One of the nine (9) towns of Ifugao Province, Banaue, is world-famous and a must-see place. Its Rice Terraces considered as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" and declared as a World Heritage Site, are beautiful stairways to the sky that ascend steep mountain sides. The guest in this hiker's paradise will have an outstanding preview of the beautiful countryside, surrounded by mountains and tribal villages. These rice terraces were built by the Ifugao tribes 2000 years ago using only their bare hands and the most primitive tools. It is said that the length of the terraces, if connected end to end would encircle half of the globe.
Going around Banaue involves walking up or down mountain paths that a visitor should be wearing comfortable footwear.
The best time to see many wonders in Banaue if you want to see the green terraces is from April to August. Rainy season is from July to January, cool months are from November to February.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Tam-an Village - A typical village situated 240 steps down the Banaue Hotel's swimming pool. Here woodcarving and hand woven products are sold to travelers.
Tappiya Waterfalls - About 30 minutes from Batad Village is a cascading waterfalls with its enormous natural swimming pool. A visit to Batad would be incomplete without seeing this beautiful waterfalls.
Banaue Rice Terraces - A leading tourism destination in the country and considered the "Eighth Wonder of the World" The rice terraces starts from the base of the mountain range and reach up to several thousands feet high. Streams and spring found in the mountains were taped and channeled into irrigation canal that run downhill through the rice terraces.
Batad Rice Terraces - These rice terraces are tried and take the shape of an amphitheater and is located in Barangay Batad. It can be reached by a twelve-kilometer ride from Banaue Hotel and a two- hour hike uphill thru mountain trails.
Mayoyao Rice Terraces - 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 in a breath taking view of the rice terraces where all the dikes are tiered with flat stones.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Manila, Banaue is 333 kms. 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.
WHERE TO STAY
INCLUSIONS FOR BANAUE PACKAGE:
* 3D/2N accommodation
* Daily breakfast, one (1) dinner
* Roundtrip private van transfer (Manila-Banaue/Sagada-Manila)
* Permits and entrance fees
* Service of a local guide
* Tours as specified on Tour Highlights
* Use of non-rental hotel's facilities
* Government taxes and service charges
* Subject to change without prior notice
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Tam'am Village tour and see the Skulls and Bones of their relatives as you passed by one of the village home. Sagada whole-day tour with sidetrips to Hanging Coffins and Sumaging Cave adventure, Hiwang Village tour with panoramic view of Banaue View Point Tour with adventure trekking at the rice terraces.
LIST OF HOTELS
Green View
Banaue Youth
Sanafe Lodge
Banaue Hotel
People's Lodge
BANAUE VILLAGES CULTURAL TOUR
Banaue, Ifugao
(FOR FREE & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS)
To fully appreciate the wonders and beauty of the world famous Rice Terraces of Banaue, it is best suggested that you visit or even stay in some of the traditional villages that surrounds this beautiful mountain paradise. While in these villages, witness the woodcarvers, the weavers and the basket makers display their exquisite skills as they work in their work places.
POINTS OF INTERESTS
TAM-AN VILLAGE
A showcase village of weavers and carvers which can be reached by passing beside the Banaue Hotel.
BOCOS VILLAGE
Well noted for its cluster of houses adorned with skulls of water buffalo and other animals, this village is situated along a hiking trail leading to Mayoyao, Ifugao.
BANAUE MUSEUM
A proud repository of rare photographs and artifacts that includes beads, baskets, pottery, woodcraft and woven materials, all of which depict various aspects of Ifugao history and material culture, the Banaue Museum is housed at the Banaue View Inn, a short walk away from the Banaue town proper.
BANAUE RICE TERRACES VIEWPOINT
Located along the Bontoc-Banaue Road, the viewpoint is a good 45-minute hike away from the Banaue town proper. For viewers, the Banaue Viewpoint provides a panoramic perspective of the terraces. For camera bugs and photo enthusiasts, the viewpoint offers a perfect photographic angle of the terraces.
BATAD VILLAGE
Batad village is suitably made famous by its stunning amphitheater shaped rice terraces and the cascading waters and natural swimming pools of the Tappiyah Waterfalls. An hour`s ride away from Poblacion Banaue, the village proper can be reached after a 30-minute hike through mountain trails.
BANGAAN VILLAGE & RICE TERRACES:
The beauty of these rice terraces along the mountain ranges of Bangaan is best viewed on the road to Mayoyao. This rice terraces cluster and village represent the native Ifugao. It is a forty minute drive from Poblacion, Banaue and a twenty minute hike to the village.
UHAJ NATIVE VILLAGE INN (Uhaj, Banaue, Ifugao)
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.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT:
BANAUE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER
Poblacion, Banaue, Ifugao
Tel. Nos. (074) 386-40-10
(074) 386-40-11
MR. RIO DALE T. HUMIWAT
Banaue Tourism Operations Officer
Banaue Municipal Hall
Banaue, Ifugao
Mobile Phone No. 0921-808-26-67
Telefax: (074) 386-40-52
MS. MARIETTA H. HANGDAAN
Ifugao Provincial Tourism Officer
Tourism Information & Assistance Center
Ibulao, Baguinge, Kiangan, Ifugao
Mobile Phone No. 0906-774-83-10
Telefax No. (074) 382-21-08
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM – CAR
Gov. Pack Road, Baguio City
Tel. No. – (074) 442-70-14
Tel. Fax No. (074) 442 – 88 - 48
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Contact