Banaue & Batad UNESCO 3-daagse tour van 2 nachten (privé groepsreis max. 6 reizigers)

This was a spectacular and unforgettable experience for me and my niece! The private tour arranged by Vagabondpinas was planned to a perfect T and allowed for a worry-free holiday trip. Many thanks to our very experienced guide, Kenneth, who was very patient with us neophyte hikers (one of whom is a septuagenarian) and anticipated our every need (and shortcomings). Our very experienced and accommodating driver, Bong, made the 9-hour trip to and from Banaue-Manila fly by in a comfy Toyota Fortuner. He even showed us where to shop for local produce/veggies in Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija1. Beatrice of Banaue Homestay welcomed us warmly. Our room had a wonderful view of part of the rice terraces, and the roosters crowing in the cool dawn mist provided a great bucolic touch. Simon's Inn in Batad had more spartan amenities (as with other inns in the village, I believe) - be prepared with your own towel and toiletries. We realized that those who don't proceed to the 800-step one way hike to the Tappiah Falls could actually complete the arduous walk to the Batad top viewpoint (where there is, amazingly, internet connectivity by the hour) by early afternoon, rest and have a snack at Simon's Inn, then head back to the more comfy Banaue Homestay (tip). Another tip: ensure you're in tiptop physical condition to do the hikes - the sturdy walking sticks provided by Kenneth were truly a Godsend. Thanks a lot to Vagabondpinas and partner Expedia Philippines for this super memorable trip!!!

My husband, adult daughter and I made our first trek to the Philippines with the goal to experience the people, culture and different regions of Luzon. Our excursion with Vagabondpinas Outdoor Travel will be remembered as an experience of a lifetime. JP’s communication and planning with our specific itinerary was outstanding. We met Edmon in Manila and grateful to be in his care for our long journey north to Banaue. We were concerned about motion sickness so loaded up with ginger chews, wrist acupressure bands and Dramamine. Upon arrival to Banaue Edmon stopped at a lovely lunch spot overlooking the terraces and town. We stopped at overlooks for photos and to stretch our legs before checking in to Banaue Homestay. Miss Beatrice is a kind and welcoming hostess. She provided us with delicious breakfasts and dinners during our stay. Nothing better than coffee and fresh fruit on the view deck! The 2nd day we were greeted by Edmon, Michael (jeepney owner/driver) and Jonathan (local guide extraordinaire) for our adventure to Batad. Jonathan is very knowledgeable about the history of the Ifugao people and the rice terrace. We had a spectacular day hiking and taking in the breathtaking sights. We decided to skip the hike down to the waterfall given our out of shape bodies and the heat. Enjoyed a lovely lunch in Batad overlooking the rice terraces. My favorite part of the day was riding on top of the jeepney all the way back to Banaue. Jonathon was able to communicate with local museum which opened for us to tour in the late afternoon. The museum was one of our favorite stops as the artifacts collection is superb- black and white photos of the people, rattan baskets, spears, clothing and tools all depicting an extraordinary way of life.

If you're short on time while in Manila but want to take in the wonders of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, then this is the tour for you. We cannot say enough about the team of people who looked after us – from Edmond who drove us from Manila to Banaue and back again, Michael who expertly piloted his Jeepney from Banaue to Batad and back again, Jonathan our guide extraordinaire and took us into the rice terraces themselves, Beatrice who looked after us at her homestay in Banaue, and Simon, who did the same with the help of his daughter in Batad. I am mentioning these people by name because I feel like we became good friends with all of them. And behind the scenes, making sure everything was ok, was JP. He checked on us regularly via WhatsApp (before, during and after), which was so appreciated. And then to the tour itself! We got to see the rice terraces of Banaue (Beatrice’s place looks right over them), Bayninan, Bangaan and Batad (the latter two being UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with their villages). We explored the rice terraces of Batad as well as a hike out to the Tappiyah Waterfall. Guide Jonathan was awesome assessing our fitness levels and tailoring the pace of the hikes accordingly. He also assessed weather conditions to a tee (it rains a lot this time of year) to make sure we got the best photo opportunities. A big part for us though, is that we were trialling a drone for the first time. The team just absolutely embraced and encouraged us using the drone, and helped with suggestions which led to some amazing footage. We just had so much fun! A big thank you to all at VagabondPinas. You guys absolutely rock!