Amanda Virrey
Travel Guide: Tam-Awan Village in Baguio City
Baguio Ciy’s pride rests in the wealth of its colorful heritage from the pre to post-American era and in some parts still untouched by civilization, the old traditions from its Cordilleran roots.
While the American influences on Baguio City are vastly seen in the city’s major parts, namely Camp John Hay and the wide periphery of Session Road, the Cordilleran influence, on the other hand, is evident along the hillsides of the city’s downtown all the way to La Trinidad.
This Garden in the sky is located at Pinsao Proper, just about 20 minutes drive from Session Road. This cultural hub is home to many works of art from famous artists of Benguet. You can find different cultural books, paintings in various mediums; rice and strawberry wines, native handicrafts, and souvenir items for sale in the Tam-Awan Village souvenir shop.
Tam-awan is an indigenous term that means Vantage Point, It is located in a highly elevated area in the northwestern part of the City. The road to Tam-awan village is also a well-known shortcut to La Trinidad Benguet. One can take a short trek and a cultural immersion while discovering Cordillera’s colorful past.
For a unique village that breeds the Cordilleran craftsmanship with the beauty of art and the power of Mother Nature, Tam-Awan Village manifests an experience that is quite extraordinary for its visitors.
The village also offers unique Ifugao accommodation by offering the vernacular architecture of the Cordilleras. It has a coffee shop called Tam-awan Cafe which also serves as the tourist information office for visitors. Make sure to try out Tam-awan’s Benguet Coffee, probably one of the best Philippine coffee I’ve ever tasted.
To lay out its notable elements, here are 8 Extraordinary Things to Do at Tam-Awan Village.
1. Hike around the village.
With your comfy hiking or rubber shoes, take the rugged footpath inside the village and hike through its hillside forest. You may catch sight of various birds of fascinating colors and sounds, as well as wild plants.
This experience also gives you a wonderful opportunity to meditate in the thickness of nature, quite serene even to the point of emitting a sense of pure solitude.
2. Stay in the Cordillera Huts
Feel what it’s like to sleep within the indigenous confines of the Cordilleran Huts. Carefully made with authentic craftsmanship, the Ifugao and Kalinga huts placed around the village render a one-of-a-kind experience in Baguio City.
Aside from the monumental account of its conception, which was made in several parts separately in Kalinga and Ifugao, then transported and assembled in the village during its conception in 1998, the huts emit a spirit that requires complete surrender and appreciation of its own quality in order to truly grasp such experience.
The good thing is that the huts are made in different styles to meet the preferences of many people. The Kalinga huts are really basic lodgings made with hard wooden walls and cogon roofing with access to the communal toilet, while the Ifugao Huts are more modern with private bathrooms in some units.
3. Sit for your portrait
Have the village’s resident artists draw out your portrait inside the village and let them artfully express the distinctive spirit that dwells within you.
4. Eat well
Taste the wonderful cuisine that is lovingly prepared by the talented staff of Tam-awan Café.
Using homegrown crops and local ingredients, you can enjoy delicious servings, made unique by deep-fried cheese-stuffed green chili pepper, native chicken traditionally cooked in a creamy broth seasoned with traditional dried meat and rice, or salads with fresh highland greens and vegetables topped with smoked meat, All-Day Breakfast of your favorite Filipino breakfast served with eggs and coffee or Mountain Tea, or Pesto Pasta and more.
While waiting for your order to arrive, you will have the impressive sight of beautiful paintings coating the café walls, all done by the gifted Tam-awan artists.
5. Get into Art
With an environment fueled with color and creativity, it is natural to engage in art at Tam-Awan Village.
For a minimal fee, you can learn the essentials of Basic and Solar Drawing, Oil Pastel, Water Color Painting, Wood Carving, Bamboo Craft, Dream Catcher Making, and Portraiture.
6. Hold a picnic
Bring your friends and your pre-packed food inside the village and enjoy your meal in the midst of the village’s verdant open-air surroundings. This requires a 200php fee that’s good for 10 people on top of the entrance fee.
7. Have a bonfire
From 6 to 11 pm, you can share an extraordinary evening with your group around a traditional bonfire in the Cordilleran way. You can bring your preferred beverages and finger foods or order from the café, with some musical instruments and dancing, and you are certainly fulfilling a beautiful moment akin to the village’s heritage.
8. Hold an event
With all of the charming facilities and activities that Tam-awan Village offers, it is quite fitting to also hold a feast inside. You can celebrate your wedding, birthday, or business events for an intimate number of 40 guests just for 8,000php.
So when in Baguio City, be sure to visit Tam-Awan Village and experience for yourself all the extraordinary activities you can have, consider not just within the village, but also in the whole of Baguio City.
Tam-awan Village is managed and maintained by Chanum Foundation, Inc., – a nonprofit organization that aims to promote the sights and sounds of the cordillera region.
Entrance Fee
The basic entrance fee is Php60 for adults, Php40 for students, and PhP30 for children below 10 years old. Children 3 years old and below may enter for free.
How to get to Tam-Awan Village
Tam-awan Village is located in Baguio City, Philippines. Here are some ways to get there:
- By Taxi: You can take a taxi from anywhere in Baguio City and tell the driver to take you to Tam-awan Village. It will take about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the traffic.
- By Jeepney: You can take a jeepney ride from the city center to Longlong or Tam-awan jeepney terminal. From there, take another jeepney ride going to Tam-awan Village. It will cost you less than P20.
- By Private Vehicle: If you have your own vehicle, you can use a GPS navigation app to guide you to Tam-awan Village. Just input the address: Tam-awan Village, Long-Long Road, Baguio City.
- By Tour: If you prefer a hassle-free trip, you can also join a guided tour that includes Tam-awan Village in their itinerary. You can find various tour packages in travel agencies and online booking sites.
Note: Tam-awan Village is located in a mountainous area, and the road leading to it is steep and winding. Make sure to take necessary precautions when driving or riding.
Contact Info
Address: Tam-awan Village, 366- C Pinsao Proper, Baguio City, Philippines
Mobile: 0917 510 8196
Email: [email protected]
For more details, visit http://tam-awanvillage.com.
Searching for the best hotels and affordable flights? Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
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