Ifugao Diary: Trekking Batad and Banga-an

Batad Rice Terraces with golden yellow rice nearing harvest.

Ifugao, one of the few places I frequently visits. The province is situated at the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. These past few months, I became fond of rice terraces. Ifugao has its UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Batad, Banga-an, Mayoyao, Hapao, and Nagacadan Rice Terraces. Each has its own distinctive characteristics and all of which has its own beauty. If time and resources permits, I make sure that I hike Batad and Banga-an with my friends. 

The farmers of Batad.

Batad humbly boasts of its amphitheater-like rice terraces. It was built by the hands of indigenous people of Cordillera over thousands of years ago. Trekking through the paddies of mud-wall is an adventure. It is a mountain village, so, expect to go around by foot. One can think of how difficult it was for their ancestors to build and maintain such beauty.

Batad Rice Terraces during planting season.

Coming from Manila, it is a 9-hour bus ride to Banaue. At the Tourism Office of Banaue, all tourists, local and foreign, are required to register and pay for a fee. We bought some stuff there and had breakfast before going to Batad.

Trekking through the rice field to Tappiya Falls.

From Banaue, it is less than an hour ride through a passenger jeepney and an hour or so by tricycle up to the Saddle, the jump-off to Batad. From Saddle, a 30-minute descend through a concrete stairs that lead to a rough road. From my last trip (July), the concrete stairs were cut because of the on-going road construction from Saddle to the first stopover (store). The road will be very helpful to the people of Batad for easy travel. However, the adventure and experience of trekking will be gone. From Saddle, it is an hour trek to the village. A number of accommodations are available within the village. We opt to bring a stove and cookset for our meals since the food there are a little bit pricey for travelers like us. Once the village was reached, you have to register at the Tourism Office and pay for a fee. They require local guides if you are going to Tappiya Falls, Cambulo, or just a tour within the village.

Tappiya Falls

Going to Tappiya Falls, you should trek through the rice field for 1 1/2  hour. The scenery is irresistibly picture-perfect whether on a hot sunny day or a rainy afternoon. You can pass by a few stores that sells souvenirs. You may see a potable spring water along the trail. Beyond the mountains and rice terraces is the majestic Tappiya Falls. The long trek was worth the beauty of the 300 meter drop of water coming from Cambulo, Pula, Mt. Amuyao, and Batad. The waterfalls is surrounded by luscious greens and stones. The pool is deep and greenish. During rainy season, the current is so strong that the local guides would warn tourists from swimming. Coming back to the village is a couple of hours with more assaults compared to going to the waterfalls. The 30-minute assault is a combination of concrete stairs and rough terrain. 

After going around the village, you may opt to relax a little bit and avail of a soothing massage from a local masseuse. 

Waking up the following morning is like heaven. From your window is breathtaking and refreshing view of the rice terraces and mountains. You can see the summit of Mt. Amuyao from afar.

The trail to Banga-an from Batad.

You may want to start early if you are hiking to Banga-an. It is a village an hour away from Batad Junction coming from the road to Mayoyao. It is a 2-3 hours hike from Batad using the mountain trail. Banga-an has a valley-like rice terraces with clusters of both modern and Ifugao houses. The scenic view of the stone-walled rice terraces may be seen through the national road that access Mayoyao and Banaue.

Banga-an Rice Terraces

Banga-an Rice Terraces during planting season.

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