Baguio Eco-Trekking at Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary
I woke up early with a cool Baguio breeze passing through the windows of our one-bedroom suite. I rushed to see the beautiful sunrise and spent few minutes standing, staring at Baguio Pine trees. It was a wonderful yet rare experience for a person who has spent all her life living in Manila.
I went back to our room to wake up the two as I was looking forward for another sweet treat over a cup of hot tsokolate at Tradisyon.
Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary has a gallery and an eco-trek area where one can simply enjoy fresh air, greeneries as you walk around the huge eco sanctuary. Each stations shows the connection of humans and nature.
Upon arrival, we stayed few minutes in the gallery before we started the trek then we were given a map which we then gave to the kids and allowed them to lead us inside the sanctuary.
The large hectare Maryknoll has 14 stations which includes “dinosaurs on the scene, mammals arrive, bird take flight, the village period, the earth’s religious tradition’ among others.
The kids were excited and immediately grabbed our hands to start the eco-trek. Parents/guardians should look after their children because of hilly terrain. Better bring a bottle of water the kids might get thirsty especially during summer.
Walking lasted about 45 minutes to an hour, well depending to you if you wanted to stay longer in each stations for photography.
The activity also serves as an exercise for adults. The best part of the trek is passing the hanging bridge (if you’re not afraid of heights).
One of my favorite stations though was the bell or the welcome station, where one had to ring the bell to show support to mother earth.
You’ll find landmarks and significant signage on every stations.
The kids were so eager to find each and every stations. No complaints from long walks. Bianca’s favorite was the Igorot houses located after passing the hanging bridge. It’s the 11th station called the Village Period. It was also her first time walking a hanging bridge and she had a wonderful experience.
They told us the sanctuary was built after the 1990 earthquake that massively hit Baguio City.
Maryknoll Sanctuary, 25 North Sto Tomas Road, Campo Sioco, Baguio City
The sanctuary represents the significant relationship of humans, nature, earth and human culture.
She run to see the Igorot houses and started climbing, I was there to assist her.
