It has been almost four years since I discovered Batad from internet blogs and stories of fellow outdoorsmen and backpackers. Serving as one of the jump-off points to Mt. Amuyao, the country’s 11th highest summit, and as a destination on its own, Batad attracts the wandering soul of those adventurers whose desires are to reconnect with nature and our indigenous roots.
The village of Batad is located in the town of Banaue in Ifugao, flanked in between the town proper to the west and the municipality of Mayoyao to the east. It is nestled within layers and layers of mountain ranges, hidden at the center of (literal) cordilleras. The main attraction of the village is the Batad Rice Terraces, which is shaped akin to that of an amphitheater. This geological wonder is claimed by backpackers as the most beautiful among the many rice terrace structures found in the region, and, as I am writing this blog, I cannot help but agree!
The rice terraces found in the village dates back to almost 2000 years ago, owing to the ingenuity of our Filipino ancestors. The Batad Rice Terraces is probably the most impressive among the rest, as it was formed on a large portion of a treacherous mountain side, ending on a narrow valley where a river system is present. Its beauty comes from the steepness of the mountain slope where it was carved, and to how it occupies a large part of the mountain. Amazingly, there are water systems built on the side of these terraces, serving as irrigation for each layer.
Besides the rice terraces, tourists also frequent Tappiya Falls, a waterfall at the rear part of the enclave and the terraces, which seems to be connected to the river system at the base of the mountains surrounding the village. The waterfall gushes at an impressive height of 30 meters, making this one of highest and strongest waterfall I have ever witnessed!
Our hike to Batad started around 8 in the morning. The jump-off point was located at the dead end road of the Batad Junction coming from the Banaue-Mayoyao Road. At the side of this dead end spot, a cemented trail commences, where a welcome marker is erected somewhere along it. The cemented trail ends at the neighborhoods of Batad, where we took our breakfast on a restaurant view deck overlooking an awesome vista of the Batad Rice Terraces.
After having our sumptuous breakfast, we mustered our strengths and courage as we prepared for hiking the Batad Rice Terraces. Raining, we traversed some of the slippery paths past an elementary school and beside houses. A couple more minutes into the hike was a wide path, exiting towards one of the highest dikes of the rice terraces, giving us a more commanding view of the Batad amphitheater while actually being atop of it! The view was breathtakingly magnificent.
As we traversed the narrow dikes going to the other side of the mountain slope, the different angles of the Batad Rice Terraces boasted its marvelous charm. To think that I have waited four years to see this wonderful creation, how blessed I am to have witnessed this!
We then descended on some narrow cemented stairs paved beside the terraces. Clouds played with us, dressing the beautiful mountain slopes to enchant us.
Towards the end of the descending stairs is a short trail leading to a cemented house. Behind this house is the continuation of the steep descending stairs all the way to the thunderous Tappiya Falls, which took us almost 20 minutes to complete.
Tappiya Falls welcomed us with its thunderous waters gushing towards its basin. Its imposing height makes it one of the highest waterfalls I have ever seen, and the strongest relatively. We stayed here for more than an hour, savoring the cold water formation nestled in this highland topography. We returned to the village proper afterwards, all soaking, due to the heavy downpour on our way back.
Although our stay in Batad was short, it gave us such a heartwarming experience despite the cold and rainy weather. Hoping to see Batad again over and over!
Highland Reflections: Kaisipan, Karanasan, at Kamalayan 