Banaue Rice Terraces Hiking Tours
Banaue Rice Terraces Hiking Tours
Banaue Rice Terraces Hiking Tours
4.5
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Spectacular terraces were carved out from mountain ranges some 2000 years ago with primitive handtools.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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- Elise M1 contributionAmazing trek of 3 days with JercyWe spent 3 days walking in the rice terrasses with Jercy Cabbigat who was an amazing guide, always caring about us and motivating us when it was most needed ! And we got to immerse in the life of Banaue, got drinks at the end of the day in a paradise in the mountains. I highly recommend !Visited November 2023Traveled with friendsWritten November 17, 2023
- Claudia RotondoParis, France6 contributionsBanaue trek 2 daysIt was an amazing experience that we did with I think the best guide ever. His is Jercy Cabbigat, you can find him and contact him on Facebook. He is so kind, and he made us a lot of surprise, please contact him, he proposed an amazing 2days trek, trust him you will have the best view tips and experience of your life in the banaue terasses We fully recommend him !!!!! Claudia and ClaraVisited August 2023Traveled with friendsWritten November 24, 2023
- Tom V2 contributionsBanaue wondersThe area is amazing, I've never seen anything like it before in my many years of travel. I strongly recommend to take a tour guide as there's no navigation just paths leading somewhere. Besides the wealth of information you get from the guide is simply amazing. I've learned a lot and the area has become more than just nice views to me. My guide was Jercy Cabbigat and I can recommend him to everyone. He really takes care of you, lets you mingle in the local life and most important is a funny guy. You can book him via facebook messenger and the price is right.Visited January 2024Traveled soloWritten January 12, 2024
- Daniel LCopenhagen, Denmark30 contributionsGood views, but Batad is betterBanaue rice terraces are ofcourse a beautiful sight, we unfortunately visited the terraces in march, which is out of season, when it comes to the green colored terraces. The views are spectacular and hiking in the terraces is recommended. I would recommend for the fit people to visit batad rice terraces instead, those are 10/10.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 2, 2024
- Mark TDumaguete City, Philippines59 contributionsIncredible sceneryIncredible place to visit when visiting Bohol. What really struck me about this place was the man hours it must of took to build the terraces by hand without machinery. To this day the rice is planted and harvested by hand, absolutely incredible. The ride off the main highway is an adventure within itself. It’s actually a beautiful drive up into the foothills. WARNING! As soon as you turn off the road onto the one lane track to restaurant/terraces be extremely careful especially if you’re riding a scooter. One wrong move and you’ll swimming in a rice patty. If you’re unsure or not used to driving a scooter it might be better to just park and walk. The restaurant is basic, but the food is actually really good. It’s local cuisine and made fresh. If you feel adventurous and in decent shape you can walk down the stairs/path (from restaurant) to get a view of the lower terraces.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 2, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Chloé R
Playa Honda, Spain7 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Batad is pretty. The whole 30km trek is tough. Don’t do it if you don’t like hiking. Just do the small walk from Batad.
We did the tour with Franz. We found his services terrible. He was high on drugs and drunk all the time. Drinking beer as much as he could, and gin on the evening to the point he was sleeping on the table. We heard from locals it is usual behaviour from him.
We were expecting private services or a small group but we ended up being 10.
The food was absolutely terrible and very small. Serving instant noodles is not okay. We never saw his mother’s delightful cooking your read about on the forums.
He completely useless, giving absolutely no explanation. We had 2 other guides with us. One gave us 1 explanation on the first day, got wasted on the second day. The third guide was at least walking on front, a shame his English wasn’t so great.
On the way back, we were dropped at a restaurant with no other explanation than have dinner and shower. All other people were staying at his. If the ladies in the restaurant weren’t here we would have missed our bus as Franz completely forgot about us, but still sent someone to catch us before we left to collect the money. Money that paid countless beers and 10 bottles of gin...
The guides were in such no hurry that we left late both mornings very late despite everyone waiting for them. Every break was at least 45 min so they could drink their beers. The first evening, we ended up walking in the complete darkness despise walking at a good pace.
We much would have preferred to hear they had too many people than going through that catastrophy.
We very much regret coming to Banaue. If it wasn’t for Batad view, it would have been terrible on every single point.
What a waste of money and time.
We did the tour with Franz. We found his services terrible. He was high on drugs and drunk all the time. Drinking beer as much as he could, and gin on the evening to the point he was sleeping on the table. We heard from locals it is usual behaviour from him.
We were expecting private services or a small group but we ended up being 10.
The food was absolutely terrible and very small. Serving instant noodles is not okay. We never saw his mother’s delightful cooking your read about on the forums.
He completely useless, giving absolutely no explanation. We had 2 other guides with us. One gave us 1 explanation on the first day, got wasted on the second day. The third guide was at least walking on front, a shame his English wasn’t so great.
On the way back, we were dropped at a restaurant with no other explanation than have dinner and shower. All other people were staying at his. If the ladies in the restaurant weren’t here we would have missed our bus as Franz completely forgot about us, but still sent someone to catch us before we left to collect the money. Money that paid countless beers and 10 bottles of gin...
The guides were in such no hurry that we left late both mornings very late despite everyone waiting for them. Every break was at least 45 min so they could drink their beers. The first evening, we ended up walking in the complete darkness despise walking at a good pace.
We much would have preferred to hear they had too many people than going through that catastrophy.
We very much regret coming to Banaue. If it wasn’t for Batad view, it would have been terrible on every single point.
What a waste of money and time.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudia Rotondo
Paris, France6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
It was an amazing experience that we did with I think the best guide ever. His is Jercy Cabbigat, you can find him and contact him on Facebook.
He is so kind, and he made us a lot of surprise, please contact him, he proposed an amazing 2days trek, trust him you will have the best view tips and experience of your life in the banaue terasses
We fully recommend him !!!!!
Claudia and Clara
He is so kind, and he made us a lot of surprise, please contact him, he proposed an amazing 2days trek, trust him you will have the best view tips and experience of your life in the banaue terasses
We fully recommend him !!!!!
Claudia and Clara
Written November 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue S
Bishops Stortford, UK207 contributions
Feb 2020
As a wonder of the world this does not disappoint. Be prepared to walk down 300+ steps to the village and find out about rice growing in this area. You can borrow/ire a walking pole at the top to help you over the uneven surfaces. The people of the village are warm and friendly and will show you around. A briliant morning.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom V
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
The area is amazing, I've never seen anything like it before in my many years of travel. I strongly recommend to take a tour guide as there's no navigation just paths leading somewhere. Besides the wealth of information you get from the guide is simply amazing. I've learned a lot and the area has become more than just nice views to me. My guide was Jercy Cabbigat and I can recommend him to everyone. He really takes care of you, lets you mingle in the local life and most important is a funny guy. You can book him via facebook messenger and the price is right.
Written January 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elise M
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Friends
We spent 3 days walking in the rice terrasses with Jercy Cabbigat who was an amazing guide, always caring about us and motivating us when it was most needed ! And we got to immerse in the life of Banaue, got drinks at the end of the day in a paradise in the mountains. I highly recommend !
Written November 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Esti_sai
London, UK79 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
I think this place is spectacular. Don't take a guide, just stay with locals in Batad (I stayed with Christina Inn right in the middle of the rice fields).
The place is a true wonder. If you want to trek you can do 3 days trekking but for that you may need a guide.
The place is a true wonder. If you want to trek you can do 3 days trekking but for that you may need a guide.
Written November 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerry H
7 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
The entire experience was exhilarating and physically challenging. Our guide, June, did an excellent job at pacing us and giving us breaks while also educating us on the history and local customs and way of life in the terraces. He was thoughtful and patient and always offering to take our pictures. We had a blast and learned so much.
Written February 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Evangelos A
9 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
Overall a great experience!! I had for guide a local person Jercy. He is an amazing person really friendly , knows the area really good !! He also told me some history abou the Philippines. I was solo and also he was really open to customise our route which is highly appreciated! Also the views and the villages are so beautiful and the sun was making all of it even more magical ! Thanks. Lot for everything..
Written January 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stlrams
Sylva, NC32 contributions
If you’ve been to the Philippines or are thinking of visiting and think it’s all beaches, water sports, and sunbathing; you’re wrong (only slightly though). There is a region in the country made famous by its magnificent rice terraces that spread across a network of small farming villages high in the mountains in North Luzon. I have to say it truly is a magical place, so amazing, and utterly beautiful. The best time to visit this region is April and May when the rice is set for harvest and at its greenest. Though the guidebooks will tell you Banaue is the best place to visit, they’re wrong. Though Banaue has some beautiful rice terraces, the town itself is very busy, a little rundown, and not so cozy. You should however hire a driver to take you to the viewpoint and see the town’s great rice terraces before leaving. The roundtrip journey costs only three dollars. You’re much better off going to the town of Batad or Bangaan and sleeping there for a couple of days. The Family Inn & Guesthouse is the only guesthouse/hotel in the town of Bangaan but it offers clean rooms, great views, a nice restaurant, and inexpensive rates to its guests. Batad has a larger number of accommodation options and all of the guesthouses provide guests with great views of the amphitheater shaped rice terraces. There is no need to worry about reservations because the flow of tourists does not ever fill up the entire town. You can easily spend a few days viewing the rice terraces, hiking from village to village, viewing waterfalls, or just enjoying the clean air. There are maps available to guide you around the region and none of the trails are too strenuous. This is also a child-friendly area where the kids can have some fun playing in the great natural setting. The easiest way to reach this part of the Philippines is by road from Manila. I’ll warn you that the bus ride is very long and you may want to consider hiring a private car to get you here. You’ll want to find an overnight bus from Manila to Banaue that leaves from the Autobus terminal in Cubao. The trip costs $10 and leaves around 10PM arriving in Banaue early the next morning. If you wish to head to Batad or Bangaan, wait in the main square for a local bus headed for Mayayow and ask the driver to let you off at the junction for Batad or near the Family Inn in Bangaan. If you’re headed to Batad it’s roughly a two-hour hike from the bus drop off up and down the mountain to the town, but believe me it’s well worth the journey. Once in Batad you have the option of staying in town or hiking onward to another town. If you decide to stay here, and you’ll be happy you did, you can enjoy the magnificent amphitheater style rice terraces or the nearby waterfall that is perfect for a refreshing did. After a day or two in Batad you can either head further into the mountains or head back towards Banaue via Bangaan. There is an easy but fantastic hiking trail that winds its way across the rice terraces and through small farming communities on the way to Bangaan from Batad. It will take you about two hours to reach Bangaan and if you arrive before 11AM you still have the ability to catch a bus back to Banaue that day. If you miss the last bus and can’t hitch a ride with a local, consider staying at the Family Inn and Guesthouse for the night. It’s very well located and offers great views of the town’s rice terraces. Heading back to Manila requires another overnight bus journey or a multi-stop day bus with three or four vehicle changes along the way. Be warned that the night bus leaves you in Manila at 2:30AM far from hotels. The day option is to get a jeepney headed south and ask to be let of at “the junction” (it may take two or three connections to make it here). From here wait on the side of the road for any big bus headed south and wave it down. It’s only another six hours to Manila from there and you’ll arrive at a much better time than 2:30AM.
Written May 9, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Storyteller30115
Calgary, Alberta5 contributions
I was recently in the Northern Philippines (Jan 2006) and had the opportunity to spend some time in Banaue, as well as the region north of Banaue called Hungduan.
The rice terraces are definitely worth seeing and without question should be included as one of the 'wonders of the world.' The terraces North of Banaue were also incredibly beautiful.
The town of Banaue itself is a little run down. The number of tourists would probably be much higher if it were not for the overall conditions. That said, I would not hesitate to go back.
The rice terraces are definitely worth seeing and without question should be included as one of the 'wonders of the world.' The terraces North of Banaue were also incredibly beautiful.
The town of Banaue itself is a little run down. The number of tourists would probably be much higher if it were not for the overall conditions. That said, I would not hesitate to go back.
Written February 25, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour
Je souhaite contacter le guide Miller à Banaue.
J aimerais obtenir ses coordonnées,
Merci d'avance
MG
Written April 24, 2024
Hello, I don't know if I should post this here but please refer me to the right thread.
My in laws are visiting the Cordillera region in April 2020. They're retirees and need of a french speaking tour guide/driver for the trip. Is there any leads do you guys know? Thanks
Written December 5, 2019
Hi there. I don’t know a guide who speaks french however you may try reaching out with Banaue Hotel as we have stayed there and they have local tours if I remember. They may recommend some people.
Written December 28, 2019
Hi guys, i am going this weekend from Manila to Banaue because of time I have just one day to spend there. Have anyone done the same and can recommend me what to see or do in a day please? Also I heard is good to hire a private transport and a guide is better to do it before or after arrival ?do you know some page where book it?
Thank you 😊🙏
Written October 31, 2019
Hi, an overnight would do at least in my opinion. The hike we did to explore the banaue rice terraces and waterfall took 4 hours one way and another 3 hours or so (based on your pace) to go back. It will be tiring but doable. then go straight to the souvenir shops (if you like to buy memento of your trip).
As for the private transport, there are groups doing joined hikes but also overnight minimum. :(
Written November 13, 2019
Bonjour,
nous comptons faire un trek de 2-3 jours Banaue - Batad fin décembre . pensez vous que c'est faisable côté météo ?
Dans notre groupe nous avons une personne sujet au vertige . est ce vraiment à pic ? Y a t il moyen d'éviter certains passages lors des treks? nous ne prendrons pas le risque de faire le trek si celà devait être trop pénible pour notre amie .
merci pour les infos que vous pourriez m'apporter .
Written September 11, 2019
Bonjour, la marche se fait essentiellement sur les rizières donc sur des passages étroits avec le vide. Il y a des chemins assez escarpés, grimper des escaliers un peu à pic. Il n'existe qu'un chemin dans les rizières pour atteindre les villages et vous ne pourrez pas faire demi tour car suivant le circuit que vous prenez il faudra compter au minimum 8 heures de marches pour votre premier escale.
Si votre amie a le vertige franchement j'éviterai de faire le treck de 3 jours. Par contre vous pouvez passer la journée sur HAPAO avec un guide, beaucoup plus accessible. Vous pourrez profiter du paysage et des sources chaudes.
Bon voyage
Written September 12, 2019
Does anyone know if the rice fields are susceptible to typhoons and if it is safe to travel as a foreigner during rainy season?
Written August 9, 2019
Hello. While the rice terraces themselves suffer little damage during the rainy season, the roads are susceptible to mudslides and other damages which may impede or harm a traveller. Better to wait until the wet season passes.
Written August 10, 2019
Hi,
Is it possible to make Banaue rice terraces and Batad terraces in 2 days?
I was planning to take the overnight bus from Manila to Banaue.
Than will take tricycle to saddle and hike to Batad. Will spend the night in Batad.
In the morning will go back to Banaue spend rest of day in Banaue and at night will go back to Manila.
Is that possible?
Cause i read it somewhere.
Thanks.
Written June 15, 2019
Yes it is possible! My fiance and I we're able to stay in Banaue and hike to the rice terraces the evening we arrived. Approximately 3-4hours time. Or you could pay someone to drive you to the top very easily. The next day our hotel provided a driver with a motorcycle and he took us to Batad. We left early in the morning and then we returned that evening around 6 p.m.. if you scheduled a night bus that night you could make it work in 2 days. If you took 3 days its plenty of time and you wouldn't have to rush just fyi.
Written June 18, 2019
If youre going to Batad its quite a walk and going up and down.. if youre not fit to walk you might not enjoy it.. id say do a small hike and warm up for it just to be prepared. But you absolutely can just chill and relax and enjoy the view of rice terraces from your hotel room if you stay at Batad trasient house/home. They have a great view from there.
Written August 14, 2019
Ciao a tutti, è fattibile fare questi terrazzamenti in una giornata A/R da Manila o è troppo faticoso e non si riesce a vedere tutto? Gradirei un cortese risposta da chi c'è già stato, grazie mille in anticipo :)
Written January 11, 2019
Bonjour,
Pourrais-je avoir les coordonnées de Jercy si vous les avez gardé?
Merci :)
Written January 11, 2019
bonjour, voici son facebook:(je ne peut pas mettre le lien complet
jercy.cabbigat
Written January 12, 2019
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