Batad, Mountain Province, Philippines
On our way up 4,000 feet above sea level, the trail got narrower and coarser. This, among all my adventures, challenged my endurance and spirit the most. I never imagined the trek to be that intense.
To revive our drained bodies, we’d find ourselves resting and marveling every so often at those glorious natural wonders – feathery clouds hanging over mountain peaks; clear water rushing down steep and rocky ridges; and birds gleefully chirping much to our nodding heart’s content. Still, I got this feeling that the trail was unimaginably never-ending.
As the three of us ran out of remarkable people to crack jokes about, I soon found myself very much consumed by the silence.
A few more strides (ahaha!) and we reached the summit. Great, we just covered half of the trek!
I'd run out of words narrating this humbling encounter with Mother Nature. Let the photos tell the rest of the story.
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 | "Once upon a time.... in a far far away land....." |
| mukhang maganda dito. may accomodation? :D |
 | Marlon! I wanna go to Batad rin! Seems like a good experience! :-D |
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 | sino yang igorot na totoy na yan? |
 | Hi.. it's my dream to see this area.. I will be coming back maybe Nov 08 or Jan 09 . How many days do i need to see most of the area? Are there tour operators ? any suggestions will be be appreciated.. thanks alex |
 |  Hi.. it's my dream to see this area.. I will be coming back maybe Nov 08 or Jan 09 . How many days do i need to see most of the area? Are there tour operators ? any suggestions will be be appreciated.. thanks alex  i was just being the spontaneous drag-along buddy (in tagalog, kaladkarin) when my friends invited me to trek the mountains of ifugao more than 2 years ago. therefore, I've no info on private tours in banawe. but this was how we went there:
Bus from Manila to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (we took the Victory liner bus headed for Tuguegarao and got off at Solano, Bayombong - we spent a night first in Solano, then headed to Bayombong town proper the next morning), jeepney ride from Bayombong Town Proper to Lagawe (about 1.5 to 2 hours), another jeepney ride from Lagawe to Banawe (30 minutes to an hour?), tricycle or jeepney from Banawe to the junction, from the junction you need to walk and follow the trail till you reach the Batad Village, a UNESCO heritage site (3-4 hour hike).
There are few accommodations in Batad. We stayed at the Hillside Inn - 100per person per night. Due to work commitments, we stayed there overnight only, but you could stay there longer, depending on your preference. I suggest that you go there with an experienced guide/mountaineer.
Anyway, just google for more info on Banawe tours. You may also want to consider Sagada first. I heard the trek is easier. |
| Walang eroplano... It's sad kasi ang last name ko eh Baguio hindi pa ako nakakarating sa Mountain province and Banawe area.. siguro dyan ang mga kamaganak ko...Salamat sa tips will do my research... Tricycle baka mahulog sa bangin? Sagada doon yung mga libingan sa kuweba? thank you again. |
| Salamat. Parang parusa yata ang hiking.. I'm going to do my research siguro mas mabuti kung jan. para walang ulan. Did you feel safe ? Baka ako lang ang magpunta kasi all my friends sa Pinas busy lahat at ayaw ng adventure.. gusto sa beach lang ang mga taga US naman it's too far daw...So siguro mag hahire na lang guide. Mabait naman ang locals? siguro walang kidnapan. kasi walng tutubos sa akin...How about Batanes? thank you.. have great weekend. |
| Salamat.. will try to browsse that website later.. how about Antulang Beach Resort sa Dumaguete? |
| Salamat.. will try to browsse that website later.. how about Antulang Beach Resort sa Dumaguete? |
| thanks...It looks promising and relaxing...not like Batad.. hehehehe.. |
 | Lon! i archive mo to haha! |
 | eazy360 wrote on May 11, edited on May 11 *missing Batad* when i return, i want to hike to the other villages like pat-yay. nice set. btw batad is in banaue, ifugao province. |
 | This looks familiar. Is this at People's Lodge? |
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