This is a detailed Mt.Kupapey and Maligcong Rice Terraces itinerary with sample budget and travel guide.
One of the most beautiful rice terraces I’ve seen so far is Maligcong Rice Terraces that is best viewed from Mt.Kupapey. Maligcong is bountifully situated in Bontoc province, north of the Philippines. From a former unknown, sleepy village, Maligcong has now risen to popularity because because of Mt.Kupapey, Mt.Fato, and the scenic Maligcong Rice Terraces.
If you plan to visit soon, here’s a sample itinerary and budget to help you plan your climb to Mt.Kupapey and Maligcong Rice Terraces trek.
WHAT'S IN THIS BLOG POST?
How to get to Mt.Kupapey and Maligcong Rice Terraces:
Manila to Maligcong/Mt.Kupapey via Bontoc
There are 3 ways to get there. But the Manila to Bontoc route is your best option as it only involves 2 transfers: bus + jeep. Here’s how to do it:
1.From Cubao, Quezon City in Metro Manila, ride a CODA Lines bus bound for Bontoc. CODA Lines have daily trips to Sagada (via Bontoc) and Bontoc. Transit time is approximately 11 hours. See the CODA Lines bus schedule below.
Bus Fare (online):
PHP 871 (Express)
PHP 1,123 (VIP)
Coda Lines Bus Ticket: RESERVE HERE
BONTOC BUS SCHEDULE
| DEPARTURE | ROUTE | BUS |
| 08:00 PM | Cubao to Banaue | CODA Lines |
| 09:00 PM | Cubao to Banaue | CODA Lines |
| 09:00 PM | Manila to Banaue | Ohayami Lines |
| 10:00 PM | Cubao to Banaue | CODA Lines |
| 10:00 PM | Manila to Banaue | Ohayami Lines |
| 10:30 PM | Cubao to Banaue | CODA Lines |
| 01:00 PM | Banaue to Cubao | CODA Lines |
| 04:30 PM | Banaue to Cubao | CODA Lines |
| 05:30 PM | Banaue to Cubao | CODA Lines |
| 06:30 PM | Banaue to Cubao | CODA Lines |
| 07:00 PM | Manila to Cubao | Ohayami Lines |
2.Alight in Bontoc. After about 11 hours transit time, you will arrive in Bontoc town proper. Look for the jeep going to Maligcong. You can ask the local for directions or simply ride a tricycle to the jeep terminal (₱10 per person).
3.Ride the jeep to Maligcong. Transit time from Bontoc to Maligcong is roughly 30 minutes and fare is around ₱25 ($0.49,€0.44).
MALIGCONG HOMESTAY
There are a handful of homestays in Maligcong, so best to reserve in advance because they are usually fully-booked during weekends and holidays.
1.Suzette Homestay
Contact#: 0915 546 3557
₱ 350 ($7,€6) to ₱400 ($8,€7) per person
2.Terrace View Homestay
Contact #: 09151881732
3.Chen Sac-ayan Homestay
Contact #: 09562805628, 09207939550
MALICGONG, BONTOC FEES
Here’s a list of fees for tourists in Maligcong.
| Environmental Fee | ₱ 50 ($0.98,€0.88) |
| Mt.Kupapey/Kufafey Guide Fee (morning trek) | ₱ 500 ($10,€9) for 5 persons |
| Mt.Kupapey.Kufafey + Maligcong Rice Terraces Guide Fee | ₱ 500 ($12,€11) for 5 persons |
| Mt.Parutan Trekking Guide Fee | ₱ 300 ($6,€5) for 5 persons |
| Sitio Favuyan to Sitio Fangorap Rice Terraces Guide Fee | ₱ 300 ($6,€5) for 5 persons |
| Guide fee to Brgy.Mainit (one way) | ₱ 800 ($16,€14) for 5 persons |
| Guide fee to Brgy.Mainit (two-way) | ₱1,200 ($23,€22) for 5 pax |
*₱ 100 ($1.95,€1.75) is collected for each additional person.
MT.KUPAPEY AND MALIGCONG ITINERARY
Here’s a sample Maligcong Rice Terraces Itinerary for 2 days 1 night, perfect for a weekend trip from Manila to Maligcong via Bontoc. The sample budget is good for a party of 2, so if you’re 3 or more in a group, it’ll be cheaper as you can share the guide fee.
| SCHEDULE | ACTIVITIES |
| DAY 0 | |
| CODA Lines bus from Cubao to Bontoc. RESERVE HERE ₱871 ($17, €15) | |
| Day 0 Expenses | ₱871 ($17, €15) |
| DAY 1 | |
| 08:00 AM | Arrival in Bontoc |
| 09:00 AM | Jeep from Bontoc to Maligcong. ₱25 ($0.49,€0.44) |
| 09:30 AM | Arrival in Maligcong |
| 10:00 AM | Check-in at homestay. ₱350 ($7,€6) |
| 11:30 PM | Lunch. ₱ 120 ($2.34, €2) |
| 02:00 PM | Climb Mt.Fato. ₱500 ($10,€9) /2 =₱250 ($5,€4) |
| 05:00 PM | Back to Homestay |
| 07:00 PM | Dinner. ₱ 120 ($2.34, €2) |
| 08:00 PM | Lights out. |
| Day 1 Expenses | ₱ 865 ($17.17, €14.44) |
| DAY 2 | |
| 03:00 AM | Wake-up call |
| 03:30 AM | Start climb to Mt.Kofafey. Guide fee: ₱500 ($10,€9) /2 =₱250 ($5,€4) |
| 04:30 AM | Arrival at Mt.Kofafey’s summit |
| 05:00 AM | Wait for sunrise |
| 07:00 AM | Explore rice paddies |
| 08:00 AM | Arrival at homestay |
| 08:10 AM | Breakfast. ₱ 120 ($2.34, €2) |
| 09:00 AM | Jeep to Bontoc. ₱25 ($0.49, €0.44 ) |
| 09:30 AM | Arrival in Bontoc. |
| Explore Bontoc. (Bontoc Museum, etc.) | |
| 10:00 AM | Lunch. ₱100 ($2, €1.75) |
| 11:30 AM | ETD Manila (via CODA Lines Bus). RESERVE HERE |
| 10:30 AM | ETA Manila. ₱1,123 ($22, €20) |
| DAY 2 Expenses | ₱1,618 ($31.83, €28.19) |
| TOTAL | ₱2,483 ($49, €42.33) |
