Perfect for balikbayan holiday getaways
With many balikbayans and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning home this December, families are likely looking for new getaways to create memorable family reunions and holiday experiences. With its crisp, cool weather, delicious eats, and natural attractions, Baguio City is always a popular destination during the Christmas season.
Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Events is a new ecotourism park near Baguio that helps people reconnect with nature while offering top-notch facilities and experiences.
Here are just a few reasons to add Mt. Camisong Forest Park to your Baguio bucket list this holiday season and beyond.
Eco-friendly nature experience
The holiday season can feel pretty hectic, especially in Baguio’s downtown area. Mt. Camisong in Loacan, Itogon, just a 45-minute drive from Baguio, offers a peaceful retreat to escape the city’s revelry. The serene forest park and event space reminiscent of the Baguio of the old provides a refreshing and tranquil environment to relax and de-stress in the company of loved ones.
Mt. Camisong gives visitors a chance to connect with nature in a setting that emphasizes sustainability and conservation. The 10-hectare prime property combines eco-sustainability with development, preserving 90% of its forested area. In fact, the park was designed to minimize impact on existing pine trees, with walkways weaving around the trees and adjusting to the terrain.
Panoramic views and photo spots
Mt. Camisong Forest Park offers breathtaking panoramic vistas, making it a great spot to enjoy scenic views and snap those precious photos together with the whole family.
The Alapaap Viewing Deck, a glass walkway with a breathtaking viewpoint of the Cordilleran mountains, is a clear favorite among visitors, drawing long lines.
But beyond this, the park has other beautiful spots to enjoy the panoramic views and surrounding landscapes, including the Marahuyo Viewing Deck, Dagitab Amptheatre, Samyo Tree Walk, open-air venues, and nature trails.
Activities for all ages and interests
The ecotourism park offers a variety of activities designed for different ages and interests, with comfort and accessibility taken into account. E-shuttles conveniently loop around the property to minimize walking up steep sections and give visitors easier access to scenic spots, ideal for those traveling with kids and seniors.
Kids can clamber up and explore the all-wood playground and play with installations scattered around the trees in some areas. Plantitos and plantitas can revel in the Kalupi Gift Shop, a charming glass house filled with premium plant-related merchandise, hiking essentials, and botanical gifts. Meanwhile, those who want to get their steps in can pick from easy, moderate, or daring hiking routes and discover hidden gems as they explore the trails at their own pace.
A personal favorite is Samyo, the elevated tree walk where you can stroll peacefully through towering pines, admire outdoor exhibits, or find private picnic spots to lounge and relax.
Unique venue to admire local arts and crafts
Mt. Camisong integrates local art, music, and food while providing space for artists and microentrepreneurs to showcase their work. Visitors can browse pop-up bazaars featuring artisanal and locally made products such as wild honey, handcrafted jewelry, crocheted stuffed animals, bags with native weaves, and more.
The nature park has an ongoing exhibit called “Mga Hibla ni Michelle Camolo,” which features intricate wire sculptures by the park’s in-house artist. Instead of displaying pieces in a gallery, visitors can hunt for the artwork while exploring the park, with tiny bird sculptures hanging from tree branches and curious figures whimsically scrambling up tree branches and adorning railings.
Elevated dining experiences
Formost families, enjoying meals together is often the highlight, and Mt. Camisong offers several curated dining options to pick from.
The al fresco Marahuyo Café serves comfort Filipino food, like signature rice bowls and hearty snacks, while the Muni-Muni Food Hall offers carefully selected dishes from top concessionaires.
For a more intimate dining experience and special celebrations, seek out Alapaap Dining, a stunning all-glass restaurant tucked beneath the famous glass walkway. Their special Ibagiw 2025 Tasting Menu, hosted by Chef Stan Suva, playfully reimagines Filipino dishes inspired by the paintings of local artists Cara Bruno and Francis Alingcayon.
Visitors can feast on dishes like Kilawin tuna with edible petals and microgreens, hearty smoked local pork ribs with a duo of adobo and pares-inspired sauces, strawberry mascarpone mousse, and a special drink made from foraged grapes and apples.
Meanwhile, their Holiday Set Menu features standouts like Kinuday Clam Chowder, Smoked Pompano with Wakame Salad, Seafood Bringhe, and Roasted Chicken and Orange Watercress Salad in generous portions capped with Ube Maja Blanca and Pinoy Fruit Cake, perfect for the whole family.
According to Chef Stan, the park’s commitment to sustainability is woven into the dining experience through their use of fresh, seasonal, and locally-grown ingredients sourced from Benguet farmers to minimize waste.
The Ibagiw 2025 Tasting Menu is priced at P2,400 (good for 2 persons), while the Holiday Set menu is priced at P2,500 (good for 2 persons), P4,800 (good for 4 persons). For reservations at Alapaap, contact 0917-162 9479 or email [email protected].
