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Banaue Rice Terraces - the "eighth wonder of the world"

Banaue, Baguio & Ilocos

Tucked in the rugged ranges of the central Grand Cordillerra Mountains, where pine trees grow in the cold air and mists swirl all year round, are some breathtakingly beautiful sites that are worth the journey along winding, spiraling roads.

Baguio Parkland

Banaue is located in the northern most part of the Province of Ifugao. It lies at the foot of Mt. Amuyao, the highest peak in the area, and is bounded on the north by the Mt. Province, on the south by the municipality of Hingyon and on the east by the municipality of Hungduan.

Apart from the magnificent landscapes of mountains, forests, deep ravines, waterfalls, mighty rivers and bubbling streams, there are the mountain tribal people whose centuries-old customs, traditions and artifacts continue to fascinate the world. They are the people who, thousands of years ago, made one of the best-known icons of Philippine tourism - the Banaue Rice Terraces, the most extensive anywhere in the world and now listed by the UNESCO World Heritage Sites as the first "combined cultural and natural site."

From Manila, we run tailored tours to North Luzon, including Banaue. Transport to Banaue is usually by overnight bus. An air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle, complete with guide, is also available on ocassion. Such tours are good for up to four persons. Contact us for larger parties.

Banaue Rice Terraces

More than 2,000 years ago, the lfugaos, with only simple tools and bare hands, carved rice fields out of the mountainsides with several peaks rising as high as 6,000 feet.

Banaue Rice Terraces

These were irrigated through a complex of bamboo pipes and canals, drawing water from streams created by bubbling springs. As they toiled the soil and planted the staple grains, they kept carving out fields and building soil embankments until, in the passing of time, the rice terraces almost reached the peaks.

Often called "the eighth wonder of the world", the Banaue Rice Terraces stand as the most awe-inspiring man-made landscape in the Cordilleras!

The panorama of the terraces becomes stunning as it changes colors with the season: varying shades of green in the planting season; alternating gold and ochre tones in the harvest season, and, different hues of the sky as reflected by water in the bare fields.

Sagada

Sagada

Sagada is a town nestled among the pine forests at an altitude of 1.480 meters and although it also boasts of picturesque mountain scenery and rice terraces, it is best known for the hanging coffins on the flanks of the limestone cliffs and in the grottoes called The Valley of Echoes. These limestone cliffs amid the pine forests look strangely beautiful, almost eerie because of the wooden coffins wedged among the rocks. Hanging coffins are also found in the caves of Sumaging and Lumiang, both less than an hour away.

Locals entertain on the Loboc River

Baguio

Baguio City is known as the Summer capital of the Philippines, and "City of Pines", owing to its elevation of 1,400 meters above sea level, and the fact it is cooler than any place in the country, even during Summer.

It is perfumed by the scent wafting from its pine covered hills, and the flowers that abound nearly everywhere.

Approximately 250 kilometers north of Manila, Baguio is the gateway to the prime destinations in the Cordilleras, La Union with its beaches fringing the coast, and to the historic sites and seaside attractions in Vigan and Laoag in the Ilocos Region.

Hundred Islands

Hundred Islands

The Hundred Islands National Park is in the province of Pangasinan, and actually comprise 124 islands at low tide and 123 at high tide.

Only three of the islands have been developed for tourists: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children's Island.

The area around Hundred Islands is a developing tourist area and there are hotels providing accommodation in Lucap, on the coast, and Alaminos.

Picturesque Vigan

Ilocos Sur

Vigan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 400 kilometers north of Manila on the west coast of Luzon, and is the capital city of Ilocos Sur.

It is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the country.

Precious remnants of old Spanish architecture feature throughout the centre of the city.

Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia, and it has a unique European atmosphere.

You can get to Vigan from Manila, with one of our tailored tours, enjoying air-conditioned travel in a 4x4 with accompanying guide, or fly to Laoag City and then take local transport from there.

There are many places to stay, and there are also many bars and restaurants offering a varied range of local and international dishes.

Saud Beach, Pagudpud

Ilocos Norte

North of Vigan can be found the beautiful beach of Pagudpud located in Ilocos Norte.

Crystal blue waters and white sand makes it an favourite destination among tourists.

The strong winds and waves of this beach is often compared to those of Hawaii, which means this beach is frequented by surfers.

Compared to Boracay, Pagudpud is more secluded and the ambiance is more calm and relaxed, making a great getaway place to unwind.

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