This view is seen from the top of Mt. Data, another mountain you have to reach after the Mt. Gotong if you choose to ascend via the 1000-step stair (part of the 4-5 hours of trekking and hiking). Near the summit of Mt. Data is an awesome vantage point to see this rice terraces. If you have a guide, ask him/her how you switched from one mountain to another. I forgot to ask and until now I still can not figure out how.

Alab Petroglyphs

First look at the photo you might ask what is this. Well, don't underestimate what you are seeing because these are rock carvings at the top of the mountain that has been carved sometime in 1500 B.C.!

Alab Petroglyphs according to UNESCO: The other set of Petroglyphs are those found in Alab, Mountain province carved on boulders on top of promontories. The configurations are those of pudenda. The dating is relatively later and placed at not earlier than 1500 BC or even later.

I will post more stories about this in my Bontoc town exploration series.

Samoki Village

Samoki Village is located east of the Poblacion in Bontoc and can be reached through walking or riding on a jeep bound for Banaue.

This village is home to local weavers who make straps, G-strings, etc.

Alab tribal elders in native clothes and accessories

While exploring the Alab village, an ancient Igorot dwelling, don't forget to greet these Bontok Igorot elders and have your photo taken because they might probably be the last generation of Bontoks that still wear their traditional clothes and accessories at home.

Chico River

The Chico River here in Bontoc especially in Alab Village has wide natural pools suitable for swimming. The children here love cooling down by swimming to one of the Chico River's natural pools.

Alab Oriente Village (an ancient dwelling)

Alab village is an ancient dwelling of the Bontok Igorots and one of the evidences is the presence of the Petroglyphs. Enjoy the Burial Caves and the three sacred spots of the village. Ask your guide about it. (More stories about this in my Bontoc town exploration series.)

Watch the Lang-ay Festival Street Dancing

Lang-ay Festival is a province-wide cultural festival that happens in Bontoc every first week of April. The highlight of the festival is the street dancing and the cultural performances after the street dancing. Learn more...

How to go to Alab: Ride on a Baguio-bound or Sagada-bound bus (25 pesos) from Bontoc and drop to Alab waiting shade or hire a tricycle from Bontoc town proper and pay 120 pesos.

Where to stay in Alab: There is no hotel or inn in Alab. You have to register at the Barangay Hall for arrangement.

Where to get a guide: There are guides at the Barangay Hall upon request. Me, I met Ofelia Lopez. If you want her contact number, send me an email at edmaration@gmail.com.

From Baguio: Go to Dangwa Terminal. There are buses there bound for Bontoc. Remember to go there early. Buses that take the Baguio-Bontoc route include D' Rising Sun and GL Lizardo.

From Ilocos via Cervantes: If you want an alternative route you can use this route. This route is more practical when you are coming from Ilocos provinces, La Union or to anyone who wants to get rid of Baguio traffic. Here's how:

• (1) Drop at Bitalag Junction in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. be sure to be here by 7 to catch the earliest van trip to Cervantes - 2 hours trip. Fare is 150 pesos.

• (2) From Cervantes, go to the Cervantes plaza and wait for a Bontoc-bound van. If you can not see a van there, ride on a tricycle and go to Bulaga rather after the Aluling bridge. Tell the driver you are going to catch the Bontoc-bound van. Fare is 40 pesos per trike (not per head) from Cervantes plaza to Bulaga. Fare from Cervantes to Bontoc by van is 130 pesos per head. Trip is 2 hours.

• (3) In case you didn't catch the van from Cervantes to Bontoc (last trip is around 1-2 pm), you can stay overnight in Cervantes, available lodging houses have rates of 200/pax (Bessang Traveler's Inn), 300-500/pax (Greenfields Lodge) and 1000+/pax (Villa Maria Inn). While in Cervantes, catch the jeep at 5:30 am in Bulaga. You can ride a tricycle from the Cervantes plaza. The owner of Greenfields can also take you to Bulaga as early as 5am to catch the jeep bound for Bontoc. Warning: This jeep is not available on Thursdays.

Note: If you have your own service, you can cut the trip 2 hours shorter compared when you use the via Baguio route.

There are a lot of places to stay in Bontoc usually ranging from 150-500pesos/pax.

Tchapayan Hotel beside the Bontoc police station has 150/pax and 200/pax rooms. Not air-conditioned though, but Bontoc is cool, it was fine with me with the window open - with common CR. Meals are served at 80pesos per serving.

Alabama Hotel has 200/pax rooms. Located along the main road. Not air-conditioned. With common CR. They don't serve meals.

Walter Clapp has 300-500/pax rooms. This hotel is located at the parking area of Bontoc-Sagada jeeps.

Or if you want to look for more hotels that will fit your desire, just feel free to check all the hotels that line the main road in Bontoc.

Map of Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines