Banaue and Sagada Eco Tour

Travel to the picturesque north where tribal life and indigenous culture still thrive. Hidden up in the mountains of the Cordilleras, nestled in the cool weather and greenery of an area 1500 meters (approximately 4900 feet) above sea level is Sagada and Banaue. Highlights in the area include the Banaue Rice Terraces, the Hanging Coffins in Sagada, and the beautiful mix of mountains, caves, and waterfalls. For more information on Cordillera, click here.

Itinerary 1: Ifugao Rice Terrace Adventure Tour (Banaue – Batad – Bangaan)

Suggested Itinerary * :

• Day 1

  • Our van and guide will meet you at your hotel in Manila to take you to Banaue, which is a 348-kilometer trip from Manila. The trip usually takes around 8 to 9 hours and there are several interesting things to see along the way since this route takes you from the sea to the summit, passing through 6 different provinces.

    Another option, which is shorter, would be to take the flight from Manila to Cauayan airport in Isabela. Flights are at 9:20 AM every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The flight typically takes an hour long and of course we would be able to assist you with your flight arrangements. Our van and guide will meet you at the Cauayan airport to take you to Banaue. The drive will take about 4 to 5 hours long.

    Upon arrival at Banaue, check in at your hotel and spend the rest of your day relaxing. You may either get a massage or take a swim in the pool. For those who wish to explore, the town trade center is not far from the hotel. You may also visit a native village, only 5 minutes from the hotel!

• Day 2
  • Prepare for the trek! Wake up for an early breakfast and depart for Batad rice terraces, known to be the ‘amphitheater’ terraces. A local jeepney will take you to the sight. From the drop off point our local guide will assist you throughout the one hour trek down to Batad. If you aren’t too tired yet, another hour’s hike through the terraces will take you to the Tappiah waterfall, a phenomenal 70 meter waterfall with a large natural pool at the bottom. Spend some time to enjoy the view and the water. Next, return to the drop off point and continue your tour to Bangaan Village. The village is nestled amongst the terraces and is a classic example of village life in the Ifugao region. Finally go back to the hotel and reach it just in time for a heavy dinner to restore your energy.
• Day 3

  • After breakfast at the hotel, a jeepney will pick you up to begin the Banaue tour. First stop! Banaue view point. This is the ideal location to take photographs of the 2,000-year-old rice terraces. There are several viewpoints that you can visit. One of these includes the terraces featured on the 1,000-peso bill.

    From the viewpoint, head to the Banaue Museum to learn a little about its cultural history. Here you can see some of the original artifacts used by the natives over a thousand years ago. The original journals and studies by American archeologists, including a 1912 National Geographic magazine about the Igorots are stored in this museum.

    After, you may buy some souvenirs at the Banaue trade center. The Ifugao natives of Banaue are famous for their wood carvings and weaving. There’s a variety of artistic treasures to be found here! Most of the souvenir prices are negotiable, so be ready to haggle!

    Finally! Spend the rest of your day at the Guihob natural hot spring! Untangle those aching muscles until you’re ready to return to the hotel for dinner.

• Day 4
  • Wake up early for breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel and return to Manila. If you’re taking the flight at Cauayan airport back to Manila, we recommend leaving the hotel early in the morning to make sure you won’t miss your 11:10 AM flight.

Itinerary 2: Mountain Province Heritage Tour (Banaue – Bontoc – Sagada)

Suggested Itinerary * :

• Day 1

  • Our van and guide will meet you at your hotel in Manila to take you to Banaue, which is a 348-kilometer trip from Manila. The trip usually takes around 8 to 9 hours and there are several interesting things to see along the way since this route takes you from the sea to the summit, passing through 6 different provinces.

    Another option, which is shorter, would be to take the flight from Manila to Cauayan airport in Isabela. Flights are at 9:20 AM every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The flight typically takes an hour long and of course we would be able to assist you with your flight arrangements. Our van and guide will meet you at the Cauayan airport to take you to Banaue. The drive will take about 4 to 5 hours long.

    Upon arrival at Banaue, check in at your hotel and spend the rest of your day relaxing. You may either get a massage or take a swim in the pool. For those who wish to explore, the town trade center is not far from the hotel. You may also visit a native village, only 5 minutes from the hotel!

• Day 2

  • After breakfast at the hotel, a jeepney will pick you up to begin the Banaue tour. First stop! Banaue view point. This is the ideal location to take photographs of the 2,000-year-old rice terraces. There are several viewpoints that you can visit. One of these includes the terraces featured on the 1,000-peso bill.

    From the viewpoint, head to the Banaue Museum to learn a little about its cultural history. Here you can see some of the original artifacts used by the natives over a thousand years ago. The original journals and studies by American archeologists, including a 1912 National Geographic magazine about the Igorots are stored in this museum.

    After, you may buy some souvenirs at the Banaue trade center. The Ifugao natives of Banaue are famous for their wood carvings and weaving. There’s a variety of artistic treasures to be found here! Most of the souvenir prices are negotiable, so be ready to haggle!

    Finally! Spend the rest of your day at the Guihob natural hot spring! Untangle those aching muscles until you’re ready to return to the hotel for dinner.

• Day 3

  • Today you travel further up north to visit the wonders of Bontoc and Sagada. The trip to Bontoc would take about 3 to 4 hours from Banaue. Bontoc is the capital of the Mountain Province. Here you will visit the Bontoc museum which was established by the Belgian Sisters to preserve the heritage of the Ifugao people.

    About half an hour travel to the west would take you to Sagada, a marvelous place for nature lovers and known for its limestone cliffs, waterfalls and numerous caves. The ‘hanging coffins’ are a most fascinating sight. Perched on high rock outcroppings, they are wedged in between crevices to make them inaccessible to wild animals. After your tour of Sagada, you return to your hotel in Banaue.

• Day 4
  • Wake up early for breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel and return to Manila. If you’re taking the flight at Cauayan airport back to Manila, we recommend leaving the hotel early in the morning to make sure you won’t miss your 11:10 AM flight.

(*) Note: Suggested departure time from Manila on Day 1 is no later than 0730H. Suggested departure time from Banaue on Day 4 is no later than 0800H.