【講師コラム】イジー講師No.～Benguet: A Paradise of Adventures and Natural Wonders～

Benguet, pronounced as /beng-get/ is the home of Baguio City – considered the “summer capital of the Philippines.” It doesn’t have beaches as the Philippines is known for, but it offers a lot of adventures as well as majestic and picturesque mountains, waterfalls, and cave sites.

Here are some ideal places to go:

Banaue Rice Terraces
This place is found in Ifugao, Benguet. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country. Moreover, considered a Natural Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. Its awe-inspiring view of the terraces looks like a giant’s step ascending to the sky. Its Terraces did not exist naturally but were built by hand by the ancestors of the Ifugao people.

Mt. Pulag
For people who like to go on hiking, this is a good place to go. Mt. Pulag is the highest peak in Luzon at an altitude of 2 922 meters above sea level and is located in Itogon, Benguet. There are different trails to the summit. The famous one which is for beginners is the Ambangeg trail which takes about 4 to 6 hours to reach the summit. It is quite a hike, but it’s definitely worth it. A breathtaking view of the sea of clouds and sunrise will meet tourists as they reach the top.

Mangta Falls
This falls can be seen in Bakun, Benguet. An adventure of hiking is also needed here to reach the falls. It might be tiring, but it is rewarding as one breathes in fresh air, and listens to the music of nature while hiking. The chirping of birds, the cool breeze, and the mountain view will definitely divert one’s attention from being tired. Most of all, viewing the awe-inspiring waterfalls, and dipping into its pool will make one forget that he is tired from hiking.

Longog cave
This is located in Kapangan, Benguet. It doesn’t need a long hike to arrive at the place. It only takes 10 to 20 minutes of hiking, as well as passing through a narrow hanging bridge to reach the cave’s mouth. Inside the cave can make one’s eyes shine with its wonderful stalactite and stalagmite rock formations. Besides that, there are also terraced pools that glimmer when flashed with lights.

Those are just some of the many wonders that can be explored in Benguet. It is a perfect place for people who are seeking adventures.