About Batad
Nothing beats waking up in the morning on the sweet sound of the chirping birds, on the fresh breeze of the mountain air and on the majestic view of rice terraces! Nothing beats waking up in the morning in Batad!
A village of Banaue in the province of Ifugao, Batad is famous for its amphiteater-like rice terraces, one of the five clusters of rice terraces in Ifugao that are inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 1995.
Built around two thousand years ago by the indigenous people of Cordillera, the rice terraces of Batad are made up of compacted soil similar to other rice terraces in Ifugao. Many consider this Batad attraction as the best of all rice terraces in the region and even in the entire Philippines. Through the years, more and more tourists, local and foreign alike, flock to this side of Cordillera to see the magnificent rice terraces that carpet the entire mountainside of the small village.
Adventure awaits in Batad since most of the attractions in the area require trekking or walking. But walking along the rice terraces and being surrounded by amazing scenery make a day in the village a truly worthy one!
How to Get to Batad
Batad is approximately 18 kilometers from Banaue town proper. The schedule and frequency of trips from the town proper depend on passenger traffic, but there is usually only one scheduled trip at 3PM to Batad (two during summer, 9AM and 3PM departure). Fare is P150 per passenger and travel time is approximately 45 minutes. The jeepneys are stationed in the terminal in front of public market. The jeepney will take you to the end of the road past the saddle, approximately 500 meters or 15 minutes trek to Batad village.
If you miss the direct trip to Batad, you can charter a tricycle at P400 (P300 if only to the saddle approximately three kilometers to the village) good for two to three passengers or a jeepney for at least P1,500 for 10 passengers. Alternatively, you can take the public jeepney going to Bangaan or Mayoyao, get off at Batad Junction and trek for approximately six kilometers to the village.
Manila to Banaue
Ohayami Transit and Dangwa Transit operate the Manila to Banaue route. Ohayami Bus has two to three departures starting at 8PM, their terminal is in the corner of Fajardo Street and Lacson Avenue in Sampaloc Manilla, near UST. Advanced reservation is advised, you may reach them at +639276493055 or (02)-5160501 or check out their website at: www.ohayamitrans.com. Meanwhile, Dangwa Transit Terminal is operated by Florida Lines with terminal in Florida Cubao Terminal near Kamias, they operate one trip daily leaving at around 8PM. Fare is P450, travel time is around eight hours.
Meanwhile, Coda Lines Corporation‘s Sagada busses pass by Banaue, their terminal is at Cubao HM Transport Terminal. Buses leave daily at 8PM, 9PM and 10PM, fare is P450 for regular aircon and P550 for deluxe. Travel time is around eight hours. For more inquiries, contact +639771860548 and +639394677863, or visit their Facebook page. You can also book your seat from Manila to Banaue or vice versa below:
BOOK YOUR BUS FROM MANILA TO BANAUE
Bayombong and Solano (Nueva Vizcaya) to Banaue
There are jeepneys from Bayombong and Solano (Nueva Vizcaya) to Banaue via Lagaue. Travel time is around three hours and fare is less than P90. Buses from Manila to Isabela and Cagayan pass by Bayombong and Solano.
Baguio to Banaue
There are buses that serve Baguio to Banaue route. Ohayami Transit has daily night trip to Banaue, travel time is around seven to eight hours and their buses are stationed along Otek Street near Burnham Park. Meanwhile, KMS Bus has two trips daily – one in the morning and one at night. Their minibus are parked near Rizal Park.
You can book your seat from Baguio to Banaue or vice versa below:
BOOK YOUR BUS FROM BAGUIO TO BANAUE
Clark to Banaue
If you are coming from Clark, you can go to Baguio or Manila to catch a trip to Banaue. You may also opt to go to Solano but it requires a lot of transfer (Clark to Dau, Dau to Tarlac, Tarlac to San Jose, San Jose to Solano and Solano to Lagaue/Banaue).
Bontoc to Banaue
If you are coming from Sagada or Bontoc, there are local buses that goes directly from Bontoc town proper to Banaue stationed near Bontoc Municipal Hall. Scheduled departure is every hour with the last trip at around 12 noon, travel time is two to three hours at P110.00 per passenger (as of June 2016).
Going Around and Away
Batad is a mountain village, getting around is only by foot.
Going back to Banaue town proper from Batad, trek to the main road and catch the public jeepney that usually leaves at 9AM daily. If you miss the public jeepney, you can trek down to Batad Junction (approximately six kilometers from Batad village) and catch a tricycle or jeepney to the town. Alternatively, you may rent a trike or jeepney at the saddle or hitch to other vehicles going to Banaue.
Where to Stay and Eat in Batad
There are no posh hotels and resorts in Batad, accommodations are limited to lodges, inns and native huts. Rate is as low as P250 per person per night for a single fan room. You may also opt to stay in the native Ifugao huts for as low as P250 per night per person. Dining should not be a problem as most inns and lodges have their own restaurants.
Since mobile signal is very limited in the area, advance reservation is really not necessary. Afterall, there are a lot of lodges and inns in town to accommodate tourists. On my visit to Batad, I stayed at Rita’s Mount View Inn and Restaurant (Contact No: +639108423076), overlooking the beautiful rice terraces. They have six room that can accommodate up to 12 guests, rate is P250 per person per night.
My favorite, however, is Batad Top Viewpoint Homestay and Restaurant as it offers an unobstructed view of the Amphitheater Rice Terraces. Batad Top Viewpoint Homestay and Restaurant is the topmost accommodation in the village and the trail is on the left of the fork around 200 meters from the village. Rate is as low as P250 per person per night.
Another popular spot is Ramon’s Home Stay (Contact No: +639168743787/ Facebook: Ramon’s Native Homestay). Ramon Homestay also charges P250 per person per night for a room and P250 per person per night on a native Ifugao hut.
Other accommodations in Batad are Hillside Inn, Batad Pension, Simon’s Viewpoint Inn, Gilbert Homestay, Cristina Main Village Inn, Samson Homestay, Watefalls’ Side Inn, Batad Kadangyan Lodges and Foreigner’s Inn among others.
Activities in Batad
- Walk along the rice terraces
- Hike to Awa View Deck to see the unobstructed bird’s eye view of the Rice Terraces
- Trek to Tappiya Falls
- Try the native rice wine
- Trek to Bangaan
- Trek to Kinakin and Cambulo
- Trek Mount Amuyao
- Stay in a native Ifugao hut
- Taste Pinikpikan and other local delicacies
- Buy locally produce products and souvenirs
- Appreciate nature and culture
Sample Batad Itinerary
Here’s a sample itinerary for a Batad tour which you can follow. Warning, this trip involves a lot of trekking and walking.
Day 0
2100H: Departure from Manila
Day 1
0600H: Arrival in Banaue / breakfast
0700H: Trike to Batad
0800H: Arrival in Batad, trek to village, check-in, rest
0900H: Trek to top view, Tappiyah Falls and option for Awa View Deck (bring snacks and water)
1600H: Back in homestay, wash-up, rest, buy souvenirs
1800H: Dinner / socials / lights off
Day 2
0700H: Call time / breakfast
0800H: Trek to main road
0900H: Batad to Banaue
1000H: Arrival in Banaue, option for halfday tour of Banaue and Hungduan (Hapao Rice Terraces, Bacung Rice Terraces nd Balentimol Falls)
1700H: Proceed to Banaue
1800H: Arrival in Banaue / early dinner / proceed to bus terminal
2000H: Banaue to Manila
Tips
- The best months to go to Batad is during dry season (December to June), with highlight on the months of April and May when the rice terraces are at its greenest. July to August are the harvest season, the paddies are gold by then.
- Guide fee to Top View and Tappiya Falls cost P1200; to Bangaan costs P1200; and to Kinakin-Cambulo costs P1500
- No ATM in town
- No establishment accepts travelers check, credit and debit cards
- Mobile signal is intermittent and very limited
Initial publication: March 14, 2010 | Updated July 28, 2017; July 12, 2019
Hi guys.
We’re going to Batad this Dec 27-30. Anyone interested to join?
Kindly text me 0915-2120-863. See you around!
Hi,
I’m interested. how much is the budget?
Hi Chris. I texted you. Will inform you once I prepared the IT and breakdown of expenses. Thanks!
hi where will you stay in batad? i’m also going arriving on the 26th
Sorry for late reply. We stayed in Ramon’s Guesthouse.
Hello guys whose going to Sagada ng Dec 20-21-22? Hope we cud meet there 😉
Text me 09179644128
Glen
Hey there LAKWATSERO, just want to express my gratefulness through a comment here . You are doing a fabulous job blogging all your travel experiences. You help me prepare my iteneraries on my planned trips to different locations based on helpful tips you share. We both share the same passion on exploring the world around us. This is why I appreciate your time and effort blogging all your adventures.
thanks for the information! I’m planning to go there next week on the 18th.
Hello is their anyone here going on a trip to baguio-banaue-sagada? Can we hop along on your group? .. Text me at 09179644128
thanks
busculan-whang od to batad-DIY–TENT- on oct, sino gusto sumama.??
add me in FB, rhys ray cruz, gala tau!
Hello. My friend and I are also planning the same itinerary in October. Around the 16th. You can contact us if you’re interested in hopping in. 09161611995
madam, may group ba kayo na pwede aq sumama? mga march 2016 po sna…
I want to join in your team going to batad and sagada 09752819933 tnx
Hello can I go with you guys? Heres my number 09262199820
Hi all, I am planning to go there in Batad before the year ends. But I want to join some package tour or group tour. Is there someone available, girls and boys are welcome. Let’s enjoy the tour and explore Philippines hand in hand.
Hi. We are planning a Sagada + Batad trip on December 28-30.
Nasa sagada ka pa? Nasa sagada kasi kami ngayon. Baka pwede maki join kaming 2
i would like to go here alone on august. omg! this will be my first trip outside my hometown.. anyone would like to join me? hahahaha
Hi!
My gf and I are going up to Banaue this 16th.
We could team up and head there together If you want.
Hi Ophelia.I’m planning to go there too on the long weekend of August 21-23 but I might extend until the 24th coz that’s my birthday. I’ll be alone too. Want to go together? My FB is blue_crystal248@yahoo.
Thank you so much for the info. I’m gonna go there this Thursday 🙂
oh my gosh! this blog helps me a lot. i’m gonna visit batad myself very soon
Hi Sir/madam;
I’d love to go to batad and sagada, inspired by That thing called tadhana movie but not to scream and to throw up my excess baggage. I just want to experience being high with nature. I’d prefer to travel alone without any plan, just have enough money packed my things and I’m good to go. Just want to meet the environment and all strangers along the way.
Thanks for blogging, please continue doing this. Happy earth day all nature trippers. There’s more fun in the Philippines.
Was thinking of doing the same thing.. 🙂
[…] 2. Travel Guide: Batad – Lakwatsero.com […]
Hi there,
Great info. Your very passionate about giving travelers what they need to hear and know.
Any tips on Bus from Laoag to Banaue.
We were gonna rent a car. I think it maybe impractical?
Regards, dan
such an informative blog. i am in search of ideas and infos about banaue and some of CAR places. your blog is such a big help. thank you and more power. i also do follow the instagram account of miss gael. Dios Mabalos. (God Bless)
You have one of the best websites in terms of practicality and usefulness. Thank you for sharing your passion. I hope to visit Banaue and Sagada pretty soon.
Hi. I’m planning to travel in Sagada this coming last week of November. I was wondering if it would be possible to visit Batad before going straight to Sagada? We have 4 days at least (leave manila Nov27 and at least be able to get home midnight of Dec2). I was researching for different itineraries and what I am really confused of is the time of public transportation that I can get. I was planning on visiting Batad during the first day we get to Banaue. What I’m really wondering is the transpo getting back to Banaue to reach Bontoc to get to Sagada? Am I confusing? Please do email me because I really need help. This is my first time planning on a trip. Thanks very much. 😉
Hi Clarice! I have the same issue with you 🙂
I’m planning to visit Sagada by the end of this month, leaving Manila 9PM Nov27 via Ohayami Bus Line bound to Banaue (ETA 6:30AM), then jeep/bus ride to Bontoc and jeep ride to Sagada. So here’s my dilemma, I put on my itinerary to have at least an hour or two in Banaue to take the photo opportunity on the famous rice terraces, but I’m afraid to miss the ONLY jeep bound to Bontoc per day @ 8:30AM, if i miss it, my only option is to wait a bus bound to Bontoc/Sagada but according to what I’ve read, the said buses will only pass by Banaue noon time at around 12. So what i want to know is, how far is the bus terminal to the nearest rice terraces view point so i can easily adjust my length of stay there because i want to catch the only jeep bound to Bontoc. 🙂
Reach me through my email, [email protected] thanks!
Hi Clarice, (Hi Angel)
I was wondering if you did your trip to Batad on your first day as you planned?
I would like to do the same, but I am afraid not to have enough time to go back to Banaue before 6PM.
Thank you for your help !
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Very informative. Thanks for sharing. Planning to go there next week.
Hi! Planning to go to Batad soon. How do you rate yung level ng trekking sa batad? Do you recommend it to newbies like me? I don’t exercise much.
We were there in Batad couple of days ago. Going there is a hell of waling about three km but it is worth it. If you have difficulty walkin inclines and downdhills better not go there.
We were there in Batad couple of days ago. Going there is a hell of walking about three km but it is worth it. If you have difficulty walkin inclines and downdhills better not go there.
hi! planning to travel alone this year…feeling ko kaya ko na…thanks for this post…thinking kasi if ok ang calaguas or sagada sa first trip ko, pero ang batad ang swak sa trip=> im a fan