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The Batad rice terraces in northern Luzon are among the most beautiful places I have ever visited. While many people choose to stay in the nearby town of Banaue, which also has stunning UNESCO-listed rice terraces, I preferred the dramatic views and remoteness of Batad. Plus, Batad offers more trekking options, including routes through remote rice terraces and local villages. If you’re visiting this region of Luzon and enjoy hiking, I’d highly recommend staying in Batad.
How to get to Batad from Sagada
From Sagada, we took a 2.5-hour bus ride to Banaue. Tickets can be purchased on the day at the Coda Lines office for 350 pesos. You can also take a Coda Lines night bus from Manila. The bus will drop you off at the Banaue Tourism Office, where you’ll need to pay a 50-peso environmental fee.
If you inform them you’re headed to Batad, they’ll arrange either a jeepney or tricycle ride for you. Since there were no jeepneys available when we arrived, we took a tricycle to Batad for 800 pesos. The tricycle ride lasts 45 minutes, and then you’ll need to walk for 15 minutes downhill into the village of Batad. There are no roads in Batad, and the terrain is quite steep, but the views of the rice terraces are absolutely breathtaking.
Where to stay in Batad
We stayed at Pension Homestay for just £4 a night for a private room, which included a free breakfast. The homestay offered an incredible view overlooking the rice terraces and had amenities like hot water, Wi-Fi, and a washing machine. They also provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the food was delicious. Local guides work at the homestay, making it easy to book tours once you arrive.
Another great option is Rita’s Homestay, where we stopped for coffee one day. This homestay also offers stunning views of the rice terraces, and the owner was very friendly and helpful.
Things to do in Batad
Our homestay had local guides visit us every day to offer tours and trekking options. I’d recommend booking a guide, as they can teach you about the local area and help ensure you don’t get lost in the rice terraces. If you’re traveling solo, you could split the cost of a guide with other guests at your homestay. However, it’s also possible to explore without a guide if you prefer.
Batad Rice Terraces and Tappiyah Waterfall
On our first day, we went on a tour of the rice terraces and Tappiyah Waterfall with a local guide, who was also a rice farmer. This is the most popular tour in Batad, as it covers the main highlights and is a relatively easy-to-moderate hike. I recommend starting around 9 a.m. or earlier to avoid the intense afternoon heat.
The hike began with a steep climb along the rice terraces, with our guide explaining how the locals farm rice. We stopped at several viewpoints, and small huts along the way sell water and snacks. The panoramic views of the rice terraces are incredible.
Next, we descended hundreds of steep steps to Tappiyah Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve ever swum in. The water was clear and cold, providing a refreshing swim after several hours of hiking. We stayed there for about an hour before tackling the very steep climb back up. We then took a different trail back to the village, and our guide led us back to the homestay. For lunch, we had Filipino-style pizzas at Simon’s Homestay, which were delicious, and then stopped at Rita’s Homestay for coffee. It was an amazing day!
Trek to Bangaan Village
On our second day, we did a guided trek to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Bangaan Village. The trek took around three hours, passing through the local village of Anaba, through forests, and along quiet mountain trails. The views along the way were stunning, and the trail was easy to moderate in difficulty.
After about three hours, we climbed down hundreds of steps to reach Bangaan Village, nestled in the valley. There are no roads in the village, which consists of many traditional wooden houses. The locals were very friendly and showed us how they harvest rice, giving us a tour of their traditional homes. We also dressed up in traditional clothing and took lots of photos. They even served us coffee and some homemade food. While they didn’t charge us any money, we left a small donation to express our thanks. You can also buy souvenirs here, though there’s no pressure to do so. It was a really fun experience!
We had lunch at a local restaurant, and then began the three-hour walk back to Batad along the road. If you don’t want to walk back, you can take a tricycle for the return trip. After about an hour, we were pretty tired due to the steep road and lack of shade, but a minivan came by and offered to drive us the rest of the way. We gladly accepted!
Final thoughts
Batad was one of my favorite places in the Philippines, and I highly recommend the hiking in this area, especially the treks to Bangaan Village and Tappiyah Waterfall. I hope this blog post helps you plan your visit!