Atok, Benguet, Philippines – For most people traveling this side of the Cordillera region, Atok, a town in the province of Benguet, has become the usual “stop-over” for buses, and other vehicles that are plying the Halsema Highway system. But lately, this chilly municipality is slowly gaining local and foreign tourists’ attention. Looking into Benguet’s map, Atok is centrally located, and it looks like a heart, hence the moniker – “The Heart of the Highlands.”
My first encounter with Atok was in 2008 when my friends and I went to Sagada for the first time. The 1st stop-over of our 6-hour bus ride to Sagada is actually in Sayangan, Atok. A friend of mine even said that we should not miss the “siopao” at this stop as it is really good. That was the highlight of my first encounter with Atok, buying and eating a siopao.
Well, kidding aside, the town has been famous for two other reasons. One, it is where the Philippine Pali is located. This is the “Highest Point of the Philippine Highway System,” which is a part of Halsema Highway. And second, Atok is home to the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon, Mt. Timbak or Mt Singakalsa. I was fortunate to have scaled this mountain on two different occasions (first in 2009, and then in 2011).
After seven long years, I got the chance to re-visit Atok together with my Couchsurfing guest, Justin. So one weekend, we decided to explore Atok a little more. Here are the other places one could visit while in the heart of Benguet. Read along.
Northern Blossoms Flower (and Vegetable) Farm
This two-hectare farm has been supplying some of Metro Manila’s top society gatherings and hotel chains with their flowers. The farm boasts a wide variety of beautiful flowers and other plants like a cabbage rose, larkspur, snap dragon, alstroemeria, amaranthus, delphinium, eucalyptus leaves and many others. They are such a sight to behold! I am pretty confident that anyone visiting the farm will be smitten as to how lovely these flowers are.
Going to Northern Blossoms is pretty easy. When one arrives in Sayangan, locate the municipal hall so that it can serve as your point of reference. From the town hall, walk your way down, and on the left side of the road, you will see signages indicating where the flower farm is. It is a short road that goes down further.
The owners Mr. and Mrs. Ganayan, are two humble and hospitable individuals who have been in the flower business for quite some time now. They have decided to open their farm to both local and foreign guests. They have a 2-unit lodging cottage/ homestay should visitors decide to stay longer in Atok. My friend Justin and I stayed over-night since we wanted to witness the sunrise at the farm.
For further inquiry, you may contact Mam Lany at +639081513368. Entrance fee at Northern Blossoms is now Php250.00 per person while an overnight stay is at Php350.00 per person(subject to change without prior notice). I highly appreciate that after a tour around the farm (with a very knowledgeable guide), a visitor is treated to a hot coffee and bread. Perfect for the frigid weather in Atok. (Mind you, during our stay, the weather went as low as 4 degrees Celsius, and the range of temperature was from 5 to 9 degrees Celsius the following day). So it is a must to bring with you some warm clothes.
NOTE: The flower farm is close every Monday for maintenance.
The Benguet – Kochi Sisterhood Park
I am pretty sure a lot of us have been dreaming of seeing a sakura flower. I saw some when I went to Taiwan last year, and most people I know books a flight either to Japan or Korea to see these pretty flowers. Well, Benguet will soon have its sakura park, and it is located in Atok.
In 2016, about 40 Japanese Sakura trees were planted at an area in Paoay, Atok, Benguet. Two varieties of these famed flowering plants were planted: these are the Sindaya (white flowers) and Yakiwari (pink flowers) Sakura varieties. I was happy to see that during our visit, the Yakiwari Sakura trees already have flowers.
The park is notably cold and seems to me a perfect place for the growing sakura. I could already imagine how lovely it would be when the time comes that all the cherry blossoms would be blossoming. The area is also surrounded by vegetable farms and mossy forest.
Mount Cotnon and Bosleng Grotto
Around 30-45 minutes’ walk from the Sakura park, one could visit Mount Cotnon, a mountain with rocks atop and a stunning view of some vegetable terraces. A few turns from this mountain is a man-made attraction called Bosleng Grotto. It is a cave underneath big rocks with an icon of the “Lady of Lourdes.” Just like Northern Blossoms and the Sakura Park, these areas have a cold climate. Locals say that the cavern has served as a pilgrimage site for them and other visitors.
Philippine Pali
Located along the Halsema Highway, this is considered the highest point in the country under the Philippine highway system. It has an elevation of 7,400 ft above sea level. The name Philippine Pali was coined because of its similarity with that of Pali, Hawaii. It has a view deck, and some local stores are found in the area. Aside from the greenery brought about by vegetable gardens, a commanding view of Mount Timbak also serves as a picturesque background.
Osocan Tunnel
A potential man-made attraction added to the Atok Tour Packages, Osocan Tunnel is a Spanish Trail. It was constructed as a horse trail during the Spanish Period that exists up to this time. It features three man-made tunnels carved through colossal rock formation about 10 meters long each. This though is something I have yet to see.
As I have mentioned earlier, I have already scaled this mountain twice. During the 1st time, my friends and I camped out on top of this mountain after visiting the mummies of Kabayan. During my 2011 visit, we did a day hike. It is a pretty easy climb. My recent visit though was a surprise. One can already reach the mountain by not spending much time trekking. As a mountain enthusiast, I was somehow disappointed that the registration and guide fees are priced at Php 50.00 each (so one person will have to pay Php100.00). Moreso, the climb to the peak now has become way too short and easy.
One can also stop by at the Halsema/Atok Halfway Tunnel. it is a natural rock that looks like a shed above the road. Of course you can go for a photo ops but make sure no vehicle is passing by.
One can avail of tour packages being offered by the Atok Tourism. They have combined these attractions into various packages that include guide and transportation fees. You may contact the following number for inquiry: 09301892757 or 09465147799.
How to Reach Atok from Baguio:
Ride a bus or van that passes by the municipality of Atok in Halsema Highway. These include public transport going to Sagada, Bontoc, Mankayan, and Abatan/ Buguias. You can find these at the Dangwa terminal behind Center Mall in Magsaysay Avenue. There are also buses at the Slaughterhouse in Magsaysay Avenue. Earliest bus is a Sagada-bound Lizardo bus which leaves at 3am.
Inform your driver to drop you off at Marosan’s Restaurant in Atok or in front of Atok’s municipal hall. The fare for the bus is Php 73.00 while van fare is at Php100.00. The travel time is 1.5 to 2.5 hours. There are on-going road works that could slow down the trip.
Also, there are vans (which leaves as early as 5am) in La Trinidad and Baguio (back of Center mall) that passes by the town of Atok, so that is another option for travellers.
Going back to Baguio, you either take a van or bus. These public vehicles only stop by Atok so the availability of seats has no guarantee. Time of transportation availability is also not fix.
If and when you miss the early morning bus (especially if you are after the sunrise at the flower farm) one can hire a taxi in Baguio City. Now depending on your haggling skills and your fate to meet a really nice taxi driver, then you can go for this option. During my second Atok visit, we didnt get to ride the 3am bus because apparently, its peak season and bus tickets should’ve been purchased on reservation. Since we didnt want to spoil our trip, we opted to try our luck and talk to a taxi driver. We met Kuya Hans who is probably one of the nicest driver I have met. He agreed with our proposed budget for transpo and he took us to Atok. He also waited for us and brought us back to Baguio. We got his number and now I am sharing it in case you want to get him and his taxi going to Atok. Here’s his number 0912 878 5098, Hans Deleña.
Also, visitors are encouraged to register at the Paoay Barangay Hall located near the municipal hall.
Don’t be a wasted soul, be JUANderlust. Take it, easy everyone.
Wow I enjoyed reading this. I learned a lot more about Northern Blossom and other places of Atok. Super detailed. Pero grabe, I didn’t experience the 4 degress celcius temp. When we went there, it was near lunchtime and it was really hot. I will definitely come back and climb mt. Timbak.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you sa appreciation.
Balikan mo ung Timbak at Cotnon. Magovernight ka din dun para mas sulit. 😊
LikeLike
Ang ganda ganda! Next na tambay ko ng Baguio, magset ako ng overnight dyaan. 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you sa appreciation.
And yes, it will be a great experience pag nagovernight ka dito.
LikeLike
Wow! Parang gusto ko na mag impake at pumunta na sa Atok 😂 wonderfully detailed with enticing pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Salamat sa appreciation. Pack up na at magAtok 😁
LikeLike
Ang gandaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Akyat ka ulit Baguio tas dalhin ko kayo dito 😊😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAHAHAHAHA. Pag umakyat ako nang hindi conference, dalhin mo ko diyan plssss…
LikeLike
Shems di ko alam na pwedeng mag-overnight dun. Gusto ka nanamang bumalik ng Baguiooooooo…
LikeLike
Sus, d nagbabasa ng blog ko. Hahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Saan po mas maganda ang sunrise, sa Northern or sa Mt Timbak? Thanks. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
For me mas maganda pa rin sa tuktok ng bundok. Although if you like sunrise + flowers, then sa Northern Blossoms ka.
LikeLike
Safe po ba ang mga kalsada plan kc nmin mgpunta nxt week my ksama kmi 2kids.tnx
LikeLike
Safe naman po pero kung takot kayo sa mga matataas na highway at mga bangin sa side eh hindi ko po irerecommend senyo. But road condition itself is good with a few ongoing road maintenance along the way.
LikeLike
mandatory guide po ba sa mt.timbak?
LikeLike
last time I was there, no. not sure now.
LikeLike
Thank you for the useful information. I wanna visit that place. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You would definitely love this place Mr. Ice. There is even a Philippines – Japan Friendship Park where they planted cherry blossoms.
LikeLike
helpful blog!
i just want to ask if how much did u pay for d taxi?
& as early as 5am open na ba yung northern flower farm?
do u have also any idea if meron pwde msakyan if 5pm or 6pm na umalis from baguio? thank u
LikeLike
paid 2, 400 for the taxi. the farm opens at 6am. not sure if may mga van or sasakyan pa ng 6. 5 pm baka meron pa those coming from Buguias and Bontoc but then again, chance passenger, no guaranteed seats.
LikeLike
Hello Po. Nice blog. Ask ko lang po, if kaya ng walang tour guide papunta sa Grotto? Thank you very much 🙂
LikeLike
Kaya kung sa kaya but not sure if the tourism office will allow you to go there na walang guide.
LikeLike
open po kaya sila sa weekend march 2.. march 3 ung panagbenga festival po eh
LikeLike
I think so.
LikeLike
any other homestay in atok? Northern Blossom is already fully booked this weekend.
LikeLike
I am sorry but I d not know any other homestay in Atok.
LikeLike
What’s the best month to visit the place? 🙂
LikeLike
January to March
LikeLike
Hello! ask ko lang po nag overnight po ba kayo sa atok? if yes where did you spent your night and how much?
LikeLike
kung binasa nyo po ung write up eh nasa blog po lahat ng tanong nyo.
LikeLike