Maligcong Rice Terraces and Mt. Kupapey Sunrise
About
Stone-walled rice terraces rising like a giant amphitheatre, and you get them almost to yourself! Maligcong, a quiet village 30 minutes above Bontoc town, is now a declared National Cultural Treasure. The move here is a 3:30 AM hike up Mt. Kupapey (also spelled Kofafey, 1,647 MASL, beginner-friendly at 3/9). You reach the summit in about 1.5-2 hours, in time for sunrise over the terraces, and on lucky December mornings a sea of clouds. After that, walk down through the paddies, sip tea on a homestay veranda, and climb Mt. Fato in the afternoon if you still have legs. Hire a local guide because the trail is easy to lose in the dark, bring a jacket, and carry cash because there's no ATM in Maligcong.
Dry until sunset (5:32 PM). Good time to go!
- Overnight (2 days, 1 night): afternoon arrival and terrace walk, then a pre-dawn Kupapey hike of about 4–5 hrs round trip including sunriseTime to spend
- May to July for the greenest terraces (planting starts in April, harvest is in August). December has the best chance of a sea of clouds at sunrise. Start the Kupapey hike around 3:30 AM to catch sunrise.Best time to go
- About ₱60 per personValue · Great value
- Bus or jeep gets you thereNo car needed
What to do here
- Hike Mt. Kupapey at 3:30 AM for sunrise (and maybe a sea of clouds) over the terraces
- Walk down through the stone-walled paddies after the summit
- Climb Mt. Fato in the afternoon for 360° views from its summit rocks
- Stay overnight in a homestay with a terrace-view veranda
- Side trip to Bontoc Museum or Sagada
Know before you go
Bring a headlamp, a jacket and shoes with grip. Trails get muddy and slippery in the rainy season.
Keep dogs from chasing carabaos, and never walk on terrace walls that farmers are repairing.
Mountain roads around Bontoc are steep and narrow. Avoid travel during heavy rain, and ride inside vehicles rather than on jeepney roofs when you can.
No formal parking lot. Private vehicles can drive up to Maligcong village; ask your homestay where to park.
Environmental fee ₱60 per person. Mt. Kupapey guide ₱600 for up to 5 people (+₱100 per extra person), and the same for Mt. Fato. Kupapey plus terraces guide ₱600 (Pinay Solo Backpacker, Jul 2026). Homestay dorm about ₱500 per person, private room about ₱1,500 (same source). Coda Lines Cubao-Bontoc ₱1,020-₱1,140 at the terminal; jeep Bontoc-Maligcong about ₱35 (same source, 2026).
Hire a local guide because the trail is easy to lose in the dark, bring a jacket, and carry cash because there's no ATM in Maligcong.
Where it is
Barangay Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province (Mt. Kupapey/Kofafey jump-off in the village)
No car neededCoda Lines bus from the HM Transport terminal in Cubao to Bontoc (daily 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, about 6-7 hours). Or Victory Liner to Baguio, then a bus from Dangwa or Slaughterhouse terminal to Bontoc (about 5 hours). Or Ohayami bus to Banaue, then a jeep or van to Bontoc (1-1.5 hours). In downtown Bontoc, take the Maligcong jeep from Capitol Road beside the market (about 30 minutes; Bontoc departures around 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM; Maligcong to Bontoc around 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM).
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FAQ
Do I need a guide for Mt. Kupapey?
Yes, it's strongly recommended! You start in the dark around 3:30 AM and the trail is easy to lose. The guide fee is ₱600 for up to 5 people; your homestay can arrange one.
Is the Mt. Kupapey hike hard?
Not at all! It's beginner-friendly (3/9 difficulty), about 1.5–2 hours to the 1,647 MASL summit, with a bit of rock scrambling.
When can I see the sea of clouds?
Your best chance is around December at sunrise. For bright green terraces, go May to July.
Is there an ATM in Maligcong?
No, it's cash only. Bontoc has a few ATMs, but it's safest to withdraw before you leave Manila.