Anyone who’s ever been a kid has probably dreamed of living in a castle or a large fort. For anyone who spent their childhood dreaming of becoming a warrior or royalty, you’d probably enjoy exploring the Igorot Stone Kingdom in Baguio City!
This new attraction in Baguio City is an homage to the culture of the Igorots and to the owner’s family. The area is made of stacked stones which creates a castle and fort-like structure that resembles every creative child’s product of imagination.
Here’s a little history lesson:
The Igorots and the Moros were the only groups of people in the country who defied the entire Spanish rule, leaving them unconquered for over three centuries. The warrior spirit that runs through the blood of the Igorots is probably the reason why the Igorot Stone Kingdom looks like a fort during war.
Igorot Stone Kingdom Opening Hours
Igorot Stone Kingdom is open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM. Entrance fees will be collected before you can enter the attraction.
Guests ages 13 and above will be charged Php 100.00, while senior citizens, PWDs, and kids ages 4 to 12 will be charged Php 80.00, and kids below 3 are free to enter the area.
Pets are also allowed inside the premises as long as they’re on a leash and in diapers.
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What to do in the Igorot Stone Kingdom
You’ve seen the pictures and you’ve added the attraction to your itinerary. The question now is, what are you going to do in the Igorot Stone Kingdom once you’re there? Don’t worry! There are more activities inside than just walking around and taking photos!
Explore.
Make sure to wear your sneakers because you’ll be doing a lot of walking and stair-climbing in the Igorot Stone Kingdom. It would take about an hour to explore the entirety of the attraction; more, if you plan on taking lots of photos. Don’t worry about your knees hurting, though! The climb is not as steep and tiring as it looks at first glance. If you want to heighten the Stone Kingdom experience, you can also rent Igorot attires for a small fee and wander around the place wearing those.
Pose.
What would be the point of visiting any tourist attractions if you don’t plan to take photos? Luckily for us, Igorot Stone Kingdom is beautiful from every angle, so you can take pictures from any point in the area and your photos will still look good. There are also professional photographers roaming around the area, so make sure to watch out for them!
Learn.
What makes the Igorot Stone Kingdom different from other attractions is how it pays back to the culture and traditions in Cordillera. Apart from the text panels in certain parts of the area, there are also significant statues and figures around the attraction that you might want to learn more about. There are also text panels with stories about the owner’s childhood that makes the Igorot Stone Kingdom more meaningful.
Eat.
Exploring the entirety of Igorot Stone Kingdom is no easy feat, and it’s definitely understandable to feel a little famished at the end of the tour. Good thing that you won’t have to go to town to get something to eat–food stalls are lined up outside the premises and there is a food court inside the attraction to help appease your growling stomach.
Shop.
If you’re planning to get your family and friends souvenirs, you can get them inside the area. You can get keychains, magnets, shirts, and other Baguio paraphernalia. There is also a souvenir shop outside the Igorot Stone Kingdom, where they sell cheaper items. If you’re a plantita, you can also get small indoor plants and succulents inside the premises.
Get a tattoo.
If you want a souvenir that is more permanent, you can get a tattoo right inside the Igorot Stone Kingdom! The lone tattoo stall offers permanent and henna tattoos and can do hundreds of designs. The price depends on the design, but for starters, you can get three tattoos for only Php 1000.00.
Visit other attractions.
Still got time to spare? You can visit other attractions in the area. The nearest tourist attraction would be the Tam-Awan Village, which is an NCCA-recognized artist village that showcases Cordillera artworks and craftsmanship. Tourists can also visit Farmer’s Daughter, a restaurant featuring pure Cordilleran cuisine, and the Tam-Awan Berry Garden, where tourists can purchase several fruit harvests, plants, and seeds.
How to Get to the Igorot Stone Kingdom
Via Jeepney
The cheapest and easiest way to get to the Igorot Stone Kingdom is by riding a jeepney bound for the area. All jeepneys will pass by the Igorot Stone Kingdom, so the chances of getting lost are slim to none. Jeepney rides from town cost Php 11.00 and would last about 10 to 15 minutes without traffic.
Ride a jeepney bound for Tacay-Longlong (located at Otek St., near Burnham Park) and ask the driver to drop you off at the Igorot Stone Kingdom;
Or, ride a jeepney bound for Tam-Awan (located at Kayang St., near Baguio Public Market) and ask the driver to drop you off at the Igorot Stone Kingdom.
Via Taxi
If you’re unsure if you’re at the right terminal, you can always hail a cab. From town, the usual fare would range from Php 120.00 to Php 150.00, depending on how traffic is in the city proper. Please do take note that flagging down a cab would be quite difficult on the weekends, when it’s raining, and when it’s after 6 PM.
Via Private Car
For tourists with a private car, enter your destination onto your GPS application and follow the directions. Fair warning, though! There are only limited parking spaces, which tend to get crowded especially on the weekends.
Tips and Reminders when visiting the Igorot Stone Kingdom
Bring water.
Walking around the area can make you thirsty and famished. Save money by bringing your own bottle of water (and snacks, if you want to!). Food and drinks around the premises tend to be more expensive than usual, so it would be best to bring your own snacks and beverages inside.
Wear sneakers.
When you visit the Igorot Stone Kingdom, expect that you’ll be doing a lot of walking and climbing. Make sure to keep your feet comfortable by wearing a good old pair of sneakers.
Don’t forget your umbrella!
Rain is a constant in Baguio City, even in the summer. Don’t try to outsmart the weather by hoping for the best and not bringing an umbrella. When it does start to rain, be cautious of every step you make as the concrete and stone ground become extra slippery when wet.
Bring cash.
If you plan to shop and eat near or inside the Igorot Stone Kingdom, make sure that you have cash with you. Most food stalls won’t accept cards or e-payments. There are also no ATM machines near the area, so before entering the area, ensure that you already have money inside your wallet.
If you’re with senior citizens or kids, make sure they’re ready to do a lot of walking and climbing. The area also has ramps, but it is technically not a PWD-friendly place, so please do keep that in mind.
In Summary…
The Igorot Stone Kingdom is every child’s dream come true, but even if you claim to be a full-grown adult, you’d find something inside the area to appreciate and enjoy, whether it’s the food stalls, or the tattoo shop, or the Cordilleran symbols found around the attraction. Whatever it is, you and your family should pay Baguio City’s newest attraction a visit!
