Traversing Cambulo to Batad

This would be my last post for the Cambulo/Batad series. I’d just like to share the beautiful scenery between the 2 villages in Ifugao. Despite the continues rains, the terraces never fail to mesmerize. In fact, the added mist and fog added to the drama of the scenery, making it more enigmatic to the eyes.

It was a bit sad to leave Cambulo behind without fully exploring it yet, but I guess it’s another reason to go back there in the future. Leaving things to discover some other time. So onwards we go towards Batad. It was a 1.5 to 2 hours trek along narrow rice paddies. But every turn would give a different angle of the impressive terraces and the mighty river which gives Batad’s Tappia Falls it’s majestic pour.

Less than a couple of hours later, after a rest stop, and a few steps from there, I was just in awe to find ourselves at the top of mountainside where I could see the whole Batad village and terraces. I actually never expected we’ll end up here. I know there was another path by the river which also leads to the village and thought we were going that way. This is the 3rd time I’ve been here and I was wondering where the staircase going to the top is leading to. Well it was an exciting way to find out.

Steadily we descended to hundred of stairs going down the village. We had to trek further again penetrating the village, up to where the lodges are. Going down is easy, but to those who are a bit physically challenged or haven’t done a workout for sometime, brace yourself to more than a hundred steep staircases.

There’s an all familiar spot there I called the way point now since this is a rest area which leads to different points. If you go down to the left path you’ll find yourself at the Tappia Falls, on the right is the path back to the village and from where we are is the path back to Cambulo.

It was nice to be back here again. Nothing much has changed which is a good thing really.

And for anyone wishing to visit this place, it’s quite easy and cheap. I think I spent only around 1800 pesos for this trip but if you are gonna stay longer here around 3-4 days 3000 pesos to 4000pesos would be enough. From Manila you have to take an AutoBus (7358098/96) which have buses going to Banaue nightly at 10pm. Make advance reservations as buses here are always full. Travel time is around 8 to 9 hours. From Banaue go downtown to the market where jeeps heading to Batad Jump-off point are waiting. Frequency is limited and must be full. Fare is around 100-200 pesos per pax if I’m not mistaken. If you are a group it would be beneficial and you could haggle for a good price. If you’re on a small number or traveling alone, a tryke can also take you to the Junction, fare would cost around 200-300 pesos. As always haggle. There are no direct transpo to the village. So once you get to the Jump-off point or the junction, prepare for an hours hike to steep trails. But hey, it’s worth the adventure. Lodging there is very cheap at around 100 pesos per night. Best go from around February to May which is around the harvest season when the place is a lot greener than usual.

Hey! Just realized this is my 400th post! Hurray! 😀