A crater lake, high mountain ranges and a festival that brings together seven Indigenous groups give Bukidnon several distinct facets. At Lake Apo, activities on the water take center stage; Mount Kitanglad and the mountain ranges point to high elevations, protected areas and habitats. Kaamulan brings together the cultures of the seven Indigenous groups, while the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association promotes Indigenous art and the passing on of traditional skills to younger generations. If you’re looking for hotels in Bukidnon, you can start by considering whether the lake, mountain scenery or culture best matches your travel interests.
Lake Apo: Crater Lake and Activities on the Water
Lake Apo is a 24-hectare crater lake surrounded by hilly terrain and green shrubs. Activities at the lake include overnight camping, daytime barbecuing, kayaking and jet skiing. The options differ in timing and activity: camping includes an overnight stay, barbecuing is explicitly a daytime activity, while kayaking and jet skiing take place on the water. This can help you decide whether you’d like to stay overnight by the lake, barbecue during the day or try an activity on the water.
Mountain Landscapes and Protected Areas
Mount Kitanglad reaches an elevation of 2,938 meters and is one of the Philippines’ seven ASEAN Heritage Parks. The Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park and the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park are legally designated protected areas in the province of Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao. The elevation is one aspect of the mountain landscape; the designated protected areas provide another framework for nature-related interests in Bukidnon.
Bukidnon’s mountain ranges provide habitat for the Bukidnon forest chicken, the Philippine eagle and the Rafflesia. So this landscape is about more than elevation and protected areas—it is also home to local wildlife and plant life. These species offer specific points of reference for exploring nature, without requiring a particular hike or route.
Kaamulan and Tagolwanen Weaving
Every year, the Kaamulan Festival brings together Bukidnon’s seven Indigenous groups—Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon—in the province of Bukidnon, particularly in Malaybalay City. Together, they celebrate the harvest and give thanks. The annual festival period runs from the second half of February through March 10; the exact dates may vary from year to year. The festival thus combines a recurring time of year with the cultural life of the province.
In Casisang, Malaybalay City, the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association has promoted Indigenous art and cultural identity since 2012. Its goals also include passing traditional skills on to younger generations and fostering the independence of Tagolwanen women. Alongside the annual festival, this brings the passing of art and craft skills between generations into focus.
Rides at Dahilayan Adventure Park
Rides at Dahilayan Adventure Park include Dropzone, Mountain Coaster and Python Rollerzip. The double zipline is listed as reaching a maximum speed of up to 90 km/h; ride details may change. The focus here is on named rides and a zipline, while Lake Apo offers a different experience, with camping, barbecuing and activities on the water. Before visiting, check which of the listed rides are available and whether the double zipline’s ride details are still current.
Discover more destinations: Malaybalay City, Misamis Oriental.
Return to the regional travel overview: Northern Mindanao.
