Banaue and the surroundings are located about 450 km, 8-10 hour drive from Manila and forms the getaway to explore the rice terraces in the area. The fastest way to Banaue however is to fly to Cauayan city which is a four hour drive from Banaue. The Ifugao people living here are a fierce bunch. Tribal wars were common and headhunting expeditions between tribes were documented well into the 60's. They are strong and particularly proud. Occasionally you may still see old women or man in traditional cloths at the local market, some of which displaying parts of beautiful tribal tattoos. At the Banaue viewpoint, which is included in our tours, some elderly tribals wear these traditional clothing for photo opportunities in exchange for an expected donation. Banaue rice terraces also called the "Eight wonder of the World" is famous for its spectacular 2000 year old, completely hand built, rice terraces and one of the must-visit places in the Philippines. The whole area is covered with rice terraces you can explore, so it is just how much time you have.
Near Banaue, in Kiangan, is where Ifugao and American troops helped force General Yamashita (captured in mayoyao) to make his informal surrender in World War II and we can stop here too, should you be interested. This side tour takes 1 extra hour. A "must see" is the Banaue Museum which gives you a glimpse of Ifugao's culture, history and tradition. So is the Banaue Viewpoint.
We usually book the government owned - and highest standard available - "Banaue Hotel" (closed for renovation) which offers standard as well as deluxe rooms (note that this accommodation is quite old and dark). Near Banaue hotel, an easy and pleasant 10 min walk you can find Tama-an village, here you can visit a native house, weaving shop and a small museum. Also there is a small handicrafts shop where you may buy some local handicrafts here though in Banaue town they have a wider selection.
We, however, also offer pension houses such as "Sanafe Lodge" (a bit noisy as its located near the market) in Banaue town or the quiet and beautiful "Native Village Inn" (toilet and shower outside) a 20 mins drive from Banaue. Other options to stay overnight are Tam-an and Banaue Heritage Hotel and Museum. Tourist feedback is that the "Las Vegas" restaurant is one of the better ones in Banaue.
From Banaue trips can be made to the hot spring and rice terraces of Hapao (oldest rice terraces), Bangaan, Mayoyao (famous also for tombs) and by far the most popular and visited village of Batad. Near the Batad viewpoint Simons and Hillside Inn offer enjoyable meals. Bangaan and Mayoyao are both Unesco World Heritage sites. Walking through the rice terraces require some level fitness and good balancing!!! Mayoyao rice terraces, a 1 hour drive from Batad can be visited after the viewpoint of Batad, the overnight will spent in Helen's guesthouse.
Local requirements forces us when staying in Banaue hotel to rent a jeepney to Batad parking area and Bangaan, although the roads have been so much improved that you can easily drive a sedan to the parking area ,drop off point for walking to Batad viewpoint, where you can enjoy the stunning panorama of the rice terraces of batad. These days the hike from the parking area to the viewpoint takes these days only 15 min walk, unlike in the old days it took a 2 hour strenuous hike.
When you arrive at the Batad viewpoint you can continue a 3 hour kike back and forth, up and down, to the Tippiya waterfall (you can swim here) or least strenuous, 1,5 hours hike, Batad Village. Overnights we book in Batad (Hillside Inn or Robertos Abung Hotel, which has rooms that have private toilets) and Bangaan (Bangaan inn) and overnights are rather basic. Bath and toilet are shared.
The starting point for the Nag/kor trail, a 2/3 or days hike, is in Banaue at Awan-Igid. You will passby Pula and overnight in Cambulo and the trek takes about 5 hours. From Cambulo to Batad takes another 3 with option to stay overnight in Batad or continue to Bangaan which takes another 2-3 hours.
Sagada is a prosperous town composed of mostly farming families and others associated with agriculture, used to be a hippie hangout, still breezing its tranquil atmosphere and recommended for an overnight stay. It is located a 2 hours drive from Banaue, a 30 minutes drive from Bontoc, 5 hours drive from Baguio, 6 hours from Vigan and 7 hours from Tugugarao. English is very well spoken and the community is predominantly Episcopalian. Few Spaniards set foot in Sagada during the Spanish Era, and a Spanish Mission was not founded until 1882. As a result, it is one of a few places that has preserved its indigenous culture with little Spanish influence. Its inhabitants, originating from Indonesia, are known for their local rituals on death, cave burial grounds with hanging coffins located in the "Echo Valley". Not everyone is qualified to be buried this way; among other things, one had to have been married and had grandchildren.
Another exciting highlight of the trip (not suitable for everyone since very slippery and leaving you slightly muddy !) is navigating "Sumaguing Caves". The adventurous among you can jump in the cave's freezing main pool, or even try the cave connection if you are not claustrophobic. If time allows you could also have a look at the "Bomod-Ok big waterfalls" which takes 3 hour hike back and forth and "Kiltepan Peak" to see sunrise and great views. Since this is weather dependent and requires a 04:30 am wake-up time, Kiltepan peak is of interest to few. Other activities includes trekking, spelunking, rappelling and visiting historical sites. Recently you may also do the Coffee making tour. People from this area are also known as Igorots. There are no tricycles here, which is seemingly a blessing. Note though that during Philippine summer holidays it can be run over by the locals. No night life is available, nor in other places in the Sagada area and even a curfew time is in place. Sagada offers some good restaurants and coffee shops especially "Banas Coffee", "Yoghurt House", "Masferre" "log cabin" or, for vegetarians Guiya restaurant.
Bontoc is the largest city and the trading center of the Ifugao region and a 30 minutes ride from Sagada. From either Bontoc or Sagada possible tailor-made extensions to our tours can be organized to remote Kalinga, one of the most unexplored areas of the North. A visit to the Bontoc museum is a must, so we made it part of all our tours going to Sagada. The charming Bontoc Museum offers a well organized exhibition of interesting photographs back from the headhunting days, jewelry, weapons and more. In Bontoc dog is still being served in some restaurants. If you happen to be in Bontoc on Saturday morning the local market should not be missed, people from the mountains bring their goods to sell. The Bontoc Festival is held in the first week of April. For overnights we recommend "the Archok Hotel". The Maligcong rice terraces rivals Batad rice terraces in beauty and is a 30 min drive away from Bontoc.
Kalinga
Kalinga, with its capital Tabuk, where traditional tribal lifestyle continue almost unchanged but (thankfully) the practice of headhunting ceased decades ago. The people in Kalinga are proud of their warrior culture so treat them with respect and let your guide do the talking. Traditional law applies and the government has little influence in this area. The remote and magnificent countryside is blessed with high peaked mountains, rice terraces, waterfalls and hot springs. Especially in the June to December wet season the area is vulnerable to landslides and therefore planned trips could be cancelled. The military and NPA are still operating in this area and travelling at night should be avoided at all times. If you are not familiar in the area, always bring a guide who can lead the way and who is familiar with the locals. Although considered by Filipino's from other provinces as a unsafe area, the people from Kalinga are very accommodating and you will not feel unsafe at all. Most of our client experienced the Buscalan tattoo village to be the highlight of our tailor made tours which can be reached from the parking area in 20 minutes.
Busculan is the most popular village in Kalinga among our guests to visit, and included in your private, customized mountains of the Philippines tour if you opt to include Kalinga as part of your journey. Finding this truly amazing, older woman that does many different tattoos forms one of the highlights of small town life. Be warned that the all manual technique she uses can be painful, but you will walk away with a truly unique souvenir from your visit to the remote Kalinga Mountains.
