15 A TRAVEL GUIDE GOING TO BATAD IFUGAO

Banaue Rice Terraces is one of the most rewarding places in the Philippines or perhaps in the world. What is more when you get to Batad Rice Terraces, one of the 5 terraces in Banaue and it is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites among other four namely: Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central, and Nagacadan. However getting to Batad wasn't the easiest thing to do but like they say, "work hard before pleasure".

Batad truly is wrapped with breathtaking views; lush green mountains covered with thick fog and its surrounding, the ever-smiling locals and of course the warmth of Ifugao culture. If you are planning a trip here then I have collected some practical guidelines getting there.

HOW TO GET TO BATAD:

You have plenty of options how to get to Batad, but I’m talking about different routes here because traveling by air is not an option unless you got your own chopper.

MANILA TO BANAUE VIA BUS:

Ohayami Transit located in Sampaloc, Manila has single trip daily that leaves at 10PM going to Banaue. Trips are added during peak seasons. It is advisable to book your seats in advance for 450 PHP.

Manila Terminal: J. Fajardo St., Lacson Ave., Sampaloc Manila

Contact Number: 0927-649-3055 / 02-516-0501 (Manila) / 0917-561-7344 (Banaue)

Email for Reservation: reservation@ohyamitrans.com

Website: www.ohayamitrans.com

Dangwa Transco is another option going to Banaue which is also located in Sampaloc Manila. Unfortunately they don’t have site nor email for reservation but you can try calling them at 02-781-5849 / 02-743-3809 or visit their terminal for reservation.

BAGUIO TO BANAUE VIA BUS:

If your initial point is from Baguio City, Ohayami Transit has daily trips also going to Banaue that leaves at 9PM located near Burnham Park. And again I suggest to make a reservation prior to your trip.

Arriving in Banaue Town Proper, one is required to pay 20 PHP as environmental fee. Then from there you will have options how to get to Batad. Please remember that the vehicle you get from Banaue Town Proper will only bring you to Batad Saddle Point, then from there you can trek down to village by foot for like 1 - 2 hours depending on your pace.

• The Tourism Center offers package for 600 PHP/person with guide and a day tour to Ampi-Theatre and Tappiyah Falls

• If you are on large group, you can hire jeep going to Saddle Point for 1500 PHP maximum of 20 individuals. Just advise the driver what day he will pick you up from Saddle back to Banaue Town Proper.

• Or you can contact Leemas Panhon from Ramon's Homestay; he will arrange you a trip to be joined in another group from Banaue Town Proper to Batad. You can reach him at 0935-980-7939, I guess this is more practical.

And again when you arrive in Batad Saddle Point you have no more option but to walk down to the village. If you have heavy baggage you can request for a porter. Also just piece of advise, Saddle Point is the last frontier where you can get cellular signal. Therefore, contact everyone where you at especially your family because down to the village there is no signal at all. 

Here's the rocky part of your trek. I would say the Local Government has on going project for a concrete road all the way down to the entrance of the village to provide easy access for visiting tourists. That's why you will see heavy machinery along the gravel road. I'm not sure what is the target completion date but we will know.

Here's Batad Marker, thou shall not forget to have photo opportunity. When you get on this part, please have a little patience because you are already inside the vicinity of the village. However you will have to walk more to get to the guest houses.

WHERE TO STAY IN BATAD:

There are several places to stay in Batad. Though it is easy for you to get a place without the reservation however if you are visiting during peak season then it is highly recommended to reserve a room.

It is not necessary for you to find fancy hotels or inns in Batad, there’s none and no need. It is a remote village living above the clouds so do you still need an air-conditioned room? I know you travel because you want to escape the city living so when you get here expect that you will be living like a real local. I would recommend Ramon Native Homestay, Mang Ramon himself is proud of his Ifugao heritage so when you stay here expect that you will experience the immersion-like vacation where you can help them doing the rice pounding or traditional way of processing wheat into rice grains, at night he prepares bonfire which is part of the culture that the families gather together around it while chatting and over a cup of coffee. Also what is more exciting is sleeping inside Nipa Hut, also called "No Nail House".

Contact: 0916-9848380 look for Irene Binalit (this is the number to call for booking)

Email: bireneann@yahoo.com / ramon_binalit@yahoo.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RamonsHomestay/info?tab=overview

You can also book online via Agoda.

Other Homestay in Batad:

• Batad Pension and Restaurant / Contact Person: Gina / 0916-488-8141 / 0918-964-3368

• Batad Top View Point Home Stay and Restaurant / 0935-130-2911

• Cristina Inn / Contact Person: John / 0906-977-3771

• Foreigner's Inn / Contact Person: David / 0905-397-2317

• Hillside Inn and Restaurant / Contact Person: Maya / 0927-761-6176 / 0905-769-9796 / 0919-379-9599

• Rita's Mount View Inn and Restaurant / Contact Person: Romeo / 0921-273-3051 / 0910-842-3076

• Simon's Inn / Contact Person: Simon / 0919-261-9566

THINGS TO DO AROUND BATAD:

The village of Batad is sheltered by majestic mountain ranges; there is no means of transportation here except by foot. So you will have to rely your foot to get around the village. A lot of trekking here so I guess it is also important that you came prepared.  Though going to the amphitheater stone-walled terraces and Tappiyah Falls is an easy trail yet I still recommend getting a guide. It is for the safety and most of the homestays offer guide service which price starts at 700 PHP.

• Trek to the Terraces.

• Trek going to Tappiya Falls about 45 minutes away from the village.

• Swimming in freezing water of Tappiya.

• Reach the highest point for the best view of Batad Rice Terraces.

• Meet the Locals.

• Taste their Rice Wine.

• Wear Ifugao costume.

• Help them with their daily activity, stay not as visitor but as part of Ifugao family.

Stairway to Heaven truly exist.

Walking at the Terraces.

Trek down to Tappiya Falls.

Photo opportunity in front of this beautiful falls and play with stone towers.

SOME TIPS AND INFORMATION:

• As much as possible book your bus tickets to and from Manila-Banaue. Like I say they only have single trip and Bus filled easily. Of course you don't want to seat on the aisle. When you arrive in Banaue make sure to book your ticket back to Manila. Bus leaves at 5PM (Ohayami) to Manila.

• I suggest to contact locals for your jeepney ride to Saddle Point than getting in the Tourist Center. Package price is bit expensive.

• Make sure when you get to Saddle Point, the jeepney driver you have contracted will be the one  to pick you up back to Banaue Town Proper. Give them your schedule when you leave in Batad.

• Guide is not mandatory, but better to get one, they will tell you the stories and you're helping them as well.

• The last area with cellular signal is Batad Saddle Point.

• Wear trekking shoes/sandals.

• Bring enough cash, there is no cash ATMs there.

• Prices of food, beers, and sodas are bit pricey, because it is really hard to transport them from Banaue down to Batad village.

• Bring enough sweater especially when your body is not used at cold temperature.

4 BATAD BANAUE: "GO LOCAL" AT RAMON HOMESTAY AND RESTAURANT

“Going Local”, that is Mang Ramon’s promised for tourists visiting Batad. I thought it is just simple words used for advertisement purposes and has no meaning at all. However they have exceeded the expectation of these two words. They are dedicated to provide unforgettable experiences for visiting tourists. They really mean it!

After nine freaking hours of long ride and nearly two hours of trekking down to the village, we reached Ramon Homestay. We already have a reservation prior to our visit because it is expected of more visitors coming for a long holiday break.  

In drowsy mood, we were welcomed by the owner himself Mang Ramon Binalit and greeted us with smiles on his face. Though the feeling is weary, it was replaced with a positive vibe. He brought us to one of the Nipa Huts. Ramon Homestay has 5 traditional Nipa Huts, one of which where Mang Ramon was born – a century old Nipa Hut built by his ancestors and he is preserving it for the benefit of visitors like us.

This traditional hut is very simple made of woods and roof is made of weaved cogon grass. Mang Ramon chose not to install any electric wires going to Nipa Hut not to avoid possible fire but to preserve its original customs. Outside Nipa hut, it looks like it won’t fit more people yet when you get inside it can actually accommodate up to 10 people. No nails being used to build this house and it has fireplace inside. We arrived sleepy heads so we decided to just take rest and sleep the rest of the afternoon.

We woke around 6PM and had dinner. Mang Ramon was there handy, greeting and talking to visitors. Everyone stayed at the dining area taking supper and talking to other visitors and making friends. Some were drinking cold beers and rice wine waiting for the Christmas Eve.

Mang Ramon and his nephew prepared for bonfire. He said he normally do this because he wanted everyone feel at home by knowing and talking to each other. He wanted to initiate the talking and everyone will have to introduce. He said that bonfire is their tradition back in the old days living in cold place. They used this so that the neighborhood gathers and share their story for a day activity. After we hosted ourselves he started sharing how this place built and the story behind the glorious Rice Terraces.

We greeted each other a Merry Merry Christmas when the clock touched 12 MN. It was really pleasure celebrating Christmas in a tranquil place away from heavy traffic. We went back to our huts when everybody feels sleepy and needed rest. 

We woke up the next day coming from a good sleep. Everyone was busy preparing for breakfast while some chatting over a hot cup of coffee. I decided to join locals picking the dried rice seeds and crushing it. The traditional way of processing wheat into rice grains for cooking. It really like immersion-ish and everyone is game of doing it.

When the food is ready, it’s about time to eat and have a huge carbo-load for the activity on that day going to the Rice Terraces and visiting the Tappiyah Falls which require time and effort. The food there is organic with a touch of local taste. They serve Chicken and Pork, Breakfast menu, Salad and short orders.

There is no signal there but some time you can get it when you keep your phone hanging just like on the picture. The guide also told us that latest phone won’t get signal only cheap phones. I don’t know if this is true. Anyway when in homestay there’s nothing much to do except looking at the Rice Terraces however it is a perfect time to emboss your social responsibility to other people by playing card games, dama, chess, or even a simple talk.

For me, it’s a perfect place to stay if you need peace. No phone signal and you are totally detached from the outside world which I guess pretty awesome. You don’t need to think much. It’s the best time to relax your mind. 

Aside from affordable rates and delicious meal, people here are really friendly and will treat you as part of the family. They’ll be asking you from time to time if everything okay and they will ask you as well if you wish to try helping them with their daily activity. It’s complete experience with Ifugao culture. Indeed, Ramon Homestay is the perfect place to stay because of such activity. Bonfire is one of the highlights where you can ask everything with your curiosity.

RAMON NATIVE HOMESTAY EXPERIENCE:
● Traditional Ifugao story-telling with bonfire.
● Local Rice Wine Making
● Native Coffee Lessons
● Wood Carving Lessons
● Rice Pounding
● Dressing Up in Native Costume

RAMON NATIVE HOMESTAY AND RESTAURANT

Batad, Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines 3601

Contact: 0916-9848380 look for Irene Binalit (this is the number to call for booking)

Email: bireneann@yahoo.com / ramon_binalit@yahoo.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RamonsHomestay/info?tab=overview
You can also book online via Agoda.

You can also contact Leemas Panhon (Mang Ramon's Nephew) at 0935-980-7939. He will be your guide and will pick you up at the Banaue Tourism Center.