#20 - Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines
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The Banaue Rice Terraces have been called by many, "The 8th Wonder of the World" and has made both the Hillman Top 100 Wonders list as well as UNESCO's World Heritage List. Because of this, they were a MUST see for us even though it meant an eight (8) hour drive from where we were staying to get there.
There are many terraces in and around Banaue but the most famous are the Batad Terraces. These are the oldest stone carved terraces and are famous for their amphitheater shape. But visitors be warned - it takes a very BUMPY 1 hour Jeepney ride to get to the "Saddle" which is followed by a 2-3 hour hike to see the Batad Rice Terraces and when you are done taking your photos you have to do it all over again!!! Of course, since I'm a BIG girl it took me 3 hours each way - that's a 6 hour hike folks!!! I was not a happy camper but I made it! There is also an additional, 1-2 hour hike past the actual terraces to the Tapiya Waterfall for those who can. We could NOT! LOL.
The photo above is what the terraces SHOULD look like in the right season (between March and June). Unfortunately, we went in January and there is a stark difference if you go at the wrong time!
Bottom line: The rice terraces in Banaue are truly spectacular. Especially considering that they are over 2,000 years old - hand crafted and a feat of irrigation engineering even in our day. Having an enjoyable experience is all dependent on planning, planning and PLANNING. If we had to do it again, we would:
1) Train for it ahead of time. Batad is the crown jewel of Banaue, so visiting and NOT making the trek to see it would be unacceptable. Get yourself physically ready for a 4-6 hour hike up/down rough terrain -- not exactly mountain climbing but you do need a walking stick to assist you.
2) Arrive a day before the hike, stay at the Banaue Hotel. A hotel that in it's heyday was probably the best hotel in town. Now, it's run down and runs on a skeleton crew (waiters and busboys double as dancers in the nightly Ifugao dance show) but it is the only real hotel in the area.
3) Start the descent to the village early in the day. Have a light breakfast as the 12km jeepney ride to the Saddle (where the hike down begins) is VERY bumpy.
4) Stay the night in the village. Accomodations are modest but if you want to see the waterfall and enjoy the village, staying the night is highly advisable as hiking back up to the Saddle is not doable once the sun sets.
5) Plan to hike the ascent the next day and pace yourself. It's always harder on the way up!
6) Make the day after one of your "leisure" days or a travel day where you'll be sitting/sleeping in a car the entire day. You'll need the rest to recoup.