Proud to be a daughter of Bukidnon, which I personally dubbed as “The Province of Greens.” You’ll know why as you go wander with me in this beautiful, scenic province where I was born and where keep going back wherever I may roam because it is where I belong.

Disclaimer: All thoughts expressed in this blog are based on my own. Every traveler may differ in perspectives on things they experience at traveling.

To Bukidnon

The landlocked province of Bukidnon occupies much of northern Mindanao, Philippines. Malaybalay is the capital city of the province and it borders Misamis Oriental, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cotabato and Agusan del Sur.

The term “Bukidnon” is derived from the word “bukid,” which is the Visayan word for mountain, signifying Bukidnon as “highlander” or “mountain dweller.” Bukidnon is recognized as the food basket of Mindanao since it is the major corn and rice producer across the region other than banana, sugarcane, and pineapple.

Bukidnon is home to most of the major climbs throughout the country including Mount Dulang-dulang (the 2^nd highest mountain with an elevation of 2,938 metres above sea level) located in Kitanglad Mountain Range, Mt. Kitanglad (4^th at 2,899 masl), Mt. Kalatungan (5^th at 2,860 masl), Mt. Maagnaw (8^th at 2, 742 masl), Mt. Lumuluyaw (17^th at 2,612 masl), and Mt. Tuminungan (30^th at 2,400 masl).

Where in Bukidnon?

My wandering mind only knew the myriad tourist destinations in the province in recent years. This could be because my meandering engine has just started or I’m just too busy during my high school and college years not to notice them. Anyways, time is still young for my vagabond self.

Excited? Me too 🙂

Okay, seriously here are some of the known places to go to when you’re in Bukidnon.

Dahilayan Gardens and Resort in Manolo Fortich

Nestled at Mt. Kitanglad’s base, Dahilayan Gardens and Resort is one of the finest resorts in Bukidnon. This forest park is perfect if you’re looking for a place to distress, play around, and unwind amidst its pristine nature scape. It is great for family vacations, team buildings, recollections and retreats, weddings, training, seminars, adventure trips, and romantic getaways. Are you an adventure junkie or an adventurer at heart? You must be at this place. I’ll be writing a separate blog on how I infected my family to wander with me here.

Monastery of the Configuration in Malaybalay City

Monastery of the Configuration is the place to be if you need some time to reflect on anything just like when we visited here during my high school years. Situated on a hill in San Jose village, it pays homage to the Benedictine monks and has been a must-visit for pilgrims during Holy Week. The pyramid-like architectural design of the monastery’s church was designed by architect Leandro Locsin and inaugurated in 1983. The monastery also highlights its two-storey museum showcasing the vestment collection of couturier Fr. Dom Martin Gomez who is said to have dressed former first lady Imelda Marcos. Religious relics and other souvenirs are also available at the monastery. Visit here anytime for free.

Silence is a must in this place as monks remind visitors to keep its holiness.

Lake Apo in Valencia City

Welcome a beautiful start of your day at this 24-hectare privately maintained lake. The lake is literally located within the mountainous area of Barangay Guinoroyan, 11 km west south west of Poblacion. It offers accommodations and venue for different occasions and activities like kayaking and swimming. More about the lake here: Undeniably Beautiful Lake Apo.   

Mt. Capistrano in Malaybalay City

This mountain is situated in Sitio Binalbagan of the city’s Barangay Simaya, towering an average of 2,000 feet above sea level characterized by steep and sharp rock formations. It offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of wide rice fields and the famous mountains of the province. Read “Quenching My Thirst for Nature: Mt. Capistrano Day Hike” for more details.

RR Family Spring Resort in Valencia City

As the resort promotes; relax, enjoy and dine in RR Family Spring Resort with your family, friends or officemates. Get some time to cool down from any stress in life in its varying accommodations. Enjoy dipping and swimming in its cold pools while having a picnic with your loved ones. Eat what your palette craves in its fine restaurant and make the most of your staycation. Just visit their website for more details.

Nasuli Spring in Malaybalay City

After a challenging hike in Mt. Capistrano, you can drop by Nasuli Spring to relax in its soothing cool spring water. The spring is referred to as a fresh water lagoon best to beat summer temperature. Bonding with family and friends here would be great, but with safety precautions as the water in deep.

Blue Water Cave in Quezon

Climb the enticing White Rock Cliff (notable as the Vertical Bivouac) and rappel down to the Blue Water Cave to cool down. The turquoise water of the cave will truly refresh you from a tiring day trek and/or Vertical Bivouac activity, which is first in the Philippines. It’s so majestic as it is located in a valley of the river flowing underground in the connecting caverns of the village of San Jose.

Musuan Peak or Mt. Calayo in Dologon, Maramag

Musuan Peak is recognized as one of the most favorite hiking destinations because of its accessibility and proximity right from the national highway. It is ideal for anyone who’s into picnic, tree planting and sightseeing of nature. You may visit its Central Mindanao University’s Mt. Musuan Zoological and Botanical Garden at the base of the Peak. Also read: “Musuan Peak: The 10-Turn Day Hike.”

Mount Kitanglad in Valencia City

The climb to the Philippines’ 4^th highest mountain terrains is referred to by trekkers as “challenging, yet fulfilling.” Mt. Kitanglad is actually a dormant volcano located in the Kitanglad Mountain Range that offers a stunning view of its neighboring peaks and its magnificent landscape. It is even recognized as an ASEAN Heritage site.

Mt. Kalatungan in Valencia City

Also called Catatungan, Mt. Kalatungan is the fifth highest mountain in the country. Visit the mountain’s lush of forests and pigmy gardens, and waterfalls. Usually, trekkers traverse from this summit to Mt. Lumpang (also called Wiji’s Peak).  

Mt. Dulang-Dulang in Valencia City

The mossy forest of Mt. Dulang-dulang makes it notable to trekkers across the country. Towering at 2,938 MASL in altitude, this mountain is ranked as the country’s second highest peak. It is typically trekked in packaged along with Mt. Kitanglad or the (D2K). Sitio Bul-oga, Songco in Lantapan serves as its entry point of access.

Multifalls of CEDAR

Center for Ecological Development and Recreation (CEDAR), the reforestation site of Impalutao, Impasugong that has several waterfalls you can explore. Its three major falls include Natigbasan, Dila, Gantungan. These waterfalls serve as side trips of trekkers or campers from the surrounding mountains.

Kampo Juan Eco-Adventure Farm in Manolo Fortich

This is an adventure park remarkable for its advocacy to the environment. It uses the areas suitable for agriculture because of its impossible terrain. It offers organic foods and famous for its extreme activities like bike on wire or anicycle and zipline.

Overview Nature and Culture Park in Quezon, Bukidnon

Be mesmerized by the surrounding towns and hills while feeling the cold, relaxing breeze of the province. It is known as a stopover for visitors traveling from Davao-Bukidnon-Cagayan de Oro or vice versa. The Park offers gigantic sculptures of the province’s early inhabitants and of Mama Mary.

Seagull Mountain Resort in Buda, Davao City

Do you want to be at the border between Davao and Bukidnon? Go to the Seagull Mountain Resort and cool down and see mountain top scenery. Though already part of Davao City, it remains a destination of Bukidnon. Be accommodated by the resort’s classy rooms or experience a rugged night camp at its designated camp sites. Found inside the resort are a swimming pool and a mini-waterfall. Unique, isn’t it?

Seagull Mountain Resort is one of the many popular destinations in Davao City. It is situated along the Bukidnon-Davao (BUDA) Road in Barangay Lorega, Marilog District, Davao City, and is nestled on a mountain about 4,200 feet above sea level.

Communal Ranch in Impasugong

This 642-hectare land area is the only communal ranch solely owned by the government throughout the Philippines. The ranch is considered as the Cinema Capital of the province where film directors and actors set to stage their productions for its mountainous and green scenery. Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin came here to shoot their film “Love Me Again (Land Down Under)” in 2008.

Panimahawa Ridge in Impalutao, Impasugong

Since it was open to public early this year (2017), Panimahawa Ridge became popular not only to locals and outdoor enthusiasts of the province but so with those from its neighboring provinces and even from across the country. The ridge is one of the best spots to see the towering mountain ranges, hills, and valleys of the province. A hike here is great for first-timers and starters, which only take 1-2 hours depending on your pace from its jump-off point at Ant Farm.

Kapayawan Ridge in Impasugong

Do you want to have a glimpse of New Zealand’s mountain ranges? You need not travel far because we have them here in the province. The ridge is actually just beside Panimahawa Ridge.  

 

More of Bukidnon

Wheew!!! So much amazing destinations Bukidnon has to offer, yet only a few of them I’ve been through. There are still a lot more to explore and discover that only awaits visitors. And I’m not yet a quarter of exploring them. I’ll try to make the most one precious moment in each spot at a time so long as time and pocket permit. 🙂 

See you around then…

How to Get There? 

You can reach the province by sea, land and air. There are no direct commercial flights to Bukidnon. The nearest airport is Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental. You have to travel by land from Cagayan de Oro to reach the province’s capital (Malaybalay City) for about two hours. Its sea transportation is generally through the Port of Cagayan de Oro then take buses, vans or jeepneys to reach its cities and municipalities.   

 

  

 

Also read: Why Philippines Should Be Your Next Destination?