Though not as dramatic as its neighboring rice terraces, Batad is well worth a visit as a side-trip from Banaue. Local villages dot the landscape, and the friendly villagers are accustomed to tourists hiking to the scenic Tappiyah waterfalls and stopping to buy traditional woven cloth and handmade knives.
A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
The village of Batad is perhaps the best place to view the region's rice terraces, although it requires a roughly 40-minute trek to access from the main road. Getting around on foot is recommended, as it affords the visitor a feel for how massive and expansive the surrounding terraces are.
Meet the people whose ancestors engineered the rice terraces and learn about the ways in which they continue to work the land as their forefathers did centuries ago. The older Ifugao still wear their traditional dress, which consists of a feathered headdress and woven red fabrics.
Have dinner at a casual local restaurant chosen by your guide, where you can dine family-style on Philippine specialties such as adobo (crispy chicken or pork slow-cooked with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaf, and black peppercorns); pansit (a Filipino version of Chinese stir-fried noodles); or lumpia (spring rolls). Make sure to pair your dinner with a couple of bottles of the de facto national brew, San Miguel.
Banaue is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its amazing, emerald-green, mud-walled rice terraces — some 20,000 hectares of them created by hand labor over 2000 years ago by the Ifugao tribal people. Your guide will lead you to the best viewpoints to take in and photograph the spellbinding terraces and steep hillsides, before taking you to the more remote terrace sites of Hapao and Hungduan, which are also UNESCO sites.
While in Batad, hike into the hillsides surrounding the town to the picturesque Tappiyah Falls for a cooling swim at its base.
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.
Beginning in the bustling capital of Manila and finishing in the relaxing paradise of El Nido, this 11-day itinerary takes you through the Philippines' most popular destinations. Taste Manila's Chinese-Filipino heritage, witness centuries-old rice terraces, explore caves and see the hanging coffins, and lounge on white sand beach on this balanced getaway.
Divers and snorkelers alike will delight in this 17-day two-part luxurious holiday in the Philippines. The first half is spent exploring the Filipino culture, natural features and history. The second half is spent exploring the active corals, several dive sites and lush white-sand beaches from a lush cruise charter.
Island hop through the idyllic Philippines on this 16-day luxury tour. Visit several of the country’s historical heritage sites, relax on serene beaches and experience Latin-Asian fusion cultures. Gorge on fresh local food in the popular markets. Search for lively fish as you snorkel Palawan's active coral reefs.
This National Geographic Traveler award-winning trip provides an insightful glimpse of the capital, Manila, as well as rice terrace treks in Banuae and excursions to the cliffs of Sagada and tropical forests of Baguio, across 7 adventurous days.
Multi-Country Specialists
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.
As the trip progressed strangers became friends. Particularly special was the effortlessness: perfect logistics, never having to worry about anything, and, of course, the charming and thoughtful way you organised everything.
There was an authenticity to the type of experience set up for us that made every city we visited special and gave us countless moments we will never forget.
It wasn't our first trip with Remote Lands but again they proved they are the best! Everything ran smoothly from start to finish.
