Backpacking Travel Guide to Batad, Ifugao

Amphitheater rice terraces of Batad

You can find rice terraces all over Asia, but none is as dramatically impressive as the Batad Rice Terraces, that were carve into the mountains of Ifugao Province here in the Philippines by ancestors of the indigenous people. Batad Rice Terraces is also touted as the “most photograph rice terraces” because of its amphitheater-like setting.

From Baguio, there are two bus companies plying for Banaue.You can either take the Ohayami bus or the Autobus. The Ohayami bus terminal is located along Governor Pack Road and leaves for Banaue at 8:00 pm.  We arrived two hours ahead of  the scheduled departure and pray for our journey ahead because the road to Banaue consists of deep ravines and cliffs. Instead of worrying too much we decided to sleep and 8 hours later we finally arrived.. There are  tricycles willing to drive you to your hotel or inn for a minimum fare of Php 20.00. We have chosen Banaue View Inn because of its proximity and spectacular overview of Banaue rice terraces. Our guide called us and we agreed to pay Php 4,000.00 for the jeepney and  guide going to Batad for tomorrow. It was quite expensive but  provided with good conditioned jeepney, a really good driver, plus safety ride, it was all worth it. 

Overlooking Banaue City 

The following day, we were blessed with beautiful dark blue hues of mountain sky. We took this shot while  waiting for our guide and our rented jeepney. We ate our breakfast early and prepare our things for the  trek ahead . Our guide Dandy adviced us to purchase bus tickets first to Manila before we start our adventure trek to Batad and Tapiya Falls.

Florida bus company booking office at Banaue

The booking office abides the "first come first served basis" so  better  purchase your tickets in advance.

Justice is served!

Banaue Justice Hall ( left side of this building is the Florida bus booking office and post office)

We called it " The Banaue Style "

Riding the Jeepney "The Banaue Style" 

Continue to Part 2