Ifugao Trek

The mountainous province of the Philippines' Cordillera is perfect for trekking. Old head hunter tribe territory, it is also the UNESCO site of the towering rice terraces of Banaue and surrounding areas, claimed to be the eighth wonder of the world and sometimes referred to as the "Stairways to Heaven".

Season: Year-round

Day 1 : Manila - Banaue
Meeting with a local representative in the lobby of your hotel, with transfer to the bus station in taxi. The departure from Manila to Banaue is at 2200H in the evening by public air conditioned bus (10 hrs. trip) crossing the agricultural plains of Central Luzon.

Day 2 : Banaue - Cambulo
Arrive in Banaue early in the morning, where you meet up with your guide. If any last minute provision are needed he can help you buy it, otherwise the trek will begin after the breakfast. First ride is a Jeepney to the starting point of the trek: start hiking to Cambulo (4 hours split into 1h uphill, 2h flat, and 1h descent). Picnic lunch en route. Dinner and overnight in the village, sharing the life of the Ifugaos. (L/D)

Day 3: Cambulo - Batad
Trek to Batad and its amphitheatre styled terraces, which are among the most beautiful in the area (2h30 hike split into 1h30 short uphill/downhill and 1h descent). Picnic lunch and swim at Batad waterfalls (1h down, 1h back up). Back to the village for a peaceful dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 4 : Batad - Banga-an Banaue
Breakfast in the village. Trek from Batad to Banga-an, by the "mountain crest trail" (3h up and down). Lunch in a restaurant in Banga-an overlooking the rice terraces. After visiting the village, jeepney back to Banaue with overnight in Banaue. (B/L)

Day 5 : Banaue - Manila
After breakfast back to Manila in the evening by public air conditioned bus (10 hrs. trip). Arrival in Manila night time, so make sure you know where to go from there and arrange transport to your next destination.

EXTENSION
You may extend your trip with to Sagada to experience the hanging coffins and go cave exploring.

Day 1 : Banaue - Sagada
After breakfast we take a Jeepney from the public market. The 4 hours bumpy road will be long, but the fantastic view is worth it. Weather permitting, visit the ancient burial grounds to see the hanging coffins and if time allows it, explore the dark and mysterious caves. Overnight in a local hostel or guesthouse.

Day 2 : Sagada - Bontoc - Banaue
After breakfast back to Banaue the same way as the day before. Stopover in the town of Bontoc to visit the museum founded by two belgian sisters, featuring many artifacts from the Ifugao culture.

All prices are per person
1 Person: USD 291
2 Persons or more: USD 215

With Sagada trip extension add:
1 Person: USD 86
2 Persons or more: USD 76

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