Banaue is a municipality in the highlands of Cordillera, Philippines that primarily showcases the world renowned Banaue Rice Terraces and is also a place for other adventures like camping, off-trail driving and mountain trekking.
Visiting this place is a rewarding experience because of their rich and well-preserved culture. You can still witness the undying ethnicity thru their way of life and traditions. Their religion, spoken language and clothing are all unique in their very different perspectives.
3D/2N exploreBanaue Ultimate Adventure Trek
(Banaue – Batad – Bangaan. No transfers)
4D/3N exploreBanaue – Sagada Ultimate Adventure Trek – with transfers
(Banaue – Sagada Trekking Adventure. With tranfers from Metro Manila)
Contents:
- Location
- When to Go
- Where to Go
- Banaue Rice Terraces
- Chapah Waterfalls
- Guihob Natural Pool
- Ducligan Hot Spring
- Banaue Viewpoint Terraces
- Banaue Ethnic Village and Pine Forest Resort
- Bangaan Village and Rice Terraces
- Banaue Museum
- Museum of Cordillera Sculpture
- Batad Village and Rice Terraces
- Tappiyah Waterfalls
- Matanglag Bronze Smith and Nuntamangan Village
Banaue is a 350Km town north of Manila. Travel time takes approximately 8.5-10 hours depending on traffic. There’s no airport so the only way to go there is by a bus or a car.
The best time to go to Banaue is from January to June especially during summer months when less rain can be encountered.
Banaue as well as the whole region of Mountain Province is situated in high lands therefore you can only appreciate the views during those months when fogs are not blocking the site.
Banaue Rice Terraces is a UNESCO World Heritage Site included in the list since 1995. Acknowledge as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” by the locals, Banaue Rice Terraces is a 2000 year old marvel painstakingly built by the Banaue people called Ifugao. And because of the outstanding engineering techniques used, Banaue Rice Terraces received an “International Historic Engineering Landmark Award” from the American Society of Civil Engineers. It was also acknowledged by the World Travel and Tour Council as a green globe destination in the Philippines.
The Ifugao primarily built the Rice Terraces to maximize the use of land space. Built by means of primitive tools and early methods, this stone walled wonder exceeds the world’s tallest building if the vertical distance between top and bottom row are measured. It is half way round the world if it were laid end to end. Truly, Banaue Rice Terraces is a majestic proof of Filipino’s exceptional skills and talent.
Chapah Waterfalls is less than an hour trek from Banaue Poblacion located at Barangay Bocos. Anyone who visits there has the chance to view and photograph the panoramic view of the whole town.
Guihob Natural Pool is a four kilometer drive or walk from the town center. It is a spring coming from a small waterfall ideal for picnics and some refreshing swim.
Ducligan Hot Spring is an hour and a half drive and a 20 minute walk from Banaue’s Poblacion. It is perfect for warm baths during cool days. It also has a swimming pool, tubs and other amenities.
Banaue Viewpoint Terraces is where you should go if you want to capture the best perspective of the rice terraces. You can also found some shops selling souvenir items like wood carving and hand crafted stuffs. It lies at 4 kilometers along the road from Banaue town center going to Bontoc.
Tam-an Village is located behind the Banaue Hotel. It is a village of weavers producing traditional clothes. They are also selling different kinds of wood carving and weaved products you can have as a souvenir.
Banaue Ethnic Village and Pine Forest Resort
Banaue Ethnic Village and Pine Forest is a private resort locally known as “Apar Nga-oh”. It is a good place for camping, picnics and group getaways. The pine trees are adding a cool ambience to the naturally cold climate in the wide area.
Bangaan Village and Rice Terraces
Bangaan Village and Rice Terraces is a 14 kilometer trek from the Banaue Town Proper. It can be viewed from the side of the road of which is a good alternative for those who can’t make the 2 hour trek to Batad.
Banaue Museum is a short walk or tricycle ride from Banaue Town proper. It is a private museum which displays a variety of collected photos, artifacts, books and sculptures that represent the Ifugao traditions and culture.
Museum of Cordillera Sculpture
It is a private museum which shows a fine collection of artifacts and antiques compiled from the different places of the North. Rarely displays a vast of important set of historical traces including sculptures, potteries and woodcrafts. There you can experience and explore the wealthy culture of the Ifugao tribes.
It is located in Spring Village Inn, a short walk or a tricycle ride from the town proper of Banaue.
Batad Village and Rice Terraces
Batad Village and Rice Terraces is approximately located at 16 kilometers from the town proper. You need to drive the 14 kilometer rough road and trek the remaining 2 kilometers before reaching it. Though going there is very difficult and tiring, it is still a worthy experience of viewing the stunning amphitheater shaped rice terraces of Batad.
Tappiyah Waterfalls is a towering 70 meter waterfalls located for about 30 minute walk from the Batad Village. It has a wide swimming area of natural pool.
Matanglag Bronze Smith and Nuntamangan Village
This is where you can buy the native jewelries and good luck emblems produced only by means of basic tools and crude.
3D/2N exploreBanaue Adventure Day Tour
3D/2N exploreBanaue Adventure Day Tour - with transfers
3D/2N exploreBanaue Ultimate Adventure Trek
3D/2N exploreBanaue Ultimate Adventure Trek - with transfers
4D/3N exploreBanaue - Sagada Ultimate Adventure Trek
4D/3N exploreBanaue - Sagada Ultimate Adventure Trek - with transfers
