Buscalan Trip to Meet Apo Whang-Od 2016 (with sample itinerary and expenses)

Apo Whang-Od  is a 98 100 year old Filipina tattoo artist from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Philippines. She is considered as the last mambabatok from the Butbut tribe in Buscalan Kalinga and the oldest tattoo artist in the Philippines. She only use charcoal and thorns from Pomelo tree to create her artworks.

Last November 2015 my boyfriend and I went to Buscalan Village to meet and get a tattoo from Apo Whang-Od and I can say our trip is jam-packed with unexpected adventures. I have my itinerary prepared and everything, I did research and read a lot of articles before taking the trip yet we almost got lost luckily we met a tour guide along the way who helped us reach our destination.

Dangwa Terminal in Baguio to Bontoc – 6am

Spectacular view from Baguio City to Bontoc City

Toploaders from Bontoc City to Poblacion, Tinglayan – si Ate na-singkit sa lakas ng hangin

Kuya Leo’s (Guide) puppy – Fur-friend from Tulgao

We took a different route and instead of dropping off at Bugnay Village, we we’re dropped off in Tinglayan and since we arrived late and there are no hotel/Inns available around the town, our guide kuya Leo offered his place and told us we can spend the night there.

Starting our early walk to Buscalan Village from Tulgao

Met new friends along the road

Muddy road to Butbut Village

I was able to take a video of my boyfriend walking along the side of the mountain.Look how scary and fascinating it is the the same time..

After hours of trekking we finally reached Buscalan Village.

Buscalan Village

First Session

When Apo Whang-Od chooses your tattoo

Freshly Baked!

With Apo Whang-Od after the session

Chesy (11 years old) – youngest Mambabatok in Kalinga Village

My first tattoo from Apo and Chesy

Then we went straight to Sagada to meet a couple of friends.

Sagada Pine Cafe

Two Thumbs Up for this wine!

View from hotel

Last day in Sagada – Pila ng mga backpackers

BITIN!! I want to go back, I want to feel the thrill and adventure again. So last January first week, we went back to Buscalan to get our 2nd session. ♥

Road to Buscalan from Bontoc City

Toploaders again!!

Bugnay Village

Bridge na sobrang lalim na wala kang pwedeng hawakan bukod sa lakas ng loob mong tawirin ito, lol.

Kuya Atong’s house

Mary had a little lamb

View from Apo Whang-Od’s tattoo shop

Click here to watch video

Waiting for our turn

2nd tattoo session with Apo Whang-Od.

Getting my second tattoo from Apo

with Apo Whang-Od

Inside kuya Atong’s house with Apo Ichong and family

“Losing yourself in new surroundings is the best way to find yourself.”

As much as I wanted to stay there forever which is what I would totally like and do if I don’t have a job, but I do, so I need to go back to the city and face reality. Hopefully I will have time to visit Apo again next year (2017), so who’s up guys? I’d love to meet new friends, let me know! 🙂

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

1ST DAY
TIME	PRICE	DESCRIPTION
11:00PM – 11:30PM		CUBAO
12:00MN – 5:30AM	450-500php / person	Cubao to Baguio City (5-6hrs) – Genesis Bus

2ND DAY
TIME	PRICE	DESCRIPTION
5:30AM – 5:45AM	30-50php / taxi	Baguio Terminal to DANGWA TERMINAL
5:45AM – 6:00AM	220php / person	Buy ticket seat to BONTOC CITY
7:00AM		FIRST TRIP – BONTOC CITY
7:00AM – 12:00NN		Baguio to Bontoc City (5-6hrs)
12:00NN		Catch last trip to BUGNAY /BUSCALAN -JEEP (12:30PM)
12:00NN – 12:15PM	9php / person	Ride tricycle – Terminal to BUGNAY /BUSCALAN
12:30PM – 2:30PM	100-120php / person	Jeep to BUGNAY / BUSCALAN – Tell driver to drop off  BUSCALAN (2hrs more or less)
2:30PM – 3:30PM	50-100php /person – Motorcycle	Motorcycle to Drop off point (30mins)
3:30PM – 4:30PM		Trek – Hike to Buscalan Village (45mins – 1hr)
4:30 – 5:00PM		ARRIVE IN BUSCALAN VILLAGE – Inform Guide that you want to get a tattoo from Whang-Od so he can include you on the list for the next day session
		• REST / FREE TIME •
7:00PM		DINNER
		• REST / FREE TIME •
10:00PM		SLEEPING TIME

3RD DAY
TIME	PRICE	DESCRIPTION
5:30AM		WAKE UP / PREPARE
6:00AM – 6:30AM		BREAKFAST
6:30AM		Wait for turn  – Tattoo Session
10:30AM		LEAVE BUSCALAN VILLAGE
10:30AM – 11:00AM		Trek – Hike to Tricycle Drop off point
11:00AM	100-150php / person	Ride Tricycle to Bugnay Village
12:00NN		Reach Bugnay Village – Wait for Jeepney to Bontoc City
		LUNCH TIME
1:00PM – 3:00PM	100-120php / person	Jeepney/Bus to Bontoc City (2hrs)
3:00PM – 3:15PM	9php / person	Tricycle to Bus Terminal
3:15PM – 8:30PM	220php / person	Bus to Baguio Dangwa Terminal
8:30PM		ARRIVE – BAGUIO
8:30PM – 9:30PM		DINNER
9:30PM – 10:00PM	470-490php / person	VICTORY LINER – BOOK SEAT
10:30PM		Just in case was able to book seat
10:30PM – 3:00AM		Baguio to Cubao (5-6hrs)
3:00AM – 4TH DAY		ARRIVE – CUBAO

Total expenses: 2,000.00/head  more or less

NOTE:
• Total expenses – exclusive of food, souvenir, etc.
• Prices depends on inns, tour guide, tattoo design.
• You need a guide before trekking to Buscalan, you will usually meet them in Bontoc City if not in Bugnay Village – you will not be entertained in the village if you don’t have a tour guide.
Guide Fee – 500php/person – you can tip them if you want
• Planning to stay overnight?
250php/night w/o food
300php/night with lunch and dinner

TIPS:
•  Bring TONS of WATER and snacks/food
• Candies for the kids, beaded bracelets and necklaces for the old locals (they love it) and Gin/Brandy for the old male/guides.
• Bring: Flashlight, Posporo/Lighter, Insect Repellent, Alak!! (because it’s expensive there, like really expensive)
• There are no signal for either globe, smart & sun
• Buy all the things you need before you leave Bontoc City, it’s cheaper.
• When getting a tattoo from Apo or Grace, don’t expect that you will be accommodated right away, based on my first and second visit, we had to stay overnight to wait for our turn.
• Pack light because you’ll be having a hard time climbing the stairs on your way to the village.
• And lastly, enjoy the view, fresh air and the adventure.