How I was able to see Adams, Ilocos Norte?
Dra. Tess: You should go to Adams.
James: I think I heard about that, but its not part of my IT.
DT: I have a contact there.
J: Really? Hmmmmm…..
DT: If you want I can call her, tell her to provide a place for you.
J: Wow! Sure! Sure!
There are times that itineraries are not followed and travel plans are edited to experience beyond what you imagine- TO BE ASTONISHED! This is what DIY trips fun and what packaged tours can’t offer- the thrill of finding something amazing, a place where only a few have seen.
Mt. Palemlem on a sunset, this is the view from my log cabin.
Welcome to Adams, Ilocos Norte! If you are thinking about the Adam in the Bible, you are right. The name of the place originated from that story- The Garden of Eden. When first visitors saw this pristine valley they where astonished, amazed and they call it Adam’s and latter on became Adams.
It’s a breath of fresh air from the busy city roads of Vigan and Laoag. A different experience for vacationers who finished touring the usual spots like Kapurpurawan rock formations, Bangui wind mills, Saud Beach in Pagudpud in the south or the Patapat viaduct, Kabigan falls and Blue Lagoon.
The 1 hour motorbike ride was like an introduction to a beautiful song, building up as you begin to see patches of terraced rice paddies, some springs and little rivers, the climax of the song- the kindness of the locals.
The locals are a collection of tribes from the North- Kankana-ays, Yapayaos, Ilocanos, Bagos and Imalods. A harmonious community where each one helps another. Everyone living peaceably, I even saw that their prison cell was empty.
What else this beautiful town has to offer?
The sweet Bugnay wine, refreshing waterfalls, Lover’s Peak, cold springs and river, Mt. Palemlem or Mt. Pico de Loro Norte and back-strap weaving. I believe they have more secret spots to offer to the explorer but my stay was only overnight. I shall return and stay longer.
Dra. Biel offered me a glass of Bugnay wine. Sweet, fruity and aromatic
One of the 18 recorded waterfalls that this town has. An hour easy trek.
Lover's Peak. Wake up early to witness the sunrise, like around 5am (30minutes walk from the town proper)
Adams river, where locals do their laundry and kids swim naked...haha I swam there too, lamig!
Adams back weaving, presumably came from the Mt. Province
Oh, before I forget let me thank Dra. Bielmaju Bawingan (the Municipal Health Officer and Mayor’s wife) for providing me a place to stay and the wine-tasting experience. Thanks goes also to Ms. Marilyn Ramilo for the food during my stay. Naimas, I must say.
How to get there?
From Pagudpud, take the bus going to Sta. Ana or Tuguegarao (or anything that will go up north), get off at Pancian. Pancian is the last baranggay of Pagudpud, it is also the jump-off point to Adams. Travel time: 30minutes (Fare: P20)
From Pancian, take the motorcycle towards Adams centro. As only a few goes here (Population of 1,897 with only 1 baranggay), it is advised that you text the motorbike owner, Manong Ogie the schedule of your trip. He will wait for you at Pancian. Contact # 0999-445-9189. Travel time: 1.5hours of rough uphill road (Fare: Php120-150, good for 2pax)
Accommodations: When you arrive at the town proper, register at the Police Station and choose where you want to stay- Inn by the river, Inn by the pond or the Log Cabin beside the winery. I stayed at the Log Cabin. Rate is Php150/pax or up. I stayed at the Log Cabin because its near the winery.
Must-buys: Bugnay wine (Php100/750ml bottle), ground coffee (Php80/500grams), red mountain rice (Php80/kilo), woven products (Php50 up).
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I visited Adams, Ilocos Norte during Days 10 and 11 of ISANG DAAN Journey .
#ISANGDAAN is a personal journey and challenge to backpack around the Philippines the cheapest way possible for 100 days.
If you want real time updates, you can check my facebook page: www.facebook.com/journeyingjames or follow me on twitter: @journeyingjames
If you want to follow my steps, I have an interactive map- ISANGDAAN Journey map.
Beautiful place James, it’s nice you have side trips to other places that is not in your itinerary. I love bugnay wine, classic!
yep, sarap talaga ng bugnay wine…
i guess Adams has the best tasting bugnay wine.
Have you found Eve in Adams? Hehehe, ganda ng waterfalls diyan. Love the sunrise pic and the one with the weaver. 🙂
nope, she is not there! hahaha
thanks kompanyero! you’ve been here narin pala
Thanks sa travel info! Kailangan mapuntahan yan! 🙂 Nice photos James 🙂
thanks tin! go na agad, ikaw pa mahilig sa bundok
ang saya talaga sa Adams. Anuplig Falls yung pinuntahan namin dyan. sarap ng Bugnay wine. tapos kumain ng ant eggs. Mabait nga si Dra. Bielmaju! I wish to return too 🙂
walang ant eggs that time. tara lets! i want to organize a tour
ADAMS…
It will always stay in my heart…
Can’t wait to make another trip there and it was a great pleasure meeting u there.
Thx to ur tips, I got there easier than planned.
Hope to see u again and good luck on all ur exploration.
dude! if not for your planned trip, i will not go there.
glad to be of help. lets go back there!
sama ko Idol pagbalik mo dito. hahahaha
hehe! sure, i wanna do a tour with people there.
I love bignay wine!!But it’s 14% alcohol!Nakakalasing.Will be in Ilocos next week.Sana mapuntahan ko to.Ingat sa byahe,kaibigan!
wala namang hang-over, hehe
thanks tsari!
Wow beautiful! That place is amazing.! picture pa lang nakaka relax na how much more pag nag punta pa jan.! =)
yes, as i said it was a breath of fresh air
Ang ganda. Raw beauty!
Ang ganda! Laid back at mababait pa yung mga tao. Thanks for sharing James. 🙂
Wow kuya James, I am also going there this summer. Thanks for the info you have provided and it is really cheap. I think I have to bring my own motorbike with me, do you think it is advisable? Marami raw waterfalls dito :))
yep, you can definitely bring your own motorbike.. enjoy!
Adams is indeed a paradise even by just looking at the photos.
ohh, did u swim just like the kids?naked?hahaha.
Keep safe and God bless.
ahaha! i wish i have that freedom noh?
thanks!
Talaga palang sa dulo na to. Anyhoo mukhang promising nga yang Adams. Hope to visit there soon.
yes sir james, but its worth it!
Sir James, may time schedule po ba ang pag.aalis ng bus from pagudpud to pancian? we’re planning to go to adams this coming nov 1 and ang itinerary po kc namin is atleast by 1:pm aalis na kami going to pancian en route to adams centro.
Thanks
please text the contact number i gave on the blog. pwede yang nasa planned itinerary mo.
salamat po sir james and Godspeed.
I’ve been to Adams, and It so beautiful..
hi james! anong oras kaya maganda pumunta dun? balak kasi naman after ng usual north & south pagudpud trike tour day 1 saka pumunta ng adams. late afternoon na kung sakali & kung gawin yung mga activities ng day 2, kaya kayang makabalik ng laoag bago mag gabi? thanks! =) sana may tour na lang dito para madali =D
btw, may contact ka nung log cabin owners? kailangan pa kaya pa reserve?
pwede yan. just contact the motorbike driver that i gave here. he can help you with accommodaitons.
hi sir post ko lang po number ko online 09067960934,09302845897 sa mga gustong makarating ng pagudpud at adams.driver/tourguide po ako sa pagudpud,salamat po sana makatulong po to.
Hi James!
Me and my friends recently went to Adams. We also contacted Manong Ogie and he is a very kind man. The hospitality of its people is also wonderful. I would like to thank you for introducing Adams to us. We would definitely get back there and stay at the Log cabin again. By the way, the wines are great as you said. hahahaha..
Thank you James. Hopefully, you can travel the world and share it to us as well.
Always have a safe journey!
Hi,
plan ko pumunta rin sa Adams..may internet ba dun if i bring my internet dongle? thanks
Hello, James… Thanks for your informative and helpful blog… I plan to go to Adams and Solsona next year, come March.. I already booked a Ceb Pac flyt for the said trip… then going down south by land probably to some towns of Ilocos Sur and to the historic Besang and Tirad Pass…and discovering the road there going to Sagada, Mt. Province then to Banaue down to Quirino ending up in Aurora as final destination before going back to Manila…. A long journey I hope I could accomplish.. A lot of planning to do for a pleasant, inexpensive, worthwhile and time efficient travel.
cool! that is a great route. i tried the banaue-quirino to aurora one, tough but amazing sierra madre view. have fun and take care po sir joseph
Thanks.nice info