Batad’s Tappia Falls
It’s one thing to look at the Batad Rice Terraces from afar, but it’s another seeing it up close and on a different angle. After setting down our things at Simon’s Inn, we rested a few minutes to prepare our trek to Tappia Waterfalls (or Tappiyah Waterfalls). The trek to Tappia Falls is at least an hour as I remember. We didn’t hire a guide and just relied on my memory on where to go. I remember going on two routes then. Let’s just see if I recall them right.
The group at the start of the trek
Well it’s a good thing there was another group of female foreign volunteers who hired a local guide from BEGTA (Batad Environmental Guides Tourist Association). She pointed the initial way at the beginning of our trek where it forked. There was a left and right way just behind the school. I remember the right way is the descending stairs headed straight to the village at the middle of the terraces.
Threading the narrow terrace pathways
We turned left where the trail is on the same level of the upper terraces and is much easier than taking the stairs to the village. But still, even if this way is easy route caution should always be considered here. The initial trail is walking on the side of the mountain where one step could send one falling straight down the cliffs. And when walking along the side of the terraces, one wrong step could send one plummeting down the terrace below. And note that the height of each terrace is almost double the height of an average Filipino.
View of the mountains and the terraces
So we were careful as we thread the terraces. Stopping a while to appreciate the view then focusing on our steps until we reach the jump off for the Tappia Falls. The jump-off point is a large rest stop opposite where we came from. From here the trail gets really challenging. We were a bit worried since it was already late afternoon so we gave ourselves a schedule on what time we should be heading back.
Kids on the terraces
I can describe the trail to Tappia Falls as steep winding stairway of torture. If you’re not accustomed to hiking it can be very difficult. This trek is recommended for strong hikers. If you’re not that strong, you should give yourself time to navigate the stairs not just going down but also going up.
A small hut at the terrace trail
Despite the difficulty of the trail along with that mental battle going on in your head whether to just turn back while it’s early of if you even have enough strength to go back, we reached the majestic Tappia Waterfalls. It’s towering height and powerful pour sends water spraying around the mountain enclosure. The sight of it does ease our exhaustion a bit. But hell that was still tiring.
Descending the rice terraces
We took photos but didn’t stay long as we have to go back before dark. But halfway through our trek back, night did catch up on us. It was a funny trek, we had limited light since but good thing we have someone with good vision in the dark lest we plummet down the trail. And as we got nearer one of the guides we met earlier was there to help us and lent her light. She checked up on us since we weren’t back yet. She told us that the guides keep tabs on visitors and reports back to their headquarters. That was real assuring.
The majestic Batad Falls and cascades
We reached our inn finally at the same time exclaiming “Welcome to Batad” by none other than the Dom himself. Yes we did make it back and enjoyed our hefty dinner, washing up then having a relaxing massage from the locals. Batad is amazing but you really have to exert some effort to appreciate all its facets of adventure and grandeur. And it’s all worth it. Welcome to Batad!
The Refreshing Batad Tappia Falls
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yun ba yung mga foreigners na winelcome ni dong ho?
awesome site, the path to the falls was really difficult but well worth it. looking at your pics brought back amazing memories.
very nice waterfall.. clear water… wanna asked, is there any editing on your waterfall picture??
the dropping water very very nice!!
Nauubos na ang superlatives na ginagamit ko sa mga posts mo. Basta another outstanding post filled with excellent images.
Geebus. Parang nasa langit ka habang nasa taas ng bundok. And needless to say, pero ang ganda nung shots nung waterfalls.
Haha! Yeah Oman na tipuan din ni Dom yung mga Foreigners na yun
hehehe. Hirap nga but it’s worth it
Hi Carmen! Normally I don’t do outright editing. I process my photos from RAW and do only minimal global adjustments in contrast, brightness and sharpness. Other than that, none
Thanks Photo Cache
Yeah Cedric! Quite a height din. Thanks!
The pictures brought back so many memories! My classmates and I (back when we were in third year) went up to see the rice terraces and the waterfalls. It felt like a lifetime of hiking and the place we spent the night in didn’t have electricity. Oh, and I remember the excitement of seeing the terraces and how we raced to go down. Returning back up to the main road took forever, lol. You take incredibly beautiful pictures. I MUST subscribe to this blog so I don’t miss anything ever again
Keep shooting!
breathtaking. captivating. awesome. beautiful. stunning. inspiring. i could go on and on. haha. ganda Ferdz. i really enjoy looking at your photos. so lagi mo na kasama si Dom sa mga adventures nyo ni Oggie?
ang tawa ko kay Photo Cache kasi nauubos na rin mga adjectives ko! grabe sa ganda pero grabe rin sa hirap. Mas masaya talaga ang result pag pinaghirapan ang process. It’s good the paths are not slippery or else, we might not know what can happen. Meron daw ba nahuhulog sa terraces. Nanghihinayang lang ako sa adulteration of the area with those houses, later on parami ng parami na mga yun!
I can describe the trail to Tappia Falls as steep winding stairway of torture>>> perfect description Ferdz! hahaha… how will i forget those foreigners and their guide Hariet. it’s challenging but it’s definitely a trek of a lifetime.
oman, hahaha… pero tingin ko mas malakas ang dating ni erick sa mga yun. hahaha
Thank you very much Nadia! It’s great to hear that it brought you back to when you visited the place.
Haha! Pag pwede si Dom sumasama sya Rayts! Uy daya mo di ka nagpakita
Yeah Andrea! Grabe nga hirap pero it’s worth it naman. Well from what I’ve noticed mukhang di naman nag eexpand yung community sa terraces which is good. Haven’t heard anyone fall ing from the terraces yet though.
Onga Dom! I’m guilty for forgetting Hariet’s name. Hehe
potek, dito ko pa makikita si dominic. tagal ko na to hinahanap na taong to!
Hi Sir,
I would just want to ask how can we go to Batad from Baguio? Do you have any itinerary and breakdown of the budget for this trip (well that is from Baguio to Batad and vice versa)? We want to have a sidetrip with the Batad Falls. We will be going to Baguio next week, May 29. Will leave Manila 23:00.
Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Jay
Your pictures are breathtaking. I would love to visit those places!