Gorgeous Rice Terraced Hills in Banaue Philippines

Why Banaue Philippines should be your next Filipino Destination

The Philippines is home to over 6,000 islands, making it the world’s largest Archipelago. It has hundreds of thousands of sites to explore.

Today, we just want to touch up on one famous village. 

Banaue is home to a world heritage site that is stunning enough to be considered the 8th wonder of the world. And that is saying something if you ask me.

Dramatic mud-walled rice terraced hillsides, friendly locals, this gorgeous village should be next on your list.

Here's a short guide to help you understand us better.

A brief bit of History

There's so much more to these terraces than it's beauty. It's history is amazing and the people here are so incredibly friendly.

The Banaue rice terraces were introduced to the Ifuago people over 2000 years ago by the Chinese. The Ifuago people are the traditional, local folk in the Banaue area. These people were once Head Hunters that had great skill when it came to carving wood, making it easy for them to adapt to carving out the gorgeous rice terraces. 

You can still feel bits of this Filipino history when walking around the terraces. 

Hiking Trails Banaue

Make the hike down to the Hapao Hot Springs - probably one of the most unique places to relax in the world. That will take you about 1 hour, depending on your fitness level.

Another gorgeous hike, yet not for the faint hearted, is the one out to the Tappiya falls. 

Highlights around the region of Banaue

And that's not all.

For those of you that want to get away from the typical tourist destinations, we advise you to venture out to the small village of Batat. Which is only accessible by foot from Banaue. This small village is home to stunning rice terraces, similar to Banaue, but a lot less touristy and much better preserved.

The northern city of Sagada, is also a great option to add to your itinerary. Find solitude and adrenaline in the cliffs and mountain sides of this small town to spice up your trip!

When to go to Banaue?

The main siren call of Banaue are the incredible mud-walled rice terraces. What's important to know, is when to go, because not all seasons are created equal. In photos you may see these gorgeous green hills that take your breath away, but when you arrive it may just all be mud.

Yes, it's always best to know what you are getting yourself into beforehand. So here's a quick overview on the seasons:

Green Paddies: April-May, October-November

Golden Paddies: June and December (Harvest Time)

Brown Paddies: January

Mudslide Season: July-August (Rainy season)

Interested in venturing out to this beautiful region in the Philippines? Let us help you draw up an itinerary for the beste Filipino experience.

Get in touch with us down below and don't forget to check out some of our other blogs for ideas!

Happy Travels!

The Manaul Journeys Team