4 Days / 3 Nights PRIVATE Banaue and Sagada Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 – Manila-Banaue

06:30 – Depart Manila for Banaue via Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya and stopping at San Jose for lunch (at own expense). We then stop at one of the scenic lookout points along Dalton Pass followed by late afternoon arrival in Banaue.

En route, visit the Ifugao Museum and Surrender Site of General Yamashita. General Tomoyuki Yamashita of the Japanese Imperial Army in the Philippines surrendered September 2, 1945 in the Kiangan Central School where now the Kiangan shrine is placed. He was then taken to Baguio City where his formal surrender was staged, tried for war crimes, and hanged in Los Banos in 1946.

Day 2 – Banaue – Batad Village

08:00 – We have an early breakfast and then you depart with your English-speaking local guide. From Banaue Batad is approximately 16 kms away, the first 14 kms of which will be traveled by our privately chartered local jeepney. The rest of the distance is on foot using a mountain trail. The trip to Barangay Batad in Banaue, to witness the amphitheater shaped terraces located at 3600 ft., takes only a 30 minutes hike (*).

(*) Provided you have a good level of physical fitness (expect unpaved and narrow mountain trails with steep irregular terrain, usually under a hot sun) and should you wish to trek for three further demanding hours we can offer you:

a) the Tappiya waterfall after Batad.    With a phenomenal 70 metre fall in rainy season and a naturally formed pool at its bottom suitable for a cooling swim ( dress conservatively), Tappiya waterfall is an unique location in the area.

b) Banga-an village instead of Batad. Banga-an village showcases a typical Ifugao community. Wet weather causes damage so the steps need constant renovation. You are rewarded with spectacular views.

We stop at the panoramic Banaue viewpoint at 4800 Ft. that provides a perfect experience of the enormity & extent of the terraces followed by a visit to the Banaue Museum. Banaue Museum features decades-old books by anthropologist Otley Beyer and Igorot artefacts collected by his son William. The museum is on two floors featuring weaponry, jewellery, traditional dress and photographs of Banaue 100 years ago.  

Time permitting we can stop at the market and souvenir shop before dinner.

Day 3 – Banaue – Sagada – Bontoc – Mt. Data

After breakfast in the hotel, we will start the day with a 1,5 hours ride to Bontoc and visit Bontoc’s tribal museum with artifacts and unique pictures from the mountain tribe. After Bontoc we proceed to pittoresque Sagada with its ancient burial caves and mummified bodies at Sugong & Echo Valley. Under guidance of a local English speaking guide you will glimpse Lumiang Burial Cave which houses more than 100 coffins are stacked in the entrance. The oldest around 500 years old. Many of them have images of lizards carved on them which are symbols of fertility and long life.

We then enter the impressive Sumaguing Cave, known for it’s rock formations and impressive chambers.

After Sagada we drive another 3,5 hours  to the newly renovated Mt data lodge  for overnight

Day 4 – Mt Data-Manila

After breakfast we depart for Baguio 3,5 hours drive, experiencing the scenic Halsema Highway (called “the mountain trail of Benguet”) and its wonderful photo opportunities.. Lunch own account in Baguio at Ben cap museum ( closed on monday) and than its another 4,5 hours to Manila.