Batad Rice Terraces in Ifugao Province – Travel Guide

Batad Rice Terraces

There are 5 clusters of rice terraces inscribed as part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They are Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central, and Nagacadan. Batad and Bangaan are under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Banaue but are not called the Banaue Rice Terraces that we know from history class. Although all rice terraces in the area can be simply called Banaue rice terraces, and although they are for sure beautiful, in this post we will focus on Batad rice terraces.

One of the known features of Batad Rice Terraces is it resembles an amphitheater. They were carved out of the surrounding hills by the Ifugao people by hand and primitive tools at least 2,000 years ago and were eventually expanded generation after generation. For vising tourists, it is important to note that the color of the rice terraces depends on the time of year. The best time to visit Banaue/Batad rice terraces is between April and May, and then between October and November when the terraces are at their greenest. Between July and September, it is the rainy season and from December and March, it is the season after harvest, and terraces are often muddy and not that green.

How to Go to Batad Rice Terraces?

To get to the Batad Rice Terraces, you need to take a bus bound for Banaue first.

1. From Cubao or Sampaloc in Manila, take a bus bound for Banaue. There are two bus lines that go directly to Banaue: Coda Lines and Ohayami Trans. Travel time is about 9 hours. The bus fare will be around Php 850 to Php 1200. You can book online via Klook – Manila to Banaue P2P Bus Ticket (Deluxe/Super Deluxe) book via 12G0 –From Manila to Benguet
2. Upon arrival at the Banaue bus terminal, you can take a tricycle to your hotel or you can start your tour right away. The Banaue Rice Terraces can be viewed directly from the roadsides and view deck.
   Going to Batad:
3. From Banaue proper, you can take either a passenger or private jeepney to Saddle point. The jeepney between Banaue and Batad runs approximately once or twice a day, but not at the same time. It means you simply have to walk around and ask the locals what is the schedule for today. The cost of the jeepney was PHP 50 per person. Most tourists spend a night at Banaue in case they missed the jeep available for the day.
4. Once at the Saddle, hike down into the village of Batad.

In case there is no public jeepney, and you do not want to wait, you have three options.

You can either rent a private jeepney, which is an expensive option, around 2500 PHP (you can try to gather more tourists wanting to get to Batad the same day), or rent a tricycle which will take you to Batad Saddle for PHP 500 (a tricycle can fit two to three people depending on how much luggage you have), or the last option is to take a public jeepney to Bangaan, get off at Batad Junction, and from here walk (it is three kilometers grueling uphill climb and then three kilometers downhill walk, so think it twice).

On your way back from Batad to Banaue, wait for the jeepney at every 9 AM at the same place the jeepney dropped you off the day before.

Where to stay in Banaue/Batad?

There are a lot of hotels and homestays in Banaue town proper and Batad. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Banaue Homestay – Banaue Town Proper

2. Uyami’s Green View Lodge – Banaue Town Proper

3. Hillside Inn and Restaurant – Batad

4. Ramon Homestay – Batad this is where we stayed

You can also try checking some accommodations using the AGODA link below.

My trip to Batad Rice Terraces

I can still remember my younger self, drawing these rice terraces on a piece of bond paper for our history class. Never would I have thought about the possibility of seeing in person what I only see in books. Wow! Thanks to a friend who invited us for his birthday adventure in Banaue.

We all agreed to meet at the Sampaloc Bus terminal before our scheduled 8:00 pm ticket going to Banaue. It was Friday evening, I expected extended rush hour so the 3 of us (me, my sister, and Anne) decided to go to the terminal an hour before the trip. We got busy chatting while waiting for two of our friends. Come 30 minutes before the trip, the conductor was already asking the passengers including us to go inside the bus. We were so worried because our friends are still stuck in traffic. Imagine my stress level at that time. Long story short, they didn’t make it. They followed us and took the 9:30 pm trip.

We arrived in Banaue at 6:00 am. Our friends arrived after 30 minutes. From Banaue, we ride a jeepney going to the Batad Rice Terrace jump-off point. We didn’t start the trek yet though, we went to Ramon’s Homestay where we planned to stay the night.

Then we have a morning coffee break and after having breakfast our group registered and secure a local guide. We start the hike around 8:30 am passing through local houses. Then I noticed that the locals living here are so friendly and hardworking. After that, we went through the base of the rice terraces where we walk along narrow walkways at the rim of the rice terraces. The view is spectacular already.

We continued to trek going to the Batad Rice Terraces’ viewing point. This trek is very challenging. We came across these steep concrete stairs going up. It was tiring really and also there’s no tree cover so we were in direct heat of the sun. The view on this platform of the terraces is beautiful. As a result, we take so many pictures of the rice terraces from different angles and views.

We reached the Tappiya Falls around 11:00 am. The water in the falls is so freaking cold but it never stops us to take a dip. Read here to know more about Tappiya Falls.

On the whole, the trip to Batad Rice Terraces is a whole new experience for all of us. This is definitely a must-see place in the Philippines.

Batad Rice Terraces Itinerary

Day 0
8:00 PM – ETD going to Banaue, Ifugao

Day 1
6:00 AM – ETA Banaue, Ifugao
6:30 AM – Departure to Batad Rice Terraces
7:30 AM – Arrival at Batad Rice Terraces, went to the accommodation
8:00 AM –Breakfast
8:30 AM – Start trek to rice fields, view deck, proceed to Tappiya Falls, swimming and lunch
12:30 PM – Start trek to the hillside

After this, you can now head back to Manila if you are only on a Day Tour. But for us, we head back to our accommodation because we will go to Sagada tomorrow.

WHAT TO BRING TO BATAD RICE TERRACES?

Prepare for your trip with our must-have travel essentials.

Waterproof backpack & phone case: Dry Bag (2L 3L 5L 10L) Ocean Pack Waterproof Bag and Universal Waterproof Glow Dark Case for Mobile Phone Pouch
Quick dry microfiber travel towel: Naturehike Quick Drying Pocket Bath Towel
Action camera:  KIMSTORE GoPro Hero 11 – Black Aqua Shoes: Aqua shoes Summer Unisex No-Slip Prevention Rubber Beach Shoes Men & Women
Aqua Shoes: Aqua shoes Summer Unisex No-Slip Prevention Rubber Beach Shoes Men & Women
Rash Guard: rash guard for men and Rash Guard for women

Have you been to Ifugao already? Feel free to share your experience in the comments below!

You may also check our Tappiya Falls – Behold to this Majestic Falls in Batad

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