see Atok soon, right here are a few of the must-see locations as well as must-do activities (in no specific order).
WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?
Glorious sunrise
Northern blossom flower Farm
Haight’s Place
Sakura Park
Second greatest point of PH highway System
Lourdes Grotto (Wagangan rock Formations)
Halsema half Tunnel
Osocan Spanish Trail
Loyung’s Restaurant
Mt. Timbak
Atok Guided Tours
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Glorious sunrise
And when we state glorious, we indicate gloooorious! This has got to be one of the most spectacular sunrises we have seen. You see, Atok is perched atop naturally forested or manually terraced mountains, putting you at a quite splendid vantage point. All you requirement to do — although much easier stated than done — is get up early as well as wait on the sun’s rays to slowly burst out of the ridges of the far-off peaks.
You’ll discover many viewpoints in Atok, however our lookout of option was Sunrise Cabin, a small inn atop a cliff, best for sunrise watching, for this reason the name. If you’re lucky, you likewise get treated to a view of a sea of clouds slowly drifting below.
Another preferred sunrise checking out area is northern blossom flower Farm. speaking of…
Northern blossom flower Farm
This intricately created flower farm played a significant function in putting Atok on the mainstream vacationer map. It’s normally pictures of their cabbage roses (rose cabbages?) bathing in the faint morning glow that make the rounds on Instagram as well as Facebook, drawing in a lot more as well as a lot more visitors.
As for me, I just adore flowers. To me, it indicates happiness, success, as well as great times. The different lovely blooms in season add colors as well as life to our surroundings, eliciting sighs of question as well as awe from admiring spectators. envision exactly how thrilled I was to be at the northern blossom farm, walking in between towering stalks of blooms. The sight of flower terraces overlooking the silhouette of the mountains in the distance is permanently tattooed on my mind.
Aside from its signature increased cabbages, you’ll likewise discover different kinds of annual as well as perennial blossoms like lilies, hydrangeas, larkspurs, as well as sunflowers.
It’s finest to see early in the morning for two reasons. One, to prevent the crowd. Two, to prevent the sun. It’s simple to get sunburnt at higher locations when it’s cold, just since we don’t feel it ideal away. however if you can’t assist checking out between 10 AM as well as 3:00 PM, just bring security from the sun like a hat, shades, as well as umbrella.
The ticket rate is inclusive of coffee as well as bread/snack. If you are planning to stay overnight in Atok, the flower farm likewise uses accommodations — both home as well as space options.
Address: northern blossom flower Farm, KM50, Sayangan, Atok, Benguet
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Monday – Saturday); closed (Sundays). This may change, so inspect the official Facebook page for updates as well as announcements.
Entrance Fee: P250 (11-59 y/o); P200 (Senior & PWD with ID); P50 (6-10 y/o); complimentary (o-5 y/o)
Haight’s Place
Another flowery attraction in Atok is Haight’s Place, tucked in one of the municipality’s coldest corners. just like northern Blossom, it is house a to many rows of flowering plants like snapdragons, alstroemeria, as well as cosmos, painting the area in different colors. A few picture areas are likewise installed throughout the place.
Aside from its flowers, Haight’s location is likewise open for camping as well as pre-nuptial shoots. It likewise has lodging choices (cabins) for overnight stay. as well as if you get hungry checking out the place, there’s a cafe inside the primary building.
Address: Haight’s Place, Paoay, Atok, Benguet
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily). The routine may change, depending upon special event or personal gathering reservations, so inspect the official Facebook page of Haight’s location for the announcements.
Entrance Fee: P150 (Regular); P100 (Senior); P50 (8-12 y/o); complimentary (7 y/o as well as below). note that these rates include entrance to Sakura Park, environmental Fee, as well as maintenance Fee.
Sakura Park
Did you understand that the Philippines has its own cherry blossom park? It’s located just next to Haight’s Place! According to our guides, the Sakura Park is a totally separate entity. Haight’s location is privately owned, charging an entrance fee, while the Sakura Park is public as well as is easily accessible for FREE. however since they’re so close to every other, a lot of visitors error the two as a single attraction.
Located in Barangay Paoay, the Sakura Park is where they planted the cherry trees gifted in 2016 by Japan’s Kochi Prefecture as well as the Japanese embassy to the province of Benguet. They provided a overall of 40 trees in event of their 40 years of friendship, however only 34 blossomed.
Γιατί εδώ? The regional government of Atok selected this area since it satisfies the environmental conditions needed for sakura to bloom. however of course, it is seasonal.
If you desire to see them in full bloom, it can get difficult since it’s all about timing it right. When we checked out in early March, the trees were bare. Our guides stated they must bloom in late March to April, depending upon the rain. as well as when they do, they normally just last for a week or two, just like other varieties of sakura. Regardless, the park has other flowering plants scattered around the site.
By the way, to handle your expectations, these trees are a bit little (more like huge shrubs than trees).
Address: Sakura Park, Barangay Paoay, Atok, Benguet
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily). The routine may change, depending upon special event or personal gathering reservations, so inspect the official Facebook page of Haight’s location for the announcements.
Entrance Fee: FREE.
Second greatest point of PH highway System
Located along Halsema highway in Barangay Paoay, Atok utilized to hold the title of the greatest point in the Philippine highway System at the altitude of 7,400 feet (2,255 meters) above sea level. It clung to that record from world war II up until 2019, when a new greatest point was proclaimed. Today that distinction is held by a area at about 7,968 feet (2,429 meters) along the Kiangan-Tinoc-Buguias road in the municipality of Tinoc in Ifugao.
Although the crown has been snatched, it still stays a deserving stop; thanks to sensational view of the craggy landscape below. Tourists (presumably on the method to or from Sagada as well as Bontoc) still decrease by to take pictures with the old signage.
Location: KM52, Halsema Highway, Paoay, Atok, Benguet
Lourdes Grotto (Wagangan rock Formations)
Sticking out in the middle of a huge area of vegetable terraces, the Wagangan rock Formations secure the Lourdes Grotto, likewise understood as the Bosleng Grotto. concealed atop a peculiar stack of gigantic rocks, it is difficult to miss if you’re coming from Haight’s location or Sakura Park.
From the jump off point or auto parking area, you’ll requirement to take a short hike, past gardens as well as vegetable fields. however don’t worry, the path isn’t that long or that steep.
Fronting the entrance of the grotto is a humble open-air chapel decorated with a basic rock altar as well as a cross. inside is a statue of Our woman of Lourdes. It is a working chapel as well as Mass is held right here regularly, according to our guide.
The rock formations likewise cradle two viewpoints, one at the extremely top as well as and one more just below it. Tourists can climb the rocks to appreciate the breathtaking views of the fields as well as the mountains beyond. however we discovered the lower lookout to be much better. If you choose to go all the method to the top, be cautious on the steep method down.
Address: Our woman of Lourdes Bosleng Grotto, Paoay, Atok, Benguet
Opening Hours: Wayangan rock formation 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Daily); Lourdes Grotto Gates 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Saturdays). The routine may modification without prior notice. You may get in touch with the Atok tourism office for the current announcements.
Entrance Fee: P120/head
Halsema half Tunnel
Along the winding Halsema highway (Baguio-La Trinidad-Bontoc Road), a 50-meter half-tunnel (with 3.8 meters height clearance) has ended up being one of Atok’s prominent attractions. After Typhoon Trining devastated the region, washing out the road in the area, the only viable choice for road building was to carve out this significant rocky outcrop producing a natural half-tunnel.
Coming from Baguio, you will pass with the half tunnel just before reaching Atok Municipal Hall as well as Atok vacationer center in Sayangan. A few feet away from the half tunnel, there’s a restroom as well as some shops. You can park right here if you want to stop for photos.
Location: Halsema half Tunnel, Halsema Highway, Atok, Benguet
Osocan Spanish Trail
The Osocan Spanish path (or often just Spanish Trail) was part of the complex network of equine as well as foot tracks utilized by the Spaniards centuries ago. likewise called the Salt Trail, this was the path utilized to transfer salt throughout the region. Back in the day, right here in the highlands, salt is extremely precious.
According to our guide, the path stretches for 2-3 kilometers, featuring three man-made tunnels or caves carved with significant rocks.
There are really two trailheads — the much easier downward path as well as the upward path. The descending route’s trailhead is found near the Sakura Park area, while the ascending route’s trailhead is found between KM46 as well as KM47 (Landmark: JNB Diesel Station).
Loyung’s Restaurant
Located along Halsema Highway, somewhere between the half tunnel as well as the northern blossom flower Farm, Loyung’s restaurant is a prominent roadside rest as well as dining stop for travelers, particularly those heading to or coming from Sagada or Bontoc. It has a significant auto parking great deal as well as a spacious dining area.
It serves budget-friendly Filipino dishes with fairly bigger servings compared to the normal roadside eateries. We tried sinigang na ulo ng baboy (pig’s head in sour soup), chopseuy, as well as fried liempo (pork belly).
For desserts, we had custard cake as well as egg pie. According to them, the bestseller is the custard cake, however the team liked the egg pie better.
Address: KM49, Halsema Highway, Atok, Benguet
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Monday – Friday, Sunday); 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM (Saturdays)
Mt. Timbak
At over 2700 meters above sea level, Mt Timbak is the third greatest mountain in Luzon. (Nearby Mt. Pulag as well as Mt. Tabayoc are very first as well as second respectively.) as well as yes, you can gain access to it from Atok. (You can see its summit from the second greatest Point.)
When we were checking out the town, our motorist Kuya Bobby extremely suggested it to us for our future trip. We didn’t get to climb it then since we didn’t have time, it wasn’t in our itinerary, as well as we weren’t even sure if it was open. (The town was just starting to reopen when we visited.)
The path to the top, they say, is punctuated by the stations of the Cross. Needless to say, the summit affords a majestic view. likewise close-by is the site of the Cave Mummies of Timbak.
Atok Guided Tours
While lots of tourists go directly to attractions, we extremely motivate you to decrease by the Atok tourism office (within the Municipal Hall complex) to register, pay the environmental fees, as well as hire a excursion guide. This way, not only do you make a much better comprehending of every stop, you likewise get to assist the regional excursion guides as well as drivers.
If you are thinking about booking a guided tour, right here are your options. The rates are inclusive of guide as well as transportation within Atok, however special of entrance fees.
PACKAGE 1
P1,500 (Good for 5 pax)
– Sakura Park
– Lourdes Grotto
– 2nd greatest Point
PACKAGE 2
P2,200 (Good for 6 pax)
Sakura Park
– Lourdes Grotto
– 2nd greatest Point
– Spanish Trail
Co-written with Yosh Dimen
Photos by Yosh Dimen & Asta Alvarez
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