sobrevivimos batad

 

i remember someone saying that even once in your life as a Filipino, you need to see Banaue Rice Terraces. that lead me to my first trip in Banaue, i ended up returning again and again meeting locals who later became good friends. even more like an extended family, that every time i visit Banaue i can't miss dropping by to say hi.

 

when you see something awesome you just can't help but convince and bring more people to the place. i started the year 2011 going there with my parents and ended the year with a bunch of friends including fellow travel bloggers Tina, Jarvik, Mica, Tzed, Theo, Edna and special travel blogger guest from Slovakia Alex.

 

the rice terraces are located in many areas in the entire Cordillera region and the widely visited ones are in Ifugao particularly in Banaue. it can sometimes confuse people which one can be identified as Banaue Rice Terraces as the municipality of Banaue alone has a number of this.

 

out of the long list, we visited three which includes the ones in central Banaue, Bangaan and Batad. among these, Batad requires an hour jeepney ride from the town center of Banaue and an hour trek from the saddle to Batad. despite the ongoing development of a cemented road, the landslides caused by the typhoon somehow retained the exciting topload rough ride experience.

what made this trip different was the idea of bringing 18 plucky trippers. so i didn't have to worry about crossing narrow foot bridges, walking over steep steps and under electrical wires. this makes Batad not the usual destination in the Philippines. it is more of a backpackers haven. 

 

backpacker's cards and memorabilia left on inns

i find it fun that for one to book for a stay in one of the homestays and inns in Batad, you need to send a text message from someone in Banaue town center who will on that day relay the message to the inn contacts. the major telecom companies has not yet covered this side of Banaue though at some high areas, one can actually detect a minimal level of signal.

in Batad, it is best to interact with the locals to know more about their usual day but the tourist center also recommends guides to some of the spots around Batad and the neighboring terraces of Cambulo and Bangaan.

Bangaan Rice Terraces

the experience years ago when i first hiked Batad has not changed much. time is slow there. if you're still thinking twice of going to Batad, think of the experience. the challenging uphill hikes is nothing to seeing the country's best man-made contribution to the world.

check out other blogger's own share of experience on this Batad trip:

Mica of Senyorita
Jeepney Topload from Banaue to Batad
Scenic Trek to Batad
I Survived Batad
My Unusual Morning in Batad Village 
Where to Stay in Batad
Leaving Batad Village the Hard Way 

Edna of The Absentee Negrense
Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

Profile:

Barangay: Batad
Altitude: 1400MASL
Municipality: Banaue
Province: Ifugao
Region: Cordillera
Island: Luzon

Location: 
Distance from Manila: 340km
GPS Location: 
16' 56'' 2 N
121' 8'' 11 E

How to get there:
By commuting:
[1] From Manila, take Ohayami Bus (Espana, Manila) to Banaue (9hours). usual time bus leaves is between 9pm -1030pm.

[2] From Banaue town center, either take a public jeepney to Saddle (Batad) but this is not regular. so best to coordinate with someone from Banaue to arrange a special jeep for you. A tricycle can also bring you up until the junction. but this will require longer trek. By jeepney from Banaue to Saddle(1hour).

[3] From saddle, trek downhill to the Batad village. if you don't have someone who has been there, find a guide in saddle who can lead you down the village (1 hour). If from junction trek can take 2 and a half hour.

eskapo recommends:

to coordinate with locals from Banaue to arrange jeepney ride from Banaue town center to Batad Saddle. you can call/text Ms. Maureen  Globe-09278311848 Smart-09491336478 or email at maureen_bugatti@yahoo.com