I. Destination Analysis 1. Transportation The Banaue rice terraces are located in the mountainous North central region of Luzon Island. While Banaue town is only 350 km from Manila, if it were in the lowlands, this route is about 8-9 hours because it’s a two-lane highway with many switchbacks in the mountains. And if you travel by air from Clark’s airport is a bit complicated. One option is to hop on a bus to Baguio right at the Clark’s Airport, and catch a bus to Banaue early the next day (unless you can catch the last evening bus at 9:30 p. m. ).
Or you can take a bus to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija also at the Clark Airport, catch a bus to Cagayan Valley (Tuguegarao, Cagayan or Isabela) in Cabanatuan and get off at Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. From Solano, you can easily find transportation to Banaue. The third option is to take a bus to Manila and catch the bus to Banaue from there. From Manila, Banaue is 333 km. North along Maharlika Highway passing the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Cabanatuan and San Jose cities. There are air conditioned buses from Manila going direct to Banaue. A guest can have a comfortable ride and in some cases, a good sleep if he takes the evening schedule.
In the morning after a nine-hour travel and intermittent sleep, he would be awakened to the magnificent view of the rice terraces. Important tips for our visitors coming from Banaue to Uhaj The Banaue-Uhaj road is 70% concreted and 30% still unsurfaced and may be difficult for low profile vehicles to use at times, we recommend you use an SUV vehicle or the alternative when you’re coming using an ordinary car is to park downtown in Banaue Hotel parking and if it’s two adults or three adults you can get a tricycle from Banaue Hotel to Uhaj ,If you are in a van and have 4 people or more you could hire a jeepney at a cost of around 900 Pesos.
The journey takes 40 mins. You can get jeepneys going to Hapao in the afternoon between 4 and 6 pm from Banaue they will drop outside our lodge at a cost of approximately 25 pesos per person. You can get jeepneys in the morning from Uhaj to Banaue from 5:30 am-7:30 am at a cost of 25 pesos per person. Travel time Because travel time from Manila by the overnight bus can be a tiring 9 hrs. journey. On your arrival at Native Village Inn that day you may well feel like just relaxing for most of that day. What we are advising is that it takes time to visit the beauty spots in the Banaue area.
So we recommend staying at least two nights at Native Village Inn. As you can use our place as a base from which you can do your tours and trekking in the UNESCO world heritage rice terraces. We suggest the above for a reason that you don’t get totally stressed out trying to do everyday in one day and believe us it’s not possible. Route going from Manila to Banaue by Private Transportation. Head for the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX)transfer onto (SCTEX) just near Dau. Stay on the SCTEX till the toll at the very end. After the toll turn right (not left) to LA PAZ, then ZARAGOZA, TALAVERA, SAN JOSE, STA.
FE , SOLANO, LAGAWE, BANAUE. Banaue hotel is half a kilometer before Banaue town centre on your right side. as you pass Banaue hotel on the right side take the next left. Half a kilometer (road going to bontoc and viewpoint). Then take next left again one and a half kilometers (this is the road to Hapao, Hungdugan). Stay on that road for another seven kilometers, taking the left fork always. We are quarter kilometer past the village oh Uhaj on the right side. By bus Getting to Banaue directly might take a lot of effort if you’re not taking a direct route from Manila or if you don’t have a tour agency to help you.
Here are few possible ways to get to Banaue — Manila – Banaue (direct), * Ohayami Trans, Lacson Ave. cor. Fajardo St. , Sampaloc, Manila (Just near University of Sto. Tomas or take the train from the Legarda Station then just take a trickshaw to the terminal), ? +63 927 649 3055, +63 917 561 7344, +63 2 516-0501, Provides trips directly to Banaue. They have three daily trips – 21:00, 21:45 and 22:00 leaving their terminal in Manila and taking 9-10 hrs ? 450. * Manila – Baguio – Banaue, * Ohayami Trans, Otek St. , Burnham Park, Baguio City (within Chowking area), 8 hrs. Provides trips from Baguio to Banaue.
They have two daily trips – 20:00, 21:00 ? 360. * KMS, Near Rizal Park, Baguio City, ? 09159471440. 7 hrs. Provides a mini-bus trip from Baguio to Banaue. They have two daily trips: 08:00 and 21:30. ?400. The first may be a good choice if you don’t like overnight buses or want to enjoy the very scenic drive during the day. Manila – Baguio – Bontoc – Banaue. There are jeepneys going from Bontoc to Banaue and even Sagada to Banaue during peak season or holidays. Manila – Solano, Nueva Vizcaya – Banaue ifugao – buses heading to Tuguegarao (e. g. Baliwag transit, Victory,Florida transport inc. , etc. pass by the town of Solano. Several jeepneys ply the Solano-Banaue route or the Solano-Lagawe, Ifugao route. From Lagawe, one can then take another jeepney to Banaue. Manila – Tarlac – Solano – Banaue – buses heading for Baguio pass by Tarlac. Vizcaya liner plies the Tarlac-Solano route at 05:00. By car The distance between the Balintawak Cloverleaf, in north Manila at the beginning of the North Luzon Expressway and the Welcome to Banaue sign, is about 332 km. The road is paved all the way to Banaue. Travel time can be as long as 9 hr due to the several blind curves through the mountains.
Best day to travel is on good Friday of Lenten season, Christmas day and new year’s day. It will take about 7 hr only by car with a reliable driver. Jeepneys (converted jeeps/bus) and tricycles (trikes) (little motorcycles with side cars) are easily available around Banaue. Vans can be hired with driver/guide. Expect to hike some to great places to see that are not on the roads. There is a public jeepney plying the Banaue-Batad (Saddle-point) (start of trek to Batad village) route daily What if all the direct buses to Banaue are already full? 1. Then ride the Ohayami Trans bus going to Kiangan via Lagawe. . Go down at Lagawe, Ifugao. 3. Take a jeep from Lagawe to Banaue. Ohayami Trans Bus to Kiangan via Lagawe Schedule: 9:30 PM ETA Lagawe: 5:30 AM Fare to Lagawe: 400 Pesos per person – one-way Jeep from Lagawe to Banaue are available from early in the morning Fare: 37 Pesos per person – one-way Travel Time: 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. You can topload at the jeep from Lagawe to Banaue. What if even the buses to Kiangan via Lagawe are already full? 1. Go to Florida Bus Lines or Victory Liner in Sampaloc and ride the bus going toCagayan Valley/Tugegarao.
The buses will pass by Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. Fare is 335 Pesos per person. Travel Time is 5-6 hrs. For Victory Liner Schedule visit here. There are also Victory Liner Buses leaving to Cagayan Valley/Tugegarao from their Kamias Terminal. 2. Go down at Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. 3. Ride jeepney from Solano to Lagawe, Ifugao. (67 Pesos per person, 2hrs 40mins travel time) Available from early in the morning. 4. Ride jeepney from Lagawe to Banaue, Ifugao. (37 Pesos per person, 1hrs 30mins travel time) Available from early in the morning. How to go back to Manila from Banaue
Ride the Ohayami Bus Lines from Banaue to Manila. Schedule: 6:45PM and 7 PM Travel Time: 9 hours – 3:45AM and 4AM Fare: 450 Pesos per person – one-way. When you arrive at Banaue it is better to reserve your ticket going back to Manila at the Ohayami ticketing booth. You can also do the online reservation via bank deposit. How to Get to Sagada from Manila via Banaue It is good to take this route especially if you are planning to take in the majesty of Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao povince, whether from a view point en route to Sagada or if you are planning to stay for a day or two to xplore the place. And let me tell you at this point that shopping for furniture and wood carvings in Banaue is fantastic, so you may want to think about staying a little longer. Many folks, especially those bringing their cars, take the Manila-Baguio-Sagada-Banaue-Manila route or do the reverse, going up via Banaue and down via the City of Pines. The good news is, although travel time is pretty long, passing through the Philippines countryside is a lovely learning experience and a pretty relaxing ride. This section will deal with the tricky aspect of getting to Sagada from Manila via Banaue.
Tricky because there are limited rides from place to place. But all-in-all, it’s a pretty cheap vacation and great for backpackers and adventure travelers. Manila-Banaue-Sagada First, let me give you an idea of the locations of Baguio, Sagada and Banaue in relation to each other and Manila. Baguio (located within Benguet province) is on the northwestern side of Luzon while Banaue, Ifugao is accessible via travel on the northeastern side of Luzon and Sagada, is in between. All three places are north of Manila. Thus one can access Sagada both from the east (Banaue, Ifugao) and the west (Baguio/Benguet).
Each route will entail more or less the same combined travel time. Step 1. Manila to Banaue There are daily bus trips from Manila to Banaue that leave at 10:00 p. m. , with tickets costing a reasonable Php600 per person. The transit companies plying this route are Autobus and Dangwa Tranco, and both have terminals in Sampaloc, Manila. The trip from Manila to Banaue lasts nine (9) hours with regular stops along the way for meals and personal necessities. The schedule is designed so that one sleeps through most of the trip, arriving in Banaue just in time to catch the jeepney to Sagada.
The bus makes regular stops every 2 hours for meals, snacks and personal necessities. Since it is a long trip, these would be good occasions to stretch your legs. Since there ‘s nothing much one can see at night, this is a good time to get some rest as the journey from Manila to Sagada is pretty long, if you’re not stopping over to stay in Banaue. Make sure to bring a blanket or some light covering that you can fold away, like a shawl to keep you warm and comfy. Arrival in Banaue is at around 7:00 a. m. nd it is suggested that if you are planning to return to Manila through Banaue and not Baguio, purchase a return ticket as soon as you get off at the terminal. Step 2. Banaue to Sagada At the Banaue bus terminal there are jeepneys, and sometimes mini-buses or vans, waiting to take passengers to Sagada. The jeepney ride costs about Php250 per person, and it takes another 3 to 4 hours to get to Sagada. The jeepneys will only go to Sagada when there are at least four (4) passengers. Should you be traveling in a small group, you can hire it exclusively, but it will always be nice to share the ride others to save on costs.
The jeepney will usually make two stops: at a highway restaurant for meals and a Banaue Rice Terraces view point that you will not want to miss. This will be a wonderful opportunity to have your photo taken with some Ifugao natives in their traditional dress. To do this, one must obtain their permission first, and please know that it is customary to leave a Php20. 00 tip per person for this purpose. Should you leave Banaue at 8:00 you will get arrive in Sagada at around noontime, which is perfect for a quick lunch before checking in into your hotel.
Alternatively, from Banaue, one can ride the lone jeepney that heads for Bontoc, the capital of Mountain Province. These can be found at the public market in Banaue and you can get to the market via tricycle. Make sure to get there before 9:00 a. m, so you don’t miss it. And from Bontoc you can take another jeepney to Sagada, which takes about 1. 5 hours. 2. Facilities Native Village Inn is a popular choice amongst travelers in Baguio / Banaue, whether exploring or just passing through. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Facilities like coffee shop, restaurant, tours, concierge, pets allowed are readily available for you to enjoy. Non smoking rooms, shared bathroom, balcony/terrace can be found in each guestroom. Recuperate from a full day of sightseeing in the comfort of your room or take advantage of the hotel’s recreational facilities, including garden. It classifies itself as a 2 star hotel. The Hotel Facilities are: Car Park, Coffee Shop, Concierge, Restaurant and Garden. The Room Facilities: Balcony/terrace, Non smoking rooms, shared bathrooms. The Uhaj Native Village Inn is perch 1,250 meters above sea level in Uhaj, Banaue Ifugao.
Approximately nine (09) kilometers away from Banaue town proper, this facility is an exciting thirty minutes drive away from Poblacion Banaue via the seemingly unending winding roads to Hapao, Ifugao. An ideal base for rice terraces trekkers, the Native Village Inn also offers breathtaking views of the Hapao Rice Terraces. As it beckons you to experience the serenity of staying in an original native Ifugao cottage, the place can also pamper you with great natural mountain sceneries. The facilities and services: the handicrafts and furniture, food and services and the communication facilities.
Sanafe Lodge and Restaurant They have best and largest view deck and this is a great place to have a beer, or any other drink. From their verandah restaurant, there is a panoramic view of the local rice terraces dotted with structure ranging from native huts to absurd looking buildings more suited to a Disneyland theme park. Sanafe’s food is disappointing and their service worse. Order drinks in advance before you need them, and eat somewhere else. People’s Lodge and Restaurant Their view deck is a narrow verandah which can seat about 10 people, but it is a squeeze to get in and out. There are many more tables inside.
The verandah is certainly a nice place to sit and have a beer or a meal. The view is almost the same as that which you will see from Sanafe. The service is a bit slow but the food is OK – I have eaten here countless times. Uyami’s Green View Lodge Their food is great and so is the service. There is no verandah so the view can only be enjoyed by looking out through the window. Some of the meals I had here in January 2010 were Tinolang Manok with rice (chicken cuts with vegetables in a ginger flavored soup) – P110; curry and rice – P80; sauteed leafy vegetables – P50; all very delicious.
Accommodation The peak season is the Christmas/New year period and the Easter week (holy week) and some guest houses may charge more over those two weeks – ask when you book. People’s Lodge and Restaurant It is located right in the heart of town and this is where I normally stay. The last time was in January 2010. Because the rooms are at the back of the building, they are generally quiet, unless you have noisy neighbors. The rooms are typical backpacker type – old, very basic, but clean enough. All except for a few rooms have private bathrooms with hot showers.
These showers fluctuate between many temperature ranges during a single wash but that is still much better than a cold shower. Sanafe Lodge and Restaurant Their new rooms are the nicest I have seen in town and the decor reflects good taste in interior design – very unusual to see in this part of the world. Some of the new rooms have nice views over the rice terraces also. I did notice a musty smell in the rooms though and I was told it was because they have been newly painted – it could be why? There are also budget rooms available, which are OK, but I think there is better value in town.
Sanafe is right in the center of town. Banaue Hotel This is a large hotel complex with 81 rooms, a 200 seat restaurant and an outside swimming pool. It is the only hotel type accommodation that you are going to find anywhere in the Ifugao province. It is government owned and run and has some of the hallmarks of a hotel run by a bureaucracy short on funds. I assume it is not very profitable. I was told in January 2010, that there was no internet at the hotel because they didn’t have the budget for it yet. That is surprising given it costs P999 a month for a SmartBro Wi-Fi connection and a few thousand pesos for a router.
The rooms are quite spacious but definitely not modern. The hotel was built in 1974 with a second wing added some time later. The carpets and soft furnishes show stains and wear but not enough to put you off. The restaurant looks nice and has some good views, but I have not eaten there so I can’t comment on the food – but no one has ever recommended it to me in all the years I have been coming to Banaue. Banaue Youth Hostel This hostel is run by the same government department as the Banaue Hotel and it is on the same grounds. The dormitories are neat and clean, but from what I saw, not popular with the tourists.
I hear that they are mostly used by groups of students. If you are traveling alone, it may be a good option because the cost is very low. Uyami’s Green View Lodge Their rooms are nice, simple and clean, but a bit dark because of the dark timber used throughout – definitely worth a look though. The woody feel about the place may be more to your liking than People’s Lodge. I have not stayed here, but I like the food in their restaurant. Uyami’s Green View Lodge is in the center of town and only 50 meters down the road from People’s Lodge. FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS (Accredited) Name of Establishment| Address| Specialty|
Hidden Valley Food Haus| Ilogue, Tam-an, Banaue| Filipino Dishes| TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES Company name Destination Departure Travel Time Fare Address/Tel. No. Schedule Reg. Dangwa Tranco Banaue-Baguio 7:00 am 8 hrs. P190. 00 7:00 p. m. 8hrs. P190. 00 Dangwa Tranco Banaue-Manila 7:00 am 9 hrs. P180. 00 Cubao, Quezon City Manila-Banaue 7:30 am 8 hrs. P210. 00 Terraces Transport Kiangan-Baguio 5:00 p. m. 10 hrs. P180. 00 Kiangan, Ifugao Baguio-Kiangan 7:00 p. m. P180. 00 Ohayami Trans Lagawe-Baguio 5:00 p. m. 8 hrs. P180. 00 Jeepneys Solano-Banaue P45. 00 Lagawe-Banaue P20. 00 MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING CENTER/STORE ADDRESS
Banaue Trade Center Lailanie’s Furniture Shop Banaue, Ifugao Sta. Maria Alfonso Lista, Ifugao Binwihan’s Basketry Lo-Hana Handicrafts Trade Center Banaue O-ong, Hingyon, Ifugao BJ Handmade Paper ; Pulp Lourdes Curio Shop Lagawe, Ifugao Cababuyan, Hingyon, Ifugao Brookside Furniture ; Handicrafts Lovinia’s Furniture Shop Maituo Lagawe, Ifugao Sta. Maria, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao Buhle’s Garments Maphod Weaving Hingyon, Ifugao Amganad, Banaue Camp 7 Ever Manual Marby’s Handicrafts Trade Center Banaue, Ifugao Hapao, Hungduan, Ifugao Dumangeng Handicraft ; Furniture Matanglag Bronze Smith
Amganad, Banaue, Ifugao Manglag, Banaue, Ifugao Easter’s Handicrafts Pnkihan’s Ethnic craft Banaue, Ifugao Poblacion, Banaue Elnora’s Clothing Center Pinto Furniture Shop Piwong, Hingyon, Ifugao Pinto, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao Elvira Wood Industry Romalyn Woodcarving Kiangan, Ifugao Hingyon, Ifugao Goodwill Handicrafts Wild Wings Jusfa Poblacion West, Lagawe Kinakin, Banaue, Ifugao J ; E Handicrafts Worwor Handicrafts Hapao, Hungduan, Ifugao Banaue, Ifugao Kimmayong Primitive Products ; Handicrafts COMMUNICATION FACILITIES Name of Establishment Address JRS Lagawe, Ifugao POST OFFICE All Municipalities
Telecommunications All Municipalities Municipal Telephones All Municipalities except Tinoc and Asipulo Medical Facilities Name of Institution| Address| Ifugao Provincial Hospital| Natuwolan, Lagawe| Mayoyao District Hospital| Mayoyao| Goodnews Clinic| Banaue, Ifugao| Lamut District Hospital| Panopdopan, Lamut| Tinoc District Hospital| Tinoc| EDUCATIONAL CENTER Ifugao Collge of Arts and Trades| Lagawe| Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry| Nayon, Lamut| BANKS Name of Bank| Address| Services Offered| Philippine National Bank| Lagawe, Poblacion| · Savings/time deposit · Telegraphic transfers · Change foreign currency|
Land Bank of the Philippines| Lagawe, Ifugao| · Savings/time deposit · Telegraphic transfers · Change foreign currency| Banaue Cooperative Bank| Banaue, Ifugao| · Savings deposit · loans| Tourism Oriented Organizations Ifugao Provincial Tourism Council Mrs. Herminigilda Dulinayan Chairperson C/o Provincial Capitol Lagawe, Ifugao Municipality| Name| Address| Alfonso Lista| Glen Prudencio| Municipal Hall, Alfonso Lista| Banaue| Estelita De Leon| Sanafe Lodge, Banaue| Lagawe| Erlinda Habawel| C/o Municipal Hall, Lagawe| Kiangan| Manuel Dulawan| C/o Municipal Hall, Kiangan| Mayoyao| Corazon Montinig| C/o Municipal Hall, Mayoyao| . Infrastructure LAGAWE, Ifugao: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-First District Engineering District is working overtime in the implementation of infrastructure projects amounting to P120,661,000 for Fiscal Year 2012 before rains pour down by next month. District Engineer Alberto Gahid explained that the asphalt overlay along Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mt. Province boundary road is allocated P1,866,000; allocation for the rehabilitation/reconstruction/upgrading of damaged paved national roads is at P54,163,000 and the road upgrading along Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road gets P64,632,000.
The First Engineering District covers the national road from Lamut to Banaue and Hungduan. The second district covers Banaue to Alfonso Lista national road. Gahid believes that the said infrastructure projects will help boost the economic situation of the people. Most common problems encountered were: slippery and dangerous mountain trails, lack of security, no first aid Helpance, dirty drainage canals and lack of printed materials about Banaue. Wednesday, May 9, 2012
KIANGAN, Ifugao — The World Heritage Committee (WHC) recently released the infrastructure guidelines for the Ifugao Rice Terraces to address issues covering its structure, houses, roads, dams, bridges and adjunct structures. Copies of the guidelines were distributed to the six affected barangays and stakeholders involved in the preservation, protection and maintenance of the terraces, which is enshrined in the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).
The Kiangan Municipal Tourism Council was also given a copy to spearhead the dissemination of the guidelines. Municipal Tourism Officer Eulalie Dulnuan said since this is a cultural landscape, the realms of anthropology, architecture, engineering and environmental ethics were assessed and incorporated and the resulting infrastructure guidelines specified in the publication considered the changing needs of the communities and attempted to find sustainable solutions to contemporary problems.
The infrastructure guidelines for the rice terraces was the result of the collaborative project between the University of Santo Thomas Center for the Conservation of Cultural Property in the Tropics, the National Commission for Culture and Arts, Ifugao Provincial Government and the Unesco. Unesco noted for years now, the Ifugao Rice Terraces has been hailed for its beauty and grandeur and as a national treasure considered the 8th Wonder of the World even prior to its inclusion among the World Heritage Sites in 1995.
But beyond its grand design and beauty, studies have uncovered the terraces is a complex system going beyond structure and aesthetics and to understand the treasure that is the rice terraces is to understand a people’s mindset, culture and traditions linked to the logic of the terraces’ architecture and engineering.
This interdependence between culture and design, life ways and structure, functions and form has led to its classification as a “cultural landscape, which are sites that are combined works of nature and man and illustrative of the evolution of human society and settlements over time under the influence of physical constraints and or opportunities presented by their natural environment and of successive social, economic and cultural forces both external and internal. This complex system and way of life that sustained the existence of the terraces for two millennia were important considerations in addressing the terraces’ present state of degradation and the UNESCO cited the terraces are in extreme danger because all the intertwined factors conserving the delicate balance of culture and nature expressed in this powerful landscape are extremely stressed by 20th century demands on tribal life.
Thus the issue for terraces is mainly a question not only of preservation but of sustainability with the onslaught of change and contemporary realities which threaten the delicate balance of the terraces system leading to grave damages and in which the infrastructure guidelines seek to address. The project to come up with the infrastructure guidelines began with a monthly lecture-workshop series in 2009 which provided a forum for dialogue among the stakeholders which tackled the four major areas directly affecting the infrastructure of the terraces namely: anthropology, engineering, architecture and end environmental ethics.
It is one of the requirements to facilitate the reclassification of the rice terraces from the World Heritage in Danger List to the standard World Heritage List and also serve to supplement the Conservation and Management Plan submitted to the UNESCO which addresses the components of bio-physical, socio-cultural and support systems.
The lecture-workshop also documented the indigenous knowledge shared by the Ifugao experts and participants to enable a clear and accurate translation of the working paradigms practiced in the four terraces clusters in Ifugao located in the municipalities of Kiangan, Banaue, Hungduan and Mayoyao because they share similar issues to be addressed. (Dan B. Codamon) 4. Attractions Banaue is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ifugao rice terraces of Northern Luzon. The Banaue environs are visually beautiful, high in the mountains, sometimes shrouded in mist and cool rain.
The rice terraces are a fabulous testament to the inspired agricultural engineering of the Ifugao people. Some of these terraces were constructed 2000 plus years ago, and all are still in use today. The best time to go is between February and May end, when it is least likely that the views will be obscured by low level clouds. Tourists come here to enjoy the scenery, to gaze at it from one of the many view points, to trek through it, or to wake up in it. I remember how awed I was by the scale of these rice terraces on my first visit some 10 years ago.
I have been to or through Banaue more than 50 times since and often take the scenery for granted now. For me, the pleasure of visiting Banaue is staying in Batad or Bangaan, and waking up in the morning with the view of the terraces through my window – this I can’t tire of. My last visit to Banaue and Batad was in January 2010. For more information about Batad, see my Batad Travel and Accommodation Guide I don’t particularly like the town of Banaue, and only stay there for an occasional overnight.
The town center is ramshackle and ugly, like most towns in the Philippines, but fortunately it is only a tiny blot on this vast landscape. If your time is limited, as is often the case with Filipino tourists or Manila based expats, then the centrality of Banaue makes it a good base while taking in as many sights as possible, especially if you don’t have your own transport. A walk down the road along the valley is a nice thing to do, just for the fresh air and great views of the tangle of buildings along the main road. On the way back to town, brave the swing bridge.
UNESCO describes the Banaue Rice Terraces thus “The Ifugao Rice Terraces epitomize the absolute blending of the physical, socio-cultural, economic, religious, and political environment. Indeed, it is a living cultural landscape of unparalleled beauty. ” This culture that built and maintained the terraces is rapidly disintegrating though, and in 2001, the Ifugao rice terraces were put on the “List of World Heritage in Danger”. As can be expected, the newer generations of Ifugao’s do not aspire to the toil and hard labor of their ancestors. As a consequence, many of the narrower and low-productive terraces are falling into disrepair.
In the future, more and more of the upkeep will be carried out by contract laborers, probably from tourism funding, or the terraces may collapse like a house of cards. Have a look at how narrow some of the terraces are and then imagine how little produce could come from such a tiny strip of land; weigh that up against the amount of backbreaking work required for such a miniscule return. For now the terraces are still in pretty good shape, and you won’t be disappointed with what you see. The Ifugao people were a fierce race. Tribal wars were common and headhunting expeditions between warring tribes were commonplace in years past.
Their history has produced a super strong, proud people, quite different in appearance to other provincial peoples – shorter, muscular from a very young age, darker skin tone and broader features. Occasionally one may see an old man or woman in traditional loincloth or tapis shopping at the local market, but for younger people this clothing is reserved for traditional celebrations. Some elders wear the tapis, etc. for photo opportunities with tourists, and for which it is a courtesy to pay – maybe P20 pesos each to the people in this photograph.
There is no land ownership around the terraces as such, but only the right to till, plant, harvest and maintain their family plots. Once the family ceases to do this, ‘ownership’ of the land passes to another, be it a neighboring farmer or relative of the original ‘owners’. Souvenir Hunting in Banaue Banaue has always been known for its wood carving and basketry. Over the many years of tourism and collecting, the genuine antiques have disappeared, to be replaced by awful mass-produced tourist items ranging from dried frog key rings to horrible wooden ashtrays. Weaving has become another tourist item suffering from mass production.
However, for the adventurous seeker willing to poke around in dark shops and dusty corners, there are still treasures to be found. The Bulol, or rice guard, is found everywhere. Quite recently carved and carefully ‘aged’, some of these pieces would stand up well in a collection of primitive art. Traditional utilitarian items like carved wooden chests, chairs and wooden bowls, fantastically carved doors and panels, are all still available for those who look carefully. Many designs are contemporary, but based on traditional ideas. In one shop I found a 1. 5 meter Dragon Bike – all carved from wood, even the wheels.
The craftsmanship was superb and it was designed to be dismantled for transport. It was a functioning bike, relying purely on gravity to move about – otherwise, man power to push. Recently woven basketry is not very good these days, being produced in mass. It is possible to find treasures, as I did, but anything worth buying will come in from outlying villages where the crafts are still practiced traditionally. Knowing what to look for certainly helps. The Family Gift Shop, on the dead end road heading to the Municipal Hall, is big and has a good collection of panels and carved wooden items at the back.
Mary Ann C. Tacio Souvenir, on the way up the hill heading out of the very Center of town, had the fabulous bike amongst other interesting things. Ifugao is endowed with historical, cultural, natural and man-made tourist spots and attractions, which can lure any nature-loving tourist. The range of attraction offered in Ifugao is clustered according to municipalities HISTORICAL Philippine War Memorial Shrine (Kiangan) Gigantic memorial shrine to commemorate the end of World War II. It is a concrete pyramid type structure, which resembles an oversized Ifugao native house located at Linda, Kiangan.
It depicts historical events from Filipino opposition, to the Death March and the role of the Ifugao and American troops in the defeat of General Yamashita. It could be used as a viewpoint of the Poblacion, other neighboring barangays and the capital town of Lagawe. The shrine is ten (10) kilometers away or 15 minutes drive from the capital town. Million Dollar Hill The hill overlooking the Poblacion of Kiangan. It got its name from the last war when the allied armies spent millions of dollars worth of bombs and ammunitions to annihilate the enemies in the area. General Yamashita’s Surrender Site
House relics memorializing the end of W. W. II in the Philippines. Details of the surrender and signing are available. From here, General Yamashita was brought to Baguio for his formal surrender to the victorious Allies. Mt. Nagchayan The site where Japanese troops fought fierce battles during W. W. II. The mountain has several grottos stone walled trenches and foxholes. One can also find rusty shells on this old battleground. CULTURAL Ifugao Museum (Kiangan) This museum displays Ifugao artifacts and is under the supervision of the National Museum of the Philippines.
It is 32 meters away facing the shrine and 300 meters away from the Municipal Hall. Tam-an Village A typical village situated 240 steps down from the Banaue Hotel’s swimming pool. Woodcarving and hand woven products are produced and sold to travelers. Bokiawan Village Twelve (12) kilometers from Banaue located in the center of the Bokiawan rice terraces where traditional Ifugao practices of land use and livelihood still exist. Pula and Cambulo Native Village Is a rustic village in the first leg of the trekking route from Banaue viewpoint to Banga-an. This cobbled stone village offers a native house stay.
The ancient craft of bark cloth weaving thrives here. Apfo or Burial Tombs These are large stone mausoleums containing the bones of the town’s ancient warriors and elite. The construction of these Igloos represents the resourceful use of Ifugao stoning technique. Makaliwagha & Lebhong Burial Caves Are filled with wood coffins and the remains of the first people of Mayoyao. A legend tells of an attentive lizard leading people to these three chambers designating each one for men, women and children. Lumauig Stone Is a huge enchanted black rock held by only three smaller stones in the middle of the Balangbang river.
It is believed to mean that Mayoyao people will stay strong and happy as long as the stone stands. OTHER SCENIC SITES: Bocos Village Poitan Village Batad Village Hapao Village Bangaan Village Ducligan Village These villages are characterized by the presence of a wholesome community where the livelihood activities are within the surroundings, and the houses are clustered in a designated area. They showcase the typical Ifugao community. NATURAL Bintakan Cave (Lagawe) It is located at the rocky slope of Ibulao, which is about 2 kilometers from the provincial capitol. The mouth of the cave is overlooking the Ibulao River.
It is a three-room cave with dripping water that forms stalactites and stalagmites of different beautiful shapes. It can be reached by tricycle ride and 20-minute ascent to the mouth of the cave. Nah-toban Cave (Lagawe) The cave is much larger than Bintakan Cave and has a descending entrance with four rooms but there are still other rooms unexplored. It is located at Boliwong, Lagawe, about 4 kilometers hike from the Poblacion passing through trails. Huge quantities of guano are found in the cave. Tocucan Sulfur Hot Spring (Tinoc) A sulfuric hot spring at Barangay Tukukan in the Municipality of Tinoc.
This can be reached by a two-hour hike from Monsoyosoy, Buguias, and Benguet. Guihob Natural Swimming Pool (Banaue) A four kilometer drive from Banaue, Poblacion. One has to hop and jump over huge boulders to reach the crystal clear waters of Guihob. It is a perfect place for those who prefer a cool and refreshing swim. Tappiya Waterfalls (Banaue) About 30 minutes from Batad Village is a cascading waterfall with its enormous natural pool for swimming. A visit to Batad would be incomplete without seeing this beautiful waterfall. Buyukan Waterfalls (Hungduan)
This can only be reached by a three-hour hike from Poblacion, Hungduan. This is located in Barangay Abatan and is near the border of Hungduan and Tinoc municipalities. Ambuwaya Lake (Kiangan) Legend says that the area was once a large sitio that became a lake because some children killed and made fun of the leeches in the spring. The lake is deep and good for swimming and boating. The shaded surroundings is an ideal place for picnics. It is now the site of a research on fishing culture. The lake is four (4) kilometers from the town center of Kiangan and can be reached by four-wheel drive vehicles.
Ducligan Hot Springs (Banaue) These hot springs are found at the bank of Ducligan River and adjacent to a deep pool. Ducligan is 21 kilometers away from the Poblacion. O’ phaw Mahencha Falls (Leap of Mahencha) Located about six kilometers from the town proper is a series of high cascading falls. Local folklore says that a beautiful Mahencha had to jump 13 to 5 meters into the water to retrieve her native amber necklace which fell while she was taking a bath. Tenogtog Water Falls Located five kilometers from town, it has three natural pools rising about 12 meters from each other.
The water falls from the pool cascades to the next in beautiful succession. Untouched by human hands, these natural pools provide clear cool mountain spring water. Bagnit Waterfalls and Numbungug Waterfalls Are located in Julongan barangay. Bagnit is a stunning series of cascading falls running over 250 feet, while Numbungug Waterfall is a single majestic fall of over 80 feet into height falling to the Ibulao river tributaries. Chuyong Viewpoint Is located near the town proper which affords a panoramic vista of the Mayoyao World Heritage site cluster. The glory of the site is unrivaled. Kibayuyong Stone
This is a legendary stone which lies next to the Hapao river. The site offers an adventurous spot for river swimming and diving. Bogya Hot Springs Is located in Ba-ang that lie in the Hapao river which serves as delightful respite after trekking. MAN – MADE Banaue Rice Terraces (Banaue) Dubbed as the Eight Wonder of the World. The rice terraces start from the base of the mountain range and reach up to several thousands feet high. It is said that its length, if put end to end would encircle half of the globe. Made 2,000 years ago, these rice terraces manifest the engineering skill and ingenuity of the sturdy Ifugaos.
In 1995, it was inscribed in the UNESCO Heritage List as a Continuing Cultural Landscape. Batad Rice Terraces (Banaue) These rice terraces are shaped like of an amphitheater and is located in barangay Batad. It can be reached by a twelve-kilometer ride from Banaue Hotel and a 2-hour hike uphill through mountain trails. Mayoyao Rice Terraces (Mayoyao) This spot is 44 kilometers away from Poblacion, Banaue. The Poblacion of Mayoyao lies in the midst of these rice terraces thus upon arrival in the town, one is awed with a breathtaking view of the rice terraces where all the dikes are tiered with flat stones.
Hapao Rice Terraces (Hungduan) This is another stonewalled rice terraces located in the municipality of Hungduan and is 55 kilometers from the capital town of Lagawe. Magat Dam (Alfonso Lista) It is reputedly the biggest dam in Asia. This is located near the municipality of Alfonso Lista and about 25 kilometers from the town center of Santa Maria. Nagacadan Rice Terraces Are found in Kiangan and these show how forest management and rice terracing are complementary. SPECIAL INTEREST Mt. Amuyao
This 8th highest peak in the Philippines with an elevation of 2,702 meters (8,865) above sea level is located between the boundary line of Banaue and Mayoyao and between Ifugao and Mountain Province. Its summit provides the climber with a breath-taking panorama of Mountain Province, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya and Ifugao. Mayoyao legend says that the first Ifugao couple, Bugan and Wigan took refuge in this mountain during the 40-day deluge that inundated the province. Being the only survivors, they became the first ancestors of the Ifugaos. Mount Napulawan
Located in the municipality of Hungduan, this mountain is very accessible to mountain trekkers. The thick tropical rain forest and its rare flora fascinate conquerors of this peak. Trees near the peak are unusually short. Mount Anapawon Centrally located in Ifugao, this mountain peak is considered a potential camping site to be developed in the province. It provides a breathtaking view of Hungduan municipality, and the low-lying municipalities of Lagawe and Kiangan and the rice terraces of Hingyon. 5. Hospitality Services The people in Banaue are said to be very accommodating.
Great service is their specialty. The service, care and hospitality were the best on their menu card. The tourist said that they were comfortable around the tour guides and they were fun to be with. The Staff in Native Inn Village can communicate properly with their guest and they were very generous. They offer service with warm smile and a hospitable atmosphere. The restaurant offers Western and Philippine dishes and has an open-pit fireplace. II. Tour Packages A. Letter of Proposal 18, March, 2013 Miss Tantuco Eagle Travel Agency Makati City Re: 3D/2N Manila-Banaue, Ifugao tour Dear Miss Tantuco,
We are pleased to present to you our package proposal for your Manila to Banaue, Ifugao 3D/2N dated Oct. 11-13, 2013. Following another package cost on a per person basis. Base on a half twin sharing. Total package cost | 2-4| 5-10| 11-15| Half Twin Sharing| 950| 950| 950| Inclusions: * 3D/2N accommodation based on twin sharing * Transportation from Manila to Banaue; Banaue to Manila * Visits on Tam-an Village, Banaue Museum, Banaue Rice Terraces, Banaue Viewpoint Hapao Rice Terraces, Hugduan Rice Terraces, Batad Rice Terraces, Tappiyah Waterfalls, Banga-an Village, Mayoyao Village, Mount Amuyao, Duclingan Hot Spring * Entrance fees Service and Tour Guide/Coordinator * Food and Beverages Should you find the above quotation favorable, we request a full payment upon reservation/ confirmation of your bookings. If you have any question/clarifications don’t hesitate to call us at the following numbers; Landline: Phone: and look for for more information. Looking forward to your favorable response regarding this matter Respectfully yours, B. Skeletal Itinerary Banaue, Ifugao Day 1: Tam-an Village Banaue Museum Banaue Rice Terraces Banaue Viewpoint Day 2: Hapao Rice Terraces Hugduan Rice Terraces Batad Rice Terraces Tappiyah Waterfalls Day3:
Banga-an Village Mount Amuyao Duclingan Hot Spring C. Technical Itinerary Manila to Banaue, Ifugao 3D/2N DATE| TIME| ACTIVITIES| HOTEL| Day 1: 11, Oct 2013| 2200H| ETD Esteban Street, Makati City via Van| | | 0600H| ETA at Hotel| Native Village Inn| | 0600H-0700H| Check in| Native Village Inn| | 0700H-0800H| Breakfast at Hotel| Native Village Inn| | 0800H-1100H| Free Time| | | 1100H-1200H| Lunch at Hotel| Native Village Inn| | 1250H-1340H| ETA in Tam-an Village| | | 1350H-1430H| Banaue Museum| | | 1450H-1550H| Banaue Rice Terraces| | | 1600H-1710H| Banaue View Point| | | 1800H| ETA at Hotel, Dinner | Native Village Inn|
Day 2: 12, Oct 2013| 0700H-0800H| Breakfast at Hotel| Native Village Inn| | 0850H-0940H| ETA Hapao Rice Terraces| | | 0950H-1020H| Hugduan Rice Terraces| | | 1050H1200H| Batad Rice Terraces| | | 1230H-1330H| Packed Lunch at Tappiyah Waterfalls| | | 1330H-1600H| Tappiyah Waterfalls| | | 1700H| ETA Hotel| Native Village Inn| | 1800H| Dinner at Hotel| Native Village Inn| Day 3: 13, Oct 2013| 0700H-0800H| Breakfast at Hotel| Native Village Inn| | 0830H-0930H| Banga-an Village| | | 0950H-1030H| Mount Amuyao| | | 1100H-1200H| Lunch at Hotel| Native Village Inn| | 1200H-1300H| Check out| | 1340H-1700H| Duclingan Hot Spring Dinner at Duclingan Hot Spring (pax account)| | | 1700H| ETD at Duclingan via Van| | | 1700H-0100H| ETA in Makati City| | D. Descriptive Itinerary Day 1: All passengers must arrive at the said time of departure at Esteban Street, Makati City via Van; the journey is an 8hour trip Manila to Banaue. The estimated time of arrival is at 6 o’clock in the morning. Our check in time is 6 o’clock in the morning in Native Village Inn and the breakfast will serve at 7 o’clock (English Breakfast; 2 fried eggs, bacon, beans, 2 slices of toasted bread butter marmalade, coffee or tea. and you are given a 3hour free time to roam around, relax and sightseeing. Lunch at the hotel. (Marinated chicken with fresh vegetables and rice, fresh fruit shake made from fresh fruits with milk. ) After lunch we will now go to Tam-an Village for sightseeing, take some picture and after tam-an village, we will go to Banaue museum and explore the museum and after the museum we will go to Banaue rice terraces and Banaue viewpoint after a long trip, dinner at the hotel (Pork or Chicken adobo with potatoes or rice. ) Day 2:
Call time 6:45 in the morning, breakfast (Filipino Breakfast; garlic fried rice with 2 eggs, corned beef, coffee or tea. Fresh fruit platter; mango, banana, papaya, watermelon, melon, orange (choice of four) is serve at 7:00 in the morning. Estimated time of arrival at Hapao rice terraces is 8:50 in the morning. After Hapao rice terraces we will go now to Hugduan terraces and after that we will go now to Batad terraces and packed Lunch (Pork tenderloin stew with hash brown potatoes and fresh vegetables. (Fresh fruit platter; watermelon, papaya, banana, melon) at Tappiyah waterfalls.
Estimated time of arrival at the hotel is at 5:00 in the afternoon. Dinner at the Hotel; (Pork or chicken chopsuey with rice) Day 3: Breakfast at Hotel (Continental breakfast; 2 slices of toast bread, butter, 3slices of imported cheese and marmalade, coffee or tea) after breakfast go to Banga-an Village, Mount Amuyao , Lunch at the hotel at 11:00-12:00 noon. Check out time is at 12:00-1:00 in the afternoon. After check out go directly to Duclingan Hot Spring. Dinner is a pax account basis estimated time of departure in Duclingan hot spring is at 5:00 in the afternoon.
Estimated time of arrival in Makati City is at 1:00 in the morning. III. Costing SERVICES| 2-4| 5-10| 11-15| GUIDE| SWB/S| T/RED| Transportation(Manila to Banaue, Banaue to Manila) for 3days| 1’085| 434| 200| | | | Hotel Breakfast| 250| 250| 250| | | | Entrance fee| 20| 20| 20| 20| | | Whole day tour| 300| 300| 300| | | | Hotel Lunch| 410| 410| 410| 410| | | Hotel Dinner| 320| 320| 320| | | | Overnight| 950| 950| 950| | 475| 250| | | | | | | | Hotel Breakfast| 400| 400| 400| | | | Whole day tour| 300| 300| 300| | | | Packed Lunch| 520| 520| 520| 520| | |
Hotel dinner| 250| 250| 250| | | | Overnight| 950| 950| 950| | 475| 250| | | | | | | | Hotel Breakfast| 250| 250| 250| | | | Whole day tour| 250| 250| 250| | | | Entrance fee| 100| 100| 100| 100| | | Hotel Lunch| 510| 510| 510| | | | Dinner| (pax acc)| (pax acc)| (pax acc)| | | | Guide Fee| 2’500| 1’000| 455| | | | | | | | | | | Subtotal| 9’365| 6’780| 6’235| 1’050| 950| 500| Prorate Guide| 525| 210| 95| | | | Total| 9’890| 6’990| 6’330| | 950| 500| Mark-up (25%)| 2’473| 1’748| 1’583| | 238| 125| Net to Operator| 12’363| 8’738| 7’913| | | | Round off – 12’370 -8’740 -7’920
