Batad Rice Terraces

Agricultural · Banaue ·

Batad Rice Terraces

Agricultural · Banaue ·

Spectacular 2000-year-old terraced paddies carved by hand

Information

Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines Get directions

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Still in use today, the Ifugao Rice Terraces were carved into the hillsides of Ifugao Province by hand some 2,000 years ago, and are fed by an elaborate irrigation system that captures water from the forests above. While many people explore this famed landscape from the town of Banaue, the Banaue Rice Terraces cluster here isn’t technically part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras UNESCO World Heritage site. These terraces are, however, designated a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government and are undeniably spectacular. But probably the most impressive of all the terraces are at Batad, a tiny, remote village in the municipality of Banaue that is only accessible by foot. Thanks to their pristine condition, these terraces—along with four other clusters—are included in the UNESCO inscription. The reward for your hike up is a panorama of a kind of enormous amphitheater where each level is actually a rice paddy and where the village of Batad takes the place of the central stage at its base. Maximize your experience by staying in one of the indigenous huts and wake up to a view of the terraces before you even get out of your cot."

The Best Things to Do in the Philippines

Photo by Tony Waltham/age fotostock

Batad Rice Terraces

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

The Best Things to Do in the Philippines

Photo by Tony Waltham/age fotostock

Batad Rice Terraces

Dave A.

Yelp

WHOA! Considered ONE of The MAN MADE WONDERS of WORLD, it's one of the Philippine National Treasures! Kinda like the Pyramids of Egypt, this is a similar amazing creation. Sure, it's a nice image to see on pictures but... BUT, it's TRULY VERY impressive to bear witness personally to human feats of ingenuity. So much, that we decided it was worth the 10 hour journey North from Manila through some nicely paved expressways, but also poorly constructed roads, unpaved roads, and definitely some serious twisty turny road condition craziness once in the Ifugao Region. My weak stomached son even had to sit up front in the transport when he was awake because the rumbly tummy was starting to churn with all the turning action. The Banaue Rice Terraces are part of the Ifugao Rice Terraces. Banaue is probably the most recognized of all of them, as it has been depicted on a version of the 1000 peso bill previously and mentioned when talking about Wonders of The World. We also visited the Hungduan Rice Terraces during this visit. Both quite spectacular in its formations but Banaue seemed to be more grandeur in its views. Weather was cool during the month of November. To get here, it isn't just pull it up on Google Maps & go. Some tourists got misdirected on their treks here thinking Google Maps works anywhere. NOT HERE! Well, not yet anyways ;) The owner of the Inn we stayed at (Native Village Inn) mentioned some tourists were a day late because this fact. Tough to hear that. Also, I noticed some of tourists' guides had some difficulty communicating with their customers. We chose the rent a car & find a driver route over following a group tour. Rems Tarlit (+63 908 358 8417) joined us close to Baguio & drove us to and around the Ifugao Region for three days. He spoke great English, displayed in depth knowledge of the people and land, and most important, friendly & personable. He made our visit well worth the effort. Worth coming here? Absolutely! It's been on my bucket list for a long time! CHECK! Easy recommendation :)

Jennifer B.

Yelp

Visiting Banaue Rice Terraces as a kid made me realize as an adult what a beautiful place this really is. I remember being lucky enough seeing it in all its pure and untouched glory: once during almost harvest time when the golden sprigs swayed with the wind, and another when it was all just plain and beautiful green. Fast forward to adulthood, I have been lucky enough to showcase it many times to many friends and family touring Nueva Vizcaya. Only a couple of hours away from home, it was something not to be missed. It was still beautiful then. Fast forward a few more years (and visits) later, I started noticing structures being built. And then more. And more. And more...? To the point the views during part of the drive were blocked by various buildings. Some of the view points I know and familiar with we're even gone. I wondered why this was allowed to happen. It's been called the eight wonder of the world, why wasn't it more regulated...? I was told by a lot of locals that the number of tourists have waned down because of this exact reason. "It isn't as pretty or attractive as it used to be, thanks to these kinds of developments..." But despite this, it really does still hold its natural beauty - one just has to find a way to get behind said structures. You succeed this, and the view is breathtaking. Plenty of eateries to find, most people are really nice and friendly, and it really is like nothing else in the world. Here's hoping it doesn't get developed too much... it'd be a shame to lose this gift nature had bestowed upon this province.

Ginger W.

Yelp

Amazing and truly a hardcore place to get to and not for the faint of heart. My childhood friend is Filipino and this was on her bucket list and asked me to go. I am SOOOOOO pleased we did not skimp and take a bus or something. We hired a tour guide and a driver at YOLO tours. They were life saving and fantastic the trip would be a disaster any other way. 10 long and windy and bumpy hour drive from Manila. There are huge trucks all along the way and you pass them around scary turns that only the most skilled driver could do. The terraces are beautiful and awe-inspiring. What nobody seems to mention ANYWHERE is that it's not hiking like one would think. When you look at the picture of the rice terraces you see the green. What you hike on is a thin cement/rock edge along the outer side of the terrace. No hand rails. And sometimes you could risk falling down to a terrace or sometimes you could risk falling down the side of a cliff. And sometimes there are rushing waterfalls next to you while trying to keep your balance. There are lots of steps steep down and up. Most were smaller than my size 9 US women's foot. I literally used my guide as a kind of Sherpa and used his forearm for balance. If you are afraid of heights it's quasi terrifying. I didn't fall either of the two days. I lived to tell the tale and survived the ride there and back. But I would say it's level 5 on the scale of craziest experiences I've had. We hiked one day in the rain in August holding umbrellas. Overall amazing. Gorgeous. Just be aware of the severity of what you are embarking on.