Situated in the mountainous Cordillera region of Luzon Island in the Philippines, Kalinga Province offers breathtaking scenery with mountains peaking at over 2,500 meters and covered with tall pine trees.
Surrounding Kalinga Province are the provinces of Abra in the west, Isabela to the east, Apayao to the north and Cagayan in the northeast. Traveling through the region is possible, with limited bus services and jeepneys available. It is also possible to hire a four-wheel drive and self-drive.
Kalinga Province is known for rice farming, with some of the most extensive farms in the region. Basket weaving, pot making and metal works are also prevalent in the region. In the small villages, locals can be seen making handicrafts, which they are happy to sell to tourists for a small amount of money.
The Chico and Cagayan rivers both pass through the province and provide locals with fresh water and a food source with an abundance of fish. Several lakes can also be found and are great for enjoying swimming and kayaking.
The Aguinaldo Museum has a fantastic collection of artifacts and photographs documenting the history of Kalinga. There are exhibits of traditional clothing, home wares and weapons used by the tribal headhunter warriors.
The region enjoys a cool climate with average temperatures ranging from 17 to 22˚C. July through to October is the wettest period and best avoided as roads can become impassable.
Getting There & Away
The easiest way to arrive in Kalinga Province is by air to Tuguegarao’s airport, which has daily flights from Manila taking approximately 1-hour flying time. From Tuguegarao there are bus services and jeepneys leaving for Tabuk, which stop off at various villages throughout the province. It takes around 1 hour, 30 minutes from Tuguegarao to Tubuk by bus.
Things to Do
Kalinga Province Attractions
- Rice farms
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There are many rice farms in kalinga province, including some rice terraces built on the mountains. trekking tours are offered through the terraces and provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
- Aguinaldo Museum
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The small museum has an impressive collection of photographs from the region dating back 100 years and also an array of traditional artifacts including clothes, pots and tribal weapons.