Cordillera Adventure Tour Level 2.
The Cordillera Adventure Tour Level 2 (or CAT-2) has 3,931 more curves than Level 1, with a total of 8,747 curves, passing the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Cagayan, and Mountain Province, then back to the start-stop point in Ritz Hotel, Baguio City.
The CAT-2's most appealing journey was the rides from Claveria, Cagayan down to Kabugao, Apayao, passing Calanasan Town, and unto the infamous "The Gate of Calanasan" on the edge of Mount Kilang.
Passing the northern tip of the main Luzon Island was an epic ride indeed.
Angeles City.
We left home in Angeles City the night before the CAT-2 rides (starting at 2,644KM Odo reading) to start the early morning tour from Baguio City's Ritz Hotel Legarda.
We always do quick rest and gas refill at Shell, Rosario, La Union (16°13'13.4"N 120°30'13.3"E).
We immediately went to Ritz Hotel Legarda in Baguio City to claim our passports as soon as we arrive Baguio City.
The food was superb in Canto Bogchi Joint (16°24'28.7"N 120°35'40.5"E), just very near the Ritz Hotel Legarda.
We immediately look for a place to stay overnight - in Nanay Josie's Transient House (16°24'21.1"N 120°35'31.5"E), after our sumptuous dinner.
1st Day, 2025 April 16
Day 1 is from Baguio City, Benguet to Tabuk City, Kalinga covering 357km of amazing rides.
Ritz Hotel, Baguio City, Benguet.
(16°24'28.5"N 120°35'30.3"E)
As for all Cordillera Adventure Tours, we have to start the odometer reading at Ritz Hotel Legarda, Baguio City.
Ending the tour shall also be on the same place from where we started - in Ritz Hotel Legarda, Baguio City.
Ambuklaw View Deck, Bokod, Benguet.
(16°27'07.0"N 120°44'51.8"E)
We arrived at the 2nd check point to take our breakfast after riding smoothly in the 40km zigzag road from Baguio City.
Nelia's Canteen (16°27'06.7"N 120°44'52.1"E) located across the road in front of Ambuklaw View Deck has newly cooked lechon kawali and steamed rice when we arrived.
It was a perfect weather for riding in the mountains of Benguet and Ifugao.
Tinoc Highest Point.
(16°42'06.3"N 120°52'57.2"E)
The 3rd check point is one of the most visited places in Ifugao - 70km away from the last 2nd check point in Ambuklaw.
Tinoc Highest Point is undoubtedly very exciting to visit over and over again.
Moving on, we had to pass the Banaue Welcome Arch (16°52'48.1"N 121°03'39.8"E) going to the 4th check point in Mayoyao, Ifugao.
It was also there in the arch that we always stop and ate too many times - pinapaitan soup with tortang talong was our sumptuous lunch.
After a few minutes of rest and chatting with the owner, we arrived in this Y-Junction (16°55'12.8"N 121°07'01.9"E) that you shouldn't miss.
The left side going up goes to Batad Rice Terraces, and the right side going down directly goes to Mayoyao.
Mt. Nagchajan View Deck, Mayoyao, Ifugao.
(16°58'48.6"N 121°13'41.0"E)
Finding the road that goes up to this view deck was a bit tricky - but the reward was so awesome.
This spot in the summit serves as a significant historical site marking the final battle of the Japanese occupation during World War II.
Arriving at this multi-point junction in Paracelis is just several meters away from the 4th check point.
The weather was very hot that we were very exhausted arriving in this 5th check point.
Paracelis Municipal Hall.
(17°10'51.4"N 121°24'12.7"E)
The roads from Lista to Paracelis on our way to Tabuk City, Kalinga was surprisingly smooth to ride at high speed.
Paracelis is a municipality in the province of Mountain Province, with a population of 30,143 people.
The town's population distribution is 37 percent urban and 63 percent rural.
Tabuk White Carabao Statue.
(17°24'44.7"N 121°26'43.0"E)
Arriving at the 6th check point is the marker called Tabuk White Carabao located in the center of Tabuk City, in Kalinga.
The Saint William's Cathedral was so beautiful even from the outside and difficult to miss.
We were a bit hungry riding in extreme heat passing the zigzag roads from our Banaue arch's last meal.
Mang Inasal's pork BBQ's and sizzling liempo was more than enough after a day of awesome rides.
The P5 Hotel (17°24'48.1"N 121°26'24.7"E) is one of the best places to stay in Tabuk City, Kalinga.
It has elegant rooms, dining area, and enough parking spaces for the guests.
It has to notch facilities to relieve you overnight.
2nd Day, 2025 April 17
Day 2 is from Tabuk City, Kalinga to Calanasan, Apayao covering 314km of rides.
Early morning breakfast in the elegant dining area was another nice complement from P5 Hotel.
I was able to "piso wash" Rev (my Honda ADV 160) near the hotel before finally taking on the tour for the 2nd day.
Addressing the call of nature, we stop in the DENR CAR check point booth - these men and women were very kind - sharing to us a much shorter route known only to the locals at that time - the Conner via Sacpil road.
The shortcut road via Sacpil is located just before you reach the FDA warehouse in Conner (17°38'58.5"N 121°24'04.8"E) - turning hard left away from the main road.
You will enjoy this bypass road (that is not yet marked in Goggle maps) to Conner in less time.
Conner Municipal Hall, Conner, Apayao.
(17°47'46.4"N 121°19'20.9"E)
The municipal hall is well hidden inside an inner road away from the road.
We were exhausted early upon arriving in our 7th checkpoint due to the sheering hot of the sun.
The Kabugao~Pudtol Y-Junction (17°55'14.5"N 121°12'57.5"E) is never to be missed - this junction will determine whether you are taking Pudtol first (counterclockwise), or Kabugao first (clockwise loop) - either way in the loop from Claveria, Cagayan, you will end up here.
The 85km rides from Conner to Pudtol was not a joke - passing awesome zigzag roads, and some challenges along the way that I wouldn't dare to spill.
We rested and took some cold drinks a few kilometers before reaching Pudtol.
It was a nice expereince passing for the first time that road going up to Claveria, Cagayan.
Pudtol Municipal Hall, Pudtol, Apayao.
(18°14'05.4"N 121°22'21.0"E)
First time to ever set foot in Pudtol in Apayao - our 8th check point leads us here.
There was nothing much to visit in the town as it was a very quiet place.
Or maybe, we arrived during the sheering heat of the sun that the locals preferred to stay inside their house.
Claveria Welcome Arch, Claveria, Cagayan.
(18°36'46.3"N 121°09'29.2"E)
This welcome arch connects Cagayan Valley and Ilocos Norte in Maharlika highway.
This is the northern-most tip of the main island of Luzon - our 9th check point.
Arriving at Tea Talk (18°36'03.7"N 121°05'07.5"E), it gave us a breather after the very exhausting rides.
There we enjoyed our lunch in the airconditioned dining and served us with beef tapa and buffalo wings.
After a few minutes of rest and resupply (from the nearby 7-11 store), we continue our journey towards the most amazing place in CAT-2, in Calanasan, Apayao.
The roads going to Calanasan where mostly smooth and surprisingly beautiful except for some areas.
There were eroded roads, major landslides, and some rough roads still under on-going construction.
It was generally safe there but expect some challenges along the way.
Calanasan Town Hall, Calanasan, Apayao.
(18°15'19.0"N 121°02'36.3"E)
The 10th check point is the most exciting in CAT-2 - the rare chance to visit the town of Calanasan.
Our original plan was to reach Calanasan the earliest possible time - we arrived there by 4pm.
Believing the rain will give us the expected challenge, it was the sheer heat of the sun that pounded on us instead.
Em's Sisters Transient House (18°15'16.1"N 121°02'35.6"E) was the best place yet to stay in the town.
We wer able to visit the mighty Abulug River (18°15'24.4"N 121°02'47.0"E) as soon as we unpacked and safely secured our stuffs.
There was a hanging bridge (18°15'18.9"N 121°02'49.8"E) there that allow locals to cross the other side of the riverbank.
The town was surprisingly very clean and seemed very peaceful.
Roaming around, we were able to fly the drone in the middle of Calanasan Bridge (18°15'30.4"N 121°02'11.5"E).
We happily met some locals and enjoyed BBQ's (18°15'07.6"N 121°02'46.1"E) in the town proper.
In the evening, the owner and host (Ate Em's) prepared for us tinolang manok, fried tilapia, and steamed brown rice.
The weather in Calanasan was cold so we had nice and relaxing sleep there after our dinner.
3rd Day, 2025 April 18
Day 3 is from Calanasan, Apayao to Sagada, Mountain Province passing Tinglayan, Kalinga covering 307km of rides.
The morning breeze of cold air and sunshine in Calanasan offers a bit of assurance.
We were served with Vienna sausages, fried eggs, and brown rice for breakfast.
A early morning procession of the town saint with the locals professing their faith during this Lenten season.
Riding a few kilometers away from Calanasan town, it felt like we were suddenly in the moon.
It was indeed a pleasure to visit one of the most remote towns in Cordillera - and perhaps in the entire Philippines.
It was awesome passing the "Gates of Calanasan" (18°11'08.3"N 121°03'48.3"E) on the edge of Mt. Kilang.
Kabugao Central School, Kabugao, Apayao.
(18°01'32.1"N 121°10'59.3"E)
Arriving at Kabugao for the 2nd time in our lives, we were still fuzzed by the scenic views and zigzag roads experience in Calanasan.
Kabugao was the 11th check point and is a densely populated town in Apayao province.
We opted to have our lunch back in Tabuk City - before proceeding our journey down to the Mountain Province.
Roads like these makes you stop and cherish the mountains created by God for us.
The solid granite rock was carved to make way for the road passing under it - amazing..!
And there were so many scenic views that will worth a few minutes of your time cherishing the beauty of nature in Kalinga province.
Tinglayan Municipal Hall, Tinglayan, Kalinga.
(17°15'54.3"N 121°08'55.5"E)
A municipal hall with surprisingly bold architectural plan surprised us in the 12th check point in Tinglayan.
Along the way, we did not miss to visit Manung Ernesto and his wife - our guide to the village of Buscalan 5 years ago,
The Green House Homestay (17°12'13.0"N 121°05'24.7"E) is one of the best places to stay, unpack heavy stuffs, and trek light to Buscalan and visit Apo Whang Od Ugay.
See the article → Buscalan. The Journey to Butbut Tribe.
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Sagada, Mt. Province.
(17°05'00.5"N 120°54'08.0"E)
The 13th check point was this church in Sagada that we have visited (rested and prayed) for too many times.
The interior of the church is elegant, calm, and invites you to reflect and meditate.
We have all the intentions to give thanks to Him for keeping us totally safe after the 3 days of grueling rides conquering 13 upon reaching this place.
From here on, the plan was to get the much-needed rest, wind down, and visit one of the best waterfalls in our bucket list.
Bangaan, Sagada, Mt. Province.
(17°07'06.6"N 120°53'37.1"E)
A well-built log house in the inner skirt of Bangaan was a wonderful place to rest when in Sagada.
To meet our 3rd host, Ma'am Melchora Domalsin - a successful and retired schoolteacher also in Bangaan - we ride 5.2km from Sagada's town to the outskirts in Bangaan.
Owning a house made of expensive hard wood, she prepared a dinner for us - sinigang and fried bangus plus guinisang sayote.
Tita Mel is a caring person, and she became a part of the family - she shared a lot of her previous work, current plans, and future dreams.
4th Day, 2025 April 19
Day 4 is our "stop time" to witness the awesome Fidelisan Rice Terraces and trek towards the majestic Bomod-Ok Falls in Sagada, Mountain Province.
The day that was one of the best highlights of the tour - visiting the infamous Bomod-Ok Water Falls thru the scenic view of Fidelisan Rice Terraces.
We registered ourselves in the local tourism booth in Bangaan intersection (17°07'04.1"N 120°53'46.4"E), paid the environmental fees, and got assigned with our local tour guide Ate Lorna.
Bomod-Ok Falls, Fidelisan Trail, Sagada.
(17°07'55.9"N 120°54'03.4"E)
Trekking Fidelisan Trail is surprisingly easy going down the town of Fidelisan from the Bangaan tourism booth.
The town of Fidelisan beckons you from way above the trail during our descent.
The flat trail passing the Fidelisan Rice Terraces was easier than the stiff trail going down.
The trail was abundant with crystal clear water dripping down from above the higher grounds.
There was a short hanging bridge at the end of the flat rice terraces trail entering the lush green vegetation near the falls.
The entrance to the falls has some small-scale stores selling anything you might need.
The waterfall is seen from afar the moment you reach this point - it was awesome.
Bomod-ok falls (known as the "The Big Falls or Mother Falls") was coined from the Kakana-ey word “Bod-ok” or the sudden strong current of water coming from the top of the mountain, which is its water source.
Bomod-Ok Falls is amazingly beautiful rewarding those who will accept the exhausting treckking down and up.
The water was extremely cold even when the sun was at its peak.
The flat path crossing the Fidelisan Rice Terraces was so awesome.
The path going back ascending the very stiff path leading to the road was more challenging.
Our local tour guide (Ate Lorna) was very patient on us during the times that we were gasping for air and stop for too many times.
Taking an alternative way up instead to trekking the same way we got down, we were able to ride a jeepney that brough us safely back to Bangaan tourism booth.
5th Day, 2025 April 20
Day 5 is from Sagada, Mountain Province to Baguio City, Benguet, then back to Angeles City, Pampanga with 333Km total rides.
It was time to say our goodbye to Tita Mel who took care of us for 2 days and 2 nights.
We will always cherish the moment we've been with her in Bangaan, as our Tita in Sagada.
RK Garden Breeze Hotel, Buguias, Benguet.
(16°49'30.3"N 120°50'04.9"E)
This hotel in Halsema HW is our 14th check point - which happens to be the same check point for Levels' 1 and 2.
We were left with 2 more check points to pass from here, then goes back to the starting point in Baguio City
The rear tire is already worn out and just enough to finish the Tour and back to Angeles City, Pampanga.
Lamut Christ The King Chapel, La Trinidad, Benguet.
(16°26'49.2"N 120°37'08.4"E)
A chapel built on top of a higher ground in Shilan-Bekkel Road, La Trinidad, was the 15th check point.
Alighting from a curve, the chapel was very simple from outside view coming from the road.
We were so blessed to catch the on-going holy mass - for us to pray and say thanks for all the blessings and safety for the last 5 days roaming the Cordilleras.
About 2.7km from the Chapel at about 8mins of smooth zigzag roads rides is the Etag TV Kasakm'owl Restaurant (16°26'07.1"N 120°37'56.7"E) in La Trinidad~Nueva Vizacaya Road.
Famous for their home-made etag and the pinikpikan overload, you will have the taste of food that is known in the Cordilleras.
Composed of bits and pieces of sausages, pork liempo, native blooded chicken, and etag bits - the soup is so full flavor with aroma and spices that's unique.
Ritz Hotel, Baguio City, Benguet.
(16°24'28.5"N 120°35'30.3"E)
We reach the last and final checkpoint (16th) in just under 20mins from Etag TV - safely completing the Cordillera Adventure Tour Level 2 after 5 amazing days..!
To complete this Tour, you have to present the completed passport issued during the start of the Tour.
You need to record the odometer reading of your vehicle and present the passport for verifications in the lobby.
You also need to present the evidence such as photos with landmarks and passports, official gas and hotel receipts, and other proofs you may have in the tour.
Same as with all the Cordillera adventure Tours, we were issued with the Conqueror shirts (this time for Level 2), a certificate of completion inside the clear fiber glass, and some stickers.
Coming down from Baguio City, we again made a gas fill and stop over at Shell Sison Pangasinan.
Then slowly but surely ride the remaining 134km from Sison, Pangasinan to Angeles City, Pampanga for just +3hrs.
Angeles City (Home Sweet Home).
(15°09'32.7"N 120°33'19.9"E)
As always, we have to say our never-ending appreciation for all the blessings and our safety back home.
This Cordillera Adventure Tour Level 2 covers a grueling 1,515km during our touch down at our home-sweet-home.
With our kids surprised that we were able to return unharmed and 1 day in advance, we celebrated with delivered foods and eat together happily.
After successfully completing CAT-2, we still have 3 more remaining CAT's (#3~5), and the heart-pounding Southern Luzon Coastal Adventure Tour Level 7 (SOLCAT-7).
We encourage everyone to take on the same challenge - it will greatly improve you as a person a lot - and completing a significant personal achievement.
It is never easy, but it will worth your time, efforts, and resources.
"The best journey takes you home."
Byahe lang..!
2025 April 15~20 | Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Cagayan, and Mountain Province
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