Batad Rice Terraces
Batad is one of the most photographed villages in the Philippines.
Getting there is an easy day trip from Banaue and well worth the effort. Jeepneys can be hired in Banaue to take you most of the way there. These jeepneys will transport you to the saddle at top of the hill and you have 30 – 45 minutes walk to get to the viewpoint and another 10 – 15 minutes to get to the center of the little village.
From the drop off point at the “saddle” there is a gently sloping trail leading to Batad or you can take a steeper footpath and connect to the main trail further down the hill. When it’s raining it can get slick so take your time.
If you choose to walk to the top from the main road or a point known as the junction it will take another 45 minutes to an hour. This is where you will begin your journey if you arrive by tricycle.
There is also a short cut over the top just past the place where many fill their water bottles from a small stream of water.
Batad rice terraces in July 2010.
There is only one crop grown in these mountains per year and it really looks cool when the rice is fully mature as in this picture. The drawback is that it will be raining every day starting early after noon and on into the night. You have to start your day early if you want to get pictures before the rain sets in.
The Batad terraces are a World Heritage Site and are well worth the visit year round.
There is lodging and there are restaurants in Batad so you might want to spend a night or two up there if you are not too pressed for time.
A big waterfall is just around the corner and other villages are within trekking distance.
It’s best to leave your bags in Batad and travel light.
If you want hot showers and internet access it would be better to stay in Banaue but if you just want to chill in the mountains and be surrounded by nature – Batad is really nice!
Batad Rice Terraces
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Hi! I suppose you had a great time there. We are planning to go up there next week and spend a night. May I ask your opinion if you think there will be available lodging spaces for eight of us? Thanks
Hello Ferdinand,
I think that you will be ok.
In the Philippines – the weekends are always the busiest – so try to arrive on a week day.
cheers
dp
Hi,
we are planning to go to Battad on April 26, 2010, how much does a trike cost or a jeep? Is the inn there cheap? thanks
Hello jerry
Most people make Batad a day trip from Banaue. There is a regular lonely planet trail that you can follow. Banaue gets heavy tourist pressure so there are many accommodations to choose from.
The public jeepneys pass the road going up the saddle where the trail down to Batad begins. A tricycle used to cost around 300 pesos but I have not been there for a few years and do not have current prices.
There are a few guesthouses in Batad that are quite cheap. Using Batad as a base is really a better way to explore the area.
cheers
dp
hi,
will it be dangerous for two girls to take the overnight bus from Manila to Banaue?If so,would u recommand other ways to get there?thanks a lot
Hi sum,
You shouldn’t have any problems. Just don’t leave your valuables in a position where they can be easily snatched when you fall asleep.
I suggest arriving at the bus terminal early so that you can organize seats closer to the front of the bus. The back seats are not as nice a ride.
dp tip – be sure to have warm clothing and a hat because the air con will be full blast the whole time and it will get very cold!
have fun
dp
Hi ,
Im going to the Philippines, like to go from Manila to the Rice Terraces.
I don,t want to go by bus 10 hours is a long time when you are almost 2m in length …, is it a good option to fly to Laoag or Tuguegarao and from there by any ground transport to Batad or Banaue , is this a quicker way ?
Thx , Willem
Hello William,
Banaue is a long ways from Tuguegarao or Laoag and it would be more of a hassle to go from either of these two places – easiest to just to take the bus direct from Cubao in Manila.
Try to ride on one of the better buses and get an aisle seat if possible. They keep the air conditioner on full blast so bring a hat and jacket if you have one because it gets cold!
If money is not an issue – you could hire a private car to take you the whole way but it will be pricey! Wish I had a better answer!
dp
Hi ,
Thx for your reply ,
To bad for me than , which company has the better buses ?
Are there also night busses going to Benaue if so , can you do a good sleep on them like you can lay flat or do they have to normal seats so you have to sit during the night.
Any idee how mutch it will cost by private car ?
Hello Willem
My last bus trip 4 years ago was on Florida Lines – a brand new bus. Banaue to Manila.
I think Autobus leaves from the Cubao area of north Manila at night and arrives in Banaue around 7 am. The seats are upright and the trip is long – I do not know of any where you can lie down during the trip.
My guess is that a private van with driver will run around 5000 pesos a day but I have never traveled in this manner. You would also be responsible for the drivers room and meals. This a only a guess! Check around – maybe it can be done cheaper or you could find others to share the costs.
It appears that you plan to make a trip to Batad from Banaue – I hear that the road is pretty rough as a result of heavy recent rains. A regular van can not make it to the saddle – the starting point at the top of the hill where you begin your decent to Batad valley.
I was up there in Batad July of this year 2010 but was able to ride my motorbike to the top of the hill and walk from there. It is an amazing adventure! There are guesthouses that you could stay in in the village if you wanted to stick around for a few days. It would be well worth the time spent!
dp
Great photos, thank you… Banawe was such a let down, not what I had pictured in my head of long ago. We will go back to see BATAD before the place gets ruined by human habitation.
Batad really is worth the effort to go up and see it – I hope that you make it next time. Sometimes it rains but you have a tremendous view when the visibility is good.
dp