Some are put off by the thought of the long bus ride (9 hours from Manila to Banaue, 1.5hours from Banaue to Hungduan) and the tiring walk (approx. 2 hours from Hungduan poblacion to the hot spring), but those who have been there swear that all the sweat was all worth it. Afterall, the terraces look like stairways to heaven and the fog (especially in the afternoon) almost make it a walk in the clouds experience.
What makes it special is that the terraces were carved by hand and with little to no machinery into the mountains 2000 years ago. Water irrigation is not a problem in this mountains as water run from an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces.
For the safety of visitors, the local government recommend taking a guide before starting the hike. Expect an alternating flat and steep hike over cemented but often narrow path. Remember to fully stop when appreciating the magnificent views. It's a long way down, mind you.
Along the way, evidence of Ifugao life greet visitors. People hard at work, family travelling, and even death. They bury their dead in their backyards.
At the end of the trail is a hot spring to soothe those weary feet.
The tarraces do not stop. On the way back, the expanse of the terrace is more evident.
Hungduan Rice Terraces is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural Landscape. Right so, as it is magnificent and just breathtaking - literally and figuratively. What are you waiting for, the mountains are calling you.
Getting There:
Florida Bus Line has regular trips from Manila direct to Banaue. It leaves Sampaloc, Manila (Lacson St. cor. S. H. Loyola St.) at 9 p.m. From Baguio, KMS Bus Lines and Ohayami Trans leave for Banaue at least twice daily. You can get transportation to Hungduan from Banaue.Contacts:
Accommodation in BanaueBanaue View Inn (Php 900/night), read review here.
Barangay Poblacion, Banaue
• Lily Luglu
• (361) 161
Jeepney for hire
Manong Peter Ramos
• (63920) 2787558
Guide
Javes Beyer
• (63926) 2320243
stunning photos as always..I wanna try stepping to those ladder going to heaven.I knew the place is hard to reach but seeing your photos made me understand how worthwhile to give it a try..
ReplyDeleteP.s..
you've been away for a while ha..been dropping at your blog,good thing you have now something to offer..So refreshing post..
john here..=)
Very nice pictures and lucky you, you were able to visit one of the wonders of the World...
ReplyDeleteA tiring walk indeed, but once you're on top, I can just imagine how it felt like - feels like heaven, isn't it and you can just say to yourself, it's all worth it... Congrats!
thanks john! ive been so lazy to make a post. i forced myself to write this one. hehehe
ReplyDeleteyes, Arvee! At first, I was not set at going 'coz I know it's going to be a very tiring trip. In the end, I was happy I pushed through. Ang ganda ganda! :)
ReplyDeleteI have yet to see Banaue for myself. :) Maybe on my third trip to Sagada, I'll include Banaue in the itinerary. Awesome post, as always. :)
ReplyDeleteyou should! it wasn't on top of my list before pero iba pala pag nandun ka na. amazing experience!
ReplyDeletefantastic photos. bookmarking this post so I can refer to it when I finally make my way to the rice terraces :)
ReplyDeletei have so many photos, it was hard to choose which ones to include in this post. :)
ReplyDeletethe mountains are calling.. i'm hoping you get to go there soon.
Wow - that does seem like quite the journey, but seeing the images captured in those gorgeous photos in person sounds like it might just be worth it! If I'm ever in the area, I think I will just have to (attempt to) make the trek.
ReplyDeleteSara
qute a journey, indeed. emphasis on the trek. :) but the views more than made up for those weary feet.
ReplyDeletehope you get to see them in person. they are quite overwhelming.
lush green, hand made wonder!
ReplyDeletewhen i went in banaue, i spoke to a couple of foreigners. all of them have included banaue in their pinas trip. good choice i say =)
quite a journey.. i hope before the year ends, makapunta rin ako dyan.. great pics by the way!!
ReplyDeleteperfect choice! can't go wrong with banaue...
ReplyDeletethank you! it's something that I would do again despite the difficult journey. :) I'll be praying na matuloy ka nga. hehehe
ReplyDeleteParang gusto kong pumunta sa Cubao at sumakay ng bus ngayun!!!
ReplyDeletehahahah sama ko!! :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Nice scenery!
ReplyDeleteI hope I can also visit Banaue soon :)
i hope you get to visit it soon! it truly deserves the title "Eight Wonder of the World." :)
ReplyDeleteAng sisipag ng mga tao na nagtatrabaho sa rice terraces! yung mga bata nga, nagbibitbit nga mga sakong bigas at anlayo pa ng tatahakin nila. great photos! :D
ReplyDeletetama ka, ed. the ifugaos are very hard workers. must be in their blood. imagine how their ancestors made the terraces 2000 years ago with their bare hands.
ReplyDeletethanks for liking the photos & leaving a comment!
Wow, excellent pictures! Been there several times but I could never get the perfect pic haha. Have you head about the landslide there? Sayang naman :(
ReplyDeleteoo nga! i hope they can still do something about it.. sayang naman if ever. thanks aleah!
ReplyDeleteSuch fabulous shots you have here! Naengganyo akong pumunta dyan! :) Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeletethank you! :) punta ka! mas maganda pa sa personal ..
ReplyDeleteRice terraces as far as the eyes can see! Your snapshots of everything green are refreshing to the eyes.
ReplyDeletethank you gaye! my highschool teacher used to say that when you're not feeling well, just look at nature and you'll feel better. it must be true. napapawi kaagad ang pagod namin kapag natatanaw ang rice terraces.
ReplyDeletethe green surroundings always captivates me like WOW. and seriously? graves on backyards?...wooo.
ReplyDeleteyup yup! i even accidentally leaned on one (photo above) while catching my breath.. eeek!
ReplyDeleteHindi ito kaya ng 2 days kahit yung Banaue lang pupuntahan nyo 'no? Kelangan talaga 3 days or 4 days dahil sa land travel.
ReplyDeletekung banaue lang ang gusto mo, pwede. you leave for banaue on a friday night, then take the bus trip to manila at the end of the day of sunday. pero nandun ka na, sayang kung hindi mo mapuntahan ang sagada. :)
ReplyDeletecheck out our itinerary:
http://happysole.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/suggested-itinerary-for-banaue-sagada/
good for you..
ReplyDeletethanks! happy travels!
ReplyDeletewelcome... happy trips to you too... :)
ReplyDelete[...] Batad as the Backpacker’s Mecca • Photographs on the Road from Banaue to Sagada • Stairways to Heaven: Hungduan Rice Terraces • Banaue Accommodation: Banaue View Inn • Sagada - Where Time Stood Still • Playground of [...]
ReplyDeleteMy friends and i are planning to do a backpacking trip to banaue. I'll recommend ung iti mo. Alis ng fri then balik ng manila by sunday. we might just take the banaue-batad because of time constraints. Hope it turns out well (at di umulan) = )
ReplyDeletethanks, Ems! I will pray for good weather during your trip.. enjoy!
ReplyDelete