Melo Villareal
How do I get to Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao?
Banaue is one of the major tourist attractions in the Philippines. It is a mountain range on the northern side of Luzon Island in the Philippines. The most important among the attractions in Banaue is its Rice Terraces because it is regarded as the world’s eighth wonder. Banaue rice terraces stretch to as long as a maximum altitude of 4920 feet.
Trekking is one of the travelers’ most common activities while visiting the Banaue Terraces. Locals and tourist guides are available to assist the visitors along their trip within the area.
Other attractions of Banaue include the Museum of Cordilleran Sculpture, which showcases the traditional art and culture of the locals. Another major attraction is the Viewpoint which provides visitors with a spectacular view of the town and a beautiful natural amphitheater.
Banaue Rice Terraces has become a popular trekking destination in the Philippines. In Batad, The effort to lay down those huge stones in the terraces, especially with their bare hands, is quite astonishing. Banaue Terraces has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site.
How to Get to Banaue, Ifugao
To get to Banaue, Ifugao, there are several transportation options available. Here are the details:
By Air
- Step 1: Book a flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.
- Step 2: Upon arrival at NAIA, take a domestic flight to Cauayan Airport in Isabela province, the closest airport to Banaue.
- Step 3: From Cauayan Airport, hire a van to take you directly to Banaue. The journey takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
By Land
Sufficient transportation facilities are there for travelers to make their journey to Banaue. Visitors can get direct buses from Manila to Banaue; the trip will take nine hours.
- Step 1: If you are already in Manila, head to the Ohayami Trans bus terminal in Sampaloc, Manila. Ohayami Trans is the only Bus company that offers Banaue transportation service. It is located in Lacson Ave. (formerly Forbes) cor. Fajardo St., Sampaloc, Manila. You can call Ohayami Mobile Phone Number (+63) 0905 267 2171.
- Step 2: Take an Ohayami Trans bus bound for Banaue. Buses usually depart in the evening, as it is an overnight journey. It is advisable to book your tickets in advance. Ohayami provides direct trips to Banaue. They have daily trips, and the bus leaves at 10pm. It also has to be noted that no daytime bus services are available to Banaue, mainly because the increased daytime traffic adds hours to the overall trip. Now, bus service or traveling by land only seems to be the way to reach Banaue.
- Step 3: Enjoy the scenic ride as you travel through the winding mountain roads of Northern Luzon. The journey usually takes 9 to 10 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
- Step 4: Arrive at Banaue town proper, where you can find various accommodations and tour agencies to assist you with visiting the famous Banaue Rice Terraces.
Note: It is always recommended to check the latest travel advisories and make necessary arrangements, especially during peak travel seasons, to ensure a smooth journey to Banaue, Ifugao.
If you want to drive your own car, the distance between the Balintawak Cloverleaf, north Manila at the beginning of the North Luzon Expressway, and the Welcome to Banaue sign is about 332 km. The road is paved all the way to Banaue. Travel time can be as long as 9 hours due to the several blind curves through the mountains. The best day to travel is on the Good Friday of the Lenten season, Christmas Day, and new year’s Day. It will take about 7 hours only by car with a reliable driver. (Wikipedia)
Jeeps are also available from Bontoc, a nearby place from Banaue, which will take a maximum of the two-hour journey from Bontoc to Banaue. Farming is considered to be the major means of employment in the province. Travelers can see most of the people doing the plantation of rice and vegetables on some of the terraces during the planting season. Visitors can also visit the traditional tribes after trekking once they reach the top of the Banaue terraces.
Accommodation is also not a concern for travelers since many lodges and hotels are available in Banaue. Even the homes by locals also accept tourists for a lesser charge, especially during the peak seasons.
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Read:
- Banaue Travel Guide: Itinerary, Things to do, How to get there and more
- Visitors to the scenic Banaue Rice Terraces set to enjoy shorter travel times
- Top 15 Best Things to do in Ifugao Province
- Top Road Trip Destinations in Luzon, Philippines
