DiscoverGattaran
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Gattaran.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Gattaran
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Gattaran
- The town is located in the centre of the green territory of Cagayan Valley, which stretches all the way to the river and mountains in the distance.
- Fliers bound to the Gattaran, Cagayan, will be glad to discover that the flat plains of the town will be an ideal place to have a leisurely drive and glimpse at the rows and rows of rice and corn that shimmer along the tropical sun rays for holidays to Gattaran.
- The natives are Ibanag and Ilocano, a warm blend that repeats the history of migration and collaboration in the area.
- The western hills are covered with hot springs and rocky caves which beckon adventurous seekers in to the cool nature.
- The small community is concealed by the town in question, which has a good sense of community and families can come and tell storeys and share their produce at the weekly market.
- To people who wish to begin their journey immediately they land, booking with world pinoy flights would provide a hassle free connexion between the airports in Manila and the nearby airports in Tuguegarao or Santiago.
- Capital (of the province): Tuguegarao City
- International airport: No international airport in Gattaran
- Nearest commonly used:
- Tuguegarao Airport (Tuguegarao City) – domestic flights
- Cauayan Airport (Isabela) – domestic flights
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) – major international gateway
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Ibanag, Itawit, Ilocano, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- The Fugong Hot Springs sprang out of the ground in a soft spurt of mineral-infused steam thus welcoming bathers to relax the muscles and renew the skin.
- Limestone caves An array of rock formations in a maze of limestone caves and including the still-adventurous St. Paul Cave provide a guided spelunking experience.
- The massive rice paddies that enclose the town are a living legacy of the commitment and hard work of farmers and fertile land of the valley.
- The Riever has many tributaries that supply irrigation channels that make the fields green within the municipality.
- The historic St. Catherine of Siena Parish Church is at the centre of the town plaza and is made of stone and has been the site of prayers throughout the generations.
- A short trip to the local market will show hand-milled rice, sweet corn stalls and a handicraft-made artisanal production that reflects the culinary soul of the place.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- November to May is the dry season, which gives the best weather conditions that are the best season to go to the hot-spring and do the cave tour without the rainfall.
- Temperatures drop in December through February, which is a relief after summer is so hot and it is the ideal moment to take early-morning walks in the rice terraces.
- In the spring, holidays to Gattaran in March in particular, the valley is flooded with blooming fields and the murmur of the rains in the river is increasing as the rain falls.
- Summer, between June and August, is oppressive, but evenings are pleasant in taking walks in the evenings along the banks of the rivers.
- The monsoon which occurs between late July and October causes heavy rains which fills the streams making them colourful streams yet contribute to some roads becoming impassable.
- People intending to take a vacation in the area of Gattaran, Cagayan must closely monitor the weather conditions there and select the days and times that suit their needs.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Fugong Hot Springs
- The warm water measures between $38^\circ\text{C}$ and $42^\circ\text{C}$ which is ideal to have a soothing bath following a day of exploration.
- Mossy rocks and trees around the spa make it look like a natural spa which is private and social at the same time.
- The springs are not too deep that visitors can wade safely whilst taking the mineral bath.
- Local guides will be able to take you to the most favourable areas to see fresh water fish that can be found in the thermal waters.
- Light weight clothing will be essential because the region is usually windy and wet.
- The majority of the visitors go away refreshed and prepared to push on to the next one.
Gattaran Caves Exploration
- The caves provide a mazed network of stalactites and stalagmites that arouse the imagination of geologists, as well as spelunkers.
- Guided tours are safe and bring interesting facts to the geological history of the area.
- There are caves that can be approached through the use of boats, which makes the trek scenic with the water-borne experience.
- The cool underground climate is an escape to the heat of the tropics that is seen above.
- Daring travellers could carry headlamps and heavy boots to have a complete journey.
- A lot of travellers love the peace and calm that no one can acquire except in a cave.
Vast Agricultural Fields
- A motor tour through the rice paddies provides an overall picture of the fruitfulness of the valley and the art of the farmers.
- The fields become golden or green tapestries depending on the growth cycle due to seasonal changes.
- People take their time to take a picture of the lines of crops and the mountainous background in the distance.
- The roads in themselves are turned into a landscape which breathes, with irrigation ditches along the streets.
- Motorbike rides will provide a better view of the irrigation systems and the small roads in between paddies.
- The size of the fields is a testament to the fact that this region is the so-called Rice Granary of Northern Cagayan.
St. Catherine of Siena Parish Church
- The stone frontal shows the centuries of worship and labour that were used to create it.
- Internally, the detailed carvings on the altar display the locally produced art and religious iconography.
- Masses every week bring parishioners of neighbouring villages, which gives an idea of life in the community.
- The church has a small and intimate viewpoint with its bell tower which overlooks the town.
- The plaza around it has markets and informal socialisation, particularly when it is a festival.
- An isolated spot in the church garden offers one a time to reflect in the countryside.
Reason 05
Discover More
Pared Falls
- There are small cascades which are concealed in the hills and these cascades make the fresh spray that can be used to take quick dip.
- The woodlands are also nearby and provide people with natural access to panoramic scenes.
- Picnic gears can be carried by the visitors to have the serenity of the area in the waterfalls.
- The falls were supposedly made by the tears of a heroic fisherman according to local legends.
- The crystal purity of the water created makes it a popular place among the photography lovers.
- The falls in which there are no crowds of tourists left to them have a certain air of wild nature.
Cagayan River Tributary Views
- A habitat to various species of birds is provided by riverbanks with mangroves.
- Fishery boats are rowed slowly, providing an insight into the old ways of life.
- The smooth running has a serene environment to walk or ride along the trail.
- Local guides may clarify the essence of the tributaries to the irrigation of the area.
- There are tiny wooden bridges that span across the water which gives this landscape a rustic feel.
- Sunset over the river is an unmissable, which paints the sky with orange and pink colours.
Local Market
- Stalls are overloaded with fresh produce, corn cob to rice polished to perfection.
- Sellers have samples of the local longganisa that is unique and flavoured by herbs that give a taste of the region.
- Ibanag peoples use artisanship in the production of hand-made baskets and woven products.
- Tourists are able to exchange souvenirs on a bargaining process, as they understand the traditional way of bargaining.
- It is a vibrant cultural interaction point because of the dynamic nature of the market.
- River fresh fish daily is yet another specialty especially in the morning of the markets.
Road to Claveria/Aparri (Coastal Views)
- There is an exquisite scenic drive between Gattaran to the coastal towns through hilly and agricultural lands.
- The road is sprinkled with small villages, with roadside stalls of local delicacies and home made preserves.
- The up-down gradient of the road gives a spectacular views of the valley and the sea in the distance.
- Customers are able to make pit stops to take images of the green scenery beneath.
- The trip is also characterised by experience of the linkage of the interior towns with coastal business.
- The visit to Aparri and Claveria gives a comparison between inland and coastal culture.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- Every-day speech is centred on the Ibanag language, Ilocano provides some regionalism.
- Agriculture is an everyday activity; the planting and harvesting of crops determine school and community activities.
- The spirit of hardworking is demonstrated by the fact that people are ready to collaborate with each other when working on communal projects, e.g., the maintenance of irrigation dams.
- The traditional festivals are celebrated as a day of faith and harvest and in the procession and dancing, there is a show of prayer to the bounty of the land.
- Local weavery, and use of baskets, show a strong respect towards natural substances.
- Music and narrative are also part of it, as older people transmit storeys about the hills and rivers which encircle Gattaran.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- A regional classic is the pancit Batil Patong, a noodle dish with minced carabao meat, egg and liver on top, which begs customers to experience history.
- The local longganisa has got strong flavour profile with a heavy mix of garlic, pepper with a faint smoky finish.
- Rice and corn are fresh foods, and are usually served fresh, either as steamed rice, or as rice cakes and fritters of corn.
- Boiled into sweet desserts, carabao milk presents the application of local livestock in utilitarianism.
- During festivals, sweet stuff such as toothed treats such as buko pie, kakanin, among others are cooked in the streets which colour the town with vivid colours.
- The fruits, which are in the season like mangoes and papayas, offer a sweet natural balance to the savoury food.
Fun
- Swimming in the Fugong Hot Springs is a recreational experience that one cannot miss out in case he or she wants to have a natural time.
- Underground adventure programmes in Gattaran Caves please those who are willing to have adventure underground for holidays to Gattaran.
- The idea of taking pictures of vast rice fields at dawn is very serene and meditative.
- Visiting the busy market on a daytime is an overload on all the senses with the sights, sounds, and smells.
- Night walks along the river allow the visitors to hear the night chorus of crickets and frogs.
- Attending a local harvest festival will enable the visitors to sing, dance, and enjoy the fruits of the land.
Fashion
- This is due to light cotton shirts and breezy trousers that are used during the hot climate in the valley.
- Moisture-wicking fabrics will ensure that travellers feel comfortable when in hot-springs by dipping in or when hiking cave.
- Good walking shoes are necessary to move around in rough grounds and wood trails.
- a broad-brimmed hat or cap will take care of the sudden flares of the sun in the afternoon.
- To add a local flavour, the visitors are also allowed to wear embroidered shirts with the patterns of indigenous people.
- Evenings do not require fancy, over-the-top clothes due to respect of local traditions.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The ongoing geothermal action that provides power to the hot springs defines the surrounding ecosystem and provides a natural spa feel.
- Its flat level plains border a variety of plant lives, both big and small, such as the giant corn stalks and the fragile wildflowers.
- Limestones found in the western foothills support diverse species of species that live in the caves, such as bats and salamanders.
- Individual wetlands are formed yearly due to seasonal floods of the tributaries and migratory birds and amphibians attract them.
- The flora of the valley also gives natural protective feature against soil erosions, which maintain the integrity of the farmlands.
- This delicate harmony could be seen by visitors in the case of guided tours or relaxing walks along the riverbanks for holidays to Gattaran.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- On April $28^\text{th}$, the Gattaran Town Fiesta celebrates St. Catherine of Siena by means of a procession, fireworks and sharing of food.
- Harvest festivals demonstrate the plenty of rice and corn with the various parades of decorated carts and live music for holidays to Gattaran.
- Traditional craft can be found in the local artisans who exhibit the crafts during the weekend festivals, attracting people who want to purchase handmade souvenirs.
- another ceremony observed in the town is the River Blessing, which is an annual event, after which fishermen and farmers pray over a good catch and safe waters.
- There are food stalls in the streets with regional specialties which appeals to the locals and tourists.
- The celebrations terminate by a common dance known as the “Tayoga which is done by families dressed in colourful clothes and celebrating unity and happiness.