Les-eng Rice Terraces: Kibungan’s ‘hidden treasure’

 

LES-ENG, Batangan, Wallayan, Culiang and Lanipew Rice Terraces

 

Eco-tourism

 

Nilo P. Cacay 

KIJBUNGAN, Benguet – In the mountains of Kibungan, Benguet, lies a breathtaking yet little-known wonder—the Les-eng Rice Terraces. Unlike the famous terraces of Ifugao, Les-eng remains untouched by mass tourism.

To get there, one must be willing to embark on a challenging trek, winding through steep trails and pine-covered slopes. But for those who make the journey, the reward is an unforgettable view of lush green terraces carved into the mountainside—evidence of the community’s deep connection to the land. Photo: Cacay Nilo.

More than a scenic view, Les-eng is not just a place to admire; it’s a living testament to the hard work and ingenuity of the indigenous people. For generations, farmers here have cultivated traditional rice varieties such as sampuling, miracle, diket, bongkitan, dinara, palgay, and balatinao, grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

These terraces are more than farmland, they are a way of life, passed down from ancestors who carefully shaped the landscape to sustain their families. The long and extreme trail getting to Les-eng isn’t that easy.

The trek can take up to six to eight hours, depending on the weather and the hiker’s pace. If you have a vehicle, you get there to Tacadang for five hours from La Trinidad Benguet then have a 2-hour walk to arrive at Les-eng.

The trail winds through deep forests, steep ridges, and narrow footpaths, sometimes revealing stunning rock formations and waterfalls along the way like what they called, The Crying Mountain.

Despite the difficulty of the journey, it is worth considering as you can have memorable experience. Every step offers a glimpse into the untouched beauty of the Cordillera Mountains.

The people of Tacadang, where Les-eng is located, live simple yet fulfilling lives. They rely on farming, and traditional hunting, using what nature provides rather than modern conveniences.

A local farmer once joked that he felt shy for serving freshly cooked native chicken to his guest. He thought that canned sardines is better to have than the native chiken but you know that this native chicken is more organic and safe to consume than the process sardines.

This humility and deep appreciation for homegrown food show the Tacadang people’s strong sense of self-sufficiency. Preserving the Cultural and Traditions Treasure Though Les-eng remains largely undiscovered, local leaders and residents are becoming aware of the possible potential that it offers in an ecotourism destination.

They hope that if visitors come, they will respect their land and culture. They believe that tourist could help preserve their way of life while allowing them to witness the beauty of the terraces without causing harm.

Les-eng Rice Terraces were crafted 100 years ago some of it were during the World War 2. During that time famine occurs vegetables and fruit were difficult to grow but because of their resiliency they were able to adopt other methods of farming that’s when they discover and start to build those stairway rice fields.

Les-eng Rice Terraces is more than just a beautiful destination. It is a piece of history, a symbol of resilience and bravery. And a reminder that some of the world’s greatest wonders are found in the most unexpected places.

We are not just aware that there were places like this that just within our backyard. To  individuals seeking for adventure, culture and breathtaking views, Les-eng is waiting to be discovered. – (Nilo P. Cacay is a student of the Benguet State University)