Sagada & Banaue Rice Terraces 4-Day Tour
Time to go on an adventure and explore the aesthetic creations in Sagada & Banaue Rice Terraces!
Sagada, a fifth-class municipality in the Mountain Province, as of 2015 had only 11,000 inhabitants. The life of this small community is pretty calm and simple but it features an all-year-round cool climate that is far colder than Baguio, which draws domestic travelers. Aside from that, it has a lot to offer travelers, history fans, and adventurers alike.
Travel using public transportation from Manila to Cordillera Region located approximately 400km North of Manila. The journey begins in Sagada, a town in the Mountain Province known for its stunning scenery, delicious cuisine, imposing caves, and intriguing hanging coffins. Feel the ambiance of Sagada at night with its simplicity and peace, fantastic selection of restaurants, local craft brews, and you shouldn’t miss the renowned Sagada Coffee.
Sagada claims itself to be a walking town as a result of the residents’ desire to stay away from many vehicles. Visit Sumaguing Cave, also referred to as the “Big Cave” due to its huge cave chambers, and get a taste of the renowned Igorot tribes’ culture and traditions.
From the Mountain Province, we’ll take a private vehicle to Ifugao Province, home to the famous rice terraces – part of five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, that are still being preserved and used by the locals for farming. Today, the province draws thousands of tourists because of its rich culture and traditions.
You will get to experience the best of the Ifugao rice terraces over the course of the following two days, as well as the chance to witness a sunset and awaken to a vista of the Batad Rice Terraces. Our first day in Ifugao included a four-hour journey to the Tappiya Falls and the Batad Rice Terraces, as well as a few stops to visit both traditional and modern Ifugao homes in Batad Village. On our second day, we make a three-hour climb to Bangaan Terraces, where there was an adorable tiny community with preserved Ifugao homes. According to legend, if the terraces were put end to end, they would encompass half of the world. The Ifugaos’ dedication to working hard to make a living is evident in the rice terraces.
After lunch at Bangaan Village, we will drive 45 minutes on a privately hired jeepney to the town of Banaue, where we will have the option to shower and rest, before we get on the public bus back to Manila and voilà, it’s the tour of your life that you don’t want to miss out!
Highlights
- Visit the Ifugao Rice Terraces - A UNESCO world heritage site
- Hear stories behind the Hanging Coffins of Sagada.
- Meet the locals of Cordillera Region.
- Overnight in a guest house overlooking Batad Rice Terraces.
- Tread the most challenging but rewarding terrains and caves.
- Experience the absolute paradise of Sagada that will leave you in awe.
Tour Itinerary
- Day 1
20:00 – Depart from Abraham Hostel Manila
21:00 – Get on the public bus to Sagada
Overnight on the bus - Day 2
09:30 – Arrive in Sagada, meet your guide at the bus stop
09:40 – Breakfast, check into your guesthouse room
11:30 – Short hike to the Hanging Coffins and the Echo Valley
13:00 – See traditional women weavers
13:30 – Lunch at a restaurant in Sagada
15:00 – Leave for Sumaguing Cave
15:15 – Arrive at Sumaguing Cave
18:15 – Exit the cave
18:30 – Back to the guest house in Sagada, dinner on your own, free evening.
Optional evening activities: Local Brewery & Distillery and Ceramic Workshop
Overnight at Rock Inn Hotel in Sagada - Day 3
07:00 – Breakfast at the guesthouse
08:00 – Check out ot your room, start driving
09:15 – View point stop of the rice terraces
09:45 – Visit the Ifugao House museum
10:45 – Arrive at the trailhead to Batad, walk to Batad (20~ minutes walk)
11:15 – Arrive in Batad. Check in your room and have lunch
12:30 – Hike of Batad Rice Terraces, Tappiya Waterfalls, and Old Batad village
17:30 – Arrive back at the guest house, free evening & dinner on your own
Overnight at Hillside Inn, Batad - Day 4
07:00 – Breakfast at the guesthouse
08:00 – Start a 3 hours hike to the village of Bangaan
11:30 – Lunch at Bangaan Village
12:30 – Jeepney ride to Banaue
14:45 – Arrive in Banaue, stop at a hotel-restaurant for drinks and shower
16:00 – Get on the public bus back to Manila
02:00 – Arrive in the bus station in Manila
03:00- Arrive back in Abraham Hostel ManilaNB: All times are approximate
Good to Know
- Pick up Point: Abraham Hostel
- Advise ahead of time if Vegan or with Food Allergies
- Things to bring: Camera, Cash for food & drinks and more, Hat, Sunscreen, Walking Shoes/Hiking Sandals, Light Jacket
WHAT'S INCLUDED
INCLUDED
- Transportation to all sites
- Entrance fees to all sites
- Daily Breakfast, lunch on day 3
- Local Guides in Sagada and Banaue
- Hostel accommodation for two nights – In Sagada and Batad
EXCLUDED
- Drinks
- Dinners
- Lunch on day 1 and 2
FAQ'S
How long is the drive from Manila to Sagada?
Estimated 11 -12 hours
Is there a toilet inside the bus and stops along the way?
The bus has a small toilet inside and 1 stop along the way where passengers can get off the bus, other stops are for dropping off passengers
How long is the drive from Sagada to Banaue?
Estimated 2.5 hours with stops
Should I bring extra cash?
Yes, for lunch, dinner, drinks, snacks, souvenirs etc.
What should I wear?
Hiking attire, rain jacket for light rain, walking shoes or hiking sandals, long sleeves shirt – as it can get a bit chilly at night
Are there restaurants to choose from in Sagada and Batad?
Yes, and also the guesthouses where we will stay serve dinner
What is the best time to see the Rice Terraces? Is it always with a perfect green color?
Ifugao people plant rice once a year and as much as possible they try to follow their old cycle, September to November is the cleaning and preparing the rice fields, followed by December to February for sowing and planting. Pest management and weeding is from March to April, followed by seed collection from May to June, which they will use for the next crop. Ifugao finally harvest rice from July to August.
What are the types of accommodation in Sagada and Batad?
basic backpackers accommodation, mostly with separate toilet and shower rooms.
Are there ATM machines in Sagada and Banaue?
Yes, but please bring cash for the whole duration of the tour because they are not always reliable, and credit cards are usually not accepted over there.
What is the weather in Sagada and Banaue?
both are situated more than 4,000 ft (1200m) above sea level, average temperature is between 15-20 celsius during daytime. Hottest months are from March to May which is between 15-30 celsius but it’s always unpredictable in the mountains that sometimes there’s rain during summer time.