巴拿威梯田

Finally, got the chance to visit the famous Banaue Rice Terraces. The view did not disappoint. It is good to see the terraces during the brink of the hot season when the tourists are just about to flock the area. Well worth the visit.

Engineering work of art, This is a very interesting place to see, and learn about its unique design irrigation.

The wind was almost freezing when we arrived very early in the morning, and the thin haze that obscured the mountains, slowly illuminated by the sunrise, was resplendent in its glory. The faint caw of roosters and the occasional barking of dogs were nostalgia from a countryside that was a little bit foreign to me. And the day was yet to start in Banaue, but the street where Ohayami Trans is located was already filled with people who would offer a ride to wherever you want to go. That day was a realization of the post cards I saw and the lessons learned in civics and culture during my grade school years. It was time to see the real Banaue Rice Terraces.The terraces follow the curves of the mountainsides like they never cease to end. They are fantastic! It was like postcards everywhere, perhaps even more than postcards! Inexpressible! The considerably large town of Banaue that is minified by the very dominant mountains can be seen from the distance.As we went further above, we stopped by a view site where the printed part of the rice terraces on the new 20-peso bill was taken as well as that seen on the old 1000-peso bill. Down the mountain, a river continuously flows, giving life to every grain of rice that is grown on these magnificent staircases of rice paddies. Not a single machine is used to bring water from one paddy to another. The whole system simply follows one principle: gravity.

The view from above of the rice terraces close to Banaue was very nice but we didn't have enough time to scramble down to them, and get to Sagada too. But, we found that there are lots of rice terraces to visit. We saw many from Banaue to Bontoc and Bontoc to Sagada. We finally visited some near Sagada.

Rice terraces galore in and around Banaue. Batad being the highlight. Everything easily accesible on a good pair of hiking boots. Note, though, that Banaue is just your starting point.

Nice introductin to rice terraces before seeing the highlight in Batad.To see the terraces you can walk or better book a tricycle.You can bokk the tr. in the tourist office at the main road.Price for a 1-2hr tour to Banaue view point and another place nearby (B... forgot the name). The tricycle stops at intersting places - view points - whenever requested. Price 750PHP.Same for a tour to Batad. plus some entrance fee (50PHP).A guide is not needed. it's so simple, you can walk alone.Don't get confused in case you are told the teraces are not accessible due to a "ceremony". Just rent a tricycle and go. ok, You may not be allowed to go into the terraces, but still you can perfectly see them from top, and this is what counts.Ignore the touts! I was offered a 2-day tour to the terraces for 5800PHP, incl. tricycle, guide and hotel (hotel would have been 250PHP!).Completely unnecessary ! Better go to the tourist office!

I visited Banaue Rice Terraces some years ago when I got a rental car and drove around Southern / central and Western Luzon. The rice fields blew me away having never seen any rice fields before let a lone so massive. There is an amazing history to it too going back a very long time. I stayed in an accommodation across from there. it was amazing to awaken to in the morning. Simply breath-taking. A must see for anyone!! We only observed this from a distance, not realizing it was possible to go on what appeared like private land.

I remember growing up how I love to see the picture of Banaue Rice Terraces or Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan. I remember my elementary days; I’m very much in love with my favorite subject, Sibika at Kultura. Every time I read those books, the picture of Banaue Rice Terraces was one of the most highlights.As we entered Banaue. My heart began searching this perfect spot. We rented tricycle with our tour guide, Allan to visit the famous place. Because, we only have limited time, our destination was in Bangaan Rice Terraces, but good enough to see those parts of rice terraces.There was certain of joy and happiness when I saw the famous spot. True enough, this captivating beauty is really amazing, proudly enough to remember that it was hailed as the 8th Wonders of the World.

Travelling throughout Luzon you are immediately faced with iconic rice terraces in every shade of green shimmering across the hillsides. Numerous photo stops along the mountain roads offer varying views and every terrace in different in its own way. Most are fully accessible by foot and open to tourists, with long steep steps and boulders to get down to the base and then precarious walks across narrow walls to traverse the terraces, before a steep climb back up to the roadside - but every step is worth it. Wear sturdy footwear as it will be slippery as it does rain a lot in banaue even in the 'dry' season. Those that have working communities in them are warm and welcoing and the children love the attention from the tourists and giggle profusely if you take their photo and show it to them on your digital camera. So worthy of becoming a UNESCO heritage site.

What a magnificent tourist site! Having traveled in many countries, Banaue is one of my favorite places for its shear beauty. Getting to the Terraces is sometimes tiring along busy roads, but stopping frequently to enjoy Philippine scenic beauty and local culture, and staying at least overnight adds to the wonderful experience. Even in heavy rains the sights are breath taking.Take time to enjoy local meals in small restaurants: so friendly and excellent Filipino foods.

DON'T go there during RAINY season! You won't see a thing except foggy clouds that enveloped the rice terraces. I am not kidding. When it rains, it rains in the morning, afternoon and evening for days. The first trip was a more 25km run in the rain from Lagawe(capital town) to Banaue. Was so tired & disappointed. Could not see a thing, but foreigners on their umbrellas trying to shoot the fog. The 2nd trip was going to Mountain Province. Same thing, just raining! couldn't see a thing! This time though I hitched with friends!The 3rd trip was OK! It wasn't raining but gloomy and the fog lifted!This is what you see when you're coming from Banaue town to see the rice terraces.1st stop: The Main View Point- pretty but ehhhh! Just go ahead & buy souvenirs.2nd stop: Dayanara View Point- this is the most beautiful site of all, trust me! Buy more souvenirs, wear some Ifugao attire & stuff. There is a FEE of course!3rd stop: The View Point- it's all the way up high! this is the view where the fog stays later. This is where you can hike also to the terraces. We didn't, too crappy and muddy! Buy more souvenirs, wear Ifugao attire & have selfies.This time I was able to see a beautiful waterfall that's coming from the top of the mountain. You can hire tricycle to bring you up then work the way down. I don't know the fee, but I know that haggling is the best way to go. What to bring:waterproof everything as much as possible! You energy to hike! Your energy bars, bottled water is available almost any stall/store you come upon. Don't forget those wipes, very important!

The Banaue Rice Terraces is so amazing. I was mesmerized by its beauty. You can see the terraces in different angles. As we traversing the road going to the main view point of the terraces , different angles of the terraces can be viewed as there were signage for photo ops. Our country is so blessed to have such a wonderful landscape. Let us do our share in protecting such wonder.

This review is destined for non-backpackers, people like myself who are over fifty, consider themselves fit enough for trekking rice terraces, and thought they were OK with baseline conditions (I wasn't!). I'll have to watch out for my level of comfort being challenged. The quality of the rice terraces of Banaue and Batad is not the question here, they are breathtaking, it's accommodation.If considering a trek to Banaue and Batad, first, reserve a good place to stay in Banaue, like Sanofe Lodge, which will serve as your base. Guides are a dime a dozen, it's more important to find a place to stay that doesn't occupy your mind because it's so beneath the level of comfort you're used to (my experience). The guide we hired because friends had hiked with him reserved a room for us at Halfway Lodge because of his connections there. On seeing the room, I wanted to walk right out and find some other place to stay. I almost did, but there was no room better elsewhere. The room was decent, clean, and the staff was friendly and helpful, but it was so far from what I am used to when traveling. That said, Halfway Lodge has a pleasant balcony the floor above the restaurant where you can admire the rice terraces opposite.It is worth your while to study the transport from Banaue to the various viewpoints and villages, if you're not hiking everywhere. Our guide had a tricycle, which we had to pay for, but that meant we sat in the exhaust over bumpy roads for long distances. However we were free to stay as long or as short as we wanted at each stop. This also meant we hadn't thought of this extra charge; and there are no ATMs in Banaue! One must bring far more cash than one expects to spend in Banaue and Batad. The nearest ATM is in Lagawe, 22 km away.The rice terraces in Banaue are modest compared to those in Batad, which are like an amphitheater of rice terraces, simply stupendous. You actually don't need a guide from Saddle to Batad, there are no possibilities you might lose your way if walking in daylight. Nor do you really need a guide to go into the rice terraces in Batad or down to the waterfall. If you're hiking from Batad to Banaue via Banga-an then it's worth taking a guide.If you consider spending the night in Batad, and your guide says you have a 'private room' with all amenities, don't assume you do, because chances are, you don't. At Hillside Lodge, the comfort was limited (cover of foam mattress was cloth bags stitched together that had contained flour in a prior lifetime), bathroom not clean, toilet non-flush, but again the staff was friendly if shy. But the hike into the rice terraces and down to the waterfalls is grueling, so spending the night in Batad is actually a good idea.We got there via Dangwa Bus from Cubao, QC, out of an awfully cramped bus terminal where the bus drivers kept the motors running so you sit and wait in the fumes of exhaust. But the buses leave right on schedule.A must: the two museums in Banaue are definitely worth a visit, Banaue Museum, and Museum of Cordilleran Sculpture especially.If you are into acquiring bululs (rice gods) or other Ifugao sculpture, artist Delfin Campol's art gallery beside the Dangwa bus station is full of interesting artifacts within a reasonable range of prices.Big bonus: my husband's wallet fell out of his pocket on our trip back to Manila on Dangwa Bus from Banaue. We thought, lost forever. Wrong! The bus conductor picked it up, gave it to the management and we recovered it intact, with all the credit cards, cash, and ID. Thanks to Ferdinand Gamagam, said bus conductor, for his integrity.

Nature wonder indeed! I've visited the place 3 times. After Banaue, I recommend you visit Sagada as well.

Great place to visit if touring in The Philippines. The ancient rice terraces are beautiful seen from the top viewing point. There were a few local Ifugao hanging out at the viewing point for photo oppertunities (you should tip). We got a tricycle to the top viewing point and walked back down to the town, there are a few viewing points along the way and one had a lovely old man living there who would let you take photos with his traditional outfits and weapons for a donation. This place was worth the long journey from Manila.