Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Kalinga and Isabela

I planned a trip to northern Luzon and decided to visit both Kalinga and Isabela. Both provinces are not really near each other, but there is a reliable way to tick off both provinces in one trip. 

Kalinga and Isabela each have their own charm that make them notable places to visit. 

Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Kalinga and Isabela 

The provinces of Kalinga and Isabela were two places that have lingered in my mind for quite some time now. I didn't initially plan on visiting all the provinces in the Philippines. However, after a friend asked about if I had visited every province in the country, I realized I was near the finish line and I need to visit Kalinga and Isabela to reach that goal. Thankfully, it's convenient to visit both provinces and see a bit of Tuguegarao City as well. 

How to Get to Kalinga

It's convenient to travel directly to Tabuk City in Kalinga from Metro Manila. Your best option is to take the overnight bus that Victory Liner offers. I took the overnight royal class bus because I no longer look for the cheapest possible price. I wouldn't mind paying extra for more comfort. The bus has a reclining seat with a curtain. It also has a toilet inside. I paid around P1677 one way. You can check out Victory Liner's website for schedules and tickets. Alternatively, you can also catch a van or bus that goes to Tabuk City from Tuguegarao City. 

How to Get to Isabela

Isabela is also a convenient province to visit from Metro Manila. Cauayan has its own airport. You can book a flight if you don't want to travel by land. Victory Liner and other bus companies pass through Isabela's cities such as Cauayan and Ilagan. I took the bus from Tuguegarao City to visit some attractions in Isabela. You can easily combine a trip to Tuguegarao City and Isabela province in one weekend.

Getting around Kalinga

If you want to explore Kalinga, you're better off using your own vehicle or hiring one. The attractions are spread out and public transportation is infrequent. You might have to spend the night in a different town if you plan on visiting tourist spots in some areas. I used Tabuk City as my base. I saw buses and jeeps traveling to Tinglayan, Lubuagan and other places. 

Getting around Isabela

It's convenient to get around some cities and towns in Isabela, especially along the road from Cauayan City to Tuguegarao City. However, I didn't venture too far out into the more adventurous places to visit in the province. There are plenty of buses and vans that come and go. You can also take the jeeps or tricycles within bigger cities and towns. 

Things to Do in Kalinga, Isabela and Tuguegarao City

My main destinations for this trip were the provinces of Kalinga and Isabela, but I did explore Tuguegarao City in the short time I spent there. You can visit multiple provinces in one trip, if you plan an efficient trip.

Tuguegarao City

Saint Peter Metropolitan Cathedral

This centuries old church is a famous landmark in Tuguegarao City. It dates to the 18th century and has a Baroque-inspired design.

Try Pancit Batil Patung

This unique pancit dish is a local specialty. It's distinct because it's soupy (unlike other pancit dishes in the Philippines). It also comes with different types of meat and vegetables, which give it its strong flavor. 

San Jacinto Church

The San Jacinto Church is another relic of the city's long and Spanish-influenced past. It dates to the 17th century.

Cagayan Museum

If you have time and are interested to learn more about the province's history, you can include the Cagayan Museum to your itinerary. You can find prehistoric archaeological artifacts inside the museum. 

Isabela

Giant Butaka

Located in Ilagan City, this massive butaka or reclining chair is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Ilagan City. Local furniture makers poured their heart and soul into making this gigantic chair that hold's a world record as the largest of its kind. The butaka industry predates the arrival of the Spaniards in Cagayan. 

Queen Isabela Park

The Spaniards left their mark in Cagayan Valley. In fact, Queen Isabela Park was named after Spain's late queen. The centerpiece is a statue of the queen with other statues of heroes and leaders surrounding it. It's one of the attractions you can visit while in Ilagan City.

Saint Matias Church

The Cagayan Region (including Isabela) is home to many Spanish epoch churches, one of which is Saint Matias Church or Tumauini Church. This Baroque-inspired and brick church is a National Cultural Treasure. It dates to the 18th century and is a prominent landmark of Tumauini. 

Kalinga

Awichon Cultural Village

The road to Lubuagan is full of stunning mountain views and rice terraces. My main destination for going to this part of Kalinga was Awichon Cultural Village. Alonzo Saclag (recipient of the National Living Treasures Award and his wife Rebecca developed Awichon to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Kalinga. The village provides spectacular mountain views and a local ambiance with traditional houses and immersive experiences. You have the option to just go on a day tour or spend the night. 

Talama View Deck

Kalinga province has beautiful landscapes surrounding it. You get views of the mountains and rice terraces even during a casual commute to a nearby town. The Talama View Deck is a place where you can get overlooking views. It's a popular local spot. You can see locals just hanging out and enjoying the views or having a picnic. 

Dalimuno Half Tunnel

This rock formation will catch your attention. It's along a road with vehicles coming and going. It serves as a nice foreground to the surrounding landscape. Take a brief stop to take photos and watch out for passing vehicles. 

Where to Stay

I didn't have to book accommodation online for Kalinga because it's possible to walk in and get a room. I stayed in YKalinga Hotel in Tabuk City and Mango Suites in Tuguegarao City. It's easier to book online if you're planning to stay in either Tuguegarao City or one of the big cities in Isabela such as Ilagan or Cauayan. 

Budget for Kalinga and Isabela (including Tuguegarao City)

I didn't exactly go the cheapest possible way during this trip. I paid more for a comfortable stay, more food, and convenient ways to get around the places I want to visit. Gone are the days when I would spend as little as possible (it must be my age and energy levels during hot days). 

Here's a list of my expenses for this trip: 

1763 - overnight Royal Class bus from Kamias to Tuguegaro City

1517 - 1 night in Mango Suites Tuguegarao

2333 - Food and drinks

383 - Transportation

415 - Bus rides between Tumauini, Ilagan City and Tuguegarao City

250 - Van to Tabuk City from Tuguegarao City

2100 - 1 night in yKalinga Hotel (includes late checkout of 150/hour) 

20 - Talama View Deck entrance fee for 2 (I paid for my tricycle driver as well) 

1300 - Day trip tricycle rental

150 - Jeep to Lubuagan from Tabuk City

700 - Motorcycle taxi to Awichon Village from Lubuagan round trip

100 - Awichon Cultural Village entrance fee

170 - Tricycle to Tabuk City from Lubuagan                                                          

1677 - Victory Liner Royal Class bus to Cubao from Tabuk City              

12878 - Total expenses

You can spend less than the amount above based on your travel style and preferences. You could easily spend less on transportation, food and accommodation.

Itinerary for Kalinga, Tuguegarao City, and Isabela

If you plan your trip, you can visit three provinces over a long weekend. You can take the overnight bus from Metro Manila to Tabuk City in Kalinga, Ilagan or Cauayan in Isabela or Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and return from a different city. For this trip I took the night bus to Tuguegarao City and returned via Tabuk City.

Day 1 

Explore some of Isabela's attractions such as Tumauini Church, Largest Butaka, and Queen Isabela Park

Try pancit batil patung

Visit San Jacinto Church and Saint Peter Metropolitan Cathedral in Tuguegarao City

Day 2 

Take the earliest possible van bound for Tabuk City from Tuguegarao

Visit Talama View Deck and Dalimuno Half Tunnel

Day 3 

Visit Awichon Cultural Village

Take overnight bus back to Metro Manila

I didn't visit as many attractions as possible. You could realistically add a few more places depending on your pace and how long you stay in each stop. You can add Callao Cave to your itinerary while in Tuguegarao City, but that requires more time. There's more to see and do in Kalinga, Isabela, and Cagayan.