Banaue & North Luzon Exploration

The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of the Cordilleras by the Ifugaos. The Rice Terraces are commonly referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World”, and a Unesco World Heritage Site. The terraces, built by hand are located approximately 1500 meters (5000 ft) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4000 square miles) of mountainside.

7days days

Philippines

Classic Highlights

- Trekking Tours

Attractions

Manila - Baguio - Sagada - Bontoc - Banaue

Duration

7days days

Code

PHLC3

Overview

Overview

The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of the Cordilleras by the Ifugaos. The Rice Terraces are commonly referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World”, and a Unesco World Heritage Site. The terraces, built by hand are located approximately 1500 meters (5000 ft) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4000 square miles) of mountainside. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces. Have a close encounter with the village folks in Banaue, and a glimpse of their way of life. Visit the remote and exotic village of Sagada – with its mysterious cave and underground river. The forebears of the current residents practiced an unusual burial practice by hanging and stacking coffins, hewed from tree trunks, in the limestone karst cliffs and caves near town. En route to Baguio, visit the town of Bacolor, visit the ruins of Bacolor Church (half-buried by Lahar, a thick sludge-like mixture of rainwater runoff and volcanic ash. Witness the devastation wrought by the 1992 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

Itinerary

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Arrival in airport, pick up and transfer to hotel. Time to stroll around. Overnight in Manila.

Departure around 7am , drive through the North Expressway reaching Bacolor, Pampanga in 2 hours. This town is among hundreds of towns and villages, which have been devastated by Mt. Pinatubo's eruption in June 1993. Visit the Basilica, which is now 3/4 buried in Lahar. See the remaining roofs of houses covered by Lahar. Mt. Pinatubo's wrath continues to wreak havoc on the lives of the villagers every year as the monsoon rains carry Lahar from the bowels of Mt. Pinatubo adding more layers of Lahar. Townsfolk have adapted to nature' wrath by building houses on stilts which are several meters high. Proceed to Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines and the gateway to the Cordillera, in the province of Benguet, 1,500 kms high up in the Cordillera Mountains. It is approximately 4 hours drive through the countryside, ascending up through zigzagging roads of Benguet. Check-in at your hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Baguio city. Visit Burnham Park, Mines View Park, Camp John Hay, Baguio Cathedral, Tam-Awan Village with reconstructed Ifugao and Kalinga huts and also a venue for art exhibits and workshops, Woodcarver’s Village, Saint Louis Filigree Shop. Overnight in Baguio

Morning at .0700am depart for Sagada via the La Trinidad Valley. Stops can be made at Bell Church were on request you get your fortune told by one of the priests. These scenic drive along the Halsema mountain highway give you breathtaking views of the vegetable terraces farmed by Benguet tribes; you will also see the breathtaking scenery of the tiny villages in the valleys down below. On to the Mountain Trail. Arrive in Sagada. Sagada is a municipality that embraces many villages on a top the rocky mountains of Benguet Province. It is popular for its legendary system of burying the dead and their system of mummification. Here visit burial caves and see coffins of the ancient tribes locked in between rocks. Lunch in as simple restaurant. Other stunning destinations are Bomod-ok and Bokong Falls, Danom Lake and Weaving Shops. Hike trough simple trails which lead to some picturesque summits. Overnight in Sagada

At 07:00 depart Sagada for Bontoc. Drive along winding mountain trail onto Bontoc. Bontoc is the mountain province's capital and crossroads. Visit the Bontoc Museum, which was founded by the Belgian sisters who have been active in the area for decades. It consists of four well laid out rooms featuring artifacts and old photos plus a group of traditional houses. Afternoon arrive in Banaue. The spectacle is breathtaking. Whole chains of mountains terraced from top to bottom for the cultivation of rice sculptured and curved from the steep mountain side by the Ifugaos with their bare hands and crude stone implements centuries ago. Overnight in Banaue.

Breakfast at the hotel. Tour of the countryside to Banaue. Board non-aircon exclusive local jeepney from hotel to Banga-an main road. To cross the scenic Ifugao mountains to Banga-an, a traditional tribal village nestled in a panoramic valley surrounded by ascending rice terraces. The 20 minutes walk down the village is an opportunity to encounter the natives and see rice cultivation in the terraces. In Banga-an interaction with the locals visit a native house. Trek up to the main road and enjoy the panoramic view by the rustic road side restaurant. Return to Banaue and proceed to the Banaue View Point. Banaue Rice Terraces is acclaimed as one of the “8th Wonder of the Word” an engineering work built over 2000 years ago on mountainous terrain. Visit the wet market and witness a typical Ifugao market day. Overnight in Banaue

Breakfast and depart Banaue for Manila via the Philippine-Friendship Highway, passing through the Central Plains of Luzon, the biggest rice farming province in the Philippines. Arrive in Manila for overnight

Today you are free until transfer to airport for flight to next destination or home. End of service

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Trip notes

Tour includes:

English speaking guide
Accommodation in a double or twin share room with daily breakfast
Private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
Water & cool towels
Government taxes & service charge

Tour excludes:

Visa fee
International airfare and departure taxes
Early check in/ late check out
Surcharged for Public holidays
Drinks and meal not mentioned
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks … etc.
Personal travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
Gratuities/ Tipping
All other services not specified in the itinerary