DiscoverAtok
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Atok.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Atok
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Atok
- Holidays to Atok (Benguet) take you to a high-altitude town located on the Cordillera mountains, where it is a windy area and you feel like you are looking at a wonderful scene.
- The town boasts of a temperate weather that rarely experiences frost thus making it a cool haven in a land of the tropics.
- Atok is known all over the world as the flower farms where people grow roses, cabbage varieties, snapdragons, and various other flowers that make the hillsides appear in the bright colours.
- It is on the picturesque Halsema Highway, which is a meandering path, and passes through foggy mountains and beautiful valleys providing unending photographic chances.
- The first thing that the visitors usually do in the morning is to go out early in order to see the sunrise behind the clouds, which is as though one enters a dream world.
- The local culture is a mixture of native culture with recent hospitality, which provides a welcoming environment to the tourists.
- Capital (of the province): Benguet
- International airport: None in Atok
- Nearest commonly used airports:
- Loakan Airport (Baguio City) – domestic flights
- Clark International Airport (Angeles City, Pampanga) – major domestic and international gateway
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) – primary 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: Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Ilocano, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- Northern Blossom Flower Farm is part of the attractions of the destination of holidays to Atok (Benguet) which are covered by rolling molehills of coloured flowers that form a postcard image against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains.
- The highest point of the Philippine highways is a scenic point that can be a stop and time out point as it has panoramic views which appear to extend indefinitely to the horizon.
- The Sakura Park situated in Atok, Philippine, is a Philippine-Japan Friendship Park that features cherry blossoms which only last a short period and is an expression of international friendship.
- A flight with world pinoy will land you at the halsema highway where you can have the experience of driving through the halsema half tunnel and have the fun of being through a great landmark.
- Lourdes Grotto is a grotto located in a formation of rocks and it welcomes the hikers to a solitary and reflective place that appears to be a secret place of sanctuary.
- The Salt Trail or the historic Osocan Spanish Trail is a trail that trails in the footsteps of the colonial explorers and provides a glimpse to the past of the region.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- Holidays to Atok (Benguet) is best seen in the dry and cool season between November and May and the weather is dry with clear skies and comfortable temperatures.
- The most noticeable mountain scenery is also seen during the dry months when the travellers can view the mountains that could not be seen due to the cloud cover.
- During winter, the periods between December and February, some frosty mornings may occur to give a glittering almost snowy effect, which is common among photographers.
- The mean temperatures are mild $18^\circ\text{C}$ to warm $28^\circ\text{C}$, and are hardly higher than that of the lowland towns.
- During the rainy season (June to October) there is rich vegetation, but also the roads are likely to be wet; but it is an excellent season to observe fields of rich green.
- Local celebrations like the Adivay Festival during the month of November bring us to the local traditions and also a great addition to travel.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Agri Tourism Immersion
- Strolling through perfectly cared-over flower and vegetable farms will give you the pulse of the earth.
- You will find local Kankana-ey and Ibaloi farmers attending to their crops and talking about sustainable practises.
- The layout of the farms show the application of terracing to stop erosion of soil on steep slopes.
- Visitors can be invited to pick fresh products, and they can know how to cook at home.
- Fresh flowers and fresh air have a kind of smell that makes it a unique experience.
- There is a tendency of holding small workshops or demos, describing how the heirloom vegetables and flowers are grown.
Sunrise View
- The first light of the sun on the peaks is seen at Northern Blossom, when one gets there early in the morning.
- The sky is becoming very gradually, first steep indigo, then pinkish, and all the valley is filled with stillness.
- The fog around the place slowly disappears and the sea of clouds appears, creating the appearance of floating.
- The sunrise scene is best accompanied by a light breakfast in one of the local kiosks.
- The silence of early morning produces a meditative mood, which provokes introspection.
- Coming back during a sunny day in the middle of the day makes the memory a fresher one and gives the trip a sense of achievement.
Road Trip
- Push up the winding Halsema Highway and you have a series of hair-pin turns that test your nerves in a measured scenic manner.
- The highway drives along the previous peak of the nation, a milestone which demonstrates a victory of engineering.
- On the route, you will come across such stop-offs as the Halsema Half tunnel, a historic site.
- There is fresh produce and snack sold on local roadside vendors, which provide the travellers with a taste of highland cuisine.
- The setting of the sun at one of the view points along the road is very impressive as the sun fades down behind the mountains.
- The tour is also an opportunity to see the variety of the landscapes of the Cordillera region, both the green rice terraces and hilly mountains.
Coffee Culture
- The high-altitude farms owned by Atok cultivate coffee beans with a distinctive mild flavour profile.
- Touring a local coffee farm takes one through the whole process of harvesting up to the roasting process and provides an insight into the art.
- The town coffee houses are also good at serving freshly brewed beverages which keep the body warm after a day of hiking.
- A smell of roasted beans is mixed with the scent of pine and orchids of the nearby woods.
- There are a few farms where one can have a tasting to see how the beans of Atok are compared to the ones found in other localities.
- The tour allows one to appreciate the efforts farmers put into farming their products in high altitude.
Reason 05
Discover More
Local Economy
- The region is characterised by highlands vegetable farming with crops such as cabbage, carrots, and potatoes taking control over the local markets.
- The cut-flower business does not only make the town beautiful, but it also helps in global exportation.
- Distribution is controlled by small cooperatives that provide equitable prices both to farmers and consumers of fresh produce.
- Agricultural products are usually exhibited during regional fairs where most of the buyers are all over the country.
- The use of sustainable farming is more and more implemented to conserve delicate ecosystem.
- The fact that the economy is resilient is a tribute to how the community is flexible to changing climates.
Indigenous Heritage
- The Ibaloi and Kankana-ey peoples have been residing in Cordillera since a long time and have maintained their language and practises.
- The traditional houses, including the longhouses, are a sign of strong attachment to the environment.
- To this day, there are community rituals and festivals that are carried out to venerate ancestors and guarantee bounty of the harvest.
- Intergenerational storeys describe how the local legends and wonders of nature came into existence.
- The natives engage in tourism as participants, and they impart their expertise on the land.
- It is also important to learn their culture and this enhances the knowledge of a visitor to the area.
WWII History
- Atok played a strategic role as the centre of the war as it was a place that gave its name to battles that influenced the history of the region.
- The Guerrilla Saddle is one of the memorials of the severe opposition by local soldiers.
- People can walk the tracks which were used by the soldiers as a way back, and experience the burden of the past.
- Museums and plaques are telling the storey of courage and are a bitter reminder of the past battles.
- The community and preservation of monuments are indicators of the legacy of the war.
- Educational tours make the sacrifices made more appreciated by the locals and tourists alike.
Festival
- Harvest festivals such as those of cabbage and carrots are lively with the festal atmosphere.
- Colourful performances are provided through traditional drums and dancing to unite the community.
- There are food stalls which sale local delicacies, and the visitor has an opportunity to enjoy the traditional highland cuisine.
- Craft markets are displays of indigenous weaving, pottery and carvings with the souvenirs carrying a bit of culture.
- Parades are usually part of the festivals and they commemorate the past and local heroes.
- Attending these festivals brings in travellers to a living cultural tapestry.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- Holidays to Atok (Benguet) one can see the mix of the native traditions with the contemporary ones in their daily lives.
- The locals receive you with friendly smiles and use Kankana -ey, Ibaloi, Ilocano, or Tagalog based on the environment.
- Peshit is a traditional ritual that includes making offerings of rice wine and animal sacrifice to the spirits.
- The community resilience is displayed by such practises as rainwater harvesting and frost resistant types of crops.
- The architecture of the town incorporates stone, wood and thatch, and its centuries-long adjustment to the conditions of the climate.
- Young people are now studying abroad but they come back to maintain the culture and tell the world.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- Freshly picked cabbage, broccoli, carrots and potatoes are a few of the vegetables that form the core of most of the local foods and which provide crisp nutrition.
- Cordilleran coffee beans which are produced at high altitude give a smooth and mild taste that lingers well.
- The snacks like kakanin, which are traditional, are prepared using rice and sweetened with local fruits, which provide a sweet relief.
- Venders: Tita’s rice cakes and pagpag are the culinary genius of the region.
- Fermented rice wine, referred to as tapuy, are commonly eaten during meal times and served during community events.
- The culture of food is closely connected with the land and food stuffs are based on the richness of the soil and the care of the farmers.
Fun
- Children and adults also love picking fresh flowers at the time when they are in blossom and it helps the local economy.
- There are many trekking paths where hikers can see the natural perspectives, ancient forts and the ancient trails.
- Hot beverages particularly hot coffee or chocolate are best enjoyed with mountain horizon misty horizons.
- Local festivals offer music, dance, and games which make people happy and unite them as a community.
- There is a calming environment and therefore it is simpler to do yoga or meditation in the calm atmosphere of nature.
- The Halsema Highway is a good place to have a glimpse of the constellations at night that can hardly be seen in the lowland cities.
Fashion
- Multilayered garments are vital: thermal tops, waterproof jackets, and heavy gloves ensure the comfort of the visitors due to the changes of the temperature.
- Hats and scarves are not only useful in case of the wind and cold outbursts, but they also make the outdoor clothes look stylish.
- Pair of shoes must be durable, waterproof, and well treaded to make it go over muddy trails of the farm and steep rises.
- Igorot traditional clothes such as the woven capes have provided a cultural twist to fashionable tourists.
- Vivid colours in clothing are reminiscent of the colour of the flowers and topography around.
- It also has comfortable shoes that are important to walk long distances and traverse rugged terrains without exhaustion.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- Mt. Timbak is the third highest peak in Luzon which challenges experienced trekkers with a reward worth enduring.
- Vegetable terraces is one of the examples, which show human ingenuity, making steep valleys their productive and sustainable farming lands.
- Higher elevation mossy forests are the only place where old-growth trees remain, thanks to which we can have a glimpse into what used to be a vibrant ecosystem.
- Wild animals like the Philippine of the eagle or other birds would be seen in the distant forest region.
- Flora in the area consists of rare orchids and medicinal plants that the inhabitants have worshipped throughout centuries.
- Holidays to Atok conservation activities are seeking to safeguard these natural wonders but they are also promoting the concept of eco-tourism.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- Holidays to Atok Adivay Festival, the festival is a demonstration of the rich culture of the Benguet, participants dress in traditional costumes and colourful floats.
- Local festivals revolving around harvest times usually constitute communal dinners that showcase the local produce.
- Visitors can have an interactive learning experience by participating in historical reenactments of places such as the Guerrilla Saddle.
- Music and dance, in particular, the tinikling and kulintang are part of the festive mood.
- The Christmas festivities in the town have the Christmas celebration in the form of a Pasko sa Kalasag which is a mix of both Christian and indigenous traditions.
- There are seasonal craft markets that have woven baskets, pottery, and carved wood, which provide an excellent souvenir and also culture.