Here's a solo travel guide for your stress-free and enjoyable adventure to the 8th Wonder of the World.


Definitely NO CLIFFHANGER Halsema deep ravine highway views. Just lots of beautiful mountain clad with green pine trees scenery from Ambuklao Highway to Bokod, Benguet.
Route: Baguio City - (via Ambuclao Road) - Bokod, Benguet Lamut, Ifugao - Kayapa - Aritao - Bambang - Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya - Solano - Bagabag - Lamut, Ifugao - Lagawe - Banaue - Batad (and vice-versa) Be sure to personally have your transportation reserved/booked a day before your ingress. First Come, first serve basis. I rode on this spanking brand new private service van which charges around Php 400 or $ 8.00 one way Baguio to Poblacion, Banaue. The travel takes around 5 hours inclusive of a 30-minutes one-time stop-over. Again, avoid the bus since it will take a slow crawl and you'll arrive 6-7 hours.
By chance, a jeepney with a top load of passengers passed by the lodge.
When in Ifugao, become a local. Adapt!
WHEN TAKING PICTURES of IFUGAO LOCALS-- ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION ELSE RUDE / BAD LUCK / DISRESPECTFUL.
Tam-An Terraces
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I arrived at Poblacion, Ifugao early to get myself settled at a nearby lodge. Whilst still early make sure to talk to the manager of the inn who knows of contacts for affordable tricycle/motorcycle rental. Cut the deal and make arrangements on what time the motorcycle driver will pick you up next day for your travel to Poblacion to Banaue Rice Terraces view decks then proceed to Bangaan and then back going to Saddle Point, Batad.
Having secured my next day transportation I walked to Poblacion Public Market. I was able to capture the golden sunset hour (my first time at Poblacion). After buying food at Poblacion Market, I took my supper around 7 p.m. at the Las Vegas lodge. Lights off at 8 p.m. Don't forget to set your alarm clock active (mine's set to full volume).
SECOND DAY
(Saturday)
(Saturday)
TAM-AN TERRACES
I made it a habit to start the day by watching the sunrise and taking images of the moment. I woke up before the alarm blasted.
To me, the start of seeing the 8th Wonder of the World definitely starts at dawn when landscape photography is like cliff hanger moment. If I fail, my trip is not worth it. Sudden death. I just get caught up in the moment and in awe of what Mother Nature presents.
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Banaue Saturday Community Street Market
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Along Banaue Rice Terraces viewpoint is an early morning livelihood activity where the best locally Ifugao handmade crafts, produce, etc., takes place. Don't even try to haggle for the price is affordable. It will not help the local people in uplifting the supply chain by haggling for lower prices. Support the booming trade by buying local Filipino products
(Ifugao One Town, One Product) first.
Don't haggle! Buy the local products at their given retail price. ! Give credit and value the top class products/efforts of the hardworking people's livelihood.
Next stop
The "8th Wonder"
BANAUE RICE TERRACES
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Banaue Rice Terrace Dyanarra Viewpoint |
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The weather was perfect.
The "8th Wonder"
DALICAN RICE TERRACES
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The "8th Wonder"
BANGAAN RICE TERRACES
One BANGA-AN Village & Terraces morning
Banga-an Rice Terrace is located 14km away from Banaue Town (Poblacion). One can travel by jeepney or motor tricycle. There are fewer tourists here than Batad. The Bangaan Rice Terraces (BRT) in the municipality of Banaue is inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Banga-an Rice Terrace is located 14km away from Banaue Town (Poblacion). One can travel by jeepney or motor tricycle. There are fewer tourists here than Batad. The Bangaan Rice Terraces (BRT) in the municipality of Banaue is inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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SADDLE POINT
Hire a porter to carry your water/beverage supply / extra bags/backpack/luggage.
Make a deal when at the Saddle Point with the motorcycle/tricycle driver to pick you up when you go home.
Don't be a scrooge. Reward generously hard working local porters/guides.
Hire a guide who also agrees as a porter. That's double pay. No short changing.
Bad karma, begets hundred-fold misfortunes.
Bad karma, begets hundred-fold misfortunes.
The "8th Wonder"
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TAPPIY-YAH FALLS
Leave Tappiyah falls before it rains. The danger of rolling mountain rocks becomes imminent.
Life or death. Always Heed Local Ifugao Guides' Advice.

Tapiy-ya falls Sari-Sari Store
Batad Rice Terraces Fog Banks and Rainy Mood
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Batad Rice Terraces Fog Banks and Afternoon Rainy Mood |
Always make it a point to head back to your inn/lodge before dark.
Never leave without an umbrella/raincoat. It rains in the afternoon.
without a guide never attempt to go to Tappiyah Falls / Terraces.
Ifugao Dance Presentation by Locals
LAST DAY
(Sunday Egress)
Good Morning Batad Rice Terraces
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Good Morning Batad Rice Terraces |

SADDLE POINT TERRACES
Saddleback! It's gonna be another challenging walk up to Saddle Point.
Another BATAD "bah-TAHD" Rice Terraces + Saddle Point ( Most Upper Right, far end slope)
Much fun/challenge awaits when one goes back up to the Saddle Point.
It's either you:
> top load by riding a jeepney or
> trek by foot;
> trek by foot;
> or ride a motorcycle/tri-cycle.
My case, I took the latter. giving justice to the tired and weary body.
No pain, no gain.
The operative word is unconventional "out of the box" that's how I made it through the whole adventure and enjoyed it immensely. Just don't ride the bus. Take the morning ride. Seize dusk and/or dawn to take pictures! Ride a tricycle/motorcycle. Bring your own water/beverage - saves you lots of money. Water is expensive at Batad Rice Terraces.
The operative word is unconventional "out of the box" that's how I made it through the whole adventure and enjoyed it immensely. Till next time, Carpe Diem!
-fin-
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